Rob Daniels is determined to prove to himself that his brother Alex got it wrong. Alex believes he found love through BDSM; Rob is certain that’s not possible. He even makes several visits to a London club to prove his point. But when he attends the grand opening of Secrets, Rob gets a shock, one that has him fleeing, vowing never to return—until he does… and runs into the brick wall that is Dom Vic Prentiss. As first meetings go, theirs is a disaster.
The more time he spends around Rob, the more convinced Vic becomes of two things—one, something is eating away at Rob, and two, he’s looking for something. Every instinct tells Vic to help him, but trying to unlock the secrets hidden in Rob’s mind requires a key. All Vic has to do is find it. Because maybe then he’ll get to see the real Rob, the man who’s scared to let go….
K.C. Wells lives on an island off the south coast of the UK, surrounded by natural beauty. She writes about men who love men, and can’t even contemplate a life that doesn’t include writing. The rainbow rose tattoo on her back with the words 'Love is Love' and 'Love Wins' is her way of hoisting a flag. She plans to be writing about men in love - be it sweet and slow, hot or kinky - for a long while to come.
If you want to follow her exploits, you can sign up for her monthly newsletter: http://eepurl.com/cNKHlT
You can stalk – er, find – her in the following places:
"Sometimes those who feel they don’t deserve something are the ones who need it the most."
This story is about Rob (Alex’s brother from the first book in the "Collars & Cuffs" series). He was always jealous of Alex and now that he left him and married and have lots of friends that feeling got worse. He wants what Alex has. But his problem is he’s so angry, he feels alone, and he IS alone! So in his mind he thinks he is better than Alex or any other gay, particularly the subs! He thinks they are beneath him and they’re not real men. But in fact, he was both repelled and attracted to being gay/sub. He is at war with himself, he knows the truth but he won’t accept it! Until he met Vic.
"He guided him, gave him strength, believed in him when Rob wasn’t able to believe in himself."
It was really good to see both brother again this time in this series. Honestly I really disliked Rob when I saw him in "an Unlocked Heart" but now that I read more about him and his feelings I like him a bit more. but I liked Vic mre, I liked how he helped Vic and how he supported him and didn’t left him alone even when Rob behaved like a petulant child (just sometimes)!
Told in dual POV, 3rd person. It’s the second installment in the "Secrets" series with character crossover but it can be read as a standalone (everything you should know was said) and I don’t think you feel lost. All in all, I enjoyed it and hope you like it as well!
This was a reread, and it won't be the last. Vic and Rob have a special place among my favorite characters. I wish I could say that it's not true that parents can treat any child of theirs like Rob was treated...but unfortunately, it's not fantasy. Rob's mother should have been shot.... slowly. Who turns their children away for any reason? Rob makes for a very unlikely sub with his cocky attitude, which I'm happy to say he never loses. That’s one of the reasons why I simply adore him. He's vulnerable, but he tries to hide it behind his bravado, He also struggle with the guilt for his past treatment of his brother, Alex who is Leo's sub from "Collars and Cuffs". Rob grows immensely throughout this story, while trying so hard to redeem himself, but sometimes stumbling along the way. It's okay because Vic is there to catch and support him. New friendships are made, and old friends come forward to lend support when some characters from the "Collars and Cuffs" series and the "Secrets" series come together to help Rob become the man he always wanted to be but thought he never would be. Come on K C & Parker...just keep writing more stories into these two series. There are now two clubs with members that need to have their stories told.
Rob sabe que tiene que conseguir algun trabajo nuevo pronto, por alguna razon su nuevo jefe le esta haciendo la vida imposible, pero tambien quiere lo mismo que su hermano Alex, alguien que este a su lado, lo apoye, lo ame, le dedique su vida, pero sabe que no se lo merece. Sin embargo cuando recibe una invitacion a la inauguracion del nuevo Club BDSM en Londres, no duda en agarrar el tren desde Manchester y ver si puede conseguir alguien para el, pero lo unico que encuentra es a su hermano con su esposo y sale huyendo. Pero despues de unos meses regresa al Club, y tropieza con el que quizas sea el hombre mas atractivo que ha visto, y el unico que ha despertado en el estos sentimientos encontrados. Despues de varios encuentros se da cuenta que quizas este hombre pueda realmente ayudarlo a salir del foso en el que se encuentra, ahora solo tiene que aprender a ser sincero, expresar lo que realmente quiere, enfrentar su pasado y aprender a controlar su caracter, y quizas, pueda encontrar la misma felicidad que tiene su hermano. Vic trabaja como disenador de jardines, pero en su vida privada es un Dom, asi que cuando se pierde la reinauguracion de su Club BDSM, decide que en cuanto tenga la oportunidad lo primero que va a hacer es ir al Club y ver cuales son los cambios. Asi que cuando una noche esta en el Club conversando con unos amigos y un joven su lo tropieza, y no solo eso sino lo insulta, sus ganas de pasar la noche en el Club desaparecen, y decide irse. Pero al reencontrarse de nuevo con el joven, y darse cuenta que realmente necesita ayuda, no puede evitar que el Dom en el despierte y deba ayudarlo. Y cuando el joven sigue regresando, se da cuenta que quizas no es solo el quien lo necesita, sino que se necesitan el uno al otro y cuando comienzan a surgir los sentimientos tiene que ayudarlo a enfrentar sus miedos y a convertirse en el hombre que siempre debio ser.
En este libro leemos la historia del hermano de Alex (1er libro de la serie Collars & Cuff), y conocemos el otro lado de la historia. En este libro el autor manejo muy bien los sentimientos de frustracion del prota, y se puede ver con bastante facilidad como madura en su forma de pensar y actuar. Pero en el caso del segundo prota, casi no sabemos nada de el, fue como mas un relleno de la historia de Rob, y te hace sentir como si fuera un maestro o un guia, no una pareja, sino mas bien como un padre, y no creo que esa haya sido la intencion, pero como no vemos realmente el "despertar" de los sentimientos de Vic, y conocemos muy poco de el, ni siquiera sabemos si tiene familia o hermanos, o como fue su juventud o su vida en el Club antes de conocer a Rob. En fin, la lectura fue entretenida, me ha resultado mucho mas entretenida que la serie original, veo mucho mas interaccion entre los protas de los libros anteriores y los actuales, veo mucho mas del Club como tal, y por supuesto de la mama de Jordan (que sigue resultando ser el punto divertido). Asi que si, seguire con la serie, esperando que siga tan entretenida como hasta ahora.
While this is Book 2 in the Secrets series, it also has its roots in An Unlocked Heart (Collars & Cuffs 1) and I think in order to have a good understanding of Rob Daniels, you need to read that first. If you’ve read An Unlocked Heart you probably already hate Rob, Alex’s, cold, calculating, manipulative, younger brother. The dedication of the book says it all:
"For all those who thought that Rob Daniels was an irredeemable little shit – We hope to change your minds."
When I found out the authors were writing a book about Rob, I knew they would have a tough time pulling me, and many other Alex and Leo fans, over to his side. He had no redeeming qualities and deserved to pay for the way he treated his brother. When you meet Rob here, it’s much of the same. He’s on his own, struggling to make ends meet, but is still a nasty piece of work.
Rob’s first meeting with Vic pretty much sums up the Rob we previously met, spewing gay slurs in a gay BDSM club and thinking he’s better than anyone there. Rob’s behavior initially puts Vic off, but Vic sees so much in Rob – anger, sadness and vulnerability. He also likes the strong will and determination he sees in the gorgeous boy who he can’t help being drawn to. When Rob continues to seek Vic out he decides that he knows just how to help the young man.
Rob is starved for affection and affirmation. He has a desire to belong somewhere, but he’s confused with emotions all over the place. He is also stuck in his own head, reliving the actions of his past even as he is trying to change and move forward. He passes the blame for his actions even as he admits to some of it, with his brother Alex a direct target of his anger. He also can’t believe that Vic would want to help someone like him who doesn’t deserve such kindness.
The story builds slowly. Rob is a mess and Vic needs to break him down and strip him of his old behaviors in order to build him up, but not break his spirit. Rob yearns for a fresh start and Vic is willing to offer that on his terms. Vic will take care of Rob, but Rob needs to learn to care for himself, working on his emotions and his mindset. These strangers must first become friends, and Rob needs to accept certain parts of himself he’s been working so hard to purge or deny, before anything more becomes of the relationship.
There are a lot of ups and downs for Rob. It’s hard to let go of feelings and beliefs he’s had for so long, but his desire to live up to what Vic sees in him eventually wins out. I admit it took me a while to feel good about Rob’s intentions and yes, I was eventually rooting for and won over by him. As for a showdown with Alex? I went into this book wanting to see Rob suffer, but by the time he’s ready to deal with what he did, I truly felt that he was ashamed and sorry for his actions. That doesn’t mean I didn’t smile a bit when Jarod initially reacts poorly to finding out who Rob is, but I think the reunion between the brothers played out nicely and realistically.
As far as the BDSM goes, it’s here but it’s not the main focus of the book. The authors in their prior books have covered many different aspects of BDSM and once again, Rob and Vic find something that works for them. As much as Rob settles though, he still has a mouthy way about him and Vic loves it as much as he loves punishing it. Vic reads Rob so well that he picks the perfect punishment and the perfect type of scenes, using sensory deprivation. It’s something very different from what I’ve read and while I don’t think personally it’s a favorite of mine, I did see exactly why it fit so well with Vic and Rob.
The story is really focused on Rob’s transformation and growth and him learning to trust Vic and trust his own nature. I loved seeing Jarod, and of course and Alex and Leo. I’d recommend this to anyone who loves a redemption story and a slow build romance between two opposites who are just what the other needs. The sexy times are there, the BDSM is there, but the focus is on the relationship building and, as much as I didn’t think it possible, turning Rob Daniels into a character I actually liked.
An Unlocked Mind, the second book in K.C. Wells and Parker Williams’ Secrets series, is now available in audio. I’ve waited over a year to listen to Joel Leslie read this one to me, and I’m so happy! Mr. Leslie’s performance is excellent. He brings these characters to reality and infuses so much emotion into this story. I can’t imagine enjoying a Secrets novel any other way.
K.C. Wells and Parker Williams have created an amazing world in their interwoven Collars and Cuffs and Secrets series. The characters are passionate and they deal with some powerful issues. When I saw we were finally going to get Rob Daniels’ story, I knew An Unlocked Mind was going to be intense.
Fans of the Collars and Cuffs series will remember Alex’s bratty younger brother Rob from An Unlocked Heart. If you don’t, or haven’t read books from either collection yet, don’t worry. The authors do a wonderful job of blending the brothers’ stories into this one, so you won’t miss a thing. Just like the rest of the novels in both of these series, An Unlocked Mind can be enjoyed as a standalone.
Rob is headstrong and stubborn and I honestly couldn’t believe some of his antics. Basically the Best. Brat. Ever! This mischievous boy is definitely not like any submissive Vic’s known before. Rob’s spunk and sass are just what Vic needs to get him out of his rut.
While all of the relationships in this series are unique, I’ve got to say Vic and Rob’s journey stole my heart. From their very first interaction these two men light a spark in each other that results in great chemistry. I can’t wait to see where they go from here.
As the series grows it appears Wells and Williams are having great fun blending scenes with characters from previous books. I’m enjoying watching how everyone’s progressing and how they impact each other’s lives. I can’t help it; at this point I’m totally invested. An Unlocked Mind is a great addition, but buyer beware: once you try one, you’ll want more!
Secrets #2, in the spin-off series of Collars and Cuffs by this wonderful author duo, harks back to the very first book, An Unlocked Heart. Rob is Alex’s brother, who treated Alex horribly before he moved out to be with Leo. Five years later, Rob has made some attempt to better himself, so far without promising results. In part, his efforts stem from observing Alex and Leo together along with his glimpses of the BDSM lifestyle. In spite of his fascination, he’s in complete denial of both his desires and sexuality. Meeting Vic sets him on course to truly change his ways, with emotional support and constructive feedback. There’s a very slow burn, nearly half the book passing before any other progression between Rob and Vic, either physically or romantically.
I do know these authors like to build strong foundations for their characters and relationships, which the slower pace accomplished. It was a bit too slow for me in the first half and Rob’s internal struggles with himself were kind of repetitive. The second half moved along better, as Rob follows Vic’s guidance, before agreeing to D/s interaction. I liked the gradual improvement, even when it took forever to get things through his thick head. There’s very little of the more common BDSM play, as most is more mental than physical. I really appreciated that Rob never loses his assertive, “bratty” nature, although his anger became childish at times. Jarod is featured once again, at first hostile to Rob’s entry to the club, but that changes later. Sometimes, the timeframe seemed muddled, where it seemed like months passed, only to find it was just a few weeks. It bothered me but I guess that’s a subjective thing.
Although these stories have a formal club setting, it never descends into formal, stuffy activities or characters. Rob’s personality is a departure from subs depicted in typical BDSM stories. There’s a different take on BDSM too, the focus less on scenes and equipment, and more on the feelings engendered by aspects of the lifestyle. It works as a stand-alone, with details from Alex’s book explained as needed. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book and the characters to be featured.
*An ARC was provided by the author or publisher and I have chosen to publish a fair and honest review for Jessie G Books Reviews blog*
Vic certainly had his work cut out for him after running into Rob at the newly opened club. Rob had a huge chip on his shoulder and was overflowing with anger, guilt and remorse. Vic took a chance and befriended this erratic kid and their story began. Patience was key and Vic had it in spades. This was a sweet story about forgiveness, courage and learning how to trust.
Predictable storyline, hard to believe in much and boring.
And what's with Doms who know, like, fucking everything from the first look at a man? Are they trained psychologists or therapists or whatever to analyze their psyche?
And do they always have to be much older?
I expected more BDSM elements but it's more vanilla than anything else.
If it wasn't for Jarod's cameo (again) I'd have DNF-ed it. But I love the guy and I want to read the third installment so...
I loved this book. The funny thing is when I started it I hated Rob so much I almost stopped reading it. Vic is such a wonderful character and the way he patiently helped Rob to forgive himself was beautiful to read. I would barely classify this as BDSM. Vic is a Dom and Rob is submissive, but there is very little description of their scenes together. This book is a love story.
*~~*ARC kindly provided by the author to me in exchange for an honest review *~~*
I admit I have a really soft spot for characters like Rob. Attentive and experienced readers of the Collars & Cuffs series by K.C. Wells and Parker Williams will notice that the main character Rob is the brother of Alex, hero of the first book in the series, An Unlocked Heart (note: you see the small connection in the title, right? ;)).
Rob is really vulnerable, something I like and the most part of the book he is searching for his true self. The moment he met Vic, it's the start of this. I really loved how K.C. Wells and Parker Williams created a really thoughtful & pretty intriguing story out of this, and with casting the spotlight of a former uncomfortable & pretty bratty character you didn't really liked in the first book of the first series, there was a new insight of this character.
Rob isn't the tough guy he tries to be, he isn't malicous, although he did things he deeply regret. His unappealing attitude, his whole behaviour is changing, and Vic is helping him to find his inner peace. It sounds maybe a bit cheesy but it's pretty obvious that Vic is an anchor for Rob and he settles him.
Their feelings are slowly growing and it's clear that Vic is taking good care of Rob. He sees pretty early what problems Rob has, sees the broken guy behind the tough facade.
If you expect heavy BDSM you don't get it here, in fact you get a deep story with a lot of character development. I really liked this, but maybe some might think it's boring. :)
Of course there are the sparks between the guys, and Rob is admitting he is attracted to Vic. The agreement is mutual and no time in the book is Vic Rob forcing to do something. Between the search for Rob of his own self, of being reliable and a responsible member of the society and doing his part, Vic is also vulnerable under his burly stature; he is also searching for something, something his friends have, a long time partner, someone he can share daily routines with, and who doesn't only warm his bed and scratches the itch. Seeing Vic realising he get something like that in Rob, too, is a really sweet and tender moment and it makes my heart sing with joy when they become more than friends. <3
The book is pretty thick with over 300 pages, but it feels necessary to have all these pages, it gives also insight of other characters and due to the connection to An Unlocked Heart it seems appropriate.
All in all a book full of self-loathing and the new start in loving yourself, about generosity and understanding. Vic and Rob are fitting so well together, and they challenge each other. They may different but it's what ignites the sparks between them. :) For this I give 5 out of 5 stars. :)
This 2nd book in the spin-off series deals with Rob Daniels, Alex's brother, who had a hand in Alex and Leo almost not having a happy ever after, and whose actions, to some extent, caused Alex to remove himself from his judgmental family.
Rob is such a lost boy. He blames himself for Alex's leaving, and yet he's determined to prove that Alex has it all wrong - BDSM is not love. Therefore, Rob goes to Secrets to once again prove that point, sneering and judging everyone he sees in the club. Rob has issues. Massive issues.
Then he meets a brick wall named Vic Prentiss, a Dom who used to be a member at the club prior to it becoming Secrets and who might be looking for a new sub. Vic takes one look at Rob and realizes that the young man has built up massive walls and locked away his heart. He offers the young man a night on the couch, with a promise not to touch him but take him to the train station in the morning. After some fussing and insults, Rob agrees.
Rob returns to his shitty job and his shitty apartment in Manchester, only to blow money on a train ticket back to London to show up at Vic's house, time and again. And slowly, oh so slowly, Rob starts to open up.
This story really tugged on my heart strings. Rob is so lost, so lonely, and so scared. He's afraid of his mother, and he's regretful of the events he set in motion that resulted in Alex leaving and hating Rob for what he did. He wants nothing more than a chance to make things right with his brother, but is afraid to take that first step, and too stubborn to entertain the possibility that Alex found exactly what he needed in Leo, and that their relationship is built on love, even if there's kinky stuff going on. He doesn't understand how anyone could want to be "smacked around", as if BDSM only consists of whippings, and he doesn't understand why anyone would choose to submit to the will of another. He doesn't understand that the sub holds all the power in a BDSM relationship, and that everything stops with a safe word. He doesn't understand the draw, and the release, and the trust that has to be established. He doesn't understand much at all.
And then Vic starts to show him. And Rob opens his eyes, and I cried. Because once Rob lets go, once Rob tears down those walls - the lost boy grows up and becomes a man. Rob finally lets go of pretending to be straight, lets go of lashing out whenever someone suggests he might be gay, lets go of the guilt and the anger and the pain. I cried and cried. As Rob unshackles himself from his past, as Rob reaches out and claims a bit of happiness, as Rob finds what he's been seeking, in Vic's arms, in his brother's embrace, in his father's support - Rob becomes a man. And I cried.
I adored Vic. He was so patient, so careful, and so intent on finding the key to unlock what Rob kept hidden in his mind, so strong and calm to soothe away the pain and grief and to make Rob see that love and trust are at the root of true BDSM relationships.
And Rob, the lost boy, becomes a man.
With gorgeous writing and a ton of emotion, this was a fitting continuation of the brilliant collaboration between these two authors.
** I received a free copy of this book from its authors. A positive review was not promised in return. **
DNF @ 67%. I found the first half of the book quite slow and almost boring because of all of the telling. The story picked up, but by that time, I wasn't sure about Rob's character. There wasn't much background explanation of why he was so angry at the world. His family dynamics were depicted in An Unlocked Heart. In this book, I got a picturesque view of his current work and lonely living situation, I got details on his friendship with Jamie, lots of information about his guilt over snitching on Alex, and a tad of information about his bisexuality (which wasn't convincing). Not only was Rob emotionally immature, he was lacking in common sense and basic life skills too. But I didn't get any reasons for his core person BEFORE he left home - why he was so self centered and emotionally distant and, most importantly, why he harassed and blackmailed his brother Alex.
I found it highly unlikely that Rob could ever become compassionate and more selfless. I still didn't find enough to like about him. I didn't think that he could redeemed himself. And looking at the other half of the relationship, I wasn't impressed with Vic that he would be attracted to and want to "fix" such a selfish hateful man.
While this book is part of a series it can be read as a standalone. However, I personally recommend readers read An Unlocked Heart from the authors’ Collars and Cuffs series first to get the backstory regarding Rob’s relationship with his brother Alex first—I think it will greatly enhance your enjoyment of An Unlocked Mind if you do.
Rob and Vic’s story starts and progresses slowly; their relationship builds over time as the two get to know each other and grow closer. Rob’s character goes through plenty of growth as the story goes on, opening himself up to what he previously looked down upon. When I first read about him in Alex’s story, I thought he was a real jerk and I wasn’t sure after his actions then how he would be redeemed now. But the authors did a great job at revealing the inner workings of Rob’s mind and turning his character into one I actually really liked (especially his bratty side that would come out from time to time with Vic).
Vic is a patient, intelligent man who sees the man Rob is inside and is drawn to helping him. He may have his hands full with Rob at times, but his patience and tenacity—along with his growing feelings—help him to guide Rob to become the person he was meant to be. I enjoyed the dynamic between the two of them, and was glad Vic had the chance to get what was missing for him as well—someone to share his life with.
I love this series so far; that we also get to see some of the characters from the original Collars and Cuffs series is a nice bonus. An Unlocked Mind was 4.5 stars for me, and I really am looking forward to see where the authors take the series from here. This book is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and sexual content.
Oh, and for the record…I wholeheartedly sided with Rob regarding his customer at the beginning of the book, and thought his boss was a real jackass to him about the whole situation (not to mention his boss’s attitude, period).
Once again, K. C. and Parker didn't disappoint. I had a slow start to this book, but I knew that I wanted to see this through. It turned out to be better than I thought, and I'm so glad I kept reading.
This book follows Rob Daniels, a young man who has made some mistakes, and is paying for them daily. He was previously in Alex and Leo's story, so I was shocked to see him have his own. When he meets Vic, he is rude, slinging gay slurs and acting petulant. Many meetings later, we find out why Rob can't stop visiting Vic, and why he doesn't want to. He needs something to ground him, to hold on to, to be his center, and he has found it with Vic. The ending to the story fits perfectly, and we see a shift in the Daniels's family dynamic, but that's all I'm going to say!
When we first see Vic interact with Rob outside of Secrets, a name popped up in my mind: Leo. He's so caring, confident, takes decisions out of Rob's hands, and will stand up for him in a heartbeat. Vic has one helluva brat on his hands, but I have no doubt that he's the person to tame him. I also love how Vic and Leo meet, and I'm hoping that a lifelong friendship will blossom between them.
"Clothed or not, every part of my body is owned by him."
Another thing that I loved about this book was the fact that we see different aspects of BDSM. Instead of spankings, public play, etc, we see acts that would benefit their situation, like sensory deprivation, meditation, and "corner time." That, for me, was what made the book stand out. Don't get me wrong, the sex scenes were HAAAAWT! But there is something to be said about mental domination and the effect that certain scenes can have on a submissive. It's invigorating, enlightening, and eye-opening for the sub to experience something so powerful.
I loved the pairing of Vic and Rob. They work well together, and I'm so glad that I kept reading. On to Threepeat! 10/10!
Overwhelmed, lost and looking for more is the Rob & Vic story. This is a readable but not so intriguing tale. I do wonder about stories where multiple siblings are Gay or Bi. Is that authentic or an author’s device to move the story along.
I mentioned in my review of book one in this series how happy I was to see the former series, ‘Collars and Cuffs’, come full circle with Eli and Jarod taking over a BDSM club, Secrets, in London. Now with ‘An Unlocked Mind’ this exciting writing duo is bringing another thread from C&C into this world. Rob is Alex’s younger brother and Alex was featured in ‘An Unlocked Heart’, book one in the C&C series. In that particular novel Rob was a repugnant little sh*t who made Alex’s life far more difficult than he needed to. To say I was excited to watch Rob’s evolution is a mild description for what I felt.
Tears trickled down his cheeks. I am such a fuckup. He ruined everything good he wanted in life by being a little prick. Anger and jealousy had driven him to create a schism between him and his brother. And now Rob was alone....... Alex hadn’t done anything wrong. All he’d done was find love. Love. What must it be like to love someone like that?
I was thrilled with the direction the authors took this story as it really could have gone many ways. Vic is a remarkable reader of people and I don’t believe anyone else could have begun to understand Rob, except Vic. Rob views himself as scum. In fact, he can’t remember a time when he ever liked who he is. The regret he feels over what happened with Alex, even though it was their mum who made it worse, continues to torment Rob. He has so much anger and hatred - directed within - that he’s just a ball of boiling emotions. When he and Vic meet, Vic is positive Rob is buried in a closet, perhaps not even aware of his feelings. What Vic is sure about is that no one has ever treated Rob with kindness or believed in him.
Rob surprised me at almost every turn. He is so much more than he believes he is, or can ever be. I was amazed at how quickly Rob took the difficult task of looking inside and admitting to his feelings. Even more incredible is that he then admits them to Vic; that Rob is turned on by some of the things he sees at Secrets and that Rob wants Vic as more than just a friend. It is him realizing he finds the BDSM club stimulating and that he wants to partake of that lifestyle that has him realizing he is just like Alex, and that’s what originally scared him.
Rob took a good, long, searching look at himself. The old Rob was a jealous, spiteful, petty person whose sole outlook was what was in it for him. In only two months, Vic had shone a spotlight on that Rob, forcing the truth to come out. Rob hated that person. He never wanted to be him again.
The dedication from the authors at the beginning said this book was for all of us who thought Rob Daniels was an irredeemable little sh*t (I was one) and they hoped to change our minds. They certainly succeeded where I am concerned. I’d like to believe that Rob would have made it through all of his issues eventually, even if he’d never met Vic. But I don’t think he would have. Rob needed Vic but it was glaringly obvious how much Vic needed him too. I adored seeing Rob and Alex’s dad stepping up to the plate again, and watching Alex and Rob’s hesitant steps back to being brothers was heartwarming.
Ms. Wells and Mr. Williams, you have outdone yourselves with ‘An Unlocked Mind.’ It is far more than I ever expected it to be and not only did I fall for Vic - which was kind of guaranteed since I’m a bit of a wench when it comes to the tall, strong, quiet type - but I fell hard for Rob, the cheeky bastard. Their romance was beautiful to watch. Thank you. I’m looking forward to more books and I can’t wait to see who the next story will be about.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews
Loved, loved, loved this story! Loved the main characters, loved the plot, loved the secondary characters, loved the setting, just plain old loved it!
I do enjoy this writing duo and their world of BDSM clubs, starting with Collars & Cuffs and continuing now with Secrets, so I immediately asked for this story for review. But somehow I didn’t realize that Rob Daniels is THE Rob Daniels, Alex Daniels’s brother (An Unlocked Heart), until I started reading and the light bulb went off. Within the first ten percent of the story, I was rooting for this young man, who was the principal antagonist and all-around PIA for Alex in the previous book and definitely a character I had disliked.
The authors did a wonderful job in sharing his personality development, his past, his life experiences and current circumstances, his family issues, and finally, his need to be loved and to be forgiven. Who better to help him with those issues than Vic Prentiss, Dom extraordinaire? Vic is everything I’d want in a Dom, and in fact, he’s quite different from any of the other Doms the authors have created in the past. He’s a big guy, muscular, tattooed, handsome, and with a bald pate—in short, quite attractive. But he’s also strong, compassionate, and has a wonderful sense of humor and tolerance for his boy’s mouthy, bratty comments. He’s the perfect Dom for Rob because he can guide the young man, be there for him, and choose the perfect discipline—especially once he discovers how well a form of sensory deprivation works on his boy—without fracturing Rob’s growing trust.
This is a long book but every word on every page is so necessary for the evolution of Rob’s persona and his and Vic’s D/s relationship. We are there to witness Vic’s guidance of Rob’s growth and renewal and share in the joy of Rob’s forgiveness of himself for past behaviors. We also bear witness to Rob’s eventual reunion with his father and with his brother, Alex. Of course, we get to see plenty of Jarod and Eli, two characters who I like more each time they are “on page.” Jarod’s mom is still present and spunky as ever, and both Wayne and Ellis, from book one in this series, Before You Break return for cameo appearances.
I honestly can’t begin to express fully how much I enjoyed turning every page of this book, and I could have gone on even if it was longer. I have to admit I didn’t enjoy the first book as much as this one, but the way the authors added to the initial foundation laid for the BDSM club, Secrets, by building a cadre of subs who will eventually be solid friends, similar to those at the Collars & Cuffs club, bodes well for future stories. We meet a few characters in this one who may show up in future books. Personally, I want to see Sam and Aaron get their chance at happiness in a future book. (Soon, please!)
I could go on, but suffice it to say, I highly recommend this book to lovers of MM romance, especially when there’s age gap or character redemption or a sub in training. It’s all good. There’s nothing more to add, except maybe to drop a hint that this would make a great holiday gift for a fellow MM romance lover.
Note: This book was provided to me by the publisher through Hearts on Fire Reviews in exchange for an impartial review.
"Sometimes those who feel they don’t deserve something are the ones who need it the most."
The second book in this series is about Rob Daniels, Alex's brother. Rob has a lot of anger in him, stemming from his loveless childhood, but most comes from regrets eating at him, regrets of his actions resulting in the estrangement with his brother. And Rob yearns for a home, for real friends but most of all to be loved and have a family.
But Rob has repressed feelings too as if he was both repelled and attracted that he is not ready to admit to himself. So, when he, literally, runs into Vic Prentiss, a Dom, Vic couldn’t shake the kid’s expression from his mind. He’d seemed so lost, defeated and alone, and it called to the Dom in Vic.
With Vic's help, Rob is able to become the person he wants to be and takes responsibility for his actions. Their relationship is a slow build, but their journey together is an amazing one. While I did not, I do think it is best to read An Unlocked Heart first, it will shed more light on Rob's part in Alex's life.
> > Judging a Book by it's Cover < < Strong enough font choices. Colors and composition are fairly bland though. Synopsis intrigues, but you almost need to read Alex's story to fully appreciate Rob's.
Is the horrid and irredeemable Rob Daniels redeemable after all? Can Vic manage to break through Rob's attitude and defenses and get to the true person hidden deep within? Rob was a difficult character to like, let me tell you. If you've read his brother's book, then chances are high that - like me - you held a grudge against Rob, too. Vic was truly a saint for putting up with Rob's attitude and overall behaviorisms! It was not until the 73% mark and the yelling of "PEACOCK" did I finally break and see Rob as something... more. Well done to Williams and Wells for making that happen! Their relationship consisted of a lot of push and pull... again, Vic deserves a medal or some sort of humanitarian recognition for his efforts! The secondary cast was littered with a handful of COLLARS AND CUFFS series cast members as well as several that made their debut in the first SECRETS book. Dialogue and cast interaction were solid throughout. The plot was dynamic and full, it entertained and intrigued. It always amazes me when I recall that there are TWO authors living in TWO countries writing these books, and doing so so seamlessly. There were multiple conflicts presented, all of which were addressed. Predictability was low. The conclusion was solid and satisfying. While I'd not recommend this one as a stand-alone, I HIGHLY recommend it as one in the series! . Rating: [R] ~ Score: 4.55 ~ Stars: 5 ========================== ⭐ ⭐ **** Disclosure of Material: I received a copy of this book from Enticing Journey and the Author/Publisher with the hope that I would voluntarily leave unbiased and unsolicited feedback. I was not asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review - nor was I compensated in any way. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". ***** ⭐ ⭐
4.5 stars - This was a great second chance story. It sort of crosses over from the Collars & Cuffs series, as Rob is the brother of Alex, whom we met in book 1 of that series. He was not a very nice character back then, being pretty horrible to Alex, almost getting Leo arrested for hurting Alex, thus forcing Alex to leave home.
All was not as it seemed, however, and Rob was a pretty classic case of lashing out to cover up his own sexuality. He hadn't acted on it though, and honestly didn't understand his feelings, etc., but an incident with a supposed friend set things off that affected him for years to come. When he heads to the BDSM club to try and learn more about Alex and what he is into, and whether he might be the same as Alex, he bites off more than he can chew. On his way out, he runs into Vic and gives one heck of a bad impression.
Vic can't help but see past Rob's behavior and can't help but try to offer him a ride home in the rain. After quite a bit of posturing, they come to a sort of truce. Rob has a lot to think about and is drawn to Vic and his confidence and genuine niceties. What ensues is a friendship brought about by a more heartfelt apology and Vic wanting to be someone who doesn't reject Rob, though it takes a while before anything other than friendship sparks.
I really loved watching the transformations that take place with Rob through the guidance of Vic as he helps Rob get his life back together. Once Rob finally gives in to his feelings and lets Vic in a little more, things really get hot. Rob never quite loses his sassiness, which I loved, and he ended up being a formidable partner for Vic.
While this can easily be read on its own, I recommend reading Alex' story if you want a bit more background on how he and Rob's relationship got to this point. The previous book in this series is about the couple who reopened the club, and they play a part in this story as well, so you might want to start there. I'm definitely a fan of this writing due and can't wait to see what's coming next!
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
For those of us that have read the Collars & Cuffs series you may remember Rob as Alex's not so nice brother. For everyone else, don't worry if you haven't because An Unlocked Mind is a standalone and the authors provide all the background information you need.
When we first meet Rob he is working at a supermarket and has a run in with a customer. I got really mad on Rob's behalf reading this scene. I thought Rob was being treated unfairly. But spending a little time with Rob and his first trip to BSDM club Secrets reveals his ugly side. I started to realise he is not very likeable guy and his behaviour when he runs into Dom Vic in the club is down right embarrassing. Later Vic offers Rob and lift to the station and this one kind act leads to them becoming friends.
While Vic is crucial to this story and an amazing man, for me it was all about Rob and watching him turn his life around. He is miserable, angry, full of shame and just not a very nice person. With some introspection and guidance from Vic he slowly starts to make changes to his life. I loved that it isn't easy for Rob to make changes and he stumbles along the way. Ultimately it takes courage to change and I think is what had me loving Rob in the end. I like to think that people can change for the better and improve themselves so I loved watching Rob's transformation.
This is a wonderful love story too which takes time to develop. Vic is so wise, strong and supportive of Rob I can see how easy it would be fall in love with him.
An Unlocked Mind is a beautiful story and I absolutely loved it.
I love a broken boy, and Rob is very broken, riddled with anxiety over his past actions and in emotional turmoil over liking what he perceive he shouldn't. And Vic was so patient with this boy that suddenly appeared and kept appearing without any rhyme or reason to his actions.
This was my first book in this universe, so all the characters I got to know was new to me, but I didn't feel like I had missed something by starting on the wrong end. It was well written and I loved the humour in it. Rob's bratty behaviour was so fitting to him, and he would never have bent to become a quit submissive, which fit so well with Vic. I love a different approach to punishment than simply spanking, something tailor made to the sub.
My only hiccup with the book is that in the second half of the book, viewpoints blend together and I have to reread a section to figure out who suddenly had a section.
An Unlocked Mind (Secrets #2) by K.C. Wells 3.5 stars M/M BDSM Romance Triggers: Non-Supportive family, bullying, hints at bisexuality I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.
Rob is kind of a tortured soul in this story. He carried an immense amount of guilt and knows that he has wronged his brother from the previous story. Rob is trying to reconcile who he is with what he knows and who he believes he wants to be.
Vic is looking for something, but he's not sure what or whom he's looking for. I liked his no nonsense attitude towards Rob, despite the attraction. He knew that Rob needed someone to take him in hand and did just that.
What I think fell short for me was all of the dialogue and story surrounding Rob and his guilt. It felt very whiny to me and rather than focus on moving forward, he worried a lot about what had been, what he did and how his family life was. I wanted more of a romance story and instead, it felt like Vic was a glorified babysitter.
When Vic and Rob were together, just the two of them, you could see glimpses of Rob and who he was trying to become, which was a nice change. I also liked how Rob and his brother interacted in the story. It felt fairly genuine and realistic.
Overall, this was just an OK story for me. I enjoyed book 1 much more.
I received a copy to read and review for Wicked Reads
I have to be honest, I almost stopped reading this book. The beginning was so wordy and not much dialogue that I just wasn't connecting with the characters or story. I stuck with it and in the end really enjoyed the book after about 35% in. Vic was so nice to Rob and Rob was sooo down on himself that I just wanted to shake some sense into him. The chemistry between the two was good, not off the charts but still good. I love how Rob finally got his head out of his butt and went after what he wanted. There wasn't a lot of BDSM in this book even though Vic made it a point to tell Rob several times that he was into the lifestyle and couldn't give it up. Overall a good story and addition to the series. I can't wait to see who is in the next book.
It's been a while since I read Alex's story so I didn't hate Rob as much as I probably should have when I started this one. But oh boy, what a handful of cocky anger this boy was. Good thing Vic could see right through him. And can I just say that I LOVED Vic, like inappropriate feelings for a not-real person loved. He was just the perfect person for Rob to run into and insult. Rob broke my heart with his self loathing and hatred. Poor guy. If your looking for tons of sexy times right away, this is not the book for you. Great build up with this one and not BDSM heavy at all. Loved it!!
I love this series as well as the Cuffs and Collars series that acts as a prequel to this series. I loved all the previous books and although I liked this one, it was so far off being as good as the others that it came across as a little disappointing. If this book was written as a standalone, I may have received this book differently but coming off such a great series this one fell a little short in comparison.
This book is based on the relationship of Rob and Vic. Rob is Alex's brother, who was the main character of the 1st book in the Cuffs and Collars series. That straight away made me nervous and wary to even read this book as all previous books have pointed out what horrible a person Rob was and I went in to this with a preconceived idea of how he would be, and although the authors tried to turn this around it was quite difficult to get in to the flow of this character.
Vic's character also seemed to be difficult for me to connect with, for a Dom I felt like he was always far too much of a push over. He let Rob walk over him and I didnt quite like his style of BDSM.
Although this book does get better the further in you get, I felt it was a little boring with almost nothing actually happening most of the time and I found myself really having to concentrate and force myself not skim my way through it.
It's a handy hat-trick when an author can take a horrible, seemingly nonredeemable character from a previous story and not only turn them into a complex main character in their own right but also make it feel earned as well. Unfortunately, this is just not one of those instances. Rob isn't a terrible character and he doesn't have the worst history I've ever read, but he is just so alternately belligerent and whiny at times and having his growth and development framed by a very poorly executed persecution by the boss trope as well as having the other MC, Vic, be the ultimate empath/noob submissive whisperer didn't do him any favors.
Most redemptive steps he takes are bc he wants Vic to continue to praise him and see value in him, and as slowly as the book is progressing, there is just not enough about his home life that explains his vindictive behavior towards his brother or his constant textual indicators that no one in his life ever has ever even been remotely nice or affectionate to him, especially since his parents and just being a general a-hole are his reasons for acting like he does.
The fact that after hanging out a few times Vic comes in and white-knights him, even under the guise of teaching Rob to better take care of himself, complicates Rob's emotional progression and development. It's one of those stories where the characters, their relationship and the psychological healing of a good-Dom trope all just work against each other and leave me feeling bored, uncomfortable or disturbed. I had planned on trudging through, but...
Having devoured Collars and Cuffs several times, I was super excited to hear that KC and Parker were writing a spin off series and when I heard that Rob Daniels, aka Alex's not-so-wonderful brother, was the star of book 2 in the Secrets series, I was BEYOND excited. And this book did NOT disappoint.
Rob is lonely, struggling, and twisted up inside by the things he's done. It's Vic's acceptance and his steady calm that reel Rob in. This book was perfect from first to last. From watching Rob evolve and change into a person he could be proud of, to watching him earn forgiveness not only from Alex, but from himself. It was everything I expected and more.
First off I love how the authors show how uniquely the couples in not only this series but the previous one embrace and tailor the BDSM lifestyle to suit their needs, desires, fears, and limitations. I love getting Rob's story. He is a character that I never thought I'd like much less love. Now for the mom, let's just say I know some swamp land she can get lost in and I'd gladly give her a meat suit to wear while doing so.