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Intricate Ties #5

Learning To Command

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The student is ready. The mentor is waiting. But the lesson is more than they ever imagined.

Darren and Miles Bennet have built a life on the beautiful, steady rhythm of "Safe Authority." Miles has found his healing in surrender, and Darren has found his soulmate in the man who lives to serve. But Darren knows that for Miles to truly be whole, he needs to experience the other side of the the weight and the wonder of holding someone else’s heart in his hands.

What begins as a series of intimate mentorship sessions soon evolves into a transformative journey. As Darren guides Miles through the nuances of their lifestyle dynamic and joint leadership, Miles begins to see himself as Darren sees as a man capable of providing the safety he once craved. But this training isn't just about their marriage; it’s a preparation for the unknown.

When they set out for an exclusive showcase event, they aren't just looking to perform; they are looking for the missing pieces of their "found family". A couple whose love is absolute, yet who have reached the limits of what they can explore alone. Waiting in the shadows are two men whose bond is iron-clad, but whose deepest desires for surrender require the very thing Miles is learning to a steady, commanding leadership at his husband's side.

In this "spicy and cozy" tale of growth, Darren and Miles learn that the ultimate act of devotion isn’t just staying together - it’s growing together to welcome someone new.

120 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 16, 2026

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About the author

A.E. LeMercier

44 books37 followers

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5 stars
14 (45%)
4 stars
13 (41%)
3 stars
3 (9%)
2 stars
1 (3%)
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0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
12 reviews2 followers
April 17, 2026
Love Love Love

I got to ARC read and y'all, book 5 is HOT. Watching Miles and Darren grow and evolve further in this new installment was so rewarding. The switching was handled with care and authenticity and added depth to their connection that really hit home for me. Their dynamics between the sheets and living their domestic bliss gave all the warm fuzzies. High heat, all heart. Can't recommend enough.
Profile Image for Barbara Rachel.
Author 2 books25 followers
August 10, 2026
ARC 📖 review
Overall: 4.5 stars ⭐️

MC’s: Miles & Darren
Characters: 5/5 ⭐️
The Story: 4/5 ⭐️
Spice 5/5 🌶️

❤️ Book 5 – Learning to Command
The beginning of Season Two, where a devoted service sub becomes "polydominant" to serve his husband's pleasure and his own personal growth

The Story of Miles and Darren continues, a few years into their marriage and their Dom-Sub relationship.
The story is full of continued high heat combined with the sweetness of love and devotion. I’m totally hooked on these two MC’s and their journey!

Tropes:
❤️ Established married couples
🧡 Pleasure Dom x Service Sub &
💛 Science Nerd x Theater Queer
💚 Green flag poly
💙 First love reunion (Nerd x Jock)
💜 Lifestyle Power Couple
❤️ Brother's best friend
🧡 Lacy Lingerie
💛 bd$m mentorship
💚 Switching / sub learns to lead
💙 High heat MMMM
💜 Novella duet (~150 pages each)


Please note, I did receive this advanced copy ahead of publication; I am writing this honest review voluntarily and appreciate the opportunity provided by the author to review this book
Profile Image for Nicola Clements.
67 reviews6 followers
July 30, 2026
I didn't have gr when I arc read this and the previous books!

Darren and Miles are the absolute epitome of made for eachother, their relationship from book one has grown so beautifully and the trust between the two of them....too sweet.

With each book we get to fully understand their dynamics and how the give and take is equal.
This book is even more beautiful when they have to trust eachother endlessly in order to progress to their next exciting step.

I'm really looking forward to book 6!!
I can't wait to see what happens.

These books are so gently written and have gave me a greater understanding of what makes a great trusting relationship work.
10 reviews
July 24, 2026
I was hooked by Darren and Miles from the beginning. Not realizing I had already read book one it took me a bit to realize why they seemed so familiar. I loved seeing Miles morph so naturally into a Dom and his Dom husband, Darren, morph into the submissive role he needed to experience.. The sex scenes were well played as were the domestic interactions. Seeing them move on to looking for outside partners is exciting. Cannot wait for book 6!
Profile Image for Keia  Cotton.
337 reviews
April 19, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

This is the fifth book in the Intricate Ties series. This one was good. It’s setting up for the next book in the series.

This one has Darren and Miles looking to expand their relationship. Which doesn’t make any sense to me especially since they were doing just fine in their relationship. Why mess up a good thing?
I do like when Miles is the dom and bossing Darren around. It’s surprising that Darren is able to switch so easily.

I am kind of interested to see what happens with the new couple they’ve just met in the next book.
22 reviews1 follower
April 27, 2026
Another incredible installment

I just can’t get enough of this series. The masterful way the author tackles kink and relationship topics with care and respect is so refreshing. This book is like a warm hug… if it was also super hot and sexy. Love love love, can’t wait for 5he next one!
Profile Image for Tori Reads.
447 reviews1 follower
June 10, 2026
Miles and Darren. MM. I love this couple…. But I am OVER the stories being like 100 pages each. Just write a book would you?
13 reviews
July 11, 2026
Love, LOVE where the author is taking the couple - both the potential of new submissives to play with and grow their abilities together (what a hobby to share! heehee) and because it feels very true to a lot of queer and kinky couples I know, which is always very refreshing to find in MM Romance. The progression from domestic bliss to 'what value can we bring to someone(s) new' felt very natural. The play scenes between the two of them were delightfully spicy and loved a bit of lingerie kink coming into play with the impact play (love a masc man in lace, YUM.) 5/5 no notes other than MORE PLEASE!
Profile Image for Mystisith.
777 reviews12 followers
August 4, 2026
Now that was really getting repetitive. The dirty talk in bed particularly needs some creative input. So much "fuck!" & "fucking" that it becomes off putting.
This particular book starts with the Dom donning lingerie & pumps which is also so very NOT sexy for me.
The sharing aspect is mostly hinted at at the end & we get a TBC for a 6th book but I'm going to stop there. That lemon is all out of juice.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Luulu Soul.
34 reviews3 followers
April 17, 2026
I had the absolute HONOR of ARC reading this book and...you guys....why are you reading this review when you could be reading this book?! Books 1-4 set the stage for this new shift in the life of Mile and Darren, allowing us to see a whole new side of their dynamic. I barreled through book 5, and now I'm vibrating with excitement for book 6.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews