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(Governor Trilogy 5, MM, political romance)

Some promises can't be kept...

From birth, my life has been a series of wrong turns and dead ends. Only one person truly loved me, and I walked away from them. Now, they’re unavailable.

I have a dark soul. That’s what I’ve always been told. Makes me good at my work, though. It’s kept me alive, even when I haven’t cared if I lived or died. Even when I welcomed death, and it still eluded me. Makes it easy not to get attached. I guess I’m lucky.

Until an unexpected reversal of fortune thrusts me into an unwinnable situation. Now, I’m not so sure I want to die.

But a brother’s unkept promise might be the only thing that keeps me alive.


243 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 21, 2020

21 people are currently reading
123 people want to read

About the author

Lesli Richardson

176 books446 followers
Lesli Richardson is the writer behind the curtain of her better-known and more prolific USA Today Bestselling Author pen name, Tymber Dalton (her "wild child" side). She lives in the Tampa Bay region of Florida with her spouse and too many pets of various species. When she's not playing D&D with her friends or shooting skeet, she's a part-time Viking shield-maiden in training, among other pursuits. The two-time EPIC award winner is also the author of over two hundred and fifty books and counting.

She lives in her own little world, but it's okay, because they all know her there.

She also loves to hear from readers! Please check out her website for links, and to sign up for updates to keep abreast of the latest news, snarkage, and releases. There you'll also find reading order lists, and more information about her different series.

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5 stars
73 (42%)
4 stars
61 (35%)
3 stars
23 (13%)
2 stars
9 (5%)
1 star
5 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Harper Miller.
Author 6 books438 followers
December 21, 2020
I waited with bated breath for this book, and to say I was disappointed with the outcome is an understatement. A lot was off for me. Mostly, the narration and the plot. Ms. Richardson, like me, prefers to write in first person. But with Pet, something was missing. I thought there was a lot more telling than showing, and there needs to be a balance when using first person to keep a reader engaged. I thoroughly believed Eddie’s story would be meaty, but this novel doesn't at all fit the momentum of previous series installments. I extend kudos to any author who was able to complete a story in the hellfire that is 2020, but I'm sad that the series that started my year with bang concluded with a thud.
Profile Image for Kelley.
319 reviews24 followers
April 10, 2023
4.25 ⭐️ Loved this series. Eddie deserves the world ❤️
Profile Image for Mer.
276 reviews593 followers
April 5, 2023
This series is highly underrated!!! It’s so so good. After finding out the author is actually apart of the bdsm community it made total sense. So well written. There are so many “bdsm” books out there that make me think they have no idea what it actually is or entails.

So glad we got more Eddie’s story and so happy with how this series ended. I was so invested in all these characters!! I’m gonna miss them.
Profile Image for Tabi Ann.
1,102 reviews5 followers
December 26, 2020
Pulls at the Heart Strings

I really wasn't sure what I was walking into when I read this story. But to say I was surprised by the turn of events I loved every minute of it. Everything in this book worked out perfectly for the things you had learned about Eddie.

I have to admit I was a little nervous with the twist in the story, but it turned out to be the best thing.

LOVED IT!!!

Until Next Time.... Tabi
21 reviews
January 16, 2022
I didnt know why I hadnt read this until today. I pre-ordered it before hand and I downloaded it but I guess just forgot to read it when new books coming in.

Eddie was almost the only lose end fm the Governor trilogy which we ALL want him to have his own ending. I am so glad Lesli gave it to us, even though it is way overdue.
He has spent half of his life after the b elsa ruined him before Jace found him. But I suppose Jace is gonna make it up to him.

I totally didnt see the plot coming (who Jace really is !) but that is such a good twist. I think it answers to part of Eddie for a man he loved but will never get back .

I do feel disappointed that the joint announcement (of Carter 's secret and Jace coming out) was not included in the book. If it has been , it would make a total HEA ending in the whole trilogy.

Currently, Lesli 's political romance has released until Incisive (Leo/Jordan/Elliot) and no matter what, THIS trilogy is still the best of best , and the one who owns my heart forever. Carter, will always be the best master for me .
Profile Image for Carole-Ann.
2,740 reviews87 followers
February 24, 2021
I don't think anyone can read Chief without hoping for a happy ending for Eddie.
This is not what I was expecting. Eddie is still in Germany, but gets kidnapped by a CIA operative who has been paid to eliminate him. Soon, it's revealed that the operative is Jace, Carter's older brother, who is also on a mission to destroy the colonel who used both Carter and Eddie twenty years previously (after Eddie has told him everything) and who was instrumental in the loss of his two younger brothers KIA.
Not a nice story; a bit manipulative on Jace's part where he uses Eddie's need for pain to enjoy sex; but at least a HEA outcome (with a side agenda of Carter offering to reveal his poly relationship to their parents, when Jace reveals he's gay) :)
Profile Image for Addy.
87 reviews
December 21, 2022
Stunning

Once introduced to Eddie I wanted him to get his happily ever after. This book gave me that and so much more. Kinda with we got to see the family meeting with the joint announcements.
184 reviews3 followers
April 5, 2023
Great plot, good characters, disappointing sex.

I was so incredibly let down by this story.. Because the plot is SO GOOD, it's basically my favourite kind of story.
One MC, kidnapps the other MC, and slowly turns him into a pet in a power exchange relationship! It should be magical! But there's no explicit sex in the whole god damn book!!

There's only telling, when there should be showing. It literally says:
"And then they had rough sex?!"
Well great!! Show me that then!
And exactly the same with blow jobs, it's just told: "And then he blew me, and swallowed."
I would have loved to have seen that scene in detail, not just told as a summation.

I feel so god damn tricked and disappointed!! This book was described as a sexy and steamy power exchange book.. So where are the explicit scenes?! Don't just basically fade to black?!
It can't be steamy, if you don't show me the actual steam?!

And it's somehow even worse, as the story is so great! This book would have been my favourite ever..

- If there was just better shown sex scenes!!

So I'm very ambivalent if I'm going to try something else by this author. The actual writing, storyline and plot is great, and many of her other books also sounds interesting..
But I can't take it, if this is how she handles, or technically refuses to handle sex.

Especially when there's TPE, which I LOVE! But I need to actually see and experience it..
Not just be told about it happening?!

So fucking disappointed..
Profile Image for R.
603 reviews1 follower
December 3, 2023
Having just finished the fifth installment of the Governor Trilogy, a more concise but intense read, this one shifts the focus to Eddie, Carter's old army buddy introduced in Book 3. Eddie's character is broken, forever so, and the wild ride this book takes is unlike its predecessors. The story, shorter than its counterparts, reveals Eddie's dark desires and his tumultuous relationship.

The explicit scenes are less prominent, leaving more to the imagination, which felt a bit frustrating given the series' usual style. The BDSM elements reach a higher intensity here, with Eddie as a masochist. The writing, as always, is splendid. Eddie's vulnerability and the parallels to Owen's struggles tug at the heartstrings.

The book delves into Eddie's journey of finding himself and learning to trust, even in the face of questionable reasons. The connection between characters, though dark, unfolds in a heartbreaking way. This installment, despite its emotional impact, made me cry for Eddie's plight and drew parallels to Owen's struggles.

In the grand scope of the series, the characters feel incredibly real, and the depth of emotions they evoke is a testament to the author's skill. This year's reading journey has lacked such depth, making this trilogy stand out. My feelings are mixed, but the incredible writing keeps me invested, even as I navigate the complex emotions stirred by this emotional rollercoaster.
Profile Image for Bree Marks.
329 reviews1 follower
February 21, 2022
I cried a few times reading this installment to the Governor Trilogy. Eddie is the one Carter left behind and Carter secretly tortures himself over. But as Eddie tells you, he pushed Carter to leave him, not wanting to cause Carter any type of pain. What he doesn't know, right?.

After seeing Carter one last time, or so he believes, Eddie becomes reckless and ends up on a dark ops radar. Figuring he's going to die, Eddie sends out a prayer to Carter that his captor hears and questions. Little does Eddie know that his captors laugh and voice remind him of Carter because he's Carter's brother, Jason.

Jason decides then he needs to save Eddie, learn his secrets, and Carters' too, and figure a way forward. Jason also doesn't deny he's a gay man and he's attracted to Eddie, but keeps his identity from Eddie for a time. Knowing the secrets he knows now, Jason is even more focused on his mission for vengeance. For his three little brothers. And for Eddie now too. Jason has also decided Eddie is now his. His to love, dominate and marry. Once he reveals who he is and his plan to Eddie, and sets everything into motion, Jason is determined to move forward, finish this last job, and look to the future.

Only two questions remain: will Eddie want to willing stay and love Jason too, and will Carter disown his big brother for falling in love with the man he's never forgotten?
68 reviews
January 12, 2021
Excellent story! After saying farewell to Carter at the airport, Eddie finds himself a bit lost. After a job goes wrong, he’s now a captive of someone who stirs memories of his past. Someone who might actually cause him to want to live again.

His captor is stunned to find out the connections between him and Eddie and has to make a snap decision on how this is going to all go down. He now can’t just kill him and be done with it – despite his orders. How will he make this work? Can Eddie be trusted?

A tale about overcoming demons of the past and learning how to love. Most importantly, learning how to accept that you can be loved, after everything you’ve been through. Our pasts may make up our experiences to this point, but they do not define our future.
Profile Image for Кат.
392 reviews
January 3, 2021
Even though MMF is my preferred genre and I rarely bother with MM; I really enjoyed PET by Lesli Richardson.

After reading the Governor Series, I wanted Edward “Eddie” to get his happily ever after. He went through so much, abandonment, neglect, abuse, torture. Few people could survive his life story and still be the sweet, loving, eager to please guy he is.

Read the other four stories in the Governor Series and then read PET ( book five ). His HEA made me believe that eventually those who deserve happiness, might get lucky and find it.
Profile Image for Marilize.
Author 28 books49 followers
January 10, 2023
I stopped counting how many times I read this book after the fourth time. Something about their relationship, after Jace decides to try and earn his trust, appeals to me.

I also like that even though Eddie could very easily come across as a damsel-figure, someone who needs to be rescued and cosseted, we are reminded that he is every bit as dangerous, competent and ruthless as Jace himself, and that their power exchange is deliberate.

Not QUITE as much a part of the rest of the series as the other four books, but still a welcome addition.
Profile Image for AbbieCadabbie.
872 reviews6 followers
February 27, 2024
This series was really great.
This book starts off pretty rough & often is really twisted but ultimately I was just so happy that Eddie found love, happiness, acceptance, and the balance that he needed.
I loved that that monster (Colonel) finally got what was long overdue for him, too. It was almost as equally satisfying as Elsa getting hers. (Insert evil laugh).
FYI—the ending will likely leave you in tears, but man is it worth it!
Profile Image for Michele Avery.
297 reviews3 followers
December 6, 2022
A Perfect Ending to the Governor Trilogy! I wasn't sure I wanted to listen (Audiobook) this last book in the series since it wasn't about Carter, Owen, and/or Sussa. I'm glad I did. If you loved the other books, you'll love this one.
Profile Image for This brit reads romance.
253 reviews
April 5, 2023
This series is criminally underrated!

I have loved it and was so good to see Eddie get his well deserved happy ending.

The plot twist in this I never saw coming, so good!

Tropes: MM & BDSM

TW: Kidnap
Profile Image for Disco Inferno.
296 reviews10 followers
May 22, 2023
Sadly, this book seemed like an afterthought. An MM romance with very little character development. A shame, because it could have been really compelling. The first and third books in the series are the strongest.
Profile Image for Kathy.
65 reviews
January 11, 2021
I really liked this book even though it felt a bit darker and twisted when compared to the other books of the series. It was great to see Eddie get his HEA after all he survived.
Profile Image for Kickhy.
121 reviews2 followers
January 26, 2021
I did not see that plot twist coming at all but color me pleasantly surprised. Why didn’t we get to see the family intro though, sigh!
302 reviews1 follower
July 13, 2024
I fell in love with the first book of this serie, where we met Carter, Owen and Susa. But its great that Eddie gets his part and a good future.
Profile Image for J.L..
Author 14 books72 followers
July 2, 2024
This book is a significant departure from the other books in the shared "Governor" world (which I can say since I'm cranking out these short reviews after a week of binge-reading everything available). However, it is still a satisfying romantic thriller with a perfect amount of sexiness and angst.

Eddie deserves his happily ever after. I adored the shocking reveal of who that HEA ends up being with, since it couldn't be Carter. Their dynamic definitely evolves from a place that is definitely on the "dark romance" side of the spectrum, but the histories and development of these characters mean that it probably couldn't have happened any other way.

I will be happy to go along for the ride if Richardson ever steps out of the political arena for more books in this world.
Profile Image for Christine Siluk.
85 reviews1 follower
January 7, 2022
Was the main character Eddie? I'm writing this from many months later, so I only remember the main plot points. I found a lot of this story to be just pretty unbelievable in a way that took me out.

So much revenge porn. Lots of murder with good intentions, but this shit gets dark FAST.

Nice to see Eddie get a HEA, but damn if it didn't bug me that he had to be "reprogrammed" to have a new name.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

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