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Trials of Fear #6.5

Rigger's Decision

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Rigley Montgomery Atkins is a mess.If he never has to make another decision for as long as he lives, he’d be fine with that.Life would be simpler. The pressure would be gone. The storms raging in his mind could settle.But that’s not possible.Rigger is a adult, and adults need to make decisions all the time.If only there was a solution.If only there was someone willing to take control and calm his demons. Someone who wouldn’t judge him or ridicule him.Someone who could love him exactly like he is. **This is a 30k word novella. 100% standalone**

(Fear Niblet)

104 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 3, 2019

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About the author

Nicky James

80 books2,324 followers
I live in the small town of Petrolia, Ontario, Canada and I am a mother to a wonderful teenage boy (didn't think those words could be typed together...surprise) and wife to a truly supportive and understanding husband, who thankfully doesn't think I'm crazy.

I have always had two profound dreams in life. To fall back hundreds of years in time and live in a simpler world, not bogged down by technology and to write novels. Since only one of these was a possibility I decided to make the other come alive on paper.
I write mm romance novels that take place in fantastical medieval type settings and love to use the challenges of the times to give my stories and characters life.



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5 stars
165 (29%)
4 stars
179 (31%)
3 stars
171 (30%)
2 stars
33 (5%)
1 star
12 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
Profile Image for ~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semicolons~✡~.
3,650 reviews1,210 followers
July 7, 2019
The Trials of Fears series is one of my favorite M/M series of all time. Nicky James knocked each book out of the park. As such, I was crazy excited that a spinoff series, featuring shorter stories about lesser fears (not full-blown phobias), was coming

The first Fear Niblet focuses on Rigger, Krew's bestie, who is paralyzed whenever he needs to make a decision. Decisions terrify Rigger to the point that he lives in inertia; he can't decide what to eat, what to wear, what drink to make.

Enter Nael a Dom and Max's friend, who suggests he and Rigger enter into a trial contract wherein Rigger gives up all control to Nael. This arrangement works for Rigger, and Nael becomes smitten with his boy.

The story is told from Rigger's first-person perspective. Nael remains an enigma. There is no real relationship development, and the story ends abruptly with a HFN.

I guess I just wanted more. I realize this is a novella and a "niblet" by the author's admission, but I've read short stories that had stronger character development.

That being said, I still enjoyed Rigger's Decision. I like Nicky James's writing a great deal and am looking forward to more niblets in the future.
Profile Image for Gabi.
705 reviews112 followers
July 6, 2019
3.5 stars
Rigger can't make a decision. He is agonizing over every single detail. From what underwear to put on, or what to study at college, what food to choose at a restaurant. He can't make up his mind. I saw a little of myself in him.

I really liked how the author portrayed 'decidophobia'. It's so overwhelming when you can't decide what to do or say, and when you finally choose something, you instantly regret it.

Rigger is funny and likes shiny clothes and makeup and singing show tunes. He's fun! And together with Krew, his best friend (from Fearless) they are a dazzling pair.

So Max, his boss sets him up with a guy he met in a bdsm club, coz he thinks they would be a good match. Because Rigger needs someone who gives him direct orders, so his mind could settle.

While I enjoyed this aspect of the book, I missed the romance. I feel like Rigger and Nael made a good arrangement for both of them but other than that... I'm not sure they get to know each other that well, to fall in love.

(Btw. I don't like this kind of bdsm. Why write a damn contract? what's the point? Do either of them go to jail if they break the contract? Ugh! 50 shades vibe.)
Profile Image for Ariana  (mostly offline).
1,695 reviews108 followers
July 17, 2019
*3,75 stars*

A stand-alone novella in the ‘Trials of Fear’ universe.

Rigger is Krew’s friend and a co-worker at Max’s bar, and we have met him on a couple of occasions through the six books of the series.

His issue is that he can’t make decisions. At all.
Even deciding what to wear and to eat causes him enormous upset. As a result, he lives in chaos and barely manages to survive.

That he needs help and guidance is clear.
Nael is exactly the man for the job.
An older, experienced Dom, he knows exactly how to keep Rigger on the right track.

It is shame this is only a short novella, and very much a start to their relationship. I would have loved to see more because the dynamics between these two are pretty hot! Loved the age gap and Nael's brooding heat.

And it would have been really interesting to see how Rigger is settling more into ‘The Scene’.

Great addition to the series
Profile Image for Esra.
Author 50 books87 followers
January 15, 2022
I wish Rigger's story was longer. It was too short.
Obviously Rigger and Nael were made for each other but I couldn't feel the romance between them.
I would have loved to see their relationship development. Everything was so fast.
Profile Image for Sheri.
1,418 reviews200 followers
February 25, 2023
I tend to enjoy novellas when I'm deeply immersed in a series.
It's like an afternoon snack before a grand dinner.
Rigger has made several appearances since he's Krew's bestie and both Krew and Max are prominent here.
I enjoyed getting to know Rigger a little bit more. Rigger can't make a decision to save his life. Everything from what to eat to what to wear stresses him out. Making big decisions? Not a chance.
Max thinks he knows the perfect solution to Rigger's struggles. He needs a Daddy and his friend Naël is just the man for the job. The hardest part for me was not getting to know Naël very well. They enter a trial relationship, hoping to discover if they are a good match. I would have liked a bit more depth. I saw layers just begging to be peeled. And the ending is an abrupt HFN (not my fave).
Still, despite my niggles, this is a pleasant niblet.

*3.5 tell-me-more, please stars*
Profile Image for ~nikki the recovering book addict.
1,248 reviews2 followers
July 18, 2019
Awww...

This was sweet! Had I known it was Rigger’s story, I’d have read this sooner! As it was, I didn’t know “Ridley” so I kind of let it sit in my Kindle. Boo...

This was short but so sweet. It’s interesting to see behind the flirty facade Rigger puts on. I had no idea he struggled with making decisions. And in that same vein, it’s interesting to see inside the life of someone who struggles with decision-making. Although in Rigger’s case, I wonder if that’s a learned response from his past.

What I love about Nicky James’ books are that I get a peek behind the curtain of people with phobias or fears I don’t have. It’s truly fascinating!
Profile Image for Stacey.
165 reviews8 followers
July 7, 2019
Really enjoyed this read, would have loved it to be a little longer and to explore their relationship more.
Profile Image for Cariad Dussan.
601 reviews5 followers
September 14, 2020
My disclaimer.
I do not enjoy BDSM. I prefer not to read stories dealing into this genre/kink. I have nothing against BDSM or those who enjoy/practice/embrace the lifestyle.
That said I feared reading this book. The thought of reading this book ramped up my anxiety.
Reading the Note to Reader put me at ease and I decided to give this entry into the Trails of Fear series a try.
And boy am I glad I did.
I laughed, I cried. My heart went out to Rigger.
Bravo!
Profile Image for Kaity.
2,058 reviews24 followers
February 22, 2021
3 stars

I love Nicky James writing buuuuuuutt BDSM isn’t for me. I knew that going in but still wanted to give it one more go since the only other book I’ve read that has that was 50 Shades and that was a train wreck!

I can relate to Rigger, I hate making decisions. I would have liked to see Naëls perspective in this book I think that would have raise my rating.

Overall short and sweet, but the BDSM brought it down for me, but that is all just personal preferences nothing with the writing!
Profile Image for Szidi ☼.
946 reviews62 followers
July 8, 2019
Oh my oh my oh myyyyy!!! I laughed so hard at the beginning of this book. The notes for the reader from Nicky... LOL! I fell in love with this book at that moment!

Rigger was hilarious, i love him hard! The struggle with his life, all the decisions he have to made all the time... everything was perfectly written, all the emotions and the relationships, aww!!!

The light BDSM... :D Not a secret that i LOVE it hard, the darker the better, but this, OMG! This wasn't as light as Nicky think it is. I've read more lighter bdsm books, this wasn't light at all. Okay, it wasn't full on bdsm, but come on, Nael was a dom, and not the light kind of dom. Really, he was frightening, lol.

Nael and Rigger's relationship was unique, i loved every seconds of it. It was a really good read, but Nael was a bit too much for me. I don't like this type of men in real life and in books neither, but he was perfect for Rigger.
Profile Image for Shelba.
2,748 reviews102 followers
August 30, 2019
I enjoyed this. I've dropped the Trials of Fear series, as they just weren't satisfying reads for me. I thought this one, being less focused on actual phobias, and of a shorter length, may appeal more, and it did. I do think as far as the D/s elements, it could have dove a little deeper. That being said, the information given did seem as though it was just being dumped upon the reader, as opposed to naturally worked into the story. Given the length, this was a pretty solid effort and if the full length stories were a little less OTT, like this one, I may have still been reading thr series.
Profile Image for Ana  Nimity.
1,327 reviews64 followers
July 8, 2019
I know that Nicky James meant this to be a novella to tie up Rigger's loose ends but I really want more. I almost deducted a star because I didn't feel like I got to know Naël well enough, and I wanted more of him with Rigger, but... I knew going in what the story was supposed to be so I can't fault it for being so good that it wasn't enough.
Nicky also thinks she can't write kink. I disagree.
If you loved Krew and Max, you'll love Rigger's story too. I did!
Profile Image for Essie .
977 reviews11 followers
July 5, 2019
Rigger is such a sweetheart! And Naël is perfect for him.
The only thing I didn’t like was the length of the story. I would have loved to read more.
The notes from the author before the story start made me laugh. She is an awesome writer!
Profile Image for m..
836 reviews82 followers
July 30, 2019
3.5 STARS

Hot, yet sweet, lil bdsm book.

I don't usually like bdsm in my books, but this author always finds a way to make me enjoy stuff I wouldn't typically like because they serve a clear purpose for the story and make sense for the characters.

Can't wait for the next niblet!
Profile Image for  ☔️ Stormy Day Reader .
1,214 reviews41 followers
May 31, 2020
After all the build-up in the last book, I was really looking forward to Rigger’s story. It was very disappointing. I can’t even tag this one as romance because there’s really nothing romantic about it.
Profile Image for Sue bowdley.
1,450 reviews
August 12, 2019
I've loved this series so much..It's one of my favourites..This novella was just amazing..Rigger gets his man and help with his fear of making decisions...A perfect addition to the series x
Profile Image for JD Crittendon.
1,171 reviews11 followers
August 30, 2019
The Only Decision That Mattered!

An enjoyable, succinct tale about indecisive Rigger finding what he needed with Dom Naël. Totally likable! BDSM lite.
Editing: Good!
Profile Image for Lily.
Author 24 books40 followers
September 27, 2019
😍😍😍😍😍

Omg. I adore Rigger so I'm over the moon that he found his HEA end 😍 Thank you Nicky for putting your stories on KU!!
Profile Image for Michelle.
Author 1 book19 followers
August 7, 2020
Hard to rate

I'd give this book at 3.5. It was hard to rate though because of how it hovered in the middle and didn't commit one way or the other. At the beginning, the author gives two notes to readers about how this isn't a BDSM book and to not expect that. But this book is about a 24/7 D/s relationship.

So either no one understood it and could clarify that for her or people aren't aware that D/s falls into BDSM and that 24/7 is INTENSE. Just because there isn't flogging, spanking, etc. doesn't mean there's no BDSM. And that you'd be so worried about managing expectations that you give two warnings at the beginning of a story, then proceed to give one of the most intense forms of kink is laughable.

It's easy to go to a party and get spanked or meet someone for two hours and be tied up and flogged. It's a LOT harder to trust someone enough to let them tell you how to dress, what to eat, where you'll live, whether you'll go to college, how to spend your money. It takes a lot of time and responsibility to be Nael and a lot of trust and commitment to be Rigley.

But because the author clearly only counts flogging and spanking (and other bedroom activities) as BDSM, the book ends up not committing to the level of sexy that power exchange can be. So it pulls back.

It doesn't dive into the appeal and turn on involved for folks that do enjoy 24/7 D/s. It falls flat. It doesn't play up the sex appeal of Nael's confidence, his giving Rigley strict rules, or making Rigley kneel in the corner when he messes up. Everything is bland, rushed, skipped over. And things that could have been the meat of the story, end up being thrown on the plate as an afterthought.

If you're going to write anything BDSM related, know what BDSM is (the wide extent of it, not just the 50 Shades bedroom trend) and do the work to bring it to life. In the end, I enjoyed what I could of the story. Pulling from it the power exchange that was all over the pages, while wishing it was more and done better. But couldn't fully enjoy the story because of how clearly it failed to understand it's own beauty.

Anyone wanting to see the beauty of power exchange (with or without the need for sexy bedroom kink) read Finding Ripley by Riley Hart. Over half the story doesn't include any sex but intensely showcases the sex appeal, intensity, and joy of D/s.
Profile Image for Isa Tis.
612 reviews10 followers
May 17, 2020
3.25*

Notre petit, et so cuuute, Rigger a lui aussi droit à son histoire et j’en suis très heureuse ! J’avais beaucoup aimé son exubérance dans Fearless et j’avais aussi eu un peu mal au cœur de voir Max insensible à ses charmes et n’avoir d’yeux que pour Krew… poor baby !

Rigger’s decision est une petite nouvelle très agréable et drôle dans laquelle notre jeune barman va trouver sa perle en la personne de Naël, un Dom, qui saura parfaitement calmer ses angoisse. Naël intronisera Rigger dans le monde du BDSM, d’ailleurs les réactions de Krew à ce sujet sont impayables 🤣🤣🤣
L’aspect BDSM reste très soft mais j’ai quand même adoré voir Naël à l’œuvre avec Rigger et la façon dont ce dernier trouve l’apaisement dans ce genre de relation.

Alors cette nouvelle n’est évidemment pas aussi aboutie que les romans de la série ; je n’aurais pas dit non à une bonne centaine de pages en plus d’autant que la fin est un peu abrupte et que j’aurais adoré avoir le point de vue de Naël , qui reste bien mystérieux, en plus je rêvais de le voir dire quelques mots en français vu son nom !

Malgré tout, cette nouvelle plongée dans l’univers de la série Trials of fears m’a mise de très bonne humeur en plus de me permettre de revoir Krew et Max 🥰
Profile Image for Infinite Scythe.
570 reviews21 followers
June 5, 2020
Writing: great
Plot & pacing: Honestly part of me wished that this book was longer because I liked Rigger and wanted to see him be happy.
Characters: No issues here
Overall: Was pretty much what I expected when I read the last part of the previous book. I guess the only issue I had was that Nael didn't really communicate amazingly with Rigger? When they were together there wasn't any issues, but apart I felt like he wasn't even trying to be there because he already had a plan that would get them to live together. I'm glad it worked out in the end, but it felt like Nael didn't give their trial run his best effort, while Rigger was trying his best. Also their relationship didn't really see any development? Yes it's a novella but good Dom/sub relationships aren't built in a day (or a night). The ending was a clean wrap up but I think I just wanted to see something more realistic.
Would recommend: Yeah
Profile Image for Rebecca.
1,488 reviews88 followers
December 14, 2021
I am so glad we got a story for Rigger. He's always been intriguing as a background character, and getting in his head endeared him to me. He's joyous and talented, but painfully insecure at times. His constant second-guessing was exhausting and my heart went out to him. His relationship with Nael was exactly what he needed and I'm glad they were able to come to an arrangement that worked for both of them. I wish we had some kinky scenes, not just discussion, but the author admits that she herself isn't that well versed in the lifestyle. Also, if we could have had some insight into Nael's character, that would have been great. He came across cold at times, but given that we do see tenderness and affection, I'm guessing that has more to do with maintaining his role as dominant than anything. Overall, this was a nice addition.
Profile Image for Akame.
535 reviews6 followers
June 12, 2023
Krótka historia barmana Riggera, przyjaciela Krew. Rigger zawsze był piętnowany przez brata i ojca, jako ten gorszy, nieudacznik, gej. W wieku dwudziestu pięciu lat, nie potrafi podjąć żadnej decyzji. Najchętniej zadowoliłby każdego, aby nikt się nie obraził jego wyborem. Rigger potrzebuje doma, który dokładnie powie mu co ma robić, dosłownie dając mu wytyczne na każdy dzień. Wtedy jego szalejący umysł się uspokaja i może dokładnie się dostosować. Byłaby piąteczka, gdyby było to normalniej książkowej długości. Szkoda bo historia Riggera naprawdę mnie zaciekawiła, a miałam wrażenie, że wszystko toczyło się na przyspieszonych obrotach ;)
Profile Image for Raine.
43 reviews
January 4, 2021
Ooooops - silly me read this after Krew’s book (book 4?!). Rigger was featured quite a bit in it then I spotted his name in the title so dove in before checking! Ah well, I enjoyed it greatly anyway and hopefully I haven’t screwed it up by getting the reading order wrong. A little quickie read about acceptance. I guessed there had to be a lot more to Rigger after reading Krew’s book and this quick read was enough to give him some more substance. I don’t usually like quick reads but it’s easier if there’s a little foundation for the character in another book :-)
Profile Image for Alicia Meyer.
1,568 reviews2 followers
October 19, 2022
Rigger and Nael

I really want to give this a full star review but I just can’t only because it’s so short, it feels it feels unfinished. I have heard a lot about people in Rigger’s situation and their desires to be in situations like he has with Nael because they don’t have to make decisions. This actually helped me to understand it a bit better and appreciate their decision to be a sub of this fashion. I wish their was more but I was happy to read his story even if it was brief.
Profile Image for Amber Fueston.
1,540 reviews9 followers
March 9, 2020
Despite outward appearances Rigger is a very timid and anxious man. His insecurities and chaotic mind made it very easy to care about him. What was missing in this story was substance. There was way too much explaining and not enough showing. It made the whole story feel passionless and flat. There wasn't enough "meat" to the story. We kept getting references to his unaccepting and cruel family, particularly his brother, but we never see any interactions or get and resolution.
Profile Image for Amos24601.
1,289 reviews43 followers
April 16, 2020
I needed more! I’ve always adored Rigger and I’m happy that we got a number for him. Better then nothing. But...I needed more Rigger. I felt like Nael was everything Rigger needed and every time Rigger called him sir, I sighed. It was lovely seeing Rigger finally find his place. I’d definitely read a second, full length book with these two.
Profile Image for Smut Librarian.
1,367 reviews54 followers
May 13, 2020
Oh – Rigger is completely relatable to me! I felt very deeply for his struggles and I found an element of hurt/comfort in this book that spoke to me on a visceral level. Completely standalone if you haven’t read the other books, but an understanding of Krew is helpful to follow along with the dynamics.
Profile Image for Laks.
847 reviews
June 5, 2021
3.5 stars

Review - Liked this one. It started off really good with a fabulous and sexy Rigger who is spiraling in a pool of bad decisions. Nael is someone perfect for him, who can calm the storm inside Rigger and
provide a firm hand in everything.

A good read for a short book. Would have been so much better with more scenes and some more output from Nael.
Profile Image for J.L..
Author 14 books70 followers
July 27, 2021
The author claims she can't write kink, and sure, 98% of the sex in this book can be considered vanilla. However, this novella is an excellent depiction of what a lifestyle power exchange dynamic can look like outside the bedroom and how it can be an important part of a person's life. I do wish we'd gotten to know Nael a bit better, but I was thoroughly pleased with Rigger's happily ever after.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews