Love Spanks

by R. Cayden

Sometimes, the sweetest guys have the spiciest desires...

Xavier
Back in college, Dominick was a dreamboat senior, and one of the hottest guys on campus. That's why it was so humiliating when a game of truth or dare in the dorms brought my hidden kink right to the surface, and I had to run away like an awkward freshman before a smack on the rear from Dominick turned my world upside down.
Seven years later, and I never expected to see him again. After inheriting my father's candy store, I had settled into a quiet life in Denver, and left my fantasies deeply hidden. Then Dominick came back from New York City to run a city redevelopment project for the year, a project that looked like it might steamroll my little candy shop. And just like that, the dreamboat senior was standing at my door, and I was out of places to hide.

Dominick
I wonder if Xavier even remembers that game of truth or dare. It was before I had accepted my own dominant tendencies, and before I had made a name for myself as one of the most powerful business sharks in Manhattan.

But after the death of my grandmother brought me back to Denver, I was surprised to find that adorkably charming freshman, grown into just the kind of submissive man I loved. Following a catastrophe with my ex-boyfriend in New York, I knew not to mix business and pleasure. I knew that I couldn't let my kinky fantasies get in the way of the city redevelopment job. And with my firm waiting back in New York and one year to pull of this project, I definitely couldn't start thinking with my heart.

No matter how sweet that boy really was, or how good it felt to be back home.

Love Spanks is a 70K+ MM romance novel. Xavier and Dominick's story is sweet and spicy with lots of heat on the way to an HEA! Enjoy!

Genres: BDSM, M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, LGBT

253 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 10, 2019

About the author

R. Cayden writes steamy M/M romance and sweet, easy reads.

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You can also send along an email. I love hearing from readers, and knowing what you think of the stories!

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Thanks for reading!

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc provided courtesy of LesCourt
All reviews are voluntary and my honest opinion.

Xavier and Dominick have a misunderstanding in college over a dare.
When Dominick moves back to Denver years later, the two finally have a second chance to resolve their unrequited feelings.

As the title implies, this romance primarily focuses on a shared spanking kink. It's pretty fluffy as kink stories go. Xaiver runs a small candy store and has the personality to match. Dominick just wants to establish his legacy. He's giving himself ten months.

I think some of Xavier's bratty moments are a little over the top and these two could communicate better, but overall a sweet quick read.

(Love spanks is like the lovechild of Silvia Violet and Misha Horne, if you like their books you'll probably like this one.) 3.5/5

[Calila · Rating 3 out of 5]

*A copy of this book was provided for free by the author in exchange for an honest review.*

Starts of very slow and hard to get into. I almost gave up honestly, but powered through. It gets a little better after like 20 or 30%. But then it lost me again towards the end. I just don't think I ultimately liked Xavier enough. He wasn't bad for the entire book, but man he had moments that IRKED the heck out of me and ruined the times he was good. I just thought his insecurity was too much. He literally follows his maybe kind of boyfriend to another city because he left for A DAY without telling him. After throwing a fit that said maybe kind of boyfriend didn't stop a city plan with the snap of his fingers because it meant so much to Xavier. He was just ridiculous. Not to mention his annoyance that everyone treated him as if he were still a child. WELL. ACT LIKE AN ADULT. Maybe people will see you was one. UGH he bugged me so much. Dominick wasn't much better. He was a bit of a cliche of a "business shark" character. He was just typical, not annoying. So he came off looking better over all. The parts where it was just Xavier and Dominick connecting as people, those were the best parts. Those moments are why this has 3 stars after all is said and done. They were great. Side characters were fine. Not particularly memorable but not objectionable.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a sweet little surprise this book ended up being! I saw the title and immediately thought I'd feed my id, and I ended up getting more than I bargained for.

Xavier is the sunny, sweet owner of a local candy store who still harbors a crush on the hot college senior who almost fulfilled his spanking fantasy years ago. Now, they are both adults, and when Dominick shows back up in Xavier's life (and his fantasies), Xavier finally gets to scratch that long-hidden itch. But they are both different people now--Xavier a small-business owner, Dominick an ultra-successful business mogul--who lead different lives, and Xavier isn't about to give his heart and deepest desires to someone who will only leaver him in the end.

This story just flows, and the characters have an easy chemistry that will make you smile on every page. They are also pretty layered and flawed, too, moreso than many characters in BDSM stories. Xavier craves to be spanked and humiliated by a lover, but he also knows his worth, sets his boundaries, and makes it known that he won't settle for someone who won't give him 100%. And Dominick, ever the cool and suave businessman, practically turns into mush in Xavier's hands--a vulnerability he's not used to. These elements, along with an actual story and compelling minor characters, make for a pretty damn good book that could've just settled on hot, kinky nothingness.

This book started my still-going R. Cayden binge, but if it is doing the same for you, note that this is pretty much the author's only M/M romance--the rest seem to be poly/M/M/M romances. Not a bad thing at all, just a heads up!

[Shelba · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 50%

The is virtually no distinction between the two MCs' POVs, and considering they have very different characters, their narratives should reflect that. Aside from that, the plot isn't enough to continue. I think the scene at the karaoke bar just kind of killed all interest for me... it was supposed to be a conversation where they discussed expectations and considering Xavier's inexperience with spanking and BDSM in general, I think this should have been a more serious discussion and not just a "tell me about your fantasies" moment, with a karaoke duet thrown in. I don't particularly care for BSDM, but I prefer when there are talks of hard limits, sub/dom drop, safewords... and maybe that does happen later on, but it's like Xavier is just blindly trusting Dominick because of a schoolboy crush.

[Patricia Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this sweet, grab-you-by-the-feels, poignant, adorable, naughty, charming, engaging, lovely, and delightfully delicious second chance/friends-to-lovers story. I can't wait to see what happens next with this new-to-me author.

[Cally · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best part about this book is that the mistakes and miscommunications are solved with actual talking. No big breakup or running away scenes, just two adults trying to figure things out.

[Xanthe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A long held college crush comes back into Xavier's life in unexpected circumstances and they reconnect in way he couldn't have even dreamed.
There is a quick connection built between Xavier and Dominick but it is something that feels right for the characters. Xavier has been thinking about Dominick for years and the same for Dominick about Xavier, in the back of his mind. Dominick is also a ruthless and controlled businessman who knows what he wants. I love how they talk through everything as they meet again and learn new things about each other, especially their shared kink of spanking. The two men have a damn hot first "scene" together and Dominick is so caring in his treatment of Xavier.
There is a plot line that includes both men with Dominick coming to Denver to overlook redevelopment projects and Xavier's neighbourhood being one of those projects with lack of/miscommunication being a huge problem. Xavier also has a problem as not being seen as a grown up around the other business owners as he's been around them since he was young and now owns his father's candy store. There's also the possibility of corruption within the group of people that Dominick is working with.
The climax of the story fell a little flat for me, with it all being sorted rather quickly and with little fanfare but overall this is a really enjoyable story to read. There are a lot of great characters alongside our MC's that really add to the fun and support that there is throughout, especially Georgia (Xavier's best friend).
Absolutely a recommended read, a great starter for anyone looking to get into kink/BDSM with this being on the lighter side.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.

[Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read, but something was missing...

Ok. I liked this book. The characters are fun, including the side characters, and the I enjoyed the block of small local businesses. I never felt like the pacing slowed down and I didn’t have trouble reading through to the end. The relationship was solid, their chemistry decent, and it was definitely hot.

Oh and for the most part the conflict came from outside the relationship. I absolutely appreciated the maturity of the main characters when it came to addressing and handling problems.

The name of the book and blurb make it sound like it’s going to be an especially kinky book, but it’s really not. Yes those scenes are hot, but they’re not a huge focus on the story. Which is fine. Except that’s what the relationship itself revolves around. That threw me off, but it didn’t make me dislike the book.

I think the real problem (for me) was the lack of communication between the main characters. It felt like they were separate the majority of the time, doing their own thing, and even when they were together they didn’t discuss much, especially not about their relationship. The relationship in itself was believable - no issue there - but it felt like the story skipped over key elements that would build up the relationship and add more depth to it.

I might be getting too picky on this one, but something felt like it was missing as I was reading.

It’s still a good book, though, and I do recommend it! Just know it reads like a fun little romance with a dash of hotness.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Spanks by R. Cayden is a slow steamy read I loved reading. This book is written in dual pov which helped me get into the heads of both characters.
Xavier: He is shy, bratty, and sweet to the core. He owns a candy store. He wants a dominate to spank him more than words can say. But his delivery and actions are awkward and tend to scare men off before things can get going.
Dominick has always wanted Xavier. He just didn’t know how to express his feelings when they were in college. Now he is worried about people he does business with finding out he is a dominate into bdsm. He finds everything about Xavier sexy. He wants the man he just must trust that Xavier is as sweet as the candy store the man runs.
I liked this story. When your college crush comes back and you get to find your happily ever after with him. There is some bdsm in here, but it is light mostly spanking and tying up. It just adds another layer to a great sweet romance. This is my first time reading this author and I will be on the lookout for more from them. When you want a kinky romance that will make you believe in true love, I highly suggest this one.


Five Shooting Stars

[Belinda Zamora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Xavier and Dominik met in college during as frat party where they were taunted to do something kinky with one another. Dominik froze because it was something he was beginning to explore and Xavier ran, seeing it as rejection.
It's years later and Dominik has become a corporate shark and Xavier took over his father's candy store after his death.
Xavier's friend Georgia takes him to a kink party where they run into each other.
They have as connection but Dominik has to run because of business and Xavier feels rejected once again.
They meet again at Xavier's candy shop and Xavier recognizes Dominik as the man from the party.
They begin seeing one another but problems arise because Dominick's company is in charge of renovating the neighborhood and there seems to be a lack of communication between the city and business owners.
They begin exploring spanking together and realize that each is what the other needs to be complete.
There's also some misunderstandings and drama within Dominick's company concerning shady business deals.
This was a really cute and fluff story.

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. Super cute and fun story. No angst, well written, just the right amount of steam and likable characters. It was great. I really liked both Xavier and Dominick and I thought they were great for each other. I loved that they'd known each other in college and linked back up when Dominick came back into town. Their dynamics were fun and the relationship develops at a pretty good pace. They have a lot of flirty banter that I loved. The fact that Xavier owned a candy shop was just perfect for his character it fit him so well. He was sweet and shy and I enjoyed watching him slowly come out of his shell and become confident in himself over the course of the book. Dominick was hot. He knew what he wanted and he had no problems going after it. The ending was super cute and I honestly wouldn't mind reading a second book or at least a companion novel that follows another character so that way I can still get more of these two. Such an adorable read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[lorikayhorsfall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written.

This book was well written and a good example of a kinky , loving couple . It takes work to make a relationship succeed . It takes communication also . I'm a kinky relationship these things are necessary . Good job conveying that to us.

[Teal Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Spanks by R. Cayden is a  contemporary m/m romance with a sexy taste of BDSM. Xavier and Dominick’s story is sweet and steamy. These two met in college but it wasnt their time... now adults, their paths cross again and they have a second chance to delve into their secret and mutual desires. But of course is never that easy and theres a few obstacles in their way to happily kinky ever after. This story has drama, spanking, humor, steam and romance. Well written and interesting, it captures your interest and satisfies your desire for a good book.

I received an advanced reader's copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.

[Patricia Hoffstaetter · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable & rather sweet second-chance MM romance with a well-paced, interesting plot & well-developed characters although one of them is inclined to exhibit a workaholic tendency.
There is: a bratty 25yr old man (Xavier) inherits his father’s candy store & trouble arrives when a old heart-throb (Dominick) reappears with a city revitalization plan, Xavier’s caring friend (Georgia), mild twists, drama, humor, fantasies, memories, attractions, meetings, mild spanking, suspicions, insecurities, confrontations, manipulations, surprises, happiness, love, some steam & a delightful conclusion.

[Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story with a little spanking action. Xavier has recently inherited a candy store from his passed father and one day in walks Dominick. They met each other back in college via playing Truth or Dare and didn't get to progress too much with any kind of relationship. I love that there isn't a lot of build up or suspense about trying to figure out who each other is but they recognize each other and have to find out who they are now. There is a lot of self discovery on both characters parts. And they have to build on those to create a relationship together. I love their exploration of spanking and what it means to each of them. This was a candy sweet story.

[Audrey Pott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mild BDSM and a great well written story. Xavier and Dominick knew each other back in college but not there time, now years later they meet again. There love of kink brings them together, such a sweet hot steamy romance, easy to fall in love with them. The pages flowed I read it in one sitting. Most of the characters were lovely but there has to be one who will get there just desserts.

I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book for my honest opinions of which I’m under no obligation to do so. I definitely recommend this book.

[Phoenix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn't like a game of truth or dare. Well it doesn't always true out like it should or how you thought it did. Take Xavier for instance he remembers all to well the look on Dominick's face. Fast forward and they are brought together again and this time is so much more enjoyable. This was a super sweet book with a happy ending. I loved the development of the characters and the details put into the story. Very well done. Funny, sweet and lovable what more can you ask for.... well maybe a spanking or two as well.

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, this was a nice story and cute that Xavier and Dominick were able to connect again and find what they have been looking for in each other.

Now, I had trouble with the time line as things that happened the day before would be referred to as the other day and then there would be gaps of time that I had no idea how long. It just stood to frustrate me as did Dominick’s inability to realize what was going on with his project quickly let alone how he just acted as though he was always right in his actions.

I received a copy of this book and am giving an honest review.

[Mim Crenshaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good entertaining read that had a little D/s play in it. Xavier was a sweet guy with a true submissive heart, and Dominic was a workaholic Dom. Their chemistry was something that could be felt as you read the story. There was just enough of a backstory to keep you wondering how their present relationship would play out.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Denise GremoryKohta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this was so good!!

The first thing that came to mind after reading this was it was just like I imagine the Zing pop to be, sweetness with a zing to it. Xavier stoke might heart quick while Dominick snuck up on me. I enjoyed these guys so much. Georgia was the perfect friend and I’d love more Zachary. Once you start reading you are hooked in. And Xavier’s store sounds like a dream. So does some other places in town. I would love to visit again.

[Dee Winston · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. Xavier and Dominick were like magnets. What they thought was repulsion from each other was actually a force pulling them together. All it took was determination and will. They were so perfect for each other. They each had something to give the other and also something to learn from each other. This book had the right amount of hotness to keep me interested. And who wouldn't love Xaxier, he brought sunshine to whomever he was around .

[Essie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an okay read. I liked the characters, but they spent a lot of time apart. The business drama was underwhelming and vague. Not suspenseful enough to be called drama. It didn’t work for me as a sort of side plot. The time jumps that took place made me feel like I was missing some inportant relationship building.
But I enjoyed it wnough to finish it. Spanking with a bit of role play is always fun!

[Natasha Lynn Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

#Sweet

Xavier a cute little candy shop owner who I as sweet as his inventory.
Dominic the golden boy wolf of New York City.
They reconnect years later after a truth or dare game gone wrong in college, over their kink of spankings, Xavier wants to be spanked and Dominic loved to give them.

[Bookfan1980 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another great book from R.Cayden, following the story Xavier and his college crush Dominick. Meeting again years later when their paths cross during a city renovation project, both are faced with their old feelings and hidden desires. This is a sweet, low angst story about exploring your desires and falling in love.

[Colleen Cremen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so glad I found this author

This is my third R. Cayden books and I am definitely hooked on their stories. This one is about a candy store owner and the man he has had a crush on since college. Both men have the specific kink of spanking and this book is delicious sexy and sweet.

[Bob Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Put a smile on my face

R Cayden (a pen name) writes some of the best M/M and M/M/M books available. The author does not disappoint in this fun HEA romance. Xavier and Dominick have a secret kink... sub/dom spanking. They briefly meet in college but did not connect until years later. This is a fun story with great non-gratuitous erotica which is definitely worth a read.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet and steamy read. Xavier and Dominick are perfect for each other. Now their happy ending isn't without their struggles. However I love how their relationship develops and how this story progressed.The drama felt right and it made me smile at the end.

[Aerielle Bondi · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a deliciously, sweet, dirty story! I loved the chemistry between Xavier and Dominick. I found both characters to be interesting and engaging, I think the story being told in both characters POV really helped that. This was a great read!!

[Raven Immortas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first I have read by this author and I must say I liked it. There is light BDSM in the form of spanking and some tying up. A real nice slow burn story. if you are looking for a sweet but bratty character, Xavier is the man for you. I recommend this book to everyone.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Candy

I enjoyed this new to me author. Both Xavier and Dominick are very likable characters. This was a nice, low angst romance.