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Dandies, Inc. #2

Taken by Storm

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An #OwnVoices story.

Storm Danagger, aspiring fashion designer, only wants two things: to start his transition from female to male and to find a daddy. But who could possibly want a pup with the wrong body?

Photographer Ethan Atwood gave up dating after his last pup cruelly rejected both him and his work, but when he meets little Storm, he can't resist trying to pursue the sweet boy, not even when he discovers that Storm is trans.

With Ethan's help, Storm starts to transition, but when Ethan's ex suddenly reappears in all his supermodel glory, Storm is certain he'll never compare.

But Ethan is completely taken, and when he helps Storm find the courage to embrace his true self, Ethan just might find the strength to do the same.

(Note: This story takes place in a fictional world, the same as in the Shifting Isles Series. There are multiple gods, different names for the days of the week, etc. A glossary is included.)

278 pages, Paperback

Published March 19, 2020

25 people are currently reading
80 people want to read

About the author

G.R. Lyons

70 books258 followers
G.R. Lyons stumbled into writing as a form of trauma recovery when traditional therapy wasn't working.

Then the story ideas just kept on coming.

Pulling from a vivid imagination as well as real-life experience as a trans man, a sexual assault survivor, and a person living with mental illness, Lyons has written multiple, interconnected series set within his fictional world of the Shifting Isles.

When not writing, Lyons can be found belly dancing around the house, studying anarcho-capitalist philosophy, buried in his never-ending TBR pile, or working out at the local CrossFit gym.

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5 stars
63 (46%)
4 stars
44 (32%)
3 stars
18 (13%)
2 stars
8 (5%)
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2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Profile Image for Nanna Mørk-Sander.
711 reviews43 followers
March 24, 2020
Not necessarily a bad book, but it wasn't for me.

The story's main focus is Storm and his transition, so a lot a time passes within relatively few pages. That means that all other aspects become more shallow and superficial because the reader doesn't actually see relationships etc. evolve.
Profile Image for Badh.
3,311 reviews66 followers
March 23, 2020
OMG, I can't give this enough stars. I'm always saying representation matters, which it does, but even more, Own Voices is important. And this is an Own Voices story, and one that is so important.

I really enjoyed watching Storm's journey. We went from a point where he really hated his body to a point where he was much happier with himself and the way that he looked. It wasn't an easy journey for him, and it isn't one that should be brushed over. GR Lyons really put some things in this one that I had never thought of, having never been in Storm's situation, but they made perfect sense.

I was really knocked out and broken by some of what happened in this book. Storm was so strong through, he had to be. Honestly, I'm not so sure I could've been as strong and brave as he was at times.

I thought that Ethan was definitely the best person for Storm. Ethan was so incredibly patient with Storm, and made sure to follow Storm's lead instead of just doing what he thought he should do and when he though it should happen. That just showed me how good a person that Ethan was.

I really loved this book.
253 reviews
March 22, 2020
I was hooked on this story from the very beginning! It was emotional and sweet but not overly angsty. Storm's journey felt incredibly realistic and is written by an own voices author. I enjoyed watching him grow throughout the story and become more confident in himself. Daddy Ethan was so very patient and a grounding presence for Storm's growth. I want to know more about others in this series, but Gale's story would be very interesting. Would recommend.




Personal note for rereads: one chapter had detailed explanations of needles, shots, and blood draws.
Profile Image for CassBP.
188 reviews
March 23, 2020
I loved storm in the first book .and all extras. I feel in love first with kacey and his daddies and now it get all in the same book. Gr Lyons has me spoiled...I thought, then right at the end here comes Simon and his dom. Nothing was more perfect except I can't wait till the next story.
I was so proud how storm took the courage to be brave and say no this wasn't me I was born wrong. I feel so much. I get it. I get this.
Just well done ✔
Profile Image for Elouise East.
Author 78 books283 followers
March 22, 2020
This book is emotional, but amazing. Even if you're not in Storm's position, you understand what he's going through because it's explained brilliantly. Ethan's character is considerate and patient. This is a fantastic addition to the series.
1,126 reviews1 follower
March 20, 2020
It is so nice to read a book that shows the transition and dysphoria in a meaningful way. Storm is so shy yet so so strong. As for Ethan he’s able to see exactly who Storm is beneath all those layers. This book made me laugh and it made my cry. Easily my favorite by this author.
Profile Image for BookloverIAM.
431 reviews
March 22, 2020
This was such a positive book and showed how a loving, caring, respectful relationship should look like. Ethan and Storms story is so positive and so moving. Well done!!!!
Profile Image for David Wickham.
655 reviews10 followers
July 12, 2021
It was just too sweet. No angst. No issues whatsoever. Storm's mother and her texts really don't count because Ethan or someone else was there whenever Storm got the texts so the bad feelings went away fairly quickly.

All the daddies are rich. If only it was like this in real life!

The book had real potential but it went nowhere.
Profile Image for Amber.
1,716 reviews8 followers
May 15, 2020
I loved it!

I loved getting to read Taken by Storm by G.R. Lyons. I love reading books with a FTM trans character and getting to see them go through their transition and finally being happy. The author did a wonderful job with researching transitioning in this book. I also loved getting to see more of the characters from the Transitivity series. I can't wait to read more books by this author. I read this book using the Kindle Unlimited program.
Profile Image for Teal Wolf.
3,414 reviews26 followers
April 5, 2020
Taken by Storm is the second book in the Dandies, Inc series by GR Lyons. This story is amazing... emotional, sweet, sexy. I love Ethan and Srorm and their relationship. The story drew me in and held me. Loved it.
Profile Image for A.L. Miller.
Author 5 books15 followers
March 31, 2020
Loved this one! This was my first book about puppy play and I actually really enjoyed it and the relationship worked very well for both characters. It was very well written and flowed very well with very well written characters. The characters were very well rounded and realistic. Storm and Ethan were adorable together and their chemistry was off the charts. This is definitely a feel good read with very low angst. Storm does struggle with his image at the very beginning before beginning transition but had so many people who gave him the love and support he needed. The author did a really good job with character development. I loved how Ethan wanted him for who he was no matter what and never made storm feel preassured to do anything he didn't want to do. Storm did what made him happy and that alone made Ethan happy. Look forward to reading more by this Author.
Profile Image for Amanda Hobson.
Author 7 books4 followers
March 31, 2020
Y’all this book. I really have loved all the installments of the Dandies, Inc. series so far, but this book is just so good. Storm had me in tears several times throughout the book because Lyons writes him so brilliantly. Ethan is lovely and such a thoughtfully created character, who is figuring out how to be a good Daddy and handler to Storm. This book demonstrates 100% why we need #OwnVoice stories.
Profile Image for Houseplant.
30 reviews5 followers
June 17, 2023
I knew going into this that it was Daddy kink and Puppy play, and I thought I could ignore the Daddy kink. I couldn't. This rating is my PERSONAL enjoyment and not a recommendation or dis for anyone else.

Tonality wise? this was 100% what I was craving to read at the moment.

Did things progress a bit too fast in terms of Storm's surgeries? Yes, but I can also see why we'd want to gloss over those and not basically write disability porn for the able bodied. PLUS I think if you're actively seeking out a book with an FTM lead in a consensual sexual relationship, you probably already know what most of these surgeries are and don't need to have them spoon fed to you.

(Though I would have loved more of a recovery arc, as it definitely felt like 'welp got bottom surgery, let's bone again'. But that may also just be my hurt/comfort fanfic brain working here. )

The only thing I will say is that the parents of Storm honestly could have been edited out entirely, they didn't really make a difference except to trigger his dysphoria but they felt like they had less personality than an abandoned traffic cone left on the interstate at 3am.

What I wanted: An explicitly gay man in a relationship with someone ftm and still accepting them as male
What I got: that
Would I read from this author again? Probably, if they write things without the daddy kink. I've tried it, it's not for me.
Profile Image for Trish Skywalker.
1,103 reviews64 followers
February 16, 2022
This was such a sweet story! Storm struggles every day with who he is on the outside not matching who he is on the inside, never wanting people to truly see him. He hides under baggy clothes, speaks softly, and hides himself as much as he can. When he braves going to a kink club one night, he meets Ethan, and incredibly kind Daddy looking for the perfect boy. And he knows Storm is it. Storm goes through a lot of emotions as he embarks on his transition; and he struggles to accept all of the changes he’s going through. But Ethan is kind, sweet, and so understanding, and happy to stand through his side. Watching Storm come into his own was really stunning, and seeing Ethan with him was beautiful. Another excellent read by GR Lyons!
Profile Image for Jay.
40 reviews2 followers
September 16, 2020
The only reason why I pressed on was because of the story of the ftm transgender protagonist, his sweet partner, and the sex scenes. For someone who had no idea of the types of kinks introduced it might put you off at the beginning like me, but after chapter 5 it starts to calm down and you dont feel like a fever dream. However if you're into the puppy, polygamy, gay relationships you'll like this book. If you're an ftm seeking a good book....ehhh....you might relate if you're in early transition and are into older guys I guess? But I'd read 'A Boy Named Cin' first if that's the cause. However if you dont mind such themes, by all means I'm not gonna judge give this book a shot.
Profile Image for Denise GremoryKohta.
4,273 reviews7 followers
November 21, 2021
Beautiful!!!

This one was my favorite. It hit me deep. The emotions it pulled from me because of Storm’s journey and how much the author put into the story. Awed, inspired, proud were there as well as tears for the pain they endured along the way. I can’t find the right words to describe how deeply this one got to me. I’m just so darn proud of them and their strength. You may know what it means to be trans and have an idea of what they go through but unless you are you won’t truly know. Hopefully this gives a better understanding. It sure shows how much they deserve your respect and admiration.
Profile Image for Nudlez.
371 reviews5 followers
March 22, 2020
4* not my book. It takes place in a fantasy world, but there is ZERO world building. There is a preface that says for world building read book xy, but I expected at least a minimum on world building....
It felt very much like a story only about the transition of Storm with the author trying to build a story around, but it felt very forced. If you’re looking for a transition story with not much else, it’s maybe your book.
Profile Image for Jamie.
37 reviews1 follower
January 29, 2022
❤️

I loved this one. Seeing Storm through his whole trans journey and going from painfully shy to confident and happy was so inspiring. I think it's the first book I've seen that begins with pre-everything (except the Perspectives short with Zac), and follows the whole of the early stage of the process. Seeing Storm get his happy ever after was an amazing read!
1,533 reviews1 follower
June 9, 2022
Taken by Storm

This was a really good book. It is emotional, and occasionally hard to read because the emotions are so real, but everything gets better a bit at a time.
It was so easy to root for these two, and very satisfying when they made it to their HEA!
Profile Image for Bianca M.
918 reviews10 followers
October 2, 2022
Eye Opening

Not gonna lie, this book is one of the few I’ve read with trans people in it. And it is magnificent. The emotional turmoil and subsequent journey of healing comes across great. And while I’ve not read the other books in this series, it is easy to follow along.
489 reviews3 followers
December 17, 2023
There were a lot of really fun, cute romantic elements in this book. I was a bit disappointed that there was so much focus on the trans guy not wanting piv sex and that they’d explored other ways of having sex, but overall it was good.
383 reviews4 followers
October 13, 2021
A good read

These are slightly fluffy for me but I do enjoy them anyways. Lots of love and feel good moments in this and who wouldn’t love Storm!
Profile Image for Ankita Singh.
Author 4 books45 followers
January 25, 2021
Beautiful journey

This own voices story depicted a beautiful, heart-wrenching journey and I cherished every moment of it. Storm and Ethan's story was equal parts adorable and heartbreaking, and I loved it. Now, I'm going to go back and read all the other Dandies Inc books.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews

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