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North Shore Stories #2
Daddy Issues
Marek Wisniewski is a man used to being obeyed, whether it's by his patients or his lovers. When he's hired to be an in-home nurse for an extremely difficult old man, he's certain he can handle it until he comes face to face with Ryan, his client's son. Both men have reasons to dislike each other, and neither is pleased when they're forced to live under the same roof. Ryan wants Marek gone, and Marek wants to bring the beautiful and spoiled Ryan to his knees.
Ryan Chadwick seems to live a charmed life, but underneath his polished veneer of arrogance and success, he’s miserable. Ryan feels increasingly like his carefully constructed life is spinning out of control. All it'll take is one little push to bring his world crashing down around him.
Marek and Ryan clash again and again, causing Ryan to further question who he is and what he wants. Marek brings out a side in him he didn't know existed, a side that wants to please and obey. Marek’s desire to teach Ryan a lesson in humility becomes, over time, a lesson to show Ryan that who, and what, he wants isn't shameful.
Two very different men come together and discover that what you want, and what you need, aren't always the same thing. They find that you need to pace yourself at a Polish dinner, how building snowmen is not rocket science, that a mansion on a lake doesn't guarantee happiness, and most of all, the importance of letting go.
Daddy Issues is a 90,000 word steamy romance in the North Shore Stories series. It contains BDSM elements, fisting, a blanket fort, an embarrassing butt plug, lots of food, and a HEA. This book follows Be My Mistake and Damage Control, but can be read as a stand-alone novel.
Ryan Chadwick seems to live a charmed life, but underneath his polished veneer of arrogance and success, he’s miserable. Ryan feels increasingly like his carefully constructed life is spinning out of control. All it'll take is one little push to bring his world crashing down around him.
Marek and Ryan clash again and again, causing Ryan to further question who he is and what he wants. Marek brings out a side in him he didn't know existed, a side that wants to please and obey. Marek’s desire to teach Ryan a lesson in humility becomes, over time, a lesson to show Ryan that who, and what, he wants isn't shameful.
Two very different men come together and discover that what you want, and what you need, aren't always the same thing. They find that you need to pace yourself at a Polish dinner, how building snowmen is not rocket science, that a mansion on a lake doesn't guarantee happiness, and most of all, the importance of letting go.
Daddy Issues is a 90,000 word steamy romance in the North Shore Stories series. It contains BDSM elements, fisting, a blanket fort, an embarrassing butt plug, lots of food, and a HEA. This book follows Be My Mistake and Damage Control, but can be read as a stand-alone novel.
454 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 19, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews
October 24, 2022
"i love you," Marek said. he said the words like they were easy and obvious — the sky is blue, water is wet, i love you. Marek didn't seem to ever suffer from uncertainty or doubt. he was a rock. an anchor that would tether Ryan and keep him from endlessly drifting."
✦ Ryan and Marek were achingly sweet together. i just desperately wish the beginning and the whole progression of their relationship was more natural. to me personally, it all just came a little bit out of nowhere. i think this book would have benefited a lot from some more tension building between the mcs, some deliciously angsty slow burn and some more push and pull. that would have made this way better imo. instead, it was just way too easy and lowkey boring at times. dare i also say they had sex way too much?
✦ another aspect i have to point out is that Ryan seemed like a whole different character in this book. i swear, book 1 Ryan and book 2 Ryan could be two different people. i honestly wanted the assholeish Ryan from book 1 in this book, rather than the tame, fluffy and whiny version we got here. also, for someone who had so many deep issues, they all sure got fixed quite easily by some magical dick.
✦ overall, while this was cute, sexy and enjoyable for the most part, i can't say that i'm not even slightly disappointed. this just had so much potential to be way better... le sigh. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
✦ Ryan and Marek were achingly sweet together. i just desperately wish the beginning and the whole progression of their relationship was more natural. to me personally, it all just came a little bit out of nowhere. i think this book would have benefited a lot from some more tension building between the mcs, some deliciously angsty slow burn and some more push and pull. that would have made this way better imo. instead, it was just way too easy and lowkey boring at times. dare i also say they had sex way too much?
✦ another aspect i have to point out is that Ryan seemed like a whole different character in this book. i swear, book 1 Ryan and book 2 Ryan could be two different people. i honestly wanted the assholeish Ryan from book 1 in this book, rather than the tame, fluffy and whiny version we got here. also, for someone who had so many deep issues, they all sure got fixed quite easily by some magical dick.
✦ overall, while this was cute, sexy and enjoyable for the most part, i can't say that i'm not even slightly disappointed. this just had so much potential to be way better... le sigh. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
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September 30, 2022
4.5 stars ☆
"I know. That's because you're mine." Marek sounded smug as hell.
"What?"
"You are mine, mój słodki chłopcze," Marek enunciated. "My responsibility." Ryan glanced over and saw Marek's mouth set in a stubborn line. "Mine to punish and reward and care for. Mine to shelter and cherish and protect." 🥺🥺
this book... honestly took me by surprise. i only picked it up after discovering it had internalized homophobia (so i wouldn't recommend this if that's not your cup of tea, but it's one of my fav things to read about bc i'm always intrigued to see how it's handled, where the internalized homophobia stems from, as well as seeing the development in the end to what usually becomes as acceptance. i also like being a crying mess. maybe i have Vlad of Just a Bit Wicked to thank for bc i feel like it was his book that started my interest for this topic lol), but it also contains BDSM, which was the sole reason i was hesitant to pick this up bc i'm not a huge fan of it but, when i finally read this, it was so much more than i had expected.
i loved the story. i loved the mcs, Ryan and Marek. the side characters. the romance. the complicated, messy family dynamic between Ryan and his brothers yet their love for each other was so clear (the talk between Ryan and Tyler towards the end literally had me sobbing 😭). the wholesome, sweet family bond between Marek's family - especially Marek's relationship with his grandfather. the dynamic between Ryan and Marek and how Ryan needed someone who would love and care for him, beyond the facade he'd show on the outside, whereas Marek was simply someone who was nurturing, likes to be the one taking care of his person, and i just feel like they were a lovely match together. Ryan's development was probably one of my fav things about this story bc of the way his dad fucked him up since he was a kid so seeing him grow into his own person by the end was truly chefs kiss.
Ryan gave him a look. "Okay, I should get dressed." He rocked on the balls of his feet but didn't move otherwise.
"Yes," Marek agreed. "You should."
Ryan darted forward, held Marek's face in his hands, then kissed him briefly. "Thank you. For everything." Then he turned and walked into the room's mammoth closet.
Pleased, Marek sat on a chair to wait.
"I know. That's because you're mine." Marek sounded smug as hell.
"What?"
"You are mine, mój słodki chłopcze," Marek enunciated. "My responsibility." Ryan glanced over and saw Marek's mouth set in a stubborn line. "Mine to punish and reward and care for. Mine to shelter and cherish and protect." 🥺🥺
this book... honestly took me by surprise. i only picked it up after discovering it had internalized homophobia (so i wouldn't recommend this if that's not your cup of tea, but it's one of my fav things to read about bc i'm always intrigued to see how it's handled, where the internalized homophobia stems from, as well as seeing the development in the end to what usually becomes as acceptance. i also like being a crying mess. maybe i have Vlad of Just a Bit Wicked to thank for bc i feel like it was his book that started my interest for this topic lol), but it also contains BDSM, which was the sole reason i was hesitant to pick this up bc i'm not a huge fan of it but, when i finally read this, it was so much more than i had expected.
i loved the story. i loved the mcs, Ryan and Marek. the side characters. the romance. the complicated, messy family dynamic between Ryan and his brothers yet their love for each other was so clear (the talk between Ryan and Tyler towards the end literally had me sobbing 😭). the wholesome, sweet family bond between Marek's family - especially Marek's relationship with his grandfather. the dynamic between Ryan and Marek and how Ryan needed someone who would love and care for him, beyond the facade he'd show on the outside, whereas Marek was simply someone who was nurturing, likes to be the one taking care of his person, and i just feel like they were a lovely match together. Ryan's development was probably one of my fav things about this story bc of the way his dad fucked him up since he was a kid so seeing him grow into his own person by the end was truly chefs kiss.
Ryan gave him a look. "Okay, I should get dressed." He rocked on the balls of his feet but didn't move otherwise.
"Yes," Marek agreed. "You should."
Ryan darted forward, held Marek's face in his hands, then kissed him briefly. "Thank you. For everything." Then he turned and walked into the room's mammoth closet.
Pleased, Marek sat on a chair to wait.
August 13, 2018
I must not have paid attention to the dates on the chapter headers because this was insta-love and then some. I also disagree with my original opinion; this was totally BDSM and a magic dick instead of therapy.
4.5 Stars
Let me clear up one thing, because I wasn’t sure when I saw the title; no daddy kink here! Lots of other kink but not that. I really liked Damage Control and wondered what would ever become of the cheating, closeted so deep he can’t find the door, messed up Ryan. At the start he’s still the same, desperate for his father’s approval with no control over his own desires, confusion or self-loathing. It hardly seems like Marek could turn him around that much or that fast but he does. Using not necessarily well-thought-out BDSM techniques at first, Ryan finds it’s just what he needs. I’m no fan of BDSM in place of decent therapy but that isn’t what this is. Marek just gives Ryan a time he can let go of his tangled thoughts, which does help him become more honest with himself. I was a little disappointed that he didn’t get therapy and that it took another crisis with his father to get him to fully face things.
The journey is excellently told though, bringing all of the characters appearing in Tyler and Josh’s story into the narrative too. Marek’s family and grandfather are wonderful extras and they were all incredibly well balanced with the building romance. There is quite a bit of sex and dayuuum is it hot! Lynn has quite the touch with kink, showing just enough detail and keeping the focus more on the emotional atmosphere that Marek and Ryan create during scenes. I did want just a bit more proper healing for Ryan before the utterly happy, squishy ending, so it didn’t quite make my five star list but there really wasn’t a lot to complain about. Maybe a little about being utterly clueless on how to read/pronounce all the Polish words (there is some translation and phonetic pronunciation). It’s a hurt/comfort story that’s well worth the read.
4.5 Stars
Let me clear up one thing, because I wasn’t sure when I saw the title; no daddy kink here! Lots of other kink but not that. I really liked Damage Control and wondered what would ever become of the cheating, closeted so deep he can’t find the door, messed up Ryan. At the start he’s still the same, desperate for his father’s approval with no control over his own desires, confusion or self-loathing. It hardly seems like Marek could turn him around that much or that fast but he does. Using not necessarily well-thought-out BDSM techniques at first, Ryan finds it’s just what he needs. I’m no fan of BDSM in place of decent therapy but that isn’t what this is. Marek just gives Ryan a time he can let go of his tangled thoughts, which does help him become more honest with himself. I was a little disappointed that he didn’t get therapy and that it took another crisis with his father to get him to fully face things.
The journey is excellently told though, bringing all of the characters appearing in Tyler and Josh’s story into the narrative too. Marek’s family and grandfather are wonderful extras and they were all incredibly well balanced with the building romance. There is quite a bit of sex and dayuuum is it hot! Lynn has quite the touch with kink, showing just enough detail and keeping the focus more on the emotional atmosphere that Marek and Ryan create during scenes. I did want just a bit more proper healing for Ryan before the utterly happy, squishy ending, so it didn’t quite make my five star list but there really wasn’t a lot to complain about. Maybe a little about being utterly clueless on how to read/pronounce all the Polish words (there is some translation and phonetic pronunciation). It’s a hurt/comfort story that’s well worth the read.
April 4, 2019
When I started reading this book Ryan Chadwick was a complete an utter jacka$$. Page after page I kept wondering what drove him to be so acerbic, selfish and arrogant. While his wealth affords many comforts unknown to many he slowly spirals into somebody even he does not recognize. Years of fear, mental and emotional abuse take their toll on him. What starts as unwilling and forbidden encounter turns into the gift of submission that quiets his mind and brings peace to his heart and soul. He struggles, tries to reconcile what he feels is right and what was always condemned by his father whose approval Ryan craves desperately. Ryan's journey to find himself is raw and emotional filled with ugly words and painful memories. But one man holds him together never wavering in his determination to love, care and protect his boy - Marek.
Marek Wisniewski is a consummate professional and loves his job. He is also an exacting Dom who sees more in Ryan from the beginning. Their relationship is passionate, and when Marek finally is able to break the hard shell the real Ryan hides behind, what he finds is a man who has been through so much - unloved, traumatized and abandoned. He slowly puts together pieces of his chipped heart, he gives Ryan what he never knew he needed. It was perfect - so s*exy, so intense and just beautiful. Their relationship may have started as sexual but what both men didn't know was that they would find in each other the pieces they never knew they were missing. Marek became his fierce champion and protector, and Ryan finally felt loved, cared and accepted.
The ending was sweet and romantic. It just radiated happiness, and the joy the family felt was contagious. My first read from this author, and definitely will not be the last. Wonderful writing, superb turn of phrase and well-written perfectly imperfect characters. I highly recommend it!
Marek Wisniewski is a consummate professional and loves his job. He is also an exacting Dom who sees more in Ryan from the beginning. Their relationship is passionate, and when Marek finally is able to break the hard shell the real Ryan hides behind, what he finds is a man who has been through so much - unloved, traumatized and abandoned. He slowly puts together pieces of his chipped heart, he gives Ryan what he never knew he needed. It was perfect - so s*exy, so intense and just beautiful. Their relationship may have started as sexual but what both men didn't know was that they would find in each other the pieces they never knew they were missing. Marek became his fierce champion and protector, and Ryan finally felt loved, cared and accepted.
The ending was sweet and romantic. It just radiated happiness, and the joy the family felt was contagious. My first read from this author, and definitely will not be the last. Wonderful writing, superb turn of phrase and well-written perfectly imperfect characters. I highly recommend it!
September 20, 2022
Self-hating queer fixed
by magic kink dick. Great angst,
shitty characters.
Just added a star because it's stayed with me so much.
Challenge reread.
Gorgeous agony,
necessary punishment,
family bondage.
by magic kink dick. Great angst,
shitty characters.
Just added a star because it's stayed with me so much.
Challenge reread.
Gorgeous agony,
necessary punishment,
family bondage.
February 22, 2019
Audiobook review 01/27/2020
It Gave Me All The Feels
Daddy Issues
North Shore Stories, Book 2
By: Lynn Van Dorn Narrated by: Michael Ferraiuolo
Overall : 4.5 stars
Performance: 4.5 stars
Story : 4.5 stars
Michael Ferraiuolo narration of Daddy Issues put me through a rollercoaster ride of emotions.
He made smile, made me sad, at times angry and in the need of a hug. He made me connect and deeply care about the mental and physical well being of all the cast characters.
He made feel , in my skin, the attraction, passion, excitement, arousal, devotion and love the heroes felt for each other . And he made me cry; and not just couple tears here and there . Nope, it was an all out , ugly crying with hiccups and tons of tissues. And I loved every minute of the 10 hours and 44 minutes length of Daddy Issues.
As I said before, it gave me all the feels and at the end of the book, he left me with a joyful and heart full of love , hope, gratitude.
He did justice to Lynn Van Dorn magnificent and entertaining , heartwarming, soul touching, emotional resonant, angsty, hot AF , MM , love story.
#DaddyIssues #Audible #LesCourt #LynVanDorn #AudioBook #MichaelFerraiuolo
Original E-book review 02/22/2019
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G
Just as Damaged Control (North Shore Stories Book 1) that I read about a month ago, Daddy Issues put me through the wringer and left me in the emotional high , that I am right now.
In Daddy Issues , Lynn Van Dorn wove an unconventional and riveting tale of love, redemption, self discovery and self esteem with a dash of delicious D/s kink ; while also tactfully addressing sensitive topics as physical and mental abuse.
I was a bundle of emotions while reading this book. I loved the heroes Ryan and Malek . As well as, well rounded supporting cast of secondary characters. I felt Ryan's regret , despair and anguish. How pivotal Malek's devotion, strength and love, helped Ryan have the courage to forgive himself and finally give and accept love.
I connected with these characters, in such a way , that they feel real to me , like part of my family and friends.
#Read2019 #KindleUnlimited #ReadOnMyKindle
It Gave Me All The Feels
Daddy Issues
North Shore Stories, Book 2
By: Lynn Van Dorn Narrated by: Michael Ferraiuolo
Overall : 4.5 stars
Performance: 4.5 stars
Story : 4.5 stars
Michael Ferraiuolo narration of Daddy Issues put me through a rollercoaster ride of emotions.
He made smile, made me sad, at times angry and in the need of a hug. He made me connect and deeply care about the mental and physical well being of all the cast characters.
He made feel , in my skin, the attraction, passion, excitement, arousal, devotion and love the heroes felt for each other . And he made me cry; and not just couple tears here and there . Nope, it was an all out , ugly crying with hiccups and tons of tissues. And I loved every minute of the 10 hours and 44 minutes length of Daddy Issues.
As I said before, it gave me all the feels and at the end of the book, he left me with a joyful and heart full of love , hope, gratitude.
He did justice to Lynn Van Dorn magnificent and entertaining , heartwarming, soul touching, emotional resonant, angsty, hot AF , MM , love story.
#DaddyIssues #Audible #LesCourt #LynVanDorn #AudioBook #MichaelFerraiuolo
Original E-book review 02/22/2019
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G
Just as Damaged Control (North Shore Stories Book 1) that I read about a month ago, Daddy Issues put me through the wringer and left me in the emotional high , that I am right now.
In Daddy Issues , Lynn Van Dorn wove an unconventional and riveting tale of love, redemption, self discovery and self esteem with a dash of delicious D/s kink ; while also tactfully addressing sensitive topics as physical and mental abuse.
I was a bundle of emotions while reading this book. I loved the heroes Ryan and Malek . As well as, well rounded supporting cast of secondary characters. I felt Ryan's regret , despair and anguish. How pivotal Malek's devotion, strength and love, helped Ryan have the courage to forgive himself and finally give and accept love.
I connected with these characters, in such a way , that they feel real to me , like part of my family and friends.
#Read2019 #KindleUnlimited #ReadOnMyKindle
August 22, 2018
Reread again. Love this book💜
“I know. That's because you're mine.” Marek sounded smug as hell. “What?” “You are mine, mój słodki chłopcze,” Marek enunciated. “My responsibility.” Ryan glanced over and saw Marek’s mouth set in a stubborn line. “Mine to punish and reward and care for. Mine to shelter and cherish and protect.”
“I know. That's because you're mine.” Marek sounded smug as hell. “What?” “You are mine, mój słodki chłopcze,” Marek enunciated. “My responsibility.” Ryan glanced over and saw Marek’s mouth set in a stubborn line. “Mine to punish and reward and care for. Mine to shelter and cherish and protect.”
February 11, 2020
In the second book in Lynn Van Dorn’s North Shore Stories series, Daddy Issues, Ryan finds his happily-ever-after.
There’s a huge cast of characters in this series, and though the précis states Daddy Issues can be enjoyed as a standalone, I really don’t recommend it. Ms. Van Dorn does a wonderful job of filling in the backstories as characters come and go, but these people are so complex it’s way better if you read Damage Control first.
The North Shore Stories series is performed by Michael Ferraiuolo and he does a stunning job with it. As I mentioned, there’s a huge cast and Mr. Ferraiuolo finds a unique voice for each of them. We fans know his skill with accents is unparalleled, and Marek’s Polish accent is spectacular! Coaxing Ryan into his bed, speaking with his family, the multitude of the terms of endearment he comes up with for Ryan..., it’s all wonderful.
an audiobook copy of Daddy Issues was provided to me for the purpose of my honest review
There’s a huge cast of characters in this series, and though the précis states Daddy Issues can be enjoyed as a standalone, I really don’t recommend it. Ms. Van Dorn does a wonderful job of filling in the backstories as characters come and go, but these people are so complex it’s way better if you read Damage Control first.
The North Shore Stories series is performed by Michael Ferraiuolo and he does a stunning job with it. As I mentioned, there’s a huge cast and Mr. Ferraiuolo finds a unique voice for each of them. We fans know his skill with accents is unparalleled, and Marek’s Polish accent is spectacular! Coaxing Ryan into his bed, speaking with his family, the multitude of the terms of endearment he comes up with for Ryan..., it’s all wonderful.
an audiobook copy of Daddy Issues was provided to me for the purpose of my honest review
November 7, 2022
3.5 stars
“No, słodki chłopcze. I'm not going to give you what you think you want. I'm going to give you what you need.” His aniołek didn't understand yet, but he would. Ryan didn't need pain, as much as his confused body thought it did. Pain on his body might make him forget, for a time, the pain in his heart, but what Ryan really needed wasn't to forget. Ryan needed to know he wasn't alone, not anymore. Ryan needed safety and security and reassurance. Most of all Ryan needed love. Marek wanted to give him all that, and so much more that it made his heart beat painfully.”
“No, słodki chłopcze. I'm not going to give you what you think you want. I'm going to give you what you need.” His aniołek didn't understand yet, but he would. Ryan didn't need pain, as much as his confused body thought it did. Pain on his body might make him forget, for a time, the pain in his heart, but what Ryan really needed wasn't to forget. Ryan needed to know he wasn't alone, not anymore. Ryan needed safety and security and reassurance. Most of all Ryan needed love. Marek wanted to give him all that, and so much more that it made his heart beat painfully.”
March 13, 2022
3.8 stars ⭐️ I went to this book without knowing whether I would love this book or not because Ryan wasn't warm up to me in the previous book and he was a total a$$hole.
But my expectations were exceeded and I loved Ryan and Marek together. Marek shaped up Ryan to accept his life and enjoy the way he was the biggest fulfillment Ryan has got being Marek’s boyfriend. Finally, he achieved his happiness.
I was looking at the way how Ryan was truly being himself step by step, and there was nothing in there that made me happy to see him being his true self.
But my expectations were exceeded and I loved Ryan and Marek together. Marek shaped up Ryan to accept his life and enjoy the way he was the biggest fulfillment Ryan has got being Marek’s boyfriend. Finally, he achieved his happiness.
I was looking at the way how Ryan was truly being himself step by step, and there was nothing in there that made me happy to see him being his true self.
September 5, 2022
i didn't like how Ryan's personality did a 180 but not like i liked his personality in the first place anyway so it was alright.
the influx of kids omg💀. i don't even remember where they all came from to be honest.
also what is up with authors making good guys from one book bad guys in another😑.
the influx of kids omg💀. i don't even remember where they all came from to be honest.
also what is up with authors making good guys from one book bad guys in another😑.
February 28, 2019
Now I DNF book 1 in this series but this one intrigued me. And as a fellow reviewer pointed out, if you get past the start of this book where Ryan has clearly got boundary issues and is called a stalker, you’re good. Because Ryan is one of the most emotionally complicated characters I’ve read in a long time. The title “Daddy Issues” is fairly accurate here, but he’s not a angsty teenager. He’s a 37yr old man who’s father has controlled every major decision he’s ever made, willingly or not. Then In comes Marek and he’s finally met his match.
I enjoyed this. There might be a smidge too much sex, and Marek doesn’t seem to work very much. But I liked how Ryan changes over the course of this book because of his relationship with Marek.
I enjoyed this. There might be a smidge too much sex, and Marek doesn’t seem to work very much. But I liked how Ryan changes over the course of this book because of his relationship with Marek.
August 24, 2018
4.5 First off....this is NOT daddy kink for those that might be put off by the title. The kink is fulfilling and carries through most of the book but the deep character building for Ryan is important to appreciating the kink. Marek is also pretty interesting but the beginning of the healing of the broken boy in Ryan is what makes the book.
I really enjoyed this book. These guys just clicked like a lock and key. This could have been a total train wreck if the writing wasn't on point and focused.
I didn't read the first book in the series but I probably will now. However, not reading it did not impact this book except to wonder how Ryan was portrayed in that book.
I really enjoyed this book. These guys just clicked like a lock and key. This could have been a total train wreck if the writing wasn't on point and focused.
I didn't read the first book in the series but I probably will now. However, not reading it did not impact this book except to wonder how Ryan was portrayed in that book.
Want to Read
March 22, 2021DNF
Not feeling it right now. I’m in a bit of a slump :(
Not feeling it right now. I’m in a bit of a slump :(
September 5, 2018
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
Lynn Van Dorn has a great voice and this story was so well developed with a nice intensity and plenty of angst, but also enough lightness and bits of humor to keep it from getting overwhelming. Daddy Issues is actually the second book in Van Dorn’s North Shores series, however I jumped in not having read the first book and it was just fine. This is kind of surprising as the two books seem to be fairly intertwined. Ryan plays a major role in the first story from what I can tell (his brother Tyler marries Ryan’s former best friend and first love). And Ryan seems pretty clearly the bad guy for at least part of that book. But somehow Van Dorn manages to pull all those story threads together well here and after a bit of a catch up at the start, I was able to follow along just fine not having read the first book. That having been said, if I had to do it again, I’d probably start with Damage Control just because I enjoyed this so much and I think having read that would enhance this story.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
Lynn Van Dorn has a great voice and this story was so well developed with a nice intensity and plenty of angst, but also enough lightness and bits of humor to keep it from getting overwhelming. Daddy Issues is actually the second book in Van Dorn’s North Shores series, however I jumped in not having read the first book and it was just fine. This is kind of surprising as the two books seem to be fairly intertwined. Ryan plays a major role in the first story from what I can tell (his brother Tyler marries Ryan’s former best friend and first love). And Ryan seems pretty clearly the bad guy for at least part of that book. But somehow Van Dorn manages to pull all those story threads together well here and after a bit of a catch up at the start, I was able to follow along just fine not having read the first book. That having been said, if I had to do it again, I’d probably start with Damage Control just because I enjoyed this so much and I think having read that would enhance this story.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
September 1, 2018
I really enjoyed this - it’s angsty, painful and emotional. This is no Daddy kink, so don’t be fooled. Ryan is a pleaser, he does everything to follow societal norms and to mostly please his complete asshole of a father. All of this to his detriment and to the relationships he has with his brothers. Marek is employed as his fathers nurse when a stroke hits. 11 years younger than Ryan, Marek sets his sights on him and understands that Ryan is deeply saddened and messed up sub who really has no idea of who he is and what he needs. Ryan has masochistic tendencies and Marek knows how to take care of him. Once you get past the stalker element at the start the story unfolds. I loved it ❤️
February 5, 2020
Marek + Ryan = BDSM heaven (an audio review)
I finished Damage Control, the first book in the North Shore Stories series and literally started Daddy Issues the next day. I’d watched the closeted Ryan hurt those around him and knew I wanted him to get his comeuppance and then his redemption. (I’m a sucker for a redemption story.) Ryan’s treatment of Patrick had been appalling, and I hoped he’d respect Patrick’s wish to be left alone. But between Ryan’s neediness and Patrick’s inability to say ‘no’, then men kept falling back into destructive patterns. So harmful that health became an issue. Needless to say, I hoped their ‘final’ parting really was for good – for both their sakes.
That leaves Ryan still firmly in the closet. He’s got a fiancée, a wedding he keeps putting off, and a domineering father who can be not only cutting, but downright cruel. His treatment of Tyler in the previous book showed the man for the vicious bastard he was. Tyler broke free while Ryan remains a prisoner. As the eldest, he was expected to carry on the Chadwick legacy. And he’s done just that, working at the law firm bearing the family name. Kowtowing to his father at every turn. Being the dutiful son.
Brad, the middle son and Ryan’s brother, married Rachael in the first book. In this book they become parents and it’s clear from the beginning that Ryan is besotted with his niece. His longing is visceral. One would think he’d be in a rush to marry his fiancée, but he keeps putting things off. Finally, she’s the one who calls an end to the farce. Ryan’s father’s health becomes even more precarious and the family is forced to hire a full-time nurse. Now, technically Brad hired the nurse, so neither Ryan nor his father can fire the man.
Marek is good at what he does. He loves geriatric nursing, even if that means he knows he’s going to lose his patients. He prefers private gigs so he can dedicate all his time and resources to one person. It also leaves him free on Sundays to spend time with his grandfather whom he adores. Marek also loves his mother, step-father, and half brother and sister. They have a tight bond and I was a bit envious. When Marek takes on the care of Peter Chadwick, he has no illusions this will be an easy job. Several nurses have been chased away. But Marek is stubborn – even more so than his new patient.
There is one hitch – Ryan. Marek and Ryan have met, although briefly, and their feelings towards each other are complex. There’s attraction, to be sure, but there’s also wariness. Soon, however, there is more. Marek is about nine years younger than Ryan, but he quickly takes the dominant role in the relationship. A relationship where Ryan refuses to say ‘red’. Now, for some submissives, this is a point of pride – never yielding, taking whatever their Top dishes out. This is also dangerous because sometimes the Dominant misses physical or emotional cues and a scene can go sideways.
All that being said, this relationship works on so many levels. Marek sees Ryan’s need to relinquish control, and Ryan recognizes the younger man will never hurt him. Leave him handcuffed, trussed, and tied to a bed? Yes. (Something I don’t recommend, but that’s a whole other story.) Leave him with marks and bruises? Yes. (In the context of consent, not abuse.) Treat him with respect and love? Yes. This quote encapsulates it perfectly:
Marek moved so Ryan was pinned under his body. He wanted more than he could express. To dominate the man under him. To make him bend. And bend. And bend. And then break. Ryan needed to shatter himself into a million pieces and build something new – something better.
Feelings develop between the men and it’s hardly surprising. They are engaged in intense play (hence the fisting) and there are hormones involved when that level of scene is undertaken. And the aftercare? Made me swoon. I knew there was going to be a happy ending for these two, but I just didn’t foresee how perfect it was going to be.
Okay, I need to take a moment to talk about the narrator, Michael Ferraiuolo. Talented doesn’t begin to describe his ability. He embodied these two men, nailing each one perfectly. Marek is also Polish and the accent worked. There were also plenty of Polish words and, to me, it sounded like Michael hit each one accurately. His performance was brilliant, and I can’t say enough good things both about him and the story. Loved it.
I finished Damage Control, the first book in the North Shore Stories series and literally started Daddy Issues the next day. I’d watched the closeted Ryan hurt those around him and knew I wanted him to get his comeuppance and then his redemption. (I’m a sucker for a redemption story.) Ryan’s treatment of Patrick had been appalling, and I hoped he’d respect Patrick’s wish to be left alone. But between Ryan’s neediness and Patrick’s inability to say ‘no’, then men kept falling back into destructive patterns. So harmful that health became an issue. Needless to say, I hoped their ‘final’ parting really was for good – for both their sakes.
That leaves Ryan still firmly in the closet. He’s got a fiancée, a wedding he keeps putting off, and a domineering father who can be not only cutting, but downright cruel. His treatment of Tyler in the previous book showed the man for the vicious bastard he was. Tyler broke free while Ryan remains a prisoner. As the eldest, he was expected to carry on the Chadwick legacy. And he’s done just that, working at the law firm bearing the family name. Kowtowing to his father at every turn. Being the dutiful son.
Brad, the middle son and Ryan’s brother, married Rachael in the first book. In this book they become parents and it’s clear from the beginning that Ryan is besotted with his niece. His longing is visceral. One would think he’d be in a rush to marry his fiancée, but he keeps putting things off. Finally, she’s the one who calls an end to the farce. Ryan’s father’s health becomes even more precarious and the family is forced to hire a full-time nurse. Now, technically Brad hired the nurse, so neither Ryan nor his father can fire the man.
Marek is good at what he does. He loves geriatric nursing, even if that means he knows he’s going to lose his patients. He prefers private gigs so he can dedicate all his time and resources to one person. It also leaves him free on Sundays to spend time with his grandfather whom he adores. Marek also loves his mother, step-father, and half brother and sister. They have a tight bond and I was a bit envious. When Marek takes on the care of Peter Chadwick, he has no illusions this will be an easy job. Several nurses have been chased away. But Marek is stubborn – even more so than his new patient.
There is one hitch – Ryan. Marek and Ryan have met, although briefly, and their feelings towards each other are complex. There’s attraction, to be sure, but there’s also wariness. Soon, however, there is more. Marek is about nine years younger than Ryan, but he quickly takes the dominant role in the relationship. A relationship where Ryan refuses to say ‘red’. Now, for some submissives, this is a point of pride – never yielding, taking whatever their Top dishes out. This is also dangerous because sometimes the Dominant misses physical or emotional cues and a scene can go sideways.
All that being said, this relationship works on so many levels. Marek sees Ryan’s need to relinquish control, and Ryan recognizes the younger man will never hurt him. Leave him handcuffed, trussed, and tied to a bed? Yes. (Something I don’t recommend, but that’s a whole other story.) Leave him with marks and bruises? Yes. (In the context of consent, not abuse.) Treat him with respect and love? Yes. This quote encapsulates it perfectly:
Marek moved so Ryan was pinned under his body. He wanted more than he could express. To dominate the man under him. To make him bend. And bend. And bend. And then break. Ryan needed to shatter himself into a million pieces and build something new – something better.
Feelings develop between the men and it’s hardly surprising. They are engaged in intense play (hence the fisting) and there are hormones involved when that level of scene is undertaken. And the aftercare? Made me swoon. I knew there was going to be a happy ending for these two, but I just didn’t foresee how perfect it was going to be.
Okay, I need to take a moment to talk about the narrator, Michael Ferraiuolo. Talented doesn’t begin to describe his ability. He embodied these two men, nailing each one perfectly. Marek is also Polish and the accent worked. There were also plenty of Polish words and, to me, it sounded like Michael hit each one accurately. His performance was brilliant, and I can’t say enough good things both about him and the story. Loved it.
September 5, 2018
4.2 stars.
Sweet and kinky - just the way I like it. Both characters are interesting and real. I like their dynamics and D/S play. All in all, very enjoyable.
Since I am Polish myself I really appreciated the Polish character, Marek. I'm happy that the author attempted to make it as realistic as possible (the food, the language, etc.) although there were many mistakes there (hey, Polish is super HARD!).
Now, from this point on I will point out some mistakes. Not trying to be mean, I truly appreciate people trying to speak my language, I just believe (if by any chance the author reads it one day) it might help to improve the book. And since I am Polish, and a translator, it's almost a compulsion :D So...
There were many mistakes with declination of "niegrzeczny chłopiec", several typos (I guess?) in names, and also problems with their declination (good ending, bad root word), some awkward use of vocab, e.g. names. We rarely use full names when we refer to family and friends, so "Tomasz" would be "Tomek", "Stanisław" - "Stasiek" or "Staszek", etc. Yet, none of it compares to translating "dirty boy" as "zaplugawiony chłopcze" :D Now... it's almost impossible to literally translate "my dirty boy" into Polish. The word "zaplugawiony" made me roar with laughter :D "Zaplugawiony" is not a word any person would ever use in a conversation, much less as a term of endearment. It sounds quite archaic and, honestly, nasty. The closest English equivalent of "zaplugawiony" is "defiled", so not "dirty" in a sense it was meant to be used. "Dirty" basically means the same as "bad boy" in Polish - "zły/niegrzeczny chłopiec".
I know non-English speakers won't even notice all that but if there's some room for perfection...
Sweet and kinky - just the way I like it. Both characters are interesting and real. I like their dynamics and D/S play. All in all, very enjoyable.
Since I am Polish myself I really appreciated the Polish character, Marek. I'm happy that the author attempted to make it as realistic as possible (the food, the language, etc.) although there were many mistakes there (hey, Polish is super HARD!).
Now, from this point on I will point out some mistakes. Not trying to be mean, I truly appreciate people trying to speak my language, I just believe (if by any chance the author reads it one day) it might help to improve the book. And since I am Polish, and a translator, it's almost a compulsion :D So...
There were many mistakes with declination of "niegrzeczny chłopiec", several typos (I guess?) in names, and also problems with their declination (good ending, bad root word), some awkward use of vocab, e.g. names. We rarely use full names when we refer to family and friends, so "Tomasz" would be "Tomek", "Stanisław" - "Stasiek" or "Staszek", etc. Yet, none of it compares to translating "dirty boy" as "zaplugawiony chłopcze" :D Now... it's almost impossible to literally translate "my dirty boy" into Polish. The word "zaplugawiony" made me roar with laughter :D "Zaplugawiony" is not a word any person would ever use in a conversation, much less as a term of endearment. It sounds quite archaic and, honestly, nasty. The closest English equivalent of "zaplugawiony" is "defiled", so not "dirty" in a sense it was meant to be used. "Dirty" basically means the same as "bad boy" in Polish - "zły/niegrzeczny chłopiec".
I know non-English speakers won't even notice all that but if there's some room for perfection...
August 6, 2018
Zmiana oceny i zmiana recenzji
Zastanawiałam się , czy to zrobić i wygrało, że tak. Kilka miesięcy Lynn zrobiła dramę , że jakiś czytelnik śmiał powiedzieć , że jej książki to porno. To co się stało na FB to było starszne, i myślę, że dużo czytelników widziało to i cóż wyrobiło sobie zdanie o Lynn. Później , żeby udowodnić tezę , że jej książki to nie porno , jak kusiła czytelników.... tak macie rację scenami seksu w jej książkach , nie, nie mogła użyć innych fragmentów, przecież ona nie piszę porna.
To co zrobiła ostatnio to szczyt hipokryzji , rzuciła focha, że nikt nie twierdzi , że jej książki mają..... uwaga uwaga fajnych i gorących scen seksu.
Do jasności , nie Lynn nie piszę porno, piszę książki , które mi się podobały, ale po tym wszystkim Lynn trafia na listę pisarzy * nigdy więcej nawet ,jak by mi zapłacili* dlaczego, bo nie wie czego chce i nie potrafi szanować czytelnika.
Przepraszam za moje 5 gwiazdek wcześniej.
Ryan and Marek. One full of insecurities, one full of understanding. Kinky, sexy , raw, fantastic ride. And polish food porn with some polish words. My kind of book. Highly recommended, but eat before reading
Zastanawiałam się , czy to zrobić i wygrało, że tak. Kilka miesięcy Lynn zrobiła dramę , że jakiś czytelnik śmiał powiedzieć , że jej książki to porno. To co się stało na FB to było starszne, i myślę, że dużo czytelników widziało to i cóż wyrobiło sobie zdanie o Lynn. Później , żeby udowodnić tezę , że jej książki to nie porno , jak kusiła czytelników.... tak macie rację scenami seksu w jej książkach , nie, nie mogła użyć innych fragmentów, przecież ona nie piszę porna.
To co zrobiła ostatnio to szczyt hipokryzji , rzuciła focha, że nikt nie twierdzi , że jej książki mają..... uwaga uwaga fajnych i gorących scen seksu.
Do jasności , nie Lynn nie piszę porno, piszę książki , które mi się podobały, ale po tym wszystkim Lynn trafia na listę pisarzy * nigdy więcej nawet ,jak by mi zapłacili* dlaczego, bo nie wie czego chce i nie potrafi szanować czytelnika.
Przepraszam za moje 5 gwiazdek wcześniej.
Ryan and Marek. One full of insecurities, one full of understanding. Kinky, sexy , raw, fantastic ride. And polish food porn with some polish words. My kind of book. Highly recommended, but eat before reading
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Did Not Finish
January 12, 2021DNF @ 8%, but ignore me. I was in one hell of a mood yesterday, otherwise I would have at least given it a few more chapters.
I just wasn't seeing any of the character depth I remembered from the first book. Ryan is the type character that needs to inspire strong emotion pretty quickly to get any level of investment from me, but he just seemed pathetic, and our intro to Marek felt a little clunky and boring.
Could my reading tastes have changed this much in a year? In this particular year, yes possibly. Would I have DNF'd anything I attempted yesterday? Also possible, although I think it's more likely that I would have just called a timeout on reading (as I did) and picked it back up for a second attempt today. But I had no desire to read even one more sentence in this one...
I just wasn't seeing any of the character depth I remembered from the first book. Ryan is the type character that needs to inspire strong emotion pretty quickly to get any level of investment from me, but he just seemed pathetic, and our intro to Marek felt a little clunky and boring.
Could my reading tastes have changed this much in a year? In this particular year, yes possibly. Would I have DNF'd anything I attempted yesterday? Also possible, although I think it's more likely that I would have just called a timeout on reading (as I did) and picked it back up for a second attempt today. But I had no desire to read even one more sentence in this one...
October 30, 2018
I loved this book. I couldn’t put it down. Ryan and Marek were the perfect main characters for me. Ryan is flawed and needy. He can’t decide what he wants in life. Always trying to please his abusive father and be what he wants him to be. He’s dumped by both his girlfriend and his boyfriend and he’s lost. Then Marek comes along. He strong, steady, and the ultimate Dom. And it took place in Chicago. It’s fun to read a story that’s set in places you know.
April 9, 2021
Daddy Issues is about the main character Marek, who takes care of patients that are old, finds a place to work in that has great pay for him. That is when he meets his patient's son and their hate to love relationship begins. It's not really enemies to lovers and I liked it for that. I originally picked this book up after reading Lynn Van Dorn's other book, Royally Screwed, and I wanted to read something else by her that would be more my type of book. This book sounded so interesting and I kind of guessed that I would actually like it. The title was making it weird because I thought the romance was more about a daddy romance and I hate those types of books. After finishing this book, I was kind of overwhelmed by how much I liked it because I wasn't really expecting myself to love a BDSM book this much. I think I am really into books that have a dom and a sub in them. I am actually happy that I ended up picking this book up to read!
The Writing~
I liked the writing of this book and I think the writing was one of the important parts of the book that made me really like this book. Now that I think about it, I don't really remember what the writing was really like because I was really liking the book and the audiobook so much. Dorn's writing is really easy to follow and really great to connect to the characters. I felt like the character's feelings were real and it didn't seem fake to me at all. I also liked the pacing of the writing because it followed the characters over a couple of months and I was able to keep up. I enjoyed following the characters and everything around them. Dorn really made me hate the father figure in this book and made me want to kill him myself. I think Dorn really makes you feel for the characters and understand what type of situation they were in!
The Plot~
There was so much to learn about the characters and their background, and I think I liked learning that as the story went on. Finding out the shitty things that Ryan's dad did was terrible and I just wanted to give Ryan a hug. I think that this book is not really plot-heavy at all because there isn't really anything big happening and it's following the characters' everyday life. I think my favorite part of the book was when Marek finally made Ryan open up and let go of all the things that he was scared to show. This book was worth reading and it made me want to read Tyler's story a lot and find out what happened to him! I just need to read that soon.
The Characters~
I am so happy to see where Ryan has come now and how much better he got. I think having someone like Marek in his life would actually improve everything and Marek is the one for him for sure. I understand how Ryan has been closed off all this time and how Marek was the one to open him up. I really loved those two and I adore them. In the beginning, Ryan doesn't want to admit his sexuality and even though he likes both genders, he still doesn't want to be with guys socially. Ryan finally acknowledges that being bi is okay and that he can love anyone he wants and no one else can change what he wants. Marek is pomosexual and I was very happy to read about someone who is pomosexual because I have a friend who is also pomosexual. This made me understand more about pomosexuality and I liked this book for that! I love how Marek's family are Polish and I loved his side of the family. I would say that this book had a great representation of sexuality I guess.
The Worldbuilding~
This book took place in the modern world and it didn't really have a detailed world-building because there is nothing to build upon. I think the description of how rich Ryan's family was actually part of the worldbuilding and that was probably it. I don't really look for worldbuilding in contemporaries, so I thought this book was fine overall.
This book was great and I loved it! I loved the characters mostly and I was here for them! If you are interested in a story that's about becoming your better self and going through everything, then this is for you! I would also let you know that there is BDSM in this book, so if you are uncomfortable with BDSM, then please don't expect yourself to love this book. There are subs and doms in this book. I think it's worth reading if you think that this book is interesting and are into a hurt/pleasure relationship. I am looking forward to the next book in the series that will follow another character from this book. I think the next book will probably be a novella about Marek's best friend, Nick.
The Writing~
I liked the writing of this book and I think the writing was one of the important parts of the book that made me really like this book. Now that I think about it, I don't really remember what the writing was really like because I was really liking the book and the audiobook so much. Dorn's writing is really easy to follow and really great to connect to the characters. I felt like the character's feelings were real and it didn't seem fake to me at all. I also liked the pacing of the writing because it followed the characters over a couple of months and I was able to keep up. I enjoyed following the characters and everything around them. Dorn really made me hate the father figure in this book and made me want to kill him myself. I think Dorn really makes you feel for the characters and understand what type of situation they were in!
The Plot~
There was so much to learn about the characters and their background, and I think I liked learning that as the story went on. Finding out the shitty things that Ryan's dad did was terrible and I just wanted to give Ryan a hug. I think that this book is not really plot-heavy at all because there isn't really anything big happening and it's following the characters' everyday life. I think my favorite part of the book was when Marek finally made Ryan open up and let go of all the things that he was scared to show. This book was worth reading and it made me want to read Tyler's story a lot and find out what happened to him! I just need to read that soon.
The Characters~
I am so happy to see where Ryan has come now and how much better he got. I think having someone like Marek in his life would actually improve everything and Marek is the one for him for sure. I understand how Ryan has been closed off all this time and how Marek was the one to open him up. I really loved those two and I adore them. In the beginning, Ryan doesn't want to admit his sexuality and even though he likes both genders, he still doesn't want to be with guys socially. Ryan finally acknowledges that being bi is okay and that he can love anyone he wants and no one else can change what he wants. Marek is pomosexual and I was very happy to read about someone who is pomosexual because I have a friend who is also pomosexual. This made me understand more about pomosexuality and I liked this book for that! I love how Marek's family are Polish and I loved his side of the family. I would say that this book had a great representation of sexuality I guess.
The Worldbuilding~
This book took place in the modern world and it didn't really have a detailed world-building because there is nothing to build upon. I think the description of how rich Ryan's family was actually part of the worldbuilding and that was probably it. I don't really look for worldbuilding in contemporaries, so I thought this book was fine overall.
This book was great and I loved it! I loved the characters mostly and I was here for them! If you are interested in a story that's about becoming your better self and going through everything, then this is for you! I would also let you know that there is BDSM in this book, so if you are uncomfortable with BDSM, then please don't expect yourself to love this book. There are subs and doms in this book. I think it's worth reading if you think that this book is interesting and are into a hurt/pleasure relationship. I am looking forward to the next book in the series that will follow another character from this book. I think the next book will probably be a novella about Marek's best friend, Nick.
July 17, 2020
Good. I love Michael Ferraiuolo’s narration, and his Polish accent as well as Chicago accent. The dynamic between Marek and Ryan is fascinating. I like Ryan’s emotional growth throughout this story. The ending is pretty, and somewhat idealistic (do anyone’s children’s ever behave as well as the children in this book?).
Bought from audible.
Bought from audible.
Read
October 12, 2022DNF at 63%. This was an interesting read - I think it’s good every once in a while to read an older MM romance just to get a sense of how the genre has evolved. Actually this came out in 2018 which isn’t long ago at all but it really has all the characteristics of older MM - gratuitous use of slurs, viciously homophobic family members, fantasy kink (and by fantasy I mean everything just magically works out, not elves), the deeply melodramatic plot, the “political” takeaway of the work as “being gay is okay” and nothing more complicated than that…
I also assumed that because this book was in a series called “North Shore Stories” that it would only be loosely related to #1. In fact that was not at all true, it overlaps very definitively with the end of the first book (from what I can tell) and it quickly became clear this was the Out of Nowhere to the first book’s In the Middle of Somewhere, to use a Roan Parrish reference (ie, this book is about rehabilitating the asshole closeted brother from the first book). (I had to check the exact titles of the Roan Parrish books and in doing so saw that ITMOS came out in 2016… which really shows how dated this book feels despite the fact that it came out two years after ITMOS.)
That said there were things I enjoyed about this book! I liked the day-by-day pace and the structure - listing the locations at the beginning of each scene in the voice of the POV character was a great way to add some comedy to an otherwise dark book.
I DNFed not because of writing style but because it seemed like we had really gotten to the end of the book - homophobic relative plot event x happened, relationship plot event y happened, sibling plot event z happened, etc. - and then I looked down and saw I was only at 63%. I don’t feel like continuing right now and I know I’m not going to come back to this one later. Not rating because honestly I can’t recommend it but I don’t not recommend it? Although I can’t condone all of its various issues I was enjoying it enough to keep reading, at least up until boredom took over.
I also assumed that because this book was in a series called “North Shore Stories” that it would only be loosely related to #1. In fact that was not at all true, it overlaps very definitively with the end of the first book (from what I can tell) and it quickly became clear this was the Out of Nowhere to the first book’s In the Middle of Somewhere, to use a Roan Parrish reference (ie, this book is about rehabilitating the asshole closeted brother from the first book). (I had to check the exact titles of the Roan Parrish books and in doing so saw that ITMOS came out in 2016… which really shows how dated this book feels despite the fact that it came out two years after ITMOS.)
That said there were things I enjoyed about this book! I liked the day-by-day pace and the structure - listing the locations at the beginning of each scene in the voice of the POV character was a great way to add some comedy to an otherwise dark book.
I DNFed not because of writing style but because it seemed like we had really gotten to the end of the book - homophobic relative plot event x happened, relationship plot event y happened, sibling plot event z happened, etc. - and then I looked down and saw I was only at 63%. I don’t feel like continuing right now and I know I’m not going to come back to this one later. Not rating because honestly I can’t recommend it but I don’t not recommend it? Although I can’t condone all of its various issues I was enjoying it enough to keep reading, at least up until boredom took over.
January 29, 2020
Two things I love in this audiobook: MF's voices - he is just perfect. He made perfect voice for Ryan and for Marek. Holy hell, that polish accent for Marek was a killer one! I loved all of it. And loved the polish words which Marek used all the time, especially the ones for Ryan♥
I tried to love this book, I really did, but this isn't the first time I got bored while reading one of LVD's book. The story is good but after a while it gets boring and just too much. I can easily chop chapters from this one too which are boring and doesn't add anything to the story at all.
And it's hard to find the real romance between the pages - or I think it's just me who can't find it so easy.
Ryan wasn't the same person whom we met in the first book, and it freaks me out when a character is this different from what I want. Although Marek was awesome! He was the star of this book, and his polish accent!
The erotic scenes were good, but it got boring as well.
And don't get me start on the ending and the epiologue. Just some cheesy big family happily ever after, while we didn't got one tiny thoughts about those feelings of their toward this kind of ending. It's just don't fit with the story and with the characters. If that wasn't at the end I totally would have ended my listening at that moment.
So I loved the audiobook but just because of MF and his talent. I think if I read this book without audio, I wouldn't enjoyed this as much.
4 star, not more and not less.
And I think this is the end of my relationship with LVD's book. Her co-authored books are awesome, but I just can't enjoy the other ones as much, sorry.
I tried to love this book, I really did, but this isn't the first time I got bored while reading one of LVD's book. The story is good but after a while it gets boring and just too much. I can easily chop chapters from this one too which are boring and doesn't add anything to the story at all.
And it's hard to find the real romance between the pages - or I think it's just me who can't find it so easy.
Ryan wasn't the same person whom we met in the first book, and it freaks me out when a character is this different from what I want. Although Marek was awesome! He was the star of this book, and his polish accent!
The erotic scenes were good, but it got boring as well.
And don't get me start on the ending and the epiologue. Just some cheesy big family happily ever after, while we didn't got one tiny thoughts about those feelings of their toward this kind of ending. It's just don't fit with the story and with the characters. If that wasn't at the end I totally would have ended my listening at that moment.
So I loved the audiobook but just because of MF and his talent. I think if I read this book without audio, I wouldn't enjoyed this as much.
4 star, not more and not less.
And I think this is the end of my relationship with LVD's book. Her co-authored books are awesome, but I just can't enjoy the other ones as much, sorry.
Did Not Finish
August 23, 2018DNF @26%
I loved the first book. It was emotionally engaging and angtsy and just the right balance of both.
This sequel though.....felt like a hot mess. There was one section at 6% that was OTT with drama that I was sooooo tempted to throw in the towel then and there.
It does not improve. At least in my opinion. I didn’t get the draw between Ryan and Marek. It was like all of a sudden they were just at each other. I guess to me, it was like the cliched portrayal of gay men - that they’re all horny and lust-filled and would just hook up with anybody, anywhere. I think that’s an unfair and inaccurate portrayal of gay men. I’m offended on their behalf.
I adore Lynn Van Dorn and would read her future works but I’m gonna have to pass on this one.
I loved the first book. It was emotionally engaging and angtsy and just the right balance of both.
This sequel though.....felt like a hot mess. There was one section at 6% that was OTT with drama that I was sooooo tempted to throw in the towel then and there.
It does not improve. At least in my opinion. I didn’t get the draw between Ryan and Marek. It was like all of a sudden they were just at each other. I guess to me, it was like the cliched portrayal of gay men - that they’re all horny and lust-filled and would just hook up with anybody, anywhere. I think that’s an unfair and inaccurate portrayal of gay men. I’m offended on their behalf.
I adore Lynn Van Dorn and would read her future works but I’m gonna have to pass on this one.
March 8, 2020
4.5 stars rounded up because still no 1/2 stars here on GR...
WOW!!! and damn and holy freakin' cow!!! This series is freaking awesome. I was going to take my time and just enjoy this and I'd get through it when I got through it and yadda, yadda, yadda...and then I started listening and between the story, the author's writing style and Michael Ferraiuolo's awesome narration I pressed the play button and that was it the rest was history...I jumped from story to story and didn't stop unless I had to.
I honestly can't wait to find out what comes next.
WOW!!! and damn and holy freakin' cow!!! This series is freaking awesome. I was going to take my time and just enjoy this and I'd get through it when I got through it and yadda, yadda, yadda...and then I started listening and between the story, the author's writing style and Michael Ferraiuolo's awesome narration I pressed the play button and that was it the rest was history...I jumped from story to story and didn't stop unless I had to.
I honestly can't wait to find out what comes next.
October 4, 2022
M/M, bisexual/pansexual, hea, lawyer/nurse, BDSM, (technically not a standalone), age gap, dual POV
Tw: death, abuse, talk of child abuse, homophobic language, mentions of suicide and self harm
So as I started this book I didn't realize it was the 2nd in a series so whoops. Was I confused at times? Yeah, but I'm usually confused by life anyways so what's the difference? So my very first impression of Ryan was "wow I hate this fucking character" but then I started to realize that he wasn't what everyone thought he was and unfortunately he ended up being a little too much like myself (ouch). Marek being a nurse hit close to home and I was excited by the medically relevant things mentioned. Their love really hit me out of nowhere and also gave me some kind of stupid hope that maybe there is something out there for everyone. I didn't think I would read another 5 star book right after the previous one but here we are.
Tw: death, abuse, talk of child abuse, homophobic language, mentions of suicide and self harm
So as I started this book I didn't realize it was the 2nd in a series so whoops. Was I confused at times? Yeah, but I'm usually confused by life anyways so what's the difference? So my very first impression of Ryan was "wow I hate this fucking character" but then I started to realize that he wasn't what everyone thought he was and unfortunately he ended up being a little too much like myself (ouch). Marek being a nurse hit close to home and I was excited by the medically relevant things mentioned. Their love really hit me out of nowhere and also gave me some kind of stupid hope that maybe there is something out there for everyone. I didn't think I would read another 5 star book right after the previous one but here we are.
September 1, 2018
Like the first book, Daddy Issues deals with abuse. Ryan has lived his whole life trying to make his father proud of him. He has lied for him, defended him when he treated him and his brothers like shit, and always have reasons for his fathers fucked up attitude. All of that has made Ryan a very unhappy and almost broken man. ALMOST broken.
Marek meets the son of his newest patient and see instantly that Ryan needs what Marek can dish out. Marek sees how much pain Ryan is in and knows he can help Ryan deal with it.
Daddy Issues does deal with long term emotional abuse. I really didn’t like Ryan in Damage Control and he started out super shaky in this too but along the way, he changed. He became the man he would have been without his asshole father in his head.
A solid four stars for Daddy Issues.
Marek meets the son of his newest patient and see instantly that Ryan needs what Marek can dish out. Marek sees how much pain Ryan is in and knows he can help Ryan deal with it.
Daddy Issues does deal with long term emotional abuse. I really didn’t like Ryan in Damage Control and he started out super shaky in this too but along the way, he changed. He became the man he would have been without his asshole father in his head.
A solid four stars for Daddy Issues.
June 13, 2024
Gotta say, I doubted I would ever root for Ryan but Lynn somehow did it. His slow realization, or acknowledgement rather, of the truth involving their dad was pretty heartbreaking. I loved how Marek immediately saw his depths and was able to help him come to terms with who he is. Excellent story.
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