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His Custody
From the USA Today bestselling author of School Ties and the Compass Series
He needs to be a better man for her sake, but she makes him want to be so bad...
Keyne O’Connell leads a charmed life. She has a caring family and a terrific boyfriend. Her senior year is about to begin, and her future looks bright. But one dark summer night robs her of everyone she loves, thrusting her into the care of her boyfriend’s intimidating, much older brother.
Dark and brooding, Jasper Andersson is not a good man. His business dealings are barely legal. He’s a womanizer and a casual drug user. He has no interest in becoming Keyne’s guardian, although given her limited options, he doesn’t have much of a choice. He knows he must protect her at whatever the cost.
But living in close quarters soon stirs up feelings inside them both that are far from platonic. Keyne needs a firm hand to keep her in line, but what she desires could lead Jasper into trouble...
Praise for the novels of USA Today bestselling author Tamsen Parker
“A fictional world that is both dark and joyful, in which an intense, complicated, submissive heroine meets a tender, lighthearted, dominant hero.”—Megan Mulry, USA Today bestselling author of Encore
“A smart, strong, brazen debut. Parker doesn’t strip the rose of its thorns.”—Cara McKenna, bestselling author of Crosstown Crush and the Desert Dogs novels
“A story that works on all levels, drawing you in with snappy pacing and dialogue, building a slow burn until you can’t put it down.”—Anne Calhoun, bestselling author of Liberating Lacey and Jaded
He needs to be a better man for her sake, but she makes him want to be so bad...
Keyne O’Connell leads a charmed life. She has a caring family and a terrific boyfriend. Her senior year is about to begin, and her future looks bright. But one dark summer night robs her of everyone she loves, thrusting her into the care of her boyfriend’s intimidating, much older brother.
Dark and brooding, Jasper Andersson is not a good man. His business dealings are barely legal. He’s a womanizer and a casual drug user. He has no interest in becoming Keyne’s guardian, although given her limited options, he doesn’t have much of a choice. He knows he must protect her at whatever the cost.
But living in close quarters soon stirs up feelings inside them both that are far from platonic. Keyne needs a firm hand to keep her in line, but what she desires could lead Jasper into trouble...
Praise for the novels of USA Today bestselling author Tamsen Parker
“A fictional world that is both dark and joyful, in which an intense, complicated, submissive heroine meets a tender, lighthearted, dominant hero.”—Megan Mulry, USA Today bestselling author of Encore
“A smart, strong, brazen debut. Parker doesn’t strip the rose of its thorns.”—Cara McKenna, bestselling author of Crosstown Crush and the Desert Dogs novels
“A story that works on all levels, drawing you in with snappy pacing and dialogue, building a slow burn until you can’t put it down.”—Anne Calhoun, bestselling author of Liberating Lacey and Jaded
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 21, 2017
271 people are currently reading
461 people want to read
About the author
Tamsen Parker
43 books391 followersTamsen Parker is a stay-at-home mom by day, erotic romance writer by naptime. She lives with her family outside of Boston, where she tweets too much, sleeps too little and is always in the middle of a book. Aside from good food, sweet rieslings and gin cocktails, she has a fondness for monograms and subway maps. She should really start drinking coffee.
You can sign up for her newsletter here to find out about her latest release, sales, or other goings on: http://bit.ly/1Bry07O
You can sign up for her newsletter here to find out about her latest release, sales, or other goings on: http://bit.ly/1Bry07O
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
October 30, 2017
I'm no stranger to Tamsen Parker's work and, knowing how she has the has the ability to put a twist on things, I was looking forward to seeing what His Custody held in store.
"I’m going to teach you. And I’m going to start here."
This story holds much of what enjoy reading: older guy, forbidden feelings, emotion, angst and some kink. Yet I'm not sure where to categorise it; Age 17 is YA, 18 is NA and whilst sex and the D/s aspect enters the equation when Keyne is the latter, much of the story does take place when she is the former with feelings brewing between her and her much older, guardian, Jasper. But to clarify, nothing physical happens between them until she's 18.
"It didn’t matter if it wasn’t against the law, it was still wrong. But it didn’t feel wrong."
Whilst the first half of this story gives us a real opportunity to get to know Keyne and Jasper and the pain they're going though--particularly Keyne because their mutual loss is immense--at the same time I never fully became invested in them. And I think this can be attributed to the pace of the first half which I found because a bit too drawn out and possibly Keyne's age initially.
"I will always be here for you. I know it’s hard to remember when you wake up in the middle of the night, but I swear on everything I have it’s true."
Whilst I didn't enjoy this as much as I was hoping to, it did kick up a notch in the second half as Keyne and Jasper cross that line and realise they're compatible in more ways than they imagined. And as always, Tamsen has written a Dom who is considerate, although there were certain aspects that don't exactly float-my-boat so to speak. It's simply a case that whilst the majority of her books have worked for me, His Custody is the one that didn't quite so much.
Copy received courtesy of the author and Berkley for an honest and unbiased opinion.
"I’m going to teach you. And I’m going to start here."
This story holds much of what enjoy reading: older guy, forbidden feelings, emotion, angst and some kink. Yet I'm not sure where to categorise it; Age 17 is YA, 18 is NA and whilst sex and the D/s aspect enters the equation when Keyne is the latter, much of the story does take place when she is the former with feelings brewing between her and her much older, guardian, Jasper. But to clarify, nothing physical happens between them until she's 18.
"It didn’t matter if it wasn’t against the law, it was still wrong. But it didn’t feel wrong."
Whilst the first half of this story gives us a real opportunity to get to know Keyne and Jasper and the pain they're going though--particularly Keyne because their mutual loss is immense--at the same time I never fully became invested in them. And I think this can be attributed to the pace of the first half which I found because a bit too drawn out and possibly Keyne's age initially.
"I will always be here for you. I know it’s hard to remember when you wake up in the middle of the night, but I swear on everything I have it’s true."
Whilst I didn't enjoy this as much as I was hoping to, it did kick up a notch in the second half as Keyne and Jasper cross that line and realise they're compatible in more ways than they imagined. And as always, Tamsen has written a Dom who is considerate, although there were certain aspects that don't exactly float-my-boat so to speak. It's simply a case that whilst the majority of her books have worked for me, His Custody is the one that didn't quite so much.
Copy received courtesy of the author and Berkley for an honest and unbiased opinion.
June 16, 2017
Ehhhhhhhhhhh. *Sigh* It was good until this one thing. I've written my review and now I'm disappointed. And angry. And sad. I absolutely loved this book until the last fifty pages or so.
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
His Custody by Tamsen Parker
Publisher: Intermix (Berkley)
Publication Date: March 21, 2017
Rating: 2 stars
Source: eARC from NetGalley
***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***
Summary (from Goodreads):
He needs to be a better man for her sake, but she makes him want to be so bad...
Keyne O’Connell leads a charmed life. She has a caring family and a terrific boyfriend. Her senior year is about to begin, and her future looks bright. But one dark summer night robs her of everyone she loves, thrusting her into the care of her boyfriend’s intimidating, much older brother.
Dark and brooding, Jasper Andersson is not a good man. His business dealings are barely legal. He’s a womanizer and a casual drug user. He has no interest in becoming Keyne’s guardian, although given her limited options, he doesn’t have much of a choice. He knows he must protect her at whatever the cost.
But living in close quarters soon stirs up feelings inside them both that are far from platonic. Keyne needs a firm hand to keep her in line, but what she desires could lead Jasper into trouble...
What I Liked:
I'm going to begin my review by saying that I really enjoyed this book... until the last fifty pages of the book. Yes, I'm giving the book three stars, despite loving the book (again, until the last fifty pages or so). I'm so disappointed in the last part of the book because it had been so good (for me), until that point. Please be warned - this review will have spoilers (especially in the "What I Did Not Like" section).
I've never read a book by Tamsen Parker, and I don't think I've read a true "guardian/ward" book. I wanted to try one and test my boundaries, and I really enjoyed this book - minus the last fifty pages. I picked this book up on a whim, and while I wish I could say I was glad that I did, I really can't.
Life comes to a halt when Keyne's family - her parents her boyfriend Gavin, and his parents - are killed in an accident while they were on a cruise. She has known Gavin since birth, since their parents were best friends. Which means that she has also known Gavin's older brother Jasper since she was born. Jasper fights for custody of her, knowing that while she has blood family, he is her only real family. He doesn't know anything about being a parent or raising a teenager, but he isn't going to let Keyne go. Living together was never going to be easy, but it gets even harder when the pair recognize their fierce attraction to each other, and how deeply they've fallen for each other.
I loved both of these characters from the start, but especially Jasper. He is fourteen years older than Keyne (thirty-one at the start of the book), a successful and rich businessman with a very kinky dominant side, and a very pleasure-filled life. When his parents, Keyne's parents, and his little brother are killed, he has no time to process his grief. Keyne's grief is overwhelming and very present, and Jasper wants to be there for her before anything else. I love how Jasper puts Keyne first in everything, and takes care of her, from start to finish.
Keyne is incredibly broken after the five deaths, and for months. She doesn't process the grief well. It's good that Jasper is so caring and understanding because Keyne becomes a zombie for a few months, before she begins to be alive again. I liked Keyne and her fragility, but I also liked her quiet, budding strength. She leans on Jasper and learns to live again because of him.
Okay, you probably wondering - he is thirty-one and she is seventeen and HOW is this a romance novel? I assure you, nothing sexual happens between them until she's eighteen. In fact, about half of the book is spent over months (maybe eight months? I can't remember), in which they live together and heal together, but they ignore their attraction as best they can. Nothing happens until she turns eighteen. But even before then, it wasn't really weird. Nothing about the situation struck me as weird.
And even then, Jasper is careful to always give her an out. He gives her so many options, and makes sure that she knows that she is safe with him and can stop him at any time. He is gentle with her in that regard... but nothing about the romance is gentle. He is kinky and a true dominant, and she discovers that she likes some kinky aspects of sex that she didn't fully understand. The two of them together are tough, passionate, and fiery, and a lot of the scenes with them in the second half of the book are scorching hot. There are BDSM-type scenes in this book, though nothing super super erotic or hardcore.
But the last fifty pages... the ending really threw a damp towel over the inferno. I'm very sad about the last fifty pages. There IS a happily-ever-after ending, don't worry. It's how we get there that makes me sad and angry. Read on for spoilers and my dislikes.
What I Did Not Like:
I'm going to be blunt - the last fifty pages made me angry, and disappointed. This is the part of the story in which Keyne goes to college. She goes to Yale, about an hour away. But Jasper, being the noble guy that he is, tells her that she should go and meet boys and have sex and do whatever, even though he also tells her that he loves her and will wait for her, and she clearly tells him that she loves him and only wants him.
You can probably see where this is going.
I'm 100% confident that Keyne didn't have vaginal sex (i.e. penetration) with anyone. But she did get a boyfriend in the first few months at college, and she lets him touch her and do stuff to her, and she does stuff to him. Again, no penetration, but... none of this sat well with me. How can you claim to love someone and be devoted to them, but also go "exploring" with someone else? Jasper was furious about that, but sad nothing, because he wanted her to be happy. Also, we as readers know that Keyne (probably) didn't have sex with that boy, but Jasper never knew that. And of course, I could be wrong, and Keyne most definitely could have had sex with the boy at some point. A lot of time passes.
Look, I'm all about choices and empowerment and whatnot. This really bothers me though, because Keyne loves Jasper, and she always claims she wants to make him happy and doesn't want to hurt him. But in a lot of ways, her "exploration" in college (four years, by the way) makes me feel like she did all of that to spite him for giving her this choice. Which is f***ed up, if you ask me. I get it, he told her to go and live life and have sex with whomever, but that does not mean she had to - especially since she really didn't want to. She didn't even like that boy! She recited her homework and schedule while he put his hands on her. Do you see my frustration?
Friends, while (penetration) sex is regarded as intimate and personal in most instances, I think the "other stuff" that people do is also really intimate and personal... and the fact that Keyne allowed herself to do those things with and to other people, when in fact she only wanted one man, really bothered me. Especially since Jasper was over there with his very celibate self, not letting anyone touch him.
Yup, those last fifty pages though.
Would I Recommend It:
I really don't recommend this book and kind of wish I hadn't read it. Which is a shame, because I loved it, up until Keyne goes to college (which is in those dreaded last fifty pages I keep mentioning). I'm so annoyed and also very disappointed and sad. This could have easily been a new favorite romance novel of mine, had the climax/ending not marred it so much for me. So, no, I don't recommend it.
That being said, I'm sure most readers will love this book. I'm very strange and strict when it comes to my tastes in romance, in that I'm usually on the conservative side (i.e. two people in the romance - no love triangles or outside partners or menages or orgies, etc.). And arguably, Keyne had one boyfriend (Tyler) and she may not have even had sex with him, and anyway this whole thing may not be a big deal to others. But it's a loyalty/cheating thing to me, and it's a big deal to me.
Rating:
2 stars. This hurts for me to dish out this rating for such a wonderful book that I loved until the climax/ending. I was loving this book, and flying through the heartbreak and the slow-burn romance and the sexy, sexy times! But the last fifty pages really ruined the story for me, and I can't look at this book this same. I might even delete it from my Kindle, because I can't stand to look at it anymore. I think I got too invested and then I got too hurt by this book!
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
His Custody by Tamsen Parker
Publisher: Intermix (Berkley)
Publication Date: March 21, 2017
Rating: 2 stars
Source: eARC from NetGalley
***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***
Summary (from Goodreads):
He needs to be a better man for her sake, but she makes him want to be so bad...
Keyne O’Connell leads a charmed life. She has a caring family and a terrific boyfriend. Her senior year is about to begin, and her future looks bright. But one dark summer night robs her of everyone she loves, thrusting her into the care of her boyfriend’s intimidating, much older brother.
Dark and brooding, Jasper Andersson is not a good man. His business dealings are barely legal. He’s a womanizer and a casual drug user. He has no interest in becoming Keyne’s guardian, although given her limited options, he doesn’t have much of a choice. He knows he must protect her at whatever the cost.
But living in close quarters soon stirs up feelings inside them both that are far from platonic. Keyne needs a firm hand to keep her in line, but what she desires could lead Jasper into trouble...
What I Liked:
I'm going to begin my review by saying that I really enjoyed this book... until the last fifty pages of the book. Yes, I'm giving the book three stars, despite loving the book (again, until the last fifty pages or so). I'm so disappointed in the last part of the book because it had been so good (for me), until that point. Please be warned - this review will have spoilers (especially in the "What I Did Not Like" section).
I've never read a book by Tamsen Parker, and I don't think I've read a true "guardian/ward" book. I wanted to try one and test my boundaries, and I really enjoyed this book - minus the last fifty pages. I picked this book up on a whim, and while I wish I could say I was glad that I did, I really can't.
Life comes to a halt when Keyne's family - her parents her boyfriend Gavin, and his parents - are killed in an accident while they were on a cruise. She has known Gavin since birth, since their parents were best friends. Which means that she has also known Gavin's older brother Jasper since she was born. Jasper fights for custody of her, knowing that while she has blood family, he is her only real family. He doesn't know anything about being a parent or raising a teenager, but he isn't going to let Keyne go. Living together was never going to be easy, but it gets even harder when the pair recognize their fierce attraction to each other, and how deeply they've fallen for each other.
I loved both of these characters from the start, but especially Jasper. He is fourteen years older than Keyne (thirty-one at the start of the book), a successful and rich businessman with a very kinky dominant side, and a very pleasure-filled life. When his parents, Keyne's parents, and his little brother are killed, he has no time to process his grief. Keyne's grief is overwhelming and very present, and Jasper wants to be there for her before anything else. I love how Jasper puts Keyne first in everything, and takes care of her, from start to finish.
Keyne is incredibly broken after the five deaths, and for months. She doesn't process the grief well. It's good that Jasper is so caring and understanding because Keyne becomes a zombie for a few months, before she begins to be alive again. I liked Keyne and her fragility, but I also liked her quiet, budding strength. She leans on Jasper and learns to live again because of him.
Okay, you probably wondering - he is thirty-one and she is seventeen and HOW is this a romance novel? I assure you, nothing sexual happens between them until she's eighteen. In fact, about half of the book is spent over months (maybe eight months? I can't remember), in which they live together and heal together, but they ignore their attraction as best they can. Nothing happens until she turns eighteen. But even before then, it wasn't really weird. Nothing about the situation struck me as weird.
And even then, Jasper is careful to always give her an out. He gives her so many options, and makes sure that she knows that she is safe with him and can stop him at any time. He is gentle with her in that regard... but nothing about the romance is gentle. He is kinky and a true dominant, and she discovers that she likes some kinky aspects of sex that she didn't fully understand. The two of them together are tough, passionate, and fiery, and a lot of the scenes with them in the second half of the book are scorching hot. There are BDSM-type scenes in this book, though nothing super super erotic or hardcore.
But the last fifty pages... the ending really threw a damp towel over the inferno. I'm very sad about the last fifty pages. There IS a happily-ever-after ending, don't worry. It's how we get there that makes me sad and angry. Read on for spoilers and my dislikes.
What I Did Not Like:
I'm going to be blunt - the last fifty pages made me angry, and disappointed. This is the part of the story in which Keyne goes to college. She goes to Yale, about an hour away. But Jasper, being the noble guy that he is, tells her that she should go and meet boys and have sex and do whatever, even though he also tells her that he loves her and will wait for her, and she clearly tells him that she loves him and only wants him.
You can probably see where this is going.
I'm 100% confident that Keyne didn't have vaginal sex (i.e. penetration) with anyone. But she did get a boyfriend in the first few months at college, and she lets him touch her and do stuff to her, and she does stuff to him. Again, no penetration, but... none of this sat well with me. How can you claim to love someone and be devoted to them, but also go "exploring" with someone else? Jasper was furious about that, but sad nothing, because he wanted her to be happy. Also, we as readers know that Keyne (probably) didn't have sex with that boy, but Jasper never knew that. And of course, I could be wrong, and Keyne most definitely could have had sex with the boy at some point. A lot of time passes.
Look, I'm all about choices and empowerment and whatnot. This really bothers me though, because Keyne loves Jasper, and she always claims she wants to make him happy and doesn't want to hurt him. But in a lot of ways, her "exploration" in college (four years, by the way) makes me feel like she did all of that to spite him for giving her this choice. Which is f***ed up, if you ask me. I get it, he told her to go and live life and have sex with whomever, but that does not mean she had to - especially since she really didn't want to. She didn't even like that boy! She recited her homework and schedule while he put his hands on her. Do you see my frustration?
Friends, while (penetration) sex is regarded as intimate and personal in most instances, I think the "other stuff" that people do is also really intimate and personal... and the fact that Keyne allowed herself to do those things with and to other people, when in fact she only wanted one man, really bothered me. Especially since Jasper was over there with his very celibate self, not letting anyone touch him.
Yup, those last fifty pages though.
Would I Recommend It:
I really don't recommend this book and kind of wish I hadn't read it. Which is a shame, because I loved it, up until Keyne goes to college (which is in those dreaded last fifty pages I keep mentioning). I'm so annoyed and also very disappointed and sad. This could have easily been a new favorite romance novel of mine, had the climax/ending not marred it so much for me. So, no, I don't recommend it.
That being said, I'm sure most readers will love this book. I'm very strange and strict when it comes to my tastes in romance, in that I'm usually on the conservative side (i.e. two people in the romance - no love triangles or outside partners or menages or orgies, etc.). And arguably, Keyne had one boyfriend (Tyler) and she may not have even had sex with him, and anyway this whole thing may not be a big deal to others. But it's a loyalty/cheating thing to me, and it's a big deal to me.
Rating:
2 stars. This hurts for me to dish out this rating for such a wonderful book that I loved until the climax/ending. I was loving this book, and flying through the heartbreak and the slow-burn romance and the sexy, sexy times! But the last fifty pages really ruined the story for me, and I can't look at this book this same. I might even delete it from my Kindle, because I can't stand to look at it anymore. I think I got too invested and then I got too hurt by this book!
dnf
November 22, 2022DNF @ 30% - I was onboard with the way this was being laid out. The age gap wasnt huge. The H wasn’t a creep about the h… he was fierce and protective…he doesn’t have any sexual feelings toward her at first. I was even ok with his BdSM background and drugs and stuff… because he was getting rid of all of it in order to get custody of the h… for once it wasn’t some creepy weirdo beating off to thoughts of an underage girl while he panted after her 18th birthday. 🙌🏻
But then…. Our very innocent and traumatized heroine starts to coincidentally show subby signals 🙄… and the H starts comparing her to his long line of subs… I was still hanging… praying that she’d be different… but then…
😐
… then his housekeeper accidentally walked in on the h as she was getting out of the shower. And sees signs of cutting on her legs… and like a responsible adult, she’s concerned and goes running to the H to report what she saw… and of course the H goes nuclear and into over-protection mode.
👀
Right??
👀
Wrong.
This douche-canoe starts daydreaming about past subs who were into blood play and pondering if this means the h would be into that… and he gets turned on. 😑🫠
Pssst - hey authors…. Self harm is not sexy.
Let’s all say this together.
Self harm is not sexy
🫤
A traumatized girl who is cutting herself needs a therapist… not BDSM as therapy. And certainly not a man who gets a boner thinking about it. 😵💫
I’m grossed out.
AND THEN.
Then I read a review that says that after he takes her v-card (and likely makes her a sub) he pats her on the ass and sends her off to sex up dudes in college. 😵💫😵💫😵💫😵💫
Cheese and Crackers.
But then…. Our very innocent and traumatized heroine starts to coincidentally show subby signals 🙄… and the H starts comparing her to his long line of subs… I was still hanging… praying that she’d be different… but then…
😐
… then his housekeeper accidentally walked in on the h as she was getting out of the shower. And sees signs of cutting on her legs… and like a responsible adult, she’s concerned and goes running to the H to report what she saw… and of course the H goes nuclear and into over-protection mode.
👀
Right??
👀
Wrong.
This douche-canoe starts daydreaming about past subs who were into blood play and pondering if this means the h would be into that… and he gets turned on. 😑🫠
Pssst - hey authors…. Self harm is not sexy.
Let’s all say this together.
Self harm is not sexy
🫤
A traumatized girl who is cutting herself needs a therapist… not BDSM as therapy. And certainly not a man who gets a boner thinking about it. 😵💫
I’m grossed out.
AND THEN.
Then I read a review that says that after he takes her v-card (and likely makes her a sub) he pats her on the ass and sends her off to sex up dudes in college. 😵💫😵💫😵💫😵💫
Cheese and Crackers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2020
Book Title: His Custody
Book Author: Tamsen Parker
Introduction: I'd be lying if I said Tamsen Parker wasn't my favourite author. There's many reasons why I love her (in a nerdy, fangirl type way) and many reasons why I respect her (as another female working their butt of in this funny world of business) but listing them all here wouldn't do it justice. So, for a small introduction all I have to say is this: I LOVE supporting Tamsen and reading all of her books and posting my silly, little reviews for everyone to see. You can tell Tamsen is passionate about her books and she does an incredible job (she constantly raises the bars! She doesn't stick to one topic and pump out fifty books of the same, old story. She changes it up!). I'll continue reading every book she throws out until I can't read anymore, and then I'll find an audiobook and continue to devour every single novel she throws at me.
So thank you Tamsen for being such a wonderful author! From your little tweets that make my day, to the Valentine I got in the mail, to the very first time you offered to send me the rest of the Compass series to binge on. You are fantastic and I adore you and I appreciate everything you do (I don't think people say that enough to anybody...so here's my little appreciate two paragraphs to remind you ;D )! Keep up the great work!
Now it's review time.
Review:
His Custody changes up the pace from Tamsen's other books. We've seen the BDSM-type of novel, the voyeur novel, the F/F novel, and now this book is just a teeny bit different. And by teeny bit, I mean it's a full 180. His Custody is what it sounds like - immediately you are thrown into this strange custody battle-esque scene where Jasper is trying to get custody of Keyne until she turns 18. I did NOT expect that, not at all. The title should have given it away, but hey, I'm not always looking for the most obviously reason behind the titles. I thought it might have been some sexy metaphor- but nope! Tamsen gives away the first scene in the title. She loves throwing me a loop, I swear sometimes she does this on purpose just to drive me insane! (Insane in a good way ;) She's keeping me on my toes...).
Bonus Marks: Jasper leaving Keyne a note. A hand written note! Oh, Tamsen loves playing with my heart strings.
Jasper is the knight in shining armor who is totally not the knight in shining armor. Drugs, kinks, all of that jazz that makes someone NOT the perfect knight in shining armor is Jasper. Yet he's sexy as hell and works his butt off for Keyne. He's not your typicaly goody-two shoes love interest, but that's what makes him interesting! He's not perfect, he has flaws. Slowly we're seeing Tamsen develop her characters into bigger and better, and I love that!! Was he my favourite out of all her characters? No, but he's still incredibly developed and written beautifully! (I still love the Compass series. Nothing has passed that yet...Cris from the Compass series fits my aesthetic).
Bonus Marks: "Mumbo jumbo" is used in this book. Finally someone else who uses my terminology!
This book is definitely another home run for Tamsen. She grows in her field, which is wonderful. I haven't found many authors who continue to grow and share the knowledge their gaining without doing the same, old boring storyline over and over. She tries new things and experiments, which makes me respect her even more as an author. She goes above and beyond (and without spoiling), she goes to greater lengths to show pain, love, trust and other feelings in these characters where she hasn't gone before. This book is pretty deeper in it's storyline and consequences. It's a nice change to see a story with a little more pain than the past books, and it's interesting to see how Tamsen deals with that in her stories.
Bonus Marks: "Hey, that guy has a penis". The strangest yet funniest quote I've ever seen in a book.
There's, of course, lots of sexy time in this novel. How would it be a Tamsen novel without the sexy time? It's a splash of different compared to the other books. This book is harsh and intense, and the scenes between Jasper and Keyne fit that bill. It all ties in well with the dramatic scenes of this novel.
Frustrations: My frustrations are always silly with books like this. For example, my BIGGEST PROBLEM in this whole book is the name Andersson. Why is it two S's? Why am I so annoyed by this? Why is this the BIGGEST issue in the whole book for me?! Who knows. It's a great book! If I can say the spelling of a name is the biggest frustration of a book, you've done a good job!
My second frustration isn't a book frustration - I know a female dog named Jasper, and for whatever reason I was not convinced that Jasper was the male leads name for the first twenty pages of this book. Silly frustration? Obviously. But again, if silly frustrations like this are my biggest frustrations, the book has to be good. Or at least on my level, it's great.
Book Author: Tamsen Parker
Introduction: I'd be lying if I said Tamsen Parker wasn't my favourite author. There's many reasons why I love her (in a nerdy, fangirl type way) and many reasons why I respect her (as another female working their butt of in this funny world of business) but listing them all here wouldn't do it justice. So, for a small introduction all I have to say is this: I LOVE supporting Tamsen and reading all of her books and posting my silly, little reviews for everyone to see. You can tell Tamsen is passionate about her books and she does an incredible job (she constantly raises the bars! She doesn't stick to one topic and pump out fifty books of the same, old story. She changes it up!). I'll continue reading every book she throws out until I can't read anymore, and then I'll find an audiobook and continue to devour every single novel she throws at me.
So thank you Tamsen for being such a wonderful author! From your little tweets that make my day, to the Valentine I got in the mail, to the very first time you offered to send me the rest of the Compass series to binge on. You are fantastic and I adore you and I appreciate everything you do (I don't think people say that enough to anybody...so here's my little appreciate two paragraphs to remind you ;D )! Keep up the great work!
Now it's review time.
Review:
His Custody changes up the pace from Tamsen's other books. We've seen the BDSM-type of novel, the voyeur novel, the F/F novel, and now this book is just a teeny bit different. And by teeny bit, I mean it's a full 180. His Custody is what it sounds like - immediately you are thrown into this strange custody battle-esque scene where Jasper is trying to get custody of Keyne until she turns 18. I did NOT expect that, not at all. The title should have given it away, but hey, I'm not always looking for the most obviously reason behind the titles. I thought it might have been some sexy metaphor- but nope! Tamsen gives away the first scene in the title. She loves throwing me a loop, I swear sometimes she does this on purpose just to drive me insane! (Insane in a good way ;) She's keeping me on my toes...).
Bonus Marks: Jasper leaving Keyne a note. A hand written note! Oh, Tamsen loves playing with my heart strings.
Jasper is the knight in shining armor who is totally not the knight in shining armor. Drugs, kinks, all of that jazz that makes someone NOT the perfect knight in shining armor is Jasper. Yet he's sexy as hell and works his butt off for Keyne. He's not your typicaly goody-two shoes love interest, but that's what makes him interesting! He's not perfect, he has flaws. Slowly we're seeing Tamsen develop her characters into bigger and better, and I love that!! Was he my favourite out of all her characters? No, but he's still incredibly developed and written beautifully! (I still love the Compass series. Nothing has passed that yet...Cris from the Compass series fits my aesthetic).
Bonus Marks: "Mumbo jumbo" is used in this book. Finally someone else who uses my terminology!
This book is definitely another home run for Tamsen. She grows in her field, which is wonderful. I haven't found many authors who continue to grow and share the knowledge their gaining without doing the same, old boring storyline over and over. She tries new things and experiments, which makes me respect her even more as an author. She goes above and beyond (and without spoiling), she goes to greater lengths to show pain, love, trust and other feelings in these characters where she hasn't gone before. This book is pretty deeper in it's storyline and consequences. It's a nice change to see a story with a little more pain than the past books, and it's interesting to see how Tamsen deals with that in her stories.
Bonus Marks: "Hey, that guy has a penis". The strangest yet funniest quote I've ever seen in a book.
There's, of course, lots of sexy time in this novel. How would it be a Tamsen novel without the sexy time? It's a splash of different compared to the other books. This book is harsh and intense, and the scenes between Jasper and Keyne fit that bill. It all ties in well with the dramatic scenes of this novel.
Frustrations: My frustrations are always silly with books like this. For example, my BIGGEST PROBLEM in this whole book is the name Andersson. Why is it two S's? Why am I so annoyed by this? Why is this the BIGGEST issue in the whole book for me?! Who knows. It's a great book! If I can say the spelling of a name is the biggest frustration of a book, you've done a good job!
My second frustration isn't a book frustration - I know a female dog named Jasper, and for whatever reason I was not convinced that Jasper was the male leads name for the first twenty pages of this book. Silly frustration? Obviously. But again, if silly frustrations like this are my biggest frustrations, the book has to be good. Or at least on my level, it's great.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2024
4.5 stars
Loved it!!!! This was so much more than the thought it would be going in. Highly emotional, salacious and entertaining. Loved both MCs and glad they got their HEA. The third person pov was an interesting style for this kinda story but somehow it did work, king of?
My first story by this author, would definitely love to read more from them.
Loved it!!!! This was so much more than the thought it would be going in. Highly emotional, salacious and entertaining. Loved both MCs and glad they got their HEA. The third person pov was an interesting style for this kinda story but somehow it did work, king of?
My first story by this author, would definitely love to read more from them.
June 16, 2020
Ok first, a bird of paradise is a flower, not a bird.
Second, you don't aid a cutter by helping them cut. There are other healthier ways, considering the man is a sadist you'd think he'd come up with other options.
Otherwise this book was enjoyable.
Second, you don't aid a cutter by helping them cut. There are other healthier ways, considering the man is a sadist you'd think he'd come up with other options.
Otherwise this book was enjoyable.
May 17, 2017
A contemp guardian/ward romance with BDSM! Take my money!! I just adored reading Jasper struggling with his feelings for Keyne. Excellently done, a sweet romance as well as some great smut and angst.
March 28, 2017
I'm not sure where to begin with this book. The first chapters hooked me into this story. I felt extreme sadness for the characters and their loss but had high hopes for both Keyne and Jasper.
The first half of the book is Keyne and Jasper dealing with the loss of their families and waiting for her to turn 18. The year went by rather slowly for this pair. It was a lot of I like you but I can't be with you.
The story began to fall apart for me when there was no real drama or plot. When I thought the author was going to give us a bit of drama she dials it back. The custody case , his ex-girlfriend, her returning to school. These are just a few early examples.
The second half of the book started when she turned 18. It turned into this weird BDSM novel. They started having sex where they explored his panache for kink. It felt like he was a Jack of all trades Master of none.
As soon as their relationship started to grow she's off to college and he's on a downward spiral.
I think if we could have focused on a few storylines and plot points this could have worked a bit better.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
March 17, 2020
His Custody by Tamsen Parker was really interesting read for me, because I think in many ways the initial premise sounds like something you’ve read before- the 18 year old ingenue loses her family, is forced to move in with a 30-something wealthy bachelor and the two fall reluctantly in love. TBH, it’s a book *I’ve* read many times before. But His Custody felt really fresh in a number of ways. I do want to give a content warning for the off-page death of several loved ones- tbh this book probably wouldn't end up anywhere on the Ripped Bodice’s flow chart of fluff, but Tamsen accomplishes something really unique in that she makes this story feel incredibly raw and real, while still fulfilling the escapist romance needs we all have during this vexing social distancing :) Honestly, this book is masterful. She navigates the complexity of the relationship between Keyne and Jasper, works in some truly delicious kink, and amps up the taboo while ensuring consent is clear and present on the page. I really don’t know how she accomplishes it ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I think the lynchpin here is really nailing the Guardian-Ward relationship. It’s one of the oldest tropes of the genre, but I think in order for it to really work for most people today, it requires a certain detachment from our “real life.” One of the tough points with guardian/ward romance- particularly within contemporary- is navigating the power dynamic that age introduces. In paranormal or historical romance, that dynamic is negated to a degree, because either a) the beings are fantastical and out of this world (see Kresley Cole/Ilona Andrews etc) that our disbelief is already suspended to a certain degree, and we’ve got bigger fish to fry than a heroine who’s 10, 20 or 500 years younger than her would-be suitor. It's literally a whole new world. In historical romance (particularly before the 1900s) we’re far enough removed from that time period that it feels like another world, and the courting habits at that time typically involved a woman marrying a man many years her senior. So in those two subgenres, large age gaps are actually seen as the norm, and most people won't bat an eye. And with guardian/ward, the age dynamic is stretched even further, bc now not only are they older, but there's a pronounced disparity in power when one person is put into the care of the other. Again, historical & paranormal catch a bit of a break in this because they feel so far removed from our current circumstances, but it's a whole different ball game in contemporary.
The way I most often see authors go about this in contemporary is to go really bonkers, off the charts sexy (like so hot it will melt ur book/ereader/reading vessel of choice) to the point that you know you’re only looking for tropey goodness in this story. I must say i’m quite partial to this kind of “one handed read” (a big strength of the romance genre is that there are deliciously hot books to shamelessly feed anyone’s escapist fantasy) These books are predicated on the fact that we know there are huuuuge power dynamics at work in these relationships, and rather than presenting a realistic/nuanced depiction of this dynamic, they’re tapping into a fantasy that we want to explore in a controlled setting. It’s like literary role-play.
HOWEVER, Tamsen doesn’t do any of those things, and its a pretty bold fuckin move. By choosing to remove any table setting that could make this story more palatable, she forces readers to leave black and white belief systems that are a lot easier to recon with, and step into the grey areas. She does the work of recognizing the power imbalance present, addressing it on the page, and (in a way that works for the characters and the story) solves the issue of that disparity. This is, I think, where Tamsen Parker really shines. I mean the kink in her books is always deliciously decadent, but there are a lot of authors who couldn't take on this plot. At face value, it's a real challenge to write in a compelling and satisfying way. But she does it!
A big way that she tackles the age disparity/power imbalance is tied up in the other major complicating factor in the plot- within the first 5 pages, the heroine’s entire family, godparents, and boyfriend die in an accident, leaving her with no one but Jasper. Of course, Jasper’s family was also in this accident, but in many ways a 35 year old, independent billionaire is in a better position to handle this kind of loss than a 17 year old girl is. By chapter 5 we discover that before the accident, Keyne’s father had completely bankrupted their family, and without Jasper’s interceding she would've been a penniless orphan. So right off the bat, we establish that without Jasper, Keyne likely would be stuck with distant relatives that had only taken her in to access her parents' nonexistent money. It's very clear that she is fully dependent on Jasper.
The first several chapters show how Keyne is really struggling to piece herself back together after waking up to find that almost everyone she’s ever loved is dead. This particular portion of the book really reminded me of a scene in Twilight: New Moon that I have always loved. In the books, there's a number of chapters that document the passing of time. In the movie, a single camera circles, showing the seasons changing outside her window as Bella sits in a chair, unmoved, eyes frozen straight ahead. Her despair is absolutely crippling. I think trauma is a really hard thing to write about, particularly in romance, because there can be this misconception that romance = light and fluffy. But often this means that a lot of the really difficult, raw moments are glossed over, which is an inauthentic way to represent real trauma.sBut Tamsen doesn't shy away, and writes Keyne’s story in a way that really honestly depicts trauma in a way that feels respectful and authentic. There’s no magic dick that cures her, no brilliant solution to make it all go away. It takes time, some unhealthy coping, a ton of care from people that love her (mostly Jasper tbh) and going to a therapist. Tamsen is a QUEEN and honestly i don't think this book would work if she hadn't threaded this needle so carefully.
I think the part many people might struggle with is the consent. Admittedly, it's a whole lot. I do 100% believe that these are two consenting adults when they start bangin’ it out, and particularly by the end I think it’s really clear that after space and time they still are choosing each other. Which we love! However, the way their relationship builds while he’s her guardian/they’re living together/she’s 18 is heavy taboo. It was damn delicious and I have definitely gone back to reread some of the sexy times since, but that dynamic is really complicated. I think Tamsen navigates this really well. We’re over halfway through the book and a year after the accident before anything physical begins between the two of them. At that point, Keyne is the one to make the first move and Jasper is extremely conscientious of the situation, actively creating situations that require her constant and verbal consent. Furthermore, when Keyne goes to college in the fall, Jasper breaks things off with Keyne because he recognizes that power imbalance in their relationship and he doesn’t want her to feel like he is her only option. He encourages her to pursue other relationships, and she does! This is ultimately a futile move bc they obviously love each other, but I think it’s really important that she has time on her own to realize Jasper is truly what she wants. Throughout the story, it's very clear that consent is really important.
One thing that I really appreciated was that the narrative establishes that both Keyne and Jasper were kinky before the tragedy- it's not framed like “the trauma turned me kinky.” They both were just wired that way! It also prompted a really interesting series of questions for me as the reader- Would Gavin (her childhood sweetheart/boyfriend that also died in the accident) truly have suited her? Would they have lasted? If he couldn't quite satisfy her, would she have sought out another way to fulfill that need? Considered polyamory? Which are interesting questions to me.
Overall, I would totally recommend this book! I want to re-up my CW for off-page death of loved ones in the beginning, as well as adding a content warning for cutting on the page. Again, I think Tamsen really handles this well, but it’s a heavy thing. If you’re interested in reading the book but want to skip that part, just don't read chapter nine! While adding layers to the story, if you skip it you won't miss anything major. His Custody manages to navigate a number of difficult topics with skill, and I couldn't turn the page fast enough! It's the perfect kinky taboo (but also with accurate trauma depiction!) love story for your reading pleasure! And should you wish to snag this bad boy on kindle, its currently in KU
I think the lynchpin here is really nailing the Guardian-Ward relationship. It’s one of the oldest tropes of the genre, but I think in order for it to really work for most people today, it requires a certain detachment from our “real life.” One of the tough points with guardian/ward romance- particularly within contemporary- is navigating the power dynamic that age introduces. In paranormal or historical romance, that dynamic is negated to a degree, because either a) the beings are fantastical and out of this world (see Kresley Cole/Ilona Andrews etc) that our disbelief is already suspended to a certain degree, and we’ve got bigger fish to fry than a heroine who’s 10, 20 or 500 years younger than her would-be suitor. It's literally a whole new world. In historical romance (particularly before the 1900s) we’re far enough removed from that time period that it feels like another world, and the courting habits at that time typically involved a woman marrying a man many years her senior. So in those two subgenres, large age gaps are actually seen as the norm, and most people won't bat an eye. And with guardian/ward, the age dynamic is stretched even further, bc now not only are they older, but there's a pronounced disparity in power when one person is put into the care of the other. Again, historical & paranormal catch a bit of a break in this because they feel so far removed from our current circumstances, but it's a whole different ball game in contemporary.
The way I most often see authors go about this in contemporary is to go really bonkers, off the charts sexy (like so hot it will melt ur book/ereader/reading vessel of choice) to the point that you know you’re only looking for tropey goodness in this story. I must say i’m quite partial to this kind of “one handed read” (a big strength of the romance genre is that there are deliciously hot books to shamelessly feed anyone’s escapist fantasy) These books are predicated on the fact that we know there are huuuuge power dynamics at work in these relationships, and rather than presenting a realistic/nuanced depiction of this dynamic, they’re tapping into a fantasy that we want to explore in a controlled setting. It’s like literary role-play.
HOWEVER, Tamsen doesn’t do any of those things, and its a pretty bold fuckin move. By choosing to remove any table setting that could make this story more palatable, she forces readers to leave black and white belief systems that are a lot easier to recon with, and step into the grey areas. She does the work of recognizing the power imbalance present, addressing it on the page, and (in a way that works for the characters and the story) solves the issue of that disparity. This is, I think, where Tamsen Parker really shines. I mean the kink in her books is always deliciously decadent, but there are a lot of authors who couldn't take on this plot. At face value, it's a real challenge to write in a compelling and satisfying way. But she does it!
A big way that she tackles the age disparity/power imbalance is tied up in the other major complicating factor in the plot- within the first 5 pages, the heroine’s entire family, godparents, and boyfriend die in an accident, leaving her with no one but Jasper. Of course, Jasper’s family was also in this accident, but in many ways a 35 year old, independent billionaire is in a better position to handle this kind of loss than a 17 year old girl is. By chapter 5 we discover that before the accident, Keyne’s father had completely bankrupted their family, and without Jasper’s interceding she would've been a penniless orphan. So right off the bat, we establish that without Jasper, Keyne likely would be stuck with distant relatives that had only taken her in to access her parents' nonexistent money. It's very clear that she is fully dependent on Jasper.
The first several chapters show how Keyne is really struggling to piece herself back together after waking up to find that almost everyone she’s ever loved is dead. This particular portion of the book really reminded me of a scene in Twilight: New Moon that I have always loved. In the books, there's a number of chapters that document the passing of time. In the movie, a single camera circles, showing the seasons changing outside her window as Bella sits in a chair, unmoved, eyes frozen straight ahead. Her despair is absolutely crippling. I think trauma is a really hard thing to write about, particularly in romance, because there can be this misconception that romance = light and fluffy. But often this means that a lot of the really difficult, raw moments are glossed over, which is an inauthentic way to represent real trauma.sBut Tamsen doesn't shy away, and writes Keyne’s story in a way that really honestly depicts trauma in a way that feels respectful and authentic. There’s no magic dick that cures her, no brilliant solution to make it all go away. It takes time, some unhealthy coping, a ton of care from people that love her (mostly Jasper tbh) and going to a therapist. Tamsen is a QUEEN and honestly i don't think this book would work if she hadn't threaded this needle so carefully.
I think the part many people might struggle with is the consent. Admittedly, it's a whole lot. I do 100% believe that these are two consenting adults when they start bangin’ it out, and particularly by the end I think it’s really clear that after space and time they still are choosing each other. Which we love! However, the way their relationship builds while he’s her guardian/they’re living together/she’s 18 is heavy taboo. It was damn delicious and I have definitely gone back to reread some of the sexy times since, but that dynamic is really complicated. I think Tamsen navigates this really well. We’re over halfway through the book and a year after the accident before anything physical begins between the two of them. At that point, Keyne is the one to make the first move and Jasper is extremely conscientious of the situation, actively creating situations that require her constant and verbal consent. Furthermore, when Keyne goes to college in the fall, Jasper breaks things off with Keyne because he recognizes that power imbalance in their relationship and he doesn’t want her to feel like he is her only option. He encourages her to pursue other relationships, and she does! This is ultimately a futile move bc they obviously love each other, but I think it’s really important that she has time on her own to realize Jasper is truly what she wants. Throughout the story, it's very clear that consent is really important.
One thing that I really appreciated was that the narrative establishes that both Keyne and Jasper were kinky before the tragedy- it's not framed like “the trauma turned me kinky.” They both were just wired that way! It also prompted a really interesting series of questions for me as the reader- Would Gavin (her childhood sweetheart/boyfriend that also died in the accident) truly have suited her? Would they have lasted? If he couldn't quite satisfy her, would she have sought out another way to fulfill that need? Considered polyamory? Which are interesting questions to me.
Overall, I would totally recommend this book! I want to re-up my CW for off-page death of loved ones in the beginning, as well as adding a content warning for cutting on the page. Again, I think Tamsen really handles this well, but it’s a heavy thing. If you’re interested in reading the book but want to skip that part, just don't read chapter nine! While adding layers to the story, if you skip it you won't miss anything major. His Custody manages to navigate a number of difficult topics with skill, and I couldn't turn the page fast enough! It's the perfect kinky taboo (but also with accurate trauma depiction!) love story for your reading pleasure! And should you wish to snag this bad boy on kindle, its currently in KU
February 26, 2020
Full review can be found HERE --> https://beneaththecoversblog.com/2020...
*ARC provided for a voluntary honest review.* ~Sonal
*ARC provided for a voluntary honest review.* ~Sonal
April 13, 2020
This is a poignant tale of grief and unorthodox love.
Tragedy strikes in the first chapters and paints the atmosphere with bleak tones. The author’s words recreate the raw, harrowing journey of bereavement with accurate detail. It's tough and touching to go through every step along with Keyne and Jasper, yet it's also therapeutic, letting you get in touch with your innermost vulnerability.
Jasper is a bad boy, a ruthless businessman, yet he's got a good soul. And his deep desire to do right by Keyne is inspiring, sweet, moving. Keyne is a young girl lost in her struggle against unthinkable loss, drowning in pain yet still gasping for a way out, a way to love and be loved.
I felt as if I got to know the characters really well, they were breathing and feeling like real people. Time passed for all of us together, sharing routines to keep us sane, conversations filled with emotional intimacy, events both about daily life and big decisions. And with each minute and every month of their lives, love was brewing and desire was pulsing.
Despite the taboo nature of this age-gap relationship, the pace made it understandable, but especially the needs of these characters as they connect and bond over not only grief but a lifetime of trust and a year of living together in complete dedication to their unique sense of family.
It comes a time when the fated, complex feelings of these tragic characters take an even more complicated turn. This happens in the second half of the book which means a radical change as in the first part we encounter hard issues of bereavement and their psychological consequences.
They fall in love while giving into their deepest, unusual tendencies. This might not be to everyone's tastes, but it is all rendered with utmost beauty and sensibility. There’s no passionate scene that is not coloured with love, respect, devotion and consent. While Jasper teaches with masterful concern, she blooms with her self-awakening. This kinky scenario is explicit and abundant, and it goes through several phases as the characters grow in their relationship. That includes a very selfless yet dramatic decision on his part that can be considered heartbreaking, but also eye-opening and necessary.
The final chapters are painful, beautiful, and rewarding. I could have done without some exploration on her part, but it is part of the lessons they both had to learn. Very interesting, intense, and controversial romance. Not to be taken lightly.
Tragedy strikes in the first chapters and paints the atmosphere with bleak tones. The author’s words recreate the raw, harrowing journey of bereavement with accurate detail. It's tough and touching to go through every step along with Keyne and Jasper, yet it's also therapeutic, letting you get in touch with your innermost vulnerability.
Jasper is a bad boy, a ruthless businessman, yet he's got a good soul. And his deep desire to do right by Keyne is inspiring, sweet, moving. Keyne is a young girl lost in her struggle against unthinkable loss, drowning in pain yet still gasping for a way out, a way to love and be loved.
I felt as if I got to know the characters really well, they were breathing and feeling like real people. Time passed for all of us together, sharing routines to keep us sane, conversations filled with emotional intimacy, events both about daily life and big decisions. And with each minute and every month of their lives, love was brewing and desire was pulsing.
Despite the taboo nature of this age-gap relationship, the pace made it understandable, but especially the needs of these characters as they connect and bond over not only grief but a lifetime of trust and a year of living together in complete dedication to their unique sense of family.
It comes a time when the fated, complex feelings of these tragic characters take an even more complicated turn. This happens in the second half of the book which means a radical change as in the first part we encounter hard issues of bereavement and their psychological consequences.
They fall in love while giving into their deepest, unusual tendencies. This might not be to everyone's tastes, but it is all rendered with utmost beauty and sensibility. There’s no passionate scene that is not coloured with love, respect, devotion and consent. While Jasper teaches with masterful concern, she blooms with her self-awakening. This kinky scenario is explicit and abundant, and it goes through several phases as the characters grow in their relationship. That includes a very selfless yet dramatic decision on his part that can be considered heartbreaking, but also eye-opening and necessary.
The final chapters are painful, beautiful, and rewarding. I could have done without some exploration on her part, but it is part of the lessons they both had to learn. Very interesting, intense, and controversial romance. Not to be taken lightly.
March 22, 2017
I can always count on this author to push the boundaries, and that's definitely evident here in this guardian/ward story. Jasper and Keyne lose their families in a boating accident, at which point Jasper takes over as guardian for Keyne (she's 17). Nothing happens between them until she's 18, and everything that happens is consensual, with Keyne initiating the sexual relationship. I'll be honest, I'd have felt more comfortable if she was 20 and not 18, but that's my personal preference, and obviously part of what makes this more of a forbidden/taboo romance. It's kinky (Jasper is an experienced Dom and Keyne is just learning about her submissive side), it's sexy, and there are definitely going to be controversial thoughts on what happens later in the story. An intense and sexy story, the couple gets a sweet HEA.
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review.
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review.
December 12, 2020
This book is so underrated! It was amazing, heartfelt, gut wrenching, and hopeful. I cried and I very rarely cry over these books.
Jasper is perfectly imperfect and Keyne is so strong and is able to grow. Frankly I would have probably thrown way more of a fit then she did when she left for college. The only thing that I didn’t really like was all the talk of Jasper’s previous partners. I get it, he was experienced in the BDSM community but I didn’t need the reminders. Luckily he is totally devoted and faithful to Keyne.
This book is an absolute treasure with a HEA. However, it was so heartbreaking and made me so emotional I don’t know if I’ll be ready for a re-read anytime soon if ever.
Book elements/possible triggers to be aware of:
Large age gap
Death of family members
BDSM
cutting (minimal)
Substance use/abuse
Issues of control
Jasper is perfectly imperfect and Keyne is so strong and is able to grow. Frankly I would have probably thrown way more of a fit then she did when she left for college. The only thing that I didn’t really like was all the talk of Jasper’s previous partners. I get it, he was experienced in the BDSM community but I didn’t need the reminders. Luckily he is totally devoted and faithful to Keyne.
This book is an absolute treasure with a HEA. However, it was so heartbreaking and made me so emotional I don’t know if I’ll be ready for a re-read anytime soon if ever.
Book elements/possible triggers to be aware of:
Large age gap
Death of family members
BDSM
cutting (minimal)
Substance use/abuse
Issues of control
August 3, 2017
I gave ONLY 3 stars because of the Hero. I hated him for pushing the h too much. And even after getting the HEA this book falls short. There was too much time apart. 😑😑😑
February 25, 2020
4.5 Stars!!
This book had me in my feelings from start to finish.
Keyne and Jasper have lead very different lives, but one tragic incident brings them together forever. Now they depend on each other emotionally more than ever. But their pain and trauma takes on a for neither of them is ready for.
My heart was hurting from page one because I can't even imagine the kind of tragedy that took happened to both Jas and Keyne. It's difficult to come out of such an enormous loss, but they had each other and that was the reason the came out.
I love Jasper with all my heart. He took on a 17 year old girl who was shattered and made sure she survived her loss in a healthy way. He even put away his trauma to take care of Keyne, which isn't the healthiest but I admire the world out of him for putting Keyne first. It's not easy to do something that huge but he did.
Keyne is so so strong. I admire her and grew so fond of her through this story. Of course, she is still a teenager and had her immature moments but I really think she is such an amazing person. When she realises, she is not alone in this world; emotionally, physically or even in her kink, it was a glorious sight to behold.
This story is very very emotional and touches on a lot of tabboo topics. I absolutely adore the way Tamsen wrote it and gave this story the justice that it needed. I have become a HUGE Tamsen Parker fan now and I cannot wait to see what she brings out next.
TW -
This book had me in my feelings from start to finish.
Keyne and Jasper have lead very different lives, but one tragic incident brings them together forever. Now they depend on each other emotionally more than ever. But their pain and trauma takes on a for neither of them is ready for.
My heart was hurting from page one because I can't even imagine the kind of tragedy that took happened to both Jas and Keyne. It's difficult to come out of such an enormous loss, but they had each other and that was the reason the came out.
I love Jasper with all my heart. He took on a 17 year old girl who was shattered and made sure she survived her loss in a healthy way. He even put away his trauma to take care of Keyne, which isn't the healthiest but I admire the world out of him for putting Keyne first. It's not easy to do something that huge but he did.
Keyne is so so strong. I admire her and grew so fond of her through this story. Of course, she is still a teenager and had her immature moments but I really think she is such an amazing person. When she realises, she is not alone in this world; emotionally, physically or even in her kink, it was a glorious sight to behold.
This story is very very emotional and touches on a lot of tabboo topics. I absolutely adore the way Tamsen wrote it and gave this story the justice that it needed. I have become a HUGE Tamsen Parker fan now and I cannot wait to see what she brings out next.
TW -
February 14, 2020
Tragic, romantic, erotic 💔💔💔
Tamsen Parker is a new to me author, and I have to say the initial tragedy of the book had me immediately invested in 17-year-old Keyne McConnell and her 31-year-old self appointed guardian, Jasper Andersson. Their parents had been friends since college, before the kids were born, with Jasper being the eldest, and his younger brother Gavin coming along later, at the same time as the McConnell’s gave birth to their daughter.
The two families grew up side by side, doing everything from joint holidays to dinners, until tragedy struck, and they died together. All, except Keyne who survived, and Jasper, who we know from the blurb was off living his less than stellar kind of life.
The beauty of Ms Parker’s writing in this forbidden age-gap romance, is that she guided me as the reader into not only believing that Jasper is the best guardian for this grief ridden young lady, but as she gains legal age status, that he not only loves her unconditionally, but understands her even as she didn’t understand herself. That she is his matched pair, and despite the thoughts that he turns on himself, that he is indeed the one she needs, just as he needs to love and protect her. This book is as romantic as it is erotic 💖
I can’t pretend to understand the D/s world, but I do believe that Ms Parker wrote Keyne beautifully as a young woman who survived devastating loss, debilitating depression and grew under Jasper’s watchful eye to become a mature, albeit damaged young adult at 18. She raged at his insistence that she immerse herself in the normal college life of all teens, and I loved him for it.
I just loved the honour that he kept hidden, and the honourable, loyal, friends that he kept close to his side. They rounded out the book and often provided a witty light relief that I really enjoyed.
I’m not sure of the previous formats that this book has been in, so was a little confused by the long length or novella comments of other reviews, but my only disappointment is the possibility of plot undertones that were not taken advantage of. I would’ve like a little more exploration in this area.4 Stars for this book 💖
Tamsen Parker is a new to me author, and I have to say the initial tragedy of the book had me immediately invested in 17-year-old Keyne McConnell and her 31-year-old self appointed guardian, Jasper Andersson. Their parents had been friends since college, before the kids were born, with Jasper being the eldest, and his younger brother Gavin coming along later, at the same time as the McConnell’s gave birth to their daughter.
The two families grew up side by side, doing everything from joint holidays to dinners, until tragedy struck, and they died together. All, except Keyne who survived, and Jasper, who we know from the blurb was off living his less than stellar kind of life.
The beauty of Ms Parker’s writing in this forbidden age-gap romance, is that she guided me as the reader into not only believing that Jasper is the best guardian for this grief ridden young lady, but as she gains legal age status, that he not only loves her unconditionally, but understands her even as she didn’t understand herself. That she is his matched pair, and despite the thoughts that he turns on himself, that he is indeed the one she needs, just as he needs to love and protect her. This book is as romantic as it is erotic 💖
I can’t pretend to understand the D/s world, but I do believe that Ms Parker wrote Keyne beautifully as a young woman who survived devastating loss, debilitating depression and grew under Jasper’s watchful eye to become a mature, albeit damaged young adult at 18. She raged at his insistence that she immerse herself in the normal college life of all teens, and I loved him for it.
I just loved the honour that he kept hidden, and the honourable, loyal, friends that he kept close to his side. They rounded out the book and often provided a witty light relief that I really enjoyed.
I’m not sure of the previous formats that this book has been in, so was a little confused by the long length or novella comments of other reviews, but my only disappointment is the possibility of plot undertones that were not taken advantage of. I would’ve like a little more exploration in this area.4 Stars for this book 💖
February 21, 2020
*ARC provided by the author*
Tamsen Parker is one of the very few authors (the only other one that come to mind top off my head is Garrett Leigh) that can offer me a story that may or may not be filled to the brim with things that are usually big no-nos for my reading tastes, and I'd still find a way to enjoy it.
Many elements included in this book tend to make me really uncomfortable, and while I can't say I loved reading about those things in this book, at least I could appreciate the way they were dealt with. If there's one thing to be said about this author is that she writes with care and taste.
Leaving aside the fact of whether I found them likeable, the characters of this story were complex and well developed. If there's one thing I would change, however, is the fact that I would have liked for it to be there a stronger presence of the secondary characters, because I would have liked them to take some kind of shape in my mind; instead, when I think of anyone other than Keyne and Jasper, mostly what I have is faceless blobs of elements that are "not Keyne-and-Jasper".
Overall, I think my review is leaning the focus a lot towards complaining about what I didn't like- but the truth is, even when this book dealt with things I wouldn't usually choose to read about (and I did it this time because it's by an author I trust- which paid off because it turned out a much more positive experience than I was anticipating), I still really appreciated this book, a lot.
Tamsen Parker is one of the very few authors (the only other one that come to mind top off my head is Garrett Leigh) that can offer me a story that may or may not be filled to the brim with things that are usually big no-nos for my reading tastes, and I'd still find a way to enjoy it.
Many elements included in this book tend to make me really uncomfortable, and while I can't say I loved reading about those things in this book, at least I could appreciate the way they were dealt with. If there's one thing to be said about this author is that she writes with care and taste.
Leaving aside the fact of whether I found them likeable, the characters of this story were complex and well developed. If there's one thing I would change, however, is the fact that I would have liked for it to be there a stronger presence of the secondary characters, because I would have liked them to take some kind of shape in my mind; instead, when I think of anyone other than Keyne and Jasper, mostly what I have is faceless blobs of elements that are "not Keyne-and-Jasper".
Overall, I think my review is leaning the focus a lot towards complaining about what I didn't like- but the truth is, even when this book dealt with things I wouldn't usually choose to read about (and I did it this time because it's by an author I trust- which paid off because it turned out a much more positive experience than I was anticipating), I still really appreciated this book, a lot.
March 21, 2017
This might become my favorite Tamsen book.
I must admit, I wasn’t sure what the time span this book would have. I mean, His Custody, a BDSM romance novel, kind of brings the LEGAL alert all blaring with lit marquee and stuff. But I’ve met Tamsen. I should’ve known she’ll do right by those characters.
But not before she wreaks havoc on their lives. Like, to the nth degree!
Look; she kills off their parents, his brother (and her boyfriend) and basically leave them alone in the world. So yes, he’s 32 years old and has done very well for himself, but she’s only 17. After a short legal battle with her uncle for her guardianship, Keyne is given to Jasper. She’s his responsibility until she turns 18 (at least).
Oh whoopsie, didn’t introduce the characters. So we have Jasper Andersson and Keyne O’Connell. Jasper has known Keyne her whole life. His little brother was her boyfriend, they were inseparable since birth. Their parents best friends. You know, the usual.
It’s funny (not funny ha-ha) how when two people are grieving, but one is responsible for the other, they sort of push their grief away, put it on hold, in order to care and support their ward. And that’s exactly what has happened with His Custody. Jasper is so focused on caring for Keyne, that he’s ditched his bad habits, his unsupportive girlfriend, and has dedicated his whole self to bringing her back from the dark place she’s at.
And part of that is basically dictating her daily schedule. With her consent, of course. A hidden crush Keyne has on Jasper, her trusting him with her life and her self, and their daily interaction brings out a secret she’s been keeping.
All bets are off the day Keyne turns 18 years old. And that’s when she gets to know Jasper as she never has before.
This novel is bringing forth a new, bolder voice from Tamsen Parker. Having read all her published work so far, I can safely say this one is stronger, more absolute and is crafted in a very compelling way. The conflict in the situation did wonders to make the book a definite page turner. I couldn’t wait to read more, get to where I can finally understand how those two can get their HEA.
If you’re conflicted about the age difference, about the sensitivity and about anything else… don’t. Give it a chance. I can guarantee you’ll get back to your book retailer of choice and grab the rest of Parker’s works.
I must admit, I wasn’t sure what the time span this book would have. I mean, His Custody, a BDSM romance novel, kind of brings the LEGAL alert all blaring with lit marquee and stuff. But I’ve met Tamsen. I should’ve known she’ll do right by those characters.
But not before she wreaks havoc on their lives. Like, to the nth degree!
Look; she kills off their parents, his brother (and her boyfriend) and basically leave them alone in the world. So yes, he’s 32 years old and has done very well for himself, but she’s only 17. After a short legal battle with her uncle for her guardianship, Keyne is given to Jasper. She’s his responsibility until she turns 18 (at least).
Oh whoopsie, didn’t introduce the characters. So we have Jasper Andersson and Keyne O’Connell. Jasper has known Keyne her whole life. His little brother was her boyfriend, they were inseparable since birth. Their parents best friends. You know, the usual.
It’s funny (not funny ha-ha) how when two people are grieving, but one is responsible for the other, they sort of push their grief away, put it on hold, in order to care and support their ward. And that’s exactly what has happened with His Custody. Jasper is so focused on caring for Keyne, that he’s ditched his bad habits, his unsupportive girlfriend, and has dedicated his whole self to bringing her back from the dark place she’s at.
And part of that is basically dictating her daily schedule. With her consent, of course. A hidden crush Keyne has on Jasper, her trusting him with her life and her self, and their daily interaction brings out a secret she’s been keeping.
All bets are off the day Keyne turns 18 years old. And that’s when she gets to know Jasper as she never has before.
This novel is bringing forth a new, bolder voice from Tamsen Parker. Having read all her published work so far, I can safely say this one is stronger, more absolute and is crafted in a very compelling way. The conflict in the situation did wonders to make the book a definite page turner. I couldn’t wait to read more, get to where I can finally understand how those two can get their HEA.
If you’re conflicted about the age difference, about the sensitivity and about anything else… don’t. Give it a chance. I can guarantee you’ll get back to your book retailer of choice and grab the rest of Parker’s works.
February 26, 2020
I binged this book in one sitting. I absolutely loved it. Keyne and Jasper become family. Forced together under awful circumstances to create a future neither saw coming. I loved how this story was low drama. It was character and chemistry drive from the start. It was a breath of fresh air to not have any unnecessary angst. Just good storytelling.
I received an arc of this book.
I received an arc of this book.
January 31, 2020
This book and author is a first for me so I wasn't sure what to expect.
Keyne is a young girl at 17 and has had a very comfortable life and upbringing. She has a caring family who love her very much, and she's about to start her senior year. However fate has other ideas and Keyne and Jasper go through a huge tragedy.
Keyne had to be cared her by her boyfriend's way older brother Jasper who has just become her guardian.
Jasper is not a good man he's a tough guy who takes drugs on occasion and sleeps around alot with women. The problem is that he has no interest in becoming Keyne’s guardian but quickly realises he has no choice given there is no other options.
Feelings start to manifest inside them both that are far from platonic. Jasper is a very experienced man in the bedroom department and she has none. ( NO SPOILERS).
These characters do have chemistry between each other, but this is a forbidden love story. This is a dangerous story and someone is bound to get hurt.
I think the author writes brilliantly however I just wasn't feeling the story line. I felt like it was maybe alittle slow going and I was waiting for something to happen.
I wasn't really sure about this book and I think that this time that this story wasn't for me, and a tad predictable at times. I did feel sometimes like I was reading two separate books because the first half of the book was before 18 years old, then the way the second half was after 18.
Thank you to the author and publishers for allowing me to read an early copy of this book.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
Keyne is a young girl at 17 and has had a very comfortable life and upbringing. She has a caring family who love her very much, and she's about to start her senior year. However fate has other ideas and Keyne and Jasper go through a huge tragedy.
Keyne had to be cared her by her boyfriend's way older brother Jasper who has just become her guardian.
Jasper is not a good man he's a tough guy who takes drugs on occasion and sleeps around alot with women. The problem is that he has no interest in becoming Keyne’s guardian but quickly realises he has no choice given there is no other options.
Feelings start to manifest inside them both that are far from platonic. Jasper is a very experienced man in the bedroom department and she has none. ( NO SPOILERS).
These characters do have chemistry between each other, but this is a forbidden love story. This is a dangerous story and someone is bound to get hurt.
I think the author writes brilliantly however I just wasn't feeling the story line. I felt like it was maybe alittle slow going and I was waiting for something to happen.
I wasn't really sure about this book and I think that this time that this story wasn't for me, and a tad predictable at times. I did feel sometimes like I was reading two separate books because the first half of the book was before 18 years old, then the way the second half was after 18.
Thank you to the author and publishers for allowing me to read an early copy of this book.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
February 13, 2017
His Custody is a standalone by Tamsen Parker.
Keyne O’Conner has a terrific boyfriend and a wonderful family. Before she enters into her senior year a fatal night turns Keyne’s perfect world on it’s axis. Instead of starting her senior year with her family, she ends up learning about their passing and suddenly in the custody of her boyfriend’s older brother, Jasper. Even though he’s may be rough around the edges, he’s all she has left.
But will this dark and brooding man be able to care for a young girl while she starts to spirals out of control?
Wow. First of all, I felt like this was a emotional roller-coaster that I just couldn’t get off of. I could certainly understand part of her pain. Why I only say part of her pain is because I can’t imagine losing everyone you love in a blink of an eye, but I can understand losing someone dear to your heart. Tamsen Parker defiantly had me in a ugly cry fest, but I also loved the way Jasper handled Keyne. He was strict and stern, but you could tell that he didn’t want to be in charge of her legally. In addition, I enjoyed the complications that came about regarding mutual attraction between Jasper and Keyne.
I look forward to reading more books by Tamsen Parker in the future!
Review on Behalf of Once Upon An Alpha
**ARC for Honest Review**
Keyne O’Conner has a terrific boyfriend and a wonderful family. Before she enters into her senior year a fatal night turns Keyne’s perfect world on it’s axis. Instead of starting her senior year with her family, she ends up learning about their passing and suddenly in the custody of her boyfriend’s older brother, Jasper. Even though he’s may be rough around the edges, he’s all she has left.
But will this dark and brooding man be able to care for a young girl while she starts to spirals out of control?
Wow. First of all, I felt like this was a emotional roller-coaster that I just couldn’t get off of. I could certainly understand part of her pain. Why I only say part of her pain is because I can’t imagine losing everyone you love in a blink of an eye, but I can understand losing someone dear to your heart. Tamsen Parker defiantly had me in a ugly cry fest, but I also loved the way Jasper handled Keyne. He was strict and stern, but you could tell that he didn’t want to be in charge of her legally. In addition, I enjoyed the complications that came about regarding mutual attraction between Jasper and Keyne.
I look forward to reading more books by Tamsen Parker in the future!
Review on Behalf of Once Upon An Alpha
**ARC for Honest Review**
May 11, 2017
I thought this was a novella. I'm not sure I would've read it if I knew it was a full length book. Of course, now I realize I could've just not finished it, but sometimes I don't think of that while reading!! (I did skim a lot of the last half.)
I just . . . if you're selling the book based on kink, don't wait until half the book is over before starting it! And then it was all kink all the time, which was too much. And a minimal amount of drama, which now that I'm writing this, I'm not sure the resolution of made sense.
I just . . . if you're selling the book based on kink, don't wait until half the book is over before starting it! And then it was all kink all the time, which was too much. And a minimal amount of drama, which now that I'm writing this, I'm not sure the resolution of made sense.
November 26, 2017
Loved itttt so much.
Interesting story structure and pacing, but absolutely enticing.
Interesting story structure and pacing, but absolutely enticing.
February 26, 2020
There are a few tropes in this book that should squick me out, but don't, because of the delicacy with which they are handled.
Reasonably large age gap? I've read larger ones, and both characters deal appropriately with each other in public.
Teenage lover? The heroine starts this story a minor, but nothing sexual happens until after she's eighteen, and the hero really, really examines himself, questioning his motives, questioning what's best for her versus what he wants for himself. I will drop a book in a heartbeat if I get even the slightest whiff of pedophilia, and it's just not present here. He doesn't want her because she's young, because he's attracted to younger women. He wants her because the care and trust and deep emotional connection they develop becomes something more.
Guardian/ward? I've never read anything from this subgenre before, I'm not even sure I could name another romance with this trope. But the power dynamic here is respectful, there's no coercion, in fact the hero goes to great lengths to make sure there isn't. It's really just the situation that brings them together.
So now that I've checked off all the boxes of why this romance could have been problematic and wasn't, why did I actually like it? REAL EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT. It's not instalove. The bulk of the story (everything except the epilogue) takes place over the course of more than a year. Do you know how rare that is in romances? They usually take place over a few weeks at most, often quite a bit less. This lets the heroine reach legal adulthood, yes, but it also gives their relationship time to grow naturally, and time for them both to deal with the grief that brought them together.
What else? Consent, consent, consent. Tamsen Parker is one of the best BDSM romance authors out there, because not only does she never ignore or hand-wave consent, she works it seamlessly into every scene that requires it, and generally also makes it sexy, not awkward. (Unless it's supposed to be for character reasons.)
In the end, I believe these characters are not only in both love and lust with each other, but also committed to the work it takes to make a relationship thrive in the long-term. I haven't reread any of my other Parker books recently, and there's a lot of hers I haven't gotten to yet, but this book has reminded me why she's one of my favorites, and this might be my new favorite work of hers.
Reasonably large age gap? I've read larger ones, and both characters deal appropriately with each other in public.
Teenage lover? The heroine starts this story a minor, but nothing sexual happens until after she's eighteen, and the hero really, really examines himself, questioning his motives, questioning what's best for her versus what he wants for himself. I will drop a book in a heartbeat if I get even the slightest whiff of pedophilia, and it's just not present here. He doesn't want her because she's young, because he's attracted to younger women. He wants her because the care and trust and deep emotional connection they develop becomes something more.
Guardian/ward? I've never read anything from this subgenre before, I'm not even sure I could name another romance with this trope. But the power dynamic here is respectful, there's no coercion, in fact the hero goes to great lengths to make sure there isn't. It's really just the situation that brings them together.
So now that I've checked off all the boxes of why this romance could have been problematic and wasn't, why did I actually like it? REAL EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT. It's not instalove. The bulk of the story (everything except the epilogue) takes place over the course of more than a year. Do you know how rare that is in romances? They usually take place over a few weeks at most, often quite a bit less. This lets the heroine reach legal adulthood, yes, but it also gives their relationship time to grow naturally, and time for them both to deal with the grief that brought them together.
What else? Consent, consent, consent. Tamsen Parker is one of the best BDSM romance authors out there, because not only does she never ignore or hand-wave consent, she works it seamlessly into every scene that requires it, and generally also makes it sexy, not awkward. (Unless it's supposed to be for character reasons.)
In the end, I believe these characters are not only in both love and lust with each other, but also committed to the work it takes to make a relationship thrive in the long-term. I haven't reread any of my other Parker books recently, and there's a lot of hers I haven't gotten to yet, but this book has reminded me why she's one of my favorites, and this might be my new favorite work of hers.
May 24, 2020
CW: death of loved ones, grief
Tamsen Parker does such interesting things here. This story majorly revolves around grief: the hero’s parents and brother and heroine’s parents die in a yacht accident along with their crew, leaving the 17 year old heroine as the sole survivor. She and Gavin had been lifelong best friends and were seriously dating so this is also a major loss for her. 31 year old Jasper becomes her guardian to see her through her senior year. He’s known Keyne her whole life but hasn’t been a big part of it. Taking care of Keyne forces him to clean up his act a bit, as well as postpone his grief. She has a number of unhealthy grieving patterns and he’s very concerned about her. I really appreciated the way he handled this, doing what he could to keep her on track while also making sure she had access to counseling and healthier outlets. This extends to her self-harm, which Jasper responds to in a very unique way: giving her his blood play kit, although he does not say that’s what it is, and asking her to tell him whenever she cuts. People may not agree with this tactic but it proved effective.
While he notices that she’s attractive, he also knows she’s very much off limits. Even when she turns 18, it’s not an automatic go time. She doesn’t see him as much more than her guardian who happened to be an attractive man but also never thought he was in the realm of possibilities until around her birthday. This felt right, as she’s been grieving Gavin and not ready to think about dating at all, much less Jasper. A couple months later, close to her graduation, they become something more and it’s very much led by her. Jasper gives her plenty of outs and maybe he could have done more, like waiting until after her graduation but that felt like a technicality at that point.
This was structured differently from other erotic romances. The first 50% is really about Keyne and Jasper making sense of their respective losses and getting Keyne through school. Jasper controls her schedule in order to combat her unhealthy grief and this proves an interesting segue to BDSM, something which he’s very familiar with and which she has always been interested in but Gavin was not. Keyne flourishes in a BDSM relationship and maybe that will prove to be too much for some readers (age gap, guardian, and BDSM!) but I thought it was all handled really well. At the same time, because it takes so long for Keyne and Jasper to get together, the story dragged in places and even more so once their relationship begins, almost as if the narrative tension got sucked out. There are lots of steamy scenes but perhaps a few too many…and I never say that.
I really appreciated that Jasper insisted on Keyne going away to college and that they not be together while she’s there. He wants her to have a chance to experiment and have a real college experience so that she doesn’t ever have any regrets. They love each other and he’s willing to wait for her but he’s insistent that she explore. She, of course, doesn’t respond well to that request—some aspects of their relationship are co-dependent but it also makes sense given their losses—but it was so wise of him. It makes their HEA that much more earned and realistic. And the time apart also allows for him to really grieve, which includes starting therapy and going to AA. They’re both stronger for it and it made really believe in what they have together.
CW: hero’s parents and brother and heroine’s parents die in a yacht accident along with their crew, heroine is the sole survivor, grief, alcoholism, recreational drug use (marijuana, cocaine), concern of suicidal ideation, concern of disordered eating related to grief, cutting, references to blood play, heroine’s father had a gambling addiction, overseas factory collapse resulting in the death of children, bullying, ableist language (spastic)
Tamsen Parker does such interesting things here. This story majorly revolves around grief: the hero’s parents and brother and heroine’s parents die in a yacht accident along with their crew, leaving the 17 year old heroine as the sole survivor. She and Gavin had been lifelong best friends and were seriously dating so this is also a major loss for her. 31 year old Jasper becomes her guardian to see her through her senior year. He’s known Keyne her whole life but hasn’t been a big part of it. Taking care of Keyne forces him to clean up his act a bit, as well as postpone his grief. She has a number of unhealthy grieving patterns and he’s very concerned about her. I really appreciated the way he handled this, doing what he could to keep her on track while also making sure she had access to counseling and healthier outlets. This extends to her self-harm, which Jasper responds to in a very unique way: giving her his blood play kit, although he does not say that’s what it is, and asking her to tell him whenever she cuts. People may not agree with this tactic but it proved effective.
While he notices that she’s attractive, he also knows she’s very much off limits. Even when she turns 18, it’s not an automatic go time. She doesn’t see him as much more than her guardian who happened to be an attractive man but also never thought he was in the realm of possibilities until around her birthday. This felt right, as she’s been grieving Gavin and not ready to think about dating at all, much less Jasper. A couple months later, close to her graduation, they become something more and it’s very much led by her. Jasper gives her plenty of outs and maybe he could have done more, like waiting until after her graduation but that felt like a technicality at that point.
This was structured differently from other erotic romances. The first 50% is really about Keyne and Jasper making sense of their respective losses and getting Keyne through school. Jasper controls her schedule in order to combat her unhealthy grief and this proves an interesting segue to BDSM, something which he’s very familiar with and which she has always been interested in but Gavin was not. Keyne flourishes in a BDSM relationship and maybe that will prove to be too much for some readers (age gap, guardian, and BDSM!) but I thought it was all handled really well. At the same time, because it takes so long for Keyne and Jasper to get together, the story dragged in places and even more so once their relationship begins, almost as if the narrative tension got sucked out. There are lots of steamy scenes but perhaps a few too many…and I never say that.
I really appreciated that Jasper insisted on Keyne going away to college and that they not be together while she’s there. He wants her to have a chance to experiment and have a real college experience so that she doesn’t ever have any regrets. They love each other and he’s willing to wait for her but he’s insistent that she explore. She, of course, doesn’t respond well to that request—some aspects of their relationship are co-dependent but it also makes sense given their losses—but it was so wise of him. It makes their HEA that much more earned and realistic. And the time apart also allows for him to really grieve, which includes starting therapy and going to AA. They’re both stronger for it and it made really believe in what they have together.
CW: hero’s parents and brother and heroine’s parents die in a yacht accident along with their crew, heroine is the sole survivor, grief, alcoholism, recreational drug use (marijuana, cocaine), concern of suicidal ideation, concern of disordered eating related to grief, cutting, references to blood play, heroine’s father had a gambling addiction, overseas factory collapse resulting in the death of children, bullying, ableist language (spastic)
March 2, 2020
3.5 stars.
So, I was drawn to this story because of the forbidden aspect of it.
It's about Jasper who gets guardianship of his brother's girlfriend after a tragedy happens.
It definitely kept me interested and with all the tension between them, you didn't know if lines were going to be crossed or not.... wondering at what point can offering comfort go too far?
I would say that what I found challenging was that...
The story is in 3rd person. It's a very well-done third person because most of the time I DNF those kinds of books because I find it hard to connect, but I was able to read this, although it's not my favorite POV.
And I didn't expect so much BDSM themed stuff, which again is okay... but I found myself losing some interest about half way in. I did get back into it towards the end. And I'm glad I didn't know because I might have skipped it when I actually really enjoyed it. I really felt for the characters and all that they have struggled through.
So, I was drawn to this story because of the forbidden aspect of it.
It's about Jasper who gets guardianship of his brother's girlfriend after a tragedy happens.
It definitely kept me interested and with all the tension between them, you didn't know if lines were going to be crossed or not.... wondering at what point can offering comfort go too far?
I would say that what I found challenging was that...
The story is in 3rd person. It's a very well-done third person because most of the time I DNF those kinds of books because I find it hard to connect, but I was able to read this, although it's not my favorite POV.
And I didn't expect so much BDSM themed stuff, which again is okay... but I found myself losing some interest about half way in. I did get back into it towards the end. And I'm glad I didn't know because I might have skipped it when I actually really enjoyed it. I really felt for the characters and all that they have struggled through.
August 6, 2017
Find this review and more at Ramblings From This Chick
His Custody is the first book I have read from Tamsen Parker, but it definitely won't be my last. I didn't know what I was in for having never read anything from Tamsen Parker before, but I really enjoyed this book and I am already looking forward to reading more from her. His Custody had angst and emotion, and was a bit on the forbidden side giving me a bit of everything I look for in a good romance.
Keyne had everything until it all fell apart. Getting ready to start her senior year, Keyne finds herself suddenly in the custody of Jasper, her boyfriend's older brother. Though Jasper is rough around the edges and doesn't want the role of guardian, he knows that he needs to protect Keyne after everything that she has been through. But the more they are around each other, the more each of them feel things for one another that they know they shouldn't. Keyne needs someone to take care of her and keep her in line, but Jasper could find himself in trouble if he gives in to his desires and what he knows that Keyne really needs.
I really loved Jasper and Keyne. Jasper was strict and all alpha, while also being really caring. He genuinely wanted to help Keyne even though he really had no interest in being her guardian. You could tell just how much he cared though, and I loved him for it. I loved how him and Keyne interacted and how their connection and attraction built over the course of this story. Keyne had been through so much, and she needed Jasper. He was perfect for her and these two just seemed meant for one another. They had a lot to overcome and that threatened to stand in their way, but I really enjoyed seeing how they handled everything that came their way.
This book really was an emotional ride that I felt truly invested in while reading. I wanted so much for these two and I was just hoping that everything would work out the way I wanted it to for them. Jasper was a bit dark and had his Dom side, but the fact that he was caring and considerate was what had me falling for him. Like I said before, this was my first read by Tamsen, but I am already anxious to read more from her. If you are looking for something that has angst and emotion with a great story to the romance, this is definitely one that I would recommend checking out.
**ARC Provided by Publisher**
His Custody is the first book I have read from Tamsen Parker, but it definitely won't be my last. I didn't know what I was in for having never read anything from Tamsen Parker before, but I really enjoyed this book and I am already looking forward to reading more from her. His Custody had angst and emotion, and was a bit on the forbidden side giving me a bit of everything I look for in a good romance.
Keyne had everything until it all fell apart. Getting ready to start her senior year, Keyne finds herself suddenly in the custody of Jasper, her boyfriend's older brother. Though Jasper is rough around the edges and doesn't want the role of guardian, he knows that he needs to protect Keyne after everything that she has been through. But the more they are around each other, the more each of them feel things for one another that they know they shouldn't. Keyne needs someone to take care of her and keep her in line, but Jasper could find himself in trouble if he gives in to his desires and what he knows that Keyne really needs.
I really loved Jasper and Keyne. Jasper was strict and all alpha, while also being really caring. He genuinely wanted to help Keyne even though he really had no interest in being her guardian. You could tell just how much he cared though, and I loved him for it. I loved how him and Keyne interacted and how their connection and attraction built over the course of this story. Keyne had been through so much, and she needed Jasper. He was perfect for her and these two just seemed meant for one another. They had a lot to overcome and that threatened to stand in their way, but I really enjoyed seeing how they handled everything that came their way.
This book really was an emotional ride that I felt truly invested in while reading. I wanted so much for these two and I was just hoping that everything would work out the way I wanted it to for them. Jasper was a bit dark and had his Dom side, but the fact that he was caring and considerate was what had me falling for him. Like I said before, this was my first read by Tamsen, but I am already anxious to read more from her. If you are looking for something that has angst and emotion with a great story to the romance, this is definitely one that I would recommend checking out.
**ARC Provided by Publisher**
February 26, 2020
His Custody is a forbidden age-gap romance between a playboy who had taken custody of a seventeen year old girl after the death of their families. The story was a slow burn romance as in the first half of the book both characters are adjusting to life after their loss. I liked the interaction between Jasper and Keyne and I liked that nothing really happened between them until she was of age. The second half of the novel was when things started to steam up and boy was it hott. This was my first Tamsen Parker novel and I did enjoy it. It was steamy, angsty and emotional and I would recommend it to all lovers of age-gap romance.
February 20, 2020
This book is one of the HUGE contrasts when it comes to rating as a bigger part of the book I can classify as 4-5 stars read, yet the last part went fast downhill to 2-3 stars... And that ad left me with the rating 3 stars (for the book that ended before the end to me.
Keyne is a seventeen-year-old girl that had just lost her whole family and now she needs award, a protector and help with her grief.
Jasper is a bad boy in the city, best girls, best cars and generally, he's not material for the ward at all! Yet here he is - getting custody over Keyne and bringing her to his house.
After that, the game begins between them, where no one can expect the feelings that will start to emerge there and I really liked how things were growing between the two of them and how it had made me feel with them growing on each other.
Now, the bad part - this ending was... NOT FAIR! I had my hopes that it would be fair for both sides, but this ending that is here right now leaves one MC in a much lesser position than the other one! Ugh... WHY?
Keyne is a seventeen-year-old girl that had just lost her whole family and now she needs award, a protector and help with her grief.
Jasper is a bad boy in the city, best girls, best cars and generally, he's not material for the ward at all! Yet here he is - getting custody over Keyne and bringing her to his house.
After that, the game begins between them, where no one can expect the feelings that will start to emerge there and I really liked how things were growing between the two of them and how it had made me feel with them growing on each other.
Now, the bad part - this ending was... NOT FAIR! I had my hopes that it would be fair for both sides, but this ending that is here right now leaves one MC in a much lesser position than the other one! Ugh... WHY?
March 21, 2017
Keyne O'Connell is devastated by the loss of her family and boyfriend in a tragic accident. The only familiar person in her life afterward is her boyfriend's older brother and family friend, Jasper Andersson.
Jasper isn't that much older than Keyne and getting custody of her isn't all that easy, especially when there's an uncle that wants her too. But Jasper and Keyne manage to convince the judge that he'll be the best guardian for Keyne.
These are some rough times for Keyne, as she deals with her grief and all the changes that come with her circumstances. Rough times for Jasper too, as he gives up his kinky lifestyle and partying to do the right thing by his new charge.
When Keyne's nightmares drive her to find Jasper in the middle of the night, he's tempted and torn, but he manages to keep everything beyond reproach, that is until Keyne decides she wants him on her eighteenth birthday..
While His Custody flirts with with impropriety, it never quite gets there and I appreciated that. The kink that eventually becomes a temptation for both Keyne and Jasper made for a very interesting situation between these two.
I seriously loved how this book brought things to a conclusion. My heart hurt for Jasper and Keyne and their pain was portrayed beautifully by the author. Sometimes doing the right thing hurts.
I adored the gothic feel to this story, with Jasper the older, experienced male and Keyne the young ward. There were only a handful of secondary characters, which made for a laser focus on the compelling love story between Jasper and Keyne. The spotlight was on them for the entire book, and I really liked that about His Custody.
If you are looking for a kinky tale with a dash of darkness and light, His Custody might be for you. The writing will keep you turning the pages, and Jasper is very hard to resist.
ARC provided for review
Jasper isn't that much older than Keyne and getting custody of her isn't all that easy, especially when there's an uncle that wants her too. But Jasper and Keyne manage to convince the judge that he'll be the best guardian for Keyne.
These are some rough times for Keyne, as she deals with her grief and all the changes that come with her circumstances. Rough times for Jasper too, as he gives up his kinky lifestyle and partying to do the right thing by his new charge.
When Keyne's nightmares drive her to find Jasper in the middle of the night, he's tempted and torn, but he manages to keep everything beyond reproach, that is until Keyne decides she wants him on her eighteenth birthday..
While His Custody flirts with with impropriety, it never quite gets there and I appreciated that. The kink that eventually becomes a temptation for both Keyne and Jasper made for a very interesting situation between these two.
I seriously loved how this book brought things to a conclusion. My heart hurt for Jasper and Keyne and their pain was portrayed beautifully by the author. Sometimes doing the right thing hurts.
I adored the gothic feel to this story, with Jasper the older, experienced male and Keyne the young ward. There were only a handful of secondary characters, which made for a laser focus on the compelling love story between Jasper and Keyne. The spotlight was on them for the entire book, and I really liked that about His Custody.
If you are looking for a kinky tale with a dash of darkness and light, His Custody might be for you. The writing will keep you turning the pages, and Jasper is very hard to resist.
ARC provided for review
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