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Family Matters
Patrick Lane escaped his alcoholic parents when he made it to college. But when they ditched his siblings under the pretense of returning in a few hours, Patrick made a solemn vow that he would raise Joey and Jenna as his own, ensuring they would never doubt they were loved. And it’s a promise he’s done his best to keep, no matter how hard it’s been.
Seth Clarke owns his own business, has a nice house, and parents and a brother who love him. But he isn’t satisfied and never has been. The men he’s been with complain he’s a perfectionist, and Seth knows it’s true. When he meets Patrick, he’s intrigued. Just when it seems something wonderful is getting off the ground between them, Seth meets Joey and Jenna, and he panics. He hates messes, and kids are the worst.
It takes two very strong women to open Seth’s eyes to the truths he’s been doing his best to forget. Now Seth has a choice. He can walk away from Patrick, leaving his heart behind, or he can step up and discover that family matters more than anything.
Contains light BDSM elements.
Seth Clarke owns his own business, has a nice house, and parents and a brother who love him. But he isn’t satisfied and never has been. The men he’s been with complain he’s a perfectionist, and Seth knows it’s true. When he meets Patrick, he’s intrigued. Just when it seems something wonderful is getting off the ground between them, Seth meets Joey and Jenna, and he panics. He hates messes, and kids are the worst.
It takes two very strong women to open Seth’s eyes to the truths he’s been doing his best to forget. Now Seth has a choice. He can walk away from Patrick, leaving his heart behind, or he can step up and discover that family matters more than anything.
Contains light BDSM elements.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 25, 2020
17 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
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March 13, 2020Nope, sorry. Can't do it. DNF at 35%.
I loved when Patrick was the strong, take-charge father figure to his twin 5 year olds, but OMMFG, it drove me crazy when he started acting like a whiny, little, insecure bitch, unable to make a single decision on his own, the moment that the kids were gone.
I know I'm probably going to miss the most touching parts of the book, but the somewhat-dragging pace and Patrick's sheer neediness, combined with the soon-to-come "Yes, Sir / Good boy" dynamic, I don't want to imagine the ranty review that I'd end up writing, so I'm calling time of death now to save my sanity.
I should've listened to my gut instinct about the "light BDSM elements" trigger warning and passed -- no matter how enticing the blurb might have been.
February 26, 2020
I loved this book!!! At the beginning of the book Patrick seemed whiny and clingy, once the story unfolded I grew to love him. He had sucky parents that no business having children. Just when Patrick believes he has a chance of being free of his parents, of living his life, planning for a future after college, they take off, leaving the twins behind . Patrick becomes a parent overnight at the age of 19. A future that once upon a time included graduating college, became a future of providing a stable and loving home for his siblings. An untraditional family made of people that held you together after life took a big dump on you. A family that helped you raise twins, a family that helped you believe in yourself, a family that helped and encouraged you to pursue a life outside of raising twins. In addition to having such wonderful people standing by your side is being loved by them, unconditionally
Seth on the other hand seemed well put together, a fastidious owner of his very own tidy business. As you continue to read, bits and pieces of a young Seth start to emerge, you understand how he grew up to become a clinical, robotic individual. Not in a bad way just detached from any messes life throws at you and having two cute and lovable 5 year old twins that suddenly appear in your rear view mirror is by far the last thing Seth wants. Children mean chaos and a messy life, and Seth can do without those. He had plenty when he had to share a bedroom with his brother. Life is clean and orderly for Seth.
And lastly we have Denise and Travis. All I know is that everyone needs a “Travis” as a friend. Travis sense of humor, loyalty and dedication to stand with and support Patrick and the twins was touching and heart warming. I can’t even begin to describe how much I heart Travis. And Denise was a badass. That woman kept Travis in line in the most funniest of way.
I could go on and on about the books but read it and for yourselves what an amazing book it was.
Seth on the other hand seemed well put together, a fastidious owner of his very own tidy business. As you continue to read, bits and pieces of a young Seth start to emerge, you understand how he grew up to become a clinical, robotic individual. Not in a bad way just detached from any messes life throws at you and having two cute and lovable 5 year old twins that suddenly appear in your rear view mirror is by far the last thing Seth wants. Children mean chaos and a messy life, and Seth can do without those. He had plenty when he had to share a bedroom with his brother. Life is clean and orderly for Seth.
And lastly we have Denise and Travis. All I know is that everyone needs a “Travis” as a friend. Travis sense of humor, loyalty and dedication to stand with and support Patrick and the twins was touching and heart warming. I can’t even begin to describe how much I heart Travis. And Denise was a badass. That woman kept Travis in line in the most funniest of way.
I could go on and on about the books but read it and for yourselves what an amazing book it was.
January 28, 2020
Oh this story will make you laugh and cry a lot. It is incredibly special. A beautiful story of one brother's struggle to raise his younger siblings in the best way he can. And at the cost of his own happiness. Until he meets a man who will gladly shoulder the burdens for him and learn what he's been missing all along is a a family to call his own.
February 29, 2020
The title of this book is so appropriate it isn’t even funny. For Patrick, family is the only thing that matters, the only thing he can be strong for, the only thing he can protect, when inside he feels far too clingy and needy. The family he has made, Joey, Jenna, Travis, and Denise, is the only one that matters as his biological family is barely worth mentioning. ‘Family Matters’ has it all in spades but the one thing it emphasizes is love… and that’s worth the read right there.
When Patrick meets Seth, he has been Joey and Jenna’s ‘Daddy’ for over five years and as far as Patrick is concerned, his kids don’t need to know that he’s really their brother, and their parents are worthless a**holes. He has given up his dreams, focused everything on his kids, and given them a wonderful life. Patrick is very shy, has little to no self-confidence, and believes himself to be unwanted and unlovable. He’s completely thrown for a loop when he meets Seth and Seth helps him to see himself in a new way.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
When Patrick meets Seth, he has been Joey and Jenna’s ‘Daddy’ for over five years and as far as Patrick is concerned, his kids don’t need to know that he’s really their brother, and their parents are worthless a**holes. He has given up his dreams, focused everything on his kids, and given them a wonderful life. Patrick is very shy, has little to no self-confidence, and believes himself to be unwanted and unlovable. He’s completely thrown for a loop when he meets Seth and Seth helps him to see himself in a new way.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
February 27, 2020
Patrick and Seth share a slow-burn romance where friendship and support are paramount and ultimately lead to happiness. The blurb sets up the story perfectly: Patrick struggles with his own issues while trying to provide stability in the face of tragedy, and Seth steps up to be the strong one.
As they build their relationship and navigate the expansion of an existing family, there are growing pains for everyone, including the reader, because Patrick and his abandonment issues, gah! But Patrick is the luckiest guy in the world because his people truly “get him.” Love, support, and family (blood-related and non, old and new) are the winners here, and Patrick’s “family” continually rallies around him to save the day.
With an ensemble cast where everyone is of equal importance, we learn here that it truly does take a village. And I want to move there, because these people are awesome. A beautiful, heartfelt story, with quite the emotional impact, love prevails, and Patrick finds his happiness in a forever kind of HEA. Family Matters put me through it for sure – all the emotion, wow – but more importantly, it left me with a big smile and a warm heart.
**received ARC**
As they build their relationship and navigate the expansion of an existing family, there are growing pains for everyone, including the reader, because Patrick and his abandonment issues, gah! But Patrick is the luckiest guy in the world because his people truly “get him.” Love, support, and family (blood-related and non, old and new) are the winners here, and Patrick’s “family” continually rallies around him to save the day.
With an ensemble cast where everyone is of equal importance, we learn here that it truly does take a village. And I want to move there, because these people are awesome. A beautiful, heartfelt story, with quite the emotional impact, love prevails, and Patrick finds his happiness in a forever kind of HEA. Family Matters put me through it for sure – all the emotion, wow – but more importantly, it left me with a big smile and a warm heart.
**received ARC**
May 4, 2020
Reviewed by Cindy
Patrick is one of the good guys. He’s raising his siblings as his own kids and doing his very best by them. They are everything to him, but he’s finding himself more and more lonely. He decides (with his best friend bossy urging) to see if there’s something more out there for him.
Seth has been living in a bit of a vacuum. The rut he’s in is almost a huge as Patrick’s, but when he first sets eyes on the younger man, he can’t help but be intrigued.
I’ve enjoyed a lot of Parker Williams stories and they do seem to excel in the BDSM arena. All of the character’s are interesting a captivating. Besides Patrick and Seth, there’s Travis and Denise. They are Patrick’s best friends and Travis has been Patrick’s cheerleader and biggest support since forever.
I enjoyed the interactions of Seth and his parents very much. Both men are blessed with their families. Patrick with the one he’s made and Seth with the one he’s been born with.
The kids are adorable and I love how the author has written them. Parker has done a good job of capturing their spirits and as someone who’s worked with kids all their life, I appreciate it when authors get it right.
The steam factor is definite in the hot side and I appreciate that as well. But I also like the tenderness and care that Seth show’s Patrick. He doesn’t always get things right but he tries his damnedest.
The BDSM elements aren’t too hardcore, and this story would be a good introduction for people who might be a bit squeamish about the whole lifestyle.
Myself, I found myself getting lost in the story and being unable to put it down. It’s not perfect, there are a few things I took issue with, but I think they are mostly personal objections. I will let you make your own mind up about things.
This story has a little bit of everything…sweetness and heat, cute kids and amazing friends, and I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did.
This book was provided for free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
Patrick is one of the good guys. He’s raising his siblings as his own kids and doing his very best by them. They are everything to him, but he’s finding himself more and more lonely. He decides (with his best friend bossy urging) to see if there’s something more out there for him.
Seth has been living in a bit of a vacuum. The rut he’s in is almost a huge as Patrick’s, but when he first sets eyes on the younger man, he can’t help but be intrigued.
I’ve enjoyed a lot of Parker Williams stories and they do seem to excel in the BDSM arena. All of the character’s are interesting a captivating. Besides Patrick and Seth, there’s Travis and Denise. They are Patrick’s best friends and Travis has been Patrick’s cheerleader and biggest support since forever.
I enjoyed the interactions of Seth and his parents very much. Both men are blessed with their families. Patrick with the one he’s made and Seth with the one he’s been born with.
The kids are adorable and I love how the author has written them. Parker has done a good job of capturing their spirits and as someone who’s worked with kids all their life, I appreciate it when authors get it right.
The steam factor is definite in the hot side and I appreciate that as well. But I also like the tenderness and care that Seth show’s Patrick. He doesn’t always get things right but he tries his damnedest.
The BDSM elements aren’t too hardcore, and this story would be a good introduction for people who might be a bit squeamish about the whole lifestyle.
Myself, I found myself getting lost in the story and being unable to put it down. It’s not perfect, there are a few things I took issue with, but I think they are mostly personal objections. I will let you make your own mind up about things.
This story has a little bit of everything…sweetness and heat, cute kids and amazing friends, and I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did.
This book was provided for free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
February 8, 2020
4 Stars
This is a bit of a slow burn story that is full of good feels. While both men have problems to work through, there's not a lot of angst and the love between them and their family comes through.
Seth and Patrick make a great team together. I loved how Patrick found more confidence in himself and slowly learned to lean on Seth when he needed. I loved watching Seth slowly remember his childhood and realize what he had been missing not only with his family, but in life in general. Both men grew immeasurably. Joey and Jenna were great kids. I loved seeing Seth jumping into help with them even as he was always worried about whether he could handle it. Patrick always took the lead with the kids, but Seth was there to steady him when needed. I loved Seth's family and the way they pointed things out to him and helped Seth work things out in his head. I also loved Patrick's friends, they were amazing and always there for Patrick. I would love to have friends like Travis and Denise in my life.
This is a bit of a slow burn story that is full of good feels. While both men have problems to work through, there's not a lot of angst and the love between them and their family comes through.
Seth and Patrick make a great team together. I loved how Patrick found more confidence in himself and slowly learned to lean on Seth when he needed. I loved watching Seth slowly remember his childhood and realize what he had been missing not only with his family, but in life in general. Both men grew immeasurably. Joey and Jenna were great kids. I loved seeing Seth jumping into help with them even as he was always worried about whether he could handle it. Patrick always took the lead with the kids, but Seth was there to steady him when needed. I loved Seth's family and the way they pointed things out to him and helped Seth work things out in his head. I also loved Patrick's friends, they were amazing and always there for Patrick. I would love to have friends like Travis and Denise in my life.
February 26, 2020
This was such a beautiful, poignant, lovely, emotionally charged, charming, bittersweet, engaging, wonderful, grab-you-by-the-feels, delightfully different, amazing, smoldering, vivid, and totally awesome story. I must admit that I was severely tempted to shake some sense into a certain character, and thought it would take a miracle for Patrick and Seth to have any chance at getting their HEA ending, but the author delivered one with style. I would definitely recommend getting this marvelous gem ASAP!!
March 29, 2020
I love the family Patrick has already built for himself. He has faced so much and been so strong. I love the fact that Seth is what he needs. Seth has some issues of his own that he didn't even realize he had. It's nice when a Dom can admit his mistakes and take a long long at himself to figure out what changes he needed to make. It was wonderful to see Patrick finally get all that he needs to be his best self.
February 25, 2020
This is a beautiful story. It’s about a young man who sacrifices his happiness to take care of his younger brother and sister. Sometimes feeling overwhelmed. He finally meets someone who could share his life and his problems. Things don’t go all that smooth, but life never does. Great story. Good Job.
March 16, 2020
I did not enjoy this story or the main characters. This book felt a little too similar to Bear, Otter and the kid when it began. The more I read the more I disliked Patrick and his crying at every little thing. The best parts of this book: Best friend Travis and the kids, especially Joey and his love for pretty, pretty things.
April 3, 2021
I've had this in my TBR for a while. I'm not one to read books that contain BDSM, but it was recommended to me and I just finished it. The title says it all. This book is about making a family out of scraps. The relationships in this book are fantastically odd and very sweet. I highly recommend this book!!!
February 27, 2020
This is such a beautiful story! Patrick and Seth's story is just had my emotions everywhere. I definitely wanted to knock some sense into a character but I just love see how their story unfolds. It such a real story that I couldn't get enough of.
January 9, 2023
Una gran historia de familia encontrada, con sucesos bonitos, aunque siento que pudo haber tenido más drama ya que algunos diálogos (contados) se repetían y llevaban a repetir las mismas respuestas también. Un nivel de inglés intermedio.
March 28, 2020
A sweet, lovely read. Very enjoyable and entertaining.
May 16, 2021
Over-the-top caretaking triggered
Overall, I loved the characters and story, so my issue is the exact opposite from most who didn't find this story appealing.
Despite the author's bend-over-backwards efforts, I couldn't suspend disbelief enough for the utterly submissive's first-ever sex to be heated instead ultra squicky to me. So much so it made the whole experience rather negative - basically a trigger. The sex fit the character perfectly, just not for someone who had zero experience (apart from one hand job?).
I loved Patrick’s character, and Seth’s patience and control outside of the BDSM scene.
The fact that Patrick was an utterly untouched virgin (one hand job only) made his initial sex scene (paddling, bound, rough screwing) very squicky/triggering rather than hot to me.
I’m very (often overly) sensitive about BDSM and how I was taught to practice it, so my issues aren't often shared by other readers. But for me, despite the author’s best efforts to address safety (safewords, extra safe equipment, Patrick begging for it), I had significant issues with that scene, which are mostly about me suspending disbelief about my technical experience, training and practices.
(E.g., reliance on newbie use of safewords, how fast to introduce equipment, allowing a new sub to drive/topping from the bottom, and, most especially, how to prep and take an utterly virgin butt, especially on a guy with zero other experience, first experience in BDSM vs. vanilla)
On the positive side, the book explores a situation when a very submissive personality called upon to be the firm, strong, and especially the leader everyone depends on in daily life, and how that manifests in the need to be even more submissive if the opportunity ever presents itself. (It's a similar but different dynamic/mirror of the CEO Alpha who needs to a safe environment to submit. Both are about people who need to give up control - to not be in control but depend on somebody else - but can't do so in most/all of their daily lives.)
This "submissive in a responsible leader's clothing" no doubt triggers an even strong caregiver Dom response in Seth. In that way, the depths of Patrick's submission and Seth's strong response make sense (while being very over-the-top and rushed compared to likely real life developments for the sake of the flow of the fiction). It just hits that trigger where the shortcuts and speed for the sake of a concise story hit that "oh hell no" trigger for me.
Overall, I loved the characters and story, so my issue is the exact opposite from most who didn't find this story appealing.
Despite the author's bend-over-backwards efforts, I couldn't suspend disbelief enough for the utterly submissive's first-ever sex to be heated instead ultra squicky to me. So much so it made the whole experience rather negative - basically a trigger. The sex fit the character perfectly, just not for someone who had zero experience (apart from one hand job?).
I loved Patrick’s character, and Seth’s patience and control outside of the BDSM scene.
The fact that Patrick was an utterly untouched virgin (one hand job only) made his initial sex scene (paddling, bound, rough screwing) very squicky/triggering rather than hot to me.
I’m very (often overly) sensitive about BDSM and how I was taught to practice it, so my issues aren't often shared by other readers. But for me, despite the author’s best efforts to address safety (safewords, extra safe equipment, Patrick begging for it), I had significant issues with that scene, which are mostly about me suspending disbelief about my technical experience, training and practices.
(E.g., reliance on newbie use of safewords, how fast to introduce equipment, allowing a new sub to drive/topping from the bottom, and, most especially, how to prep and take an utterly virgin butt, especially on a guy with zero other experience, first experience in BDSM vs. vanilla)
On the positive side, the book explores a situation when a very submissive personality called upon to be the firm, strong, and especially the leader everyone depends on in daily life, and how that manifests in the need to be even more submissive if the opportunity ever presents itself. (It's a similar but different dynamic/mirror of the CEO Alpha who needs to a safe environment to submit. Both are about people who need to give up control - to not be in control but depend on somebody else - but can't do so in most/all of their daily lives.)
This "submissive in a responsible leader's clothing" no doubt triggers an even strong caregiver Dom response in Seth. In that way, the depths of Patrick's submission and Seth's strong response make sense (while being very over-the-top and rushed compared to likely real life developments for the sake of the flow of the fiction). It just hits that trigger where the shortcuts and speed for the sake of a concise story hit that "oh hell no" trigger for me.
August 21, 2020
I've read and like Links In the Chain series by Parker Williams but this book started boring me almost from the beginning.
Patrick's constant neediness and insecurities lost my sympathy after the third repetition.
Seth was an interesting character until he started to change toward perfection too fast.
I have liked Travis and Denise (do such perfect people exist?) and Joey and Jen.
I can't deal with the Patrick's whining, Seth placating and kids cuteness one minute longer.
Giving up at 62%.
Patrick's constant neediness and insecurities lost my sympathy after the third repetition.
Seth was an interesting character until he started to change toward perfection too fast.
I have liked Travis and Denise (do such perfect people exist?) and Joey and Jen.
I can't deal with the Patrick's whining, Seth placating and kids cuteness one minute longer.
Giving up at 62%.
February 26, 2020
Emotionally stunted himself, Patrick finds himself losing his college years when his parents puts him in the situation of raising his brother and sister.
Seth firmly believes everything has its place, classic OCD behavior derived from sibling issues of his own.
This is a wonderful book! Witty when needed but serious none the less.
Recommended.
Seth firmly believes everything has its place, classic OCD behavior derived from sibling issues of his own.
This is a wonderful book! Witty when needed but serious none the less.
Recommended.
March 5, 2020
So good
I really enjoyed this it was fun to see a relationship go slow instead of jumping right in . Don't get me wrong it's hot like a slow burn so well written , it covered things not a lot of authors have touched on well done Parker Williams
I really enjoyed this it was fun to see a relationship go slow instead of jumping right in . Don't get me wrong it's hot like a slow burn so well written , it covered things not a lot of authors have touched on well done Parker Williams
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