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The Game #3
Breathless
“Will you beat me without knowing the reason?”
That’s the question I ask when I go to clubs to seek out Sadists.
Most men say no immediately. They see the flags my question raises and walk away. They’re the good guys. They’re the guys who adhere to safe, sane, and consensual. They wanna be aware of the risks and cause no harm.
But I’m not looking for a good guy.
I’m looking for punishment.
The strobe lights hit me as I reach their table. The heavy, industrial music is deafening, and my head is swimming with images of grief, fire, and accusation. I hear the piercing tone of a machine letting me know that I have to tell my two kid brothers that our sister’s heart will never beat again.
Maybe these two twin Sadists will help me. The only thing bigger than River and Reese Tenley is their reputation. They better not let me down.
I ask my question. I ask if they’ll beat me without knowing why I want it.
They give me a stone-cold onceover, and I don’t know if it’s River or Reese who responds. He has a menacing-looking tattoo on his neck.
“Sure. It’s your funeral.”
That’s the question I ask when I go to clubs to seek out Sadists.
Most men say no immediately. They see the flags my question raises and walk away. They’re the good guys. They’re the guys who adhere to safe, sane, and consensual. They wanna be aware of the risks and cause no harm.
But I’m not looking for a good guy.
I’m looking for punishment.
The strobe lights hit me as I reach their table. The heavy, industrial music is deafening, and my head is swimming with images of grief, fire, and accusation. I hear the piercing tone of a machine letting me know that I have to tell my two kid brothers that our sister’s heart will never beat again.
Maybe these two twin Sadists will help me. The only thing bigger than River and Reese Tenley is their reputation. They better not let me down.
I ask my question. I ask if they’ll beat me without knowing why I want it.
They give me a stone-cold onceover, and I don’t know if it’s River or Reese who responds. He has a menacing-looking tattoo on his neck.
“Sure. It’s your funeral.”
254 pages, ebook
First published September 15, 2020
468 people are currently reading
2633 people want to read
About the author
Cara Dee
97 books4,094 followers
I'm often stoically silent or, if the topic interests me, a chronic rambler. In other words, I can discuss writing forever and ever. Fiction, in particular. The love story—while a huge draw and constantly present—is secondary for me, because there's so much more to writing romance fiction than just making two (or more) people fall in love and have hot sex. There's a world to build, characters to develop, interests to create, and a topic or two to research thoroughly. Every book is a challenge for me, an opportunity to learn something new, and a puzzle to piece together. I want my characters to come to life, and the only way I know to do that is to give them substance—passions, history, goals, quirks, and strong opinions—and to let them evolve. Additionally, I want my men and women to be relatable. That means allowing room for everyday problems and, for lack of a better word, flaws. My characters will never be perfect.
Wait…this was supposed to be about me, not my writing.
I'm a writey person who loves to write. Always wanderlusting, twitterpating, kinking, and geeking. There's time for hockey and cupcakes, too. But mostly, I just love to write.
I'm often stoically silent or, if the topic interests me, a chronic rambler. In other words, I can discuss writing forever and ever. Fiction, in particular. The love story—while a huge draw and constantly present—is secondary for me, because there's so much more to writing romance fiction than just making two (or more) people fall in love and have hot sex. There's a world to build, characters to develop, interests to create, and a topic or two to research thoroughly. Every book is a challenge for me, an opportunity to learn something new, and a puzzle to piece together. I want my characters to come to life, and the only way I know to do that is to give them substance—passions, history, goals, quirks, and strong opinions—and to let them evolve. Additionally, I want my men and women to be relatable. That means allowing room for everyday problems and, for lack of a better word, flaws. My characters will never be perfect.
Wait…this was supposed to be about me, not my writing.
I'm a writey person who loves to write. Always wanderlusting, twitterpating, kinking, and geeking. There's time for hockey and cupcakes, too. But mostly, I just love to write.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 413 reviews
September 20, 2020
4 Masochistic Tendencies is an Understatement Stars ⭐
It's no secret that twin brothers Reese and River Tenley are coveted sadists and reputable in the kink scene. As founders of a kink club, they take consensual behaviour and safety seriously. Yet behind closed doors they do things their way.
Shay Acton is a troubled young man. He uses his need for pain to mask his grief and guilt. Keen to find a sadist that will hurt him without asking questions, it has raised red flags in the kink community.
Reese and River have Shay on their radar. Knowing that he is a risk to himself and others, they need to either turn him away or handle it. And the twins are the best mind fuckers around which makes them perfectly equipped to tackle the minefield that is Shay.
It felt wrong to play along with his delusions, but I had to be patient.
"So, I gotta do this, kiss you and stuff, because otherwise, you won’t beat me?"
Was he trying to justify his own enjoyment? It was as endearing as it was tragic.
Shay is the ultimate pain slut. Unfortunately, his masochistic tendencies are no longer for the right reasons. He wants pain without the pleasure as a form of punishment. Except Reese and River are adamant about giving him both.
"They controlled me. They owned me. Without their sadism and guidance, I’d never feel this way. Free of boundaries, unshackled, filthy, hungry, raw, carnal. I didn’t care."
Breathless wasn’t just some kinky, glossed over saga. It dealt with serious issues of trauma, guilt and despair. Stumbling across Reese and River was a lifeline Shay desperately needed. I loved the maturity and care the twins displayed without holding back their true devious selves which eventually turned to love.
Fair warning, this book has a few triggers. Breathless is a ménage that thoroughly explores an s/m relationship, with a heavy focus on punishment, degradation and a little dub con. AND the taboo aspect of Reese and River's relationship that hints at incest.
Did this bother me? Not at all because Cara Dee writes stories that grab you by the throat and pushes you out of your comfort zone. It makes you realise that love isn't easily defined, yet everyone is deserving of it.
It's no secret that twin brothers Reese and River Tenley are coveted sadists and reputable in the kink scene. As founders of a kink club, they take consensual behaviour and safety seriously. Yet behind closed doors they do things their way.
Shay Acton is a troubled young man. He uses his need for pain to mask his grief and guilt. Keen to find a sadist that will hurt him without asking questions, it has raised red flags in the kink community.
Reese and River have Shay on their radar. Knowing that he is a risk to himself and others, they need to either turn him away or handle it. And the twins are the best mind fuckers around which makes them perfectly equipped to tackle the minefield that is Shay.
It felt wrong to play along with his delusions, but I had to be patient.
"So, I gotta do this, kiss you and stuff, because otherwise, you won’t beat me?"
Was he trying to justify his own enjoyment? It was as endearing as it was tragic.
Shay is the ultimate pain slut. Unfortunately, his masochistic tendencies are no longer for the right reasons. He wants pain without the pleasure as a form of punishment. Except Reese and River are adamant about giving him both.
"They controlled me. They owned me. Without their sadism and guidance, I’d never feel this way. Free of boundaries, unshackled, filthy, hungry, raw, carnal. I didn’t care."
Breathless wasn’t just some kinky, glossed over saga. It dealt with serious issues of trauma, guilt and despair. Stumbling across Reese and River was a lifeline Shay desperately needed. I loved the maturity and care the twins displayed without holding back their true devious selves which eventually turned to love.
Fair warning, this book has a few triggers. Breathless is a ménage that thoroughly explores an s/m relationship, with a heavy focus on punishment, degradation and a little dub con. AND the taboo aspect of Reese and River's relationship that hints at incest.
Did this bother me? Not at all because Cara Dee writes stories that grab you by the throat and pushes you out of your comfort zone. It makes you realise that love isn't easily defined, yet everyone is deserving of it.
October 17, 2020
~3.5~
I've been struggling with my rating for a couple of days.
I like Cara Dee's writing style, and I enjoyed getting to know the twins and Shay, but something was missing.
The BDSM was front and center. Some of it, like the shower scene, was too hardcore for me. I prefer BDSM Lite, and this wasn't it. The twins are serious Sadists, and they quickly fall for Shay.
River is the quiet twin. His specialty is mental torture (yikes!). Reese is more intense. He's the Daddy Dom. Both try to get Shay to admit he's been using pain in the wrong way for a long time.
Feeling guilty that he couldn't help his parents and younger sister escape a house fire, Shay wants the scene but not the aftercare, which is most definitely against community protocol.
I wanted River's voice. It's mostly Shay and Reese who narrate the story. The ending is rather abrupt (with an author's note promising more later), and I wasn't fully satisfied with the resolution.
But what bothered me most was that Dee refused to venture into the world of twincest (surprising, since she's the kink queen). Reese and River's sexual relationship is hinted at but fully off page, which was so damn disappointing.
I was waiting for something, anything, but it never happened. The twins have such a strong emotional connection, but all we got were a couple of throwaway kisses. Hell no, and also NO.
I've been struggling with my rating for a couple of days.
I like Cara Dee's writing style, and I enjoyed getting to know the twins and Shay, but something was missing.
The BDSM was front and center. Some of it, like the shower scene, was too hardcore for me. I prefer BDSM Lite, and this wasn't it. The twins are serious Sadists, and they quickly fall for Shay.
River is the quiet twin. His specialty is mental torture (yikes!). Reese is more intense. He's the Daddy Dom. Both try to get Shay to admit he's been using pain in the wrong way for a long time.
Feeling guilty that he couldn't help his parents and younger sister escape a house fire, Shay wants the scene but not the aftercare, which is most definitely against community protocol.
I wanted River's voice. It's mostly Shay and Reese who narrate the story. The ending is rather abrupt (with an author's note promising more later), and I wasn't fully satisfied with the resolution.
But what bothered me most was that Dee refused to venture into the world of twincest (surprising, since she's the kink queen). Reese and River's sexual relationship is hinted at but fully off page, which was so damn disappointing.
I was waiting for something, anything, but it never happened. The twins have such a strong emotional connection, but all we got were a couple of throwaway kisses. Hell no, and also NO.
April 12, 2022
I've said it before, and will no doubt say it loads more times, but Cara Dee writes utterly superb kink.
Here she's pushing all the boundaries in a sado/masochistic triad which really holds no punches back in describing just how deep into the kink some people need to go to feel free.
Shay is a beautifully complex character, he's bound tight in grief and survivor's guilt, and while there's echoes of similarity with Cole, Lucas and Kit, this triad is next level sadistic.
River and Reese absolutely fascinated me, I wanted to know everything about them, how they'd known they were sadists, why River's kink was mental while Reese's mixed Daddy care with brutality.
Together they were powerfully erotic but also emotionally healing for Shay.
This book demonstrates beyond just the words how some people need BDSM to free themselves from the trials of life, anxieties, worries and misplaced emotions which can be damaging if left to fester.
I loved reading these three totally changing their lives to accommodate new feelings and new desires.
This series is shaping up to be an absolute classic.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
Here she's pushing all the boundaries in a sado/masochistic triad which really holds no punches back in describing just how deep into the kink some people need to go to feel free.
Shay is a beautifully complex character, he's bound tight in grief and survivor's guilt, and while there's echoes of similarity with Cole, Lucas and Kit, this triad is next level sadistic.
River and Reese absolutely fascinated me, I wanted to know everything about them, how they'd known they were sadists, why River's kink was mental while Reese's mixed Daddy care with brutality.
Together they were powerfully erotic but also emotionally healing for Shay.
This book demonstrates beyond just the words how some people need BDSM to free themselves from the trials of life, anxieties, worries and misplaced emotions which can be damaging if left to fester.
I loved reading these three totally changing their lives to accommodate new feelings and new desires.
This series is shaping up to be an absolute classic.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
August 15, 2023
WOW. This book was so unexpectedly fantastic! I loved it so much more than I thought I would. Easily added to my favorites.
"Pain brought him to life. What a beautiful fucking sight."
This is not the first book including BDSM that I have read, but it has definitely piqued more of my interest in the subject. My inner masochist is wanting to come out. Sometimes too much Daddy talk is not for me, but it didn't really bother me here.
"They controlled me. They owned me. Without their sadism and guidance, I’d never feel this way. Free of boundaries, unshackled, filthy, hungry, raw, carnal. I didn’t care. I just chased the pleasure, even as it became one with the pain, both fueling me, both shoving me toward a sea of bliss."
The Tenley twins really complement each other so well. I want a Reese and River of my own. Swoon.
"River’s unwavering strength and quiet calm placed him in the shadow of Reese’s adrenaline-inducing personality and forceful approach, but there was no competition. They complemented each other."
I loved that River and Reese wanted to get to the bottom of Shay's issues and truly just help him. Make him realize he didn't deserve to be treated like trash. He was a worthwhile person. He deserved happiness too.
"I realized there was a pathetic, childish hope within me. Hope for them to save me from myself."
I really enjoy when there is a person (or persons in this case) that hasn't really committed to someone else because they haven't found that special combination of whatever that complements them and just fits uniquely with them. Their unicorn. And this happens here so nicely between Reese, River and Shay.
"If River was impatient to fuck a partner of ours, it meant all good things. It meant he found the boy special and something extra. But we had our way of doing things, and the first fuck was always a threesome. It was the ultimate way to experience our chemistry together."
"River and I have spent twenty years in and out of kink, and in four days, you turn our world upside down.” He stifled my gasp with a hand around my throat. “We’ve never felt possessive before."
These three together. Holy shit. THEY WERE SO HOT.
"Pain brought him to life. What a beautiful fucking sight."
This is not the first book including BDSM that I have read, but it has definitely piqued more of my interest in the subject. My inner masochist is wanting to come out. Sometimes too much Daddy talk is not for me, but it didn't really bother me here.
"They controlled me. They owned me. Without their sadism and guidance, I’d never feel this way. Free of boundaries, unshackled, filthy, hungry, raw, carnal. I didn’t care. I just chased the pleasure, even as it became one with the pain, both fueling me, both shoving me toward a sea of bliss."
The Tenley twins really complement each other so well. I want a Reese and River of my own. Swoon.
"River’s unwavering strength and quiet calm placed him in the shadow of Reese’s adrenaline-inducing personality and forceful approach, but there was no competition. They complemented each other."
I loved that River and Reese wanted to get to the bottom of Shay's issues and truly just help him. Make him realize he didn't deserve to be treated like trash. He was a worthwhile person. He deserved happiness too.
"I realized there was a pathetic, childish hope within me. Hope for them to save me from myself."
I really enjoy when there is a person (or persons in this case) that hasn't really committed to someone else because they haven't found that special combination of whatever that complements them and just fits uniquely with them. Their unicorn. And this happens here so nicely between Reese, River and Shay.
"If River was impatient to fuck a partner of ours, it meant all good things. It meant he found the boy special and something extra. But we had our way of doing things, and the first fuck was always a threesome. It was the ultimate way to experience our chemistry together."
"River and I have spent twenty years in and out of kink, and in four days, you turn our world upside down.” He stifled my gasp with a hand around my throat. “We’ve never felt possessive before."
These three together. Holy shit. THEY WERE SO HOT.
December 14, 2020
I just can't get enough of River and Reese. These two...gah! After reading the prequel, The Air That I Breathe and loving it so much, and the the outtakes from this book that were included, that illustrate just now close the brothers are - body, mind, and soul - I needed a reread. And this time, when I got to the scenes the outtakes were from, I switched over to the outtake and read it. Beautiful. Filthy. Sexy. Sublime.
---- Original Review -----
4.5 Stars
Oh, Cara Dee,
How I do love thee.
Thy kinky mind
Is so sublime
And filthy. filthy. filthy.
Breathless was more than I expected. I can always count on Cara Dee to turn up the heat and make me want more of things I didn't even know I needed. I wasn't sure what to expect from Breathless, beyond knowing it was how the twins got their third and that they're sadists.
In general, sadism isn't my thing. Degradation either. That said, Cara Dee made me like it. I would have loved a more taboo bent, though, I'll be honest. There is some very mild twincest, here, but unless the mere thought of that turns you off, I think you'll be surprised.
I loved how River and Reese handled Shay and their chemistry and dynamic just worked for me! The only thing that would have made me happier (aside from more than mild/implied twincest for my filthy self) would have been some of Cara Dee's trademarked angst to chew on. Still, I enjoyed Breathless quite a lot!
As always, Cara Dee delivers.
Read
October 19, 2020DNF
Ugh.
Did I download the wrong version?
It had a solid start. Shay was interesting, portrayed as a tough guy, strong fighter with serious anger issues, looking out for punishments for all the wrong reasons.
What just happened here?!
I am clearly the odd one, ignore me and give this a go.
Ugh.
Did I download the wrong version?
It had a solid start. Shay was interesting, portrayed as a tough guy, strong fighter with serious anger issues, looking out for punishments for all the wrong reasons.
What just happened here?!
I am clearly the odd one, ignore me and give this a go.
December 18, 2020
5 “We’re going to use every inch of you . . . You’ll wear our marks for weeks.” stars
Second read
Still 5 stars, this book got even better on my second read
I recently read the prequel to this book, The Air That I Breathe, which is about the two twins in this one and how they started having sex together when they were around 18. Reading it made me want to re-read this one so much. In this one we meet the twins again, but now they are full blown sadists and are in their 40s and this is the story about how they found a boy for themselves. In comes Shay, a masochist whose grieving the lost of his parents in a fire and who keeps asking sadists to punish him, but he doesn’t want to tell them why.
“This is how we want you. At our mercy, stripped of your defenses, and completely fucking breathless.”
At the end of the prequel, we get a couple of outtakes from this book, but that were re-written to include the twins being together and I went and read those instead of the ones in this book, when I came to those scenes. And it made my experience that much better. Also, I just have to mention how much I appreciate that all of the little quirks that Reese and River have in this one are shown in the prequel and we are shown how they developed those, so what made them the men they are in this book, and I just adore that, so much.
“I love seeing you suffer, pup.’’ . . . “This is just the beginning for us. We will tear you up and push you down. You’ll wear our marks with fucking pride.” . . . “You will be our masterpiece.”
I don’t have much to add to my original review of this one. I still adore how well these three communicate and how this is really low angst for the subject matter. When you read the premise, about a masochist and how he’s seeking out sadists to punish him, it’s easy to assume that this one would be full of angst but there is barely any and I love that because I am not the biggest fan of angst.
Also, god do I love Reese and River. I love how calm and quiet River is compared to Reese’s reckless attitude. They are the perfect foil for each other. They compliment each other so damn well. And Shay, god do I adore Shay. At the start, the poor guy is so lost, he doesn’t know who he is anymore. But god does he finds himself and what he wants. And I adore that. I also adored seeing him go from afraid and refusing to open up to being all sweet and opening up to the twins, the switch is so nicely done.
I wanted to stay here forever. I wanted my body to be sore like this forever too. Marks from my Sadists and a peaceful mind—was there anything better?
And lastly, I have to comment on the sex because jesus christ is it hot. Some of the best sex scenes I have ever read are in this book. The twins are sadists, River prefers mental side of it (humiliation, degration, etc.) while Reese prefers the physical side of it. And Shay is a masochist who also happens to love being degraded. We get a bunch of different scenes in this one, exploring the different sides of their kinks and they’re all so damn hot. Also, I adore how Reese is a daddy to Shay while River rather dominate him, there is such a nice balance between the two.
‘’You like the floor, huh?” Daddy combed his fingers through my wet hair and scratched my scalp. “Yes, Sir.” I stroked his cock lovingly and kissed it. “It’s peaceful down here. I’m just your little animal, and I have my Owner and my Daddy to take care of everything.” “That’s absolutely right.” The praise in Daddy’s tone made me happy. “You leave everything to us.”
Special mention to that one degradation scene, the first time the twins try it with Shay, that is probably the best sex scene I have ever read in a book. It is so well done and so fucking hot. That scene is just the best.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Original Review
5 very kinky very sadistic stars.
I don’t have much to say except that I adored this. Everything about it was so perfect.
I loved how it was pretty light on the angst, all the angst’s was very understandable and came from Shay’s life, and his grief. There is was over the top or none neccesary angst. All of it was believable and dealt with perfectly. Also loved how there was no relationship angst. These three knew they wanted to be together from the start and they had very open communication, there was never a doubt that they are meant to be together and they never questionned it either, they all went with it and kept talking about what they wanted and made it work. I loved that part so much.
And lastely, the kink was so well done, I loved it. I loved how much it was shown that everyone loved everything that was happening. It always felt very pure and loving, even if Shay was inflicted so much pain, you were always shown how much he wanted it and loved it. Everything was so well done and so damn hot. Loved it, so much.
Second read
Still 5 stars, this book got even better on my second read
I recently read the prequel to this book, The Air That I Breathe, which is about the two twins in this one and how they started having sex together when they were around 18. Reading it made me want to re-read this one so much. In this one we meet the twins again, but now they are full blown sadists and are in their 40s and this is the story about how they found a boy for themselves. In comes Shay, a masochist whose grieving the lost of his parents in a fire and who keeps asking sadists to punish him, but he doesn’t want to tell them why.
“This is how we want you. At our mercy, stripped of your defenses, and completely fucking breathless.”
At the end of the prequel, we get a couple of outtakes from this book, but that were re-written to include the twins being together and I went and read those instead of the ones in this book, when I came to those scenes. And it made my experience that much better. Also, I just have to mention how much I appreciate that all of the little quirks that Reese and River have in this one are shown in the prequel and we are shown how they developed those, so what made them the men they are in this book, and I just adore that, so much.
“I love seeing you suffer, pup.’’ . . . “This is just the beginning for us. We will tear you up and push you down. You’ll wear our marks with fucking pride.” . . . “You will be our masterpiece.”
I don’t have much to add to my original review of this one. I still adore how well these three communicate and how this is really low angst for the subject matter. When you read the premise, about a masochist and how he’s seeking out sadists to punish him, it’s easy to assume that this one would be full of angst but there is barely any and I love that because I am not the biggest fan of angst.
Also, god do I love Reese and River. I love how calm and quiet River is compared to Reese’s reckless attitude. They are the perfect foil for each other. They compliment each other so damn well. And Shay, god do I adore Shay. At the start, the poor guy is so lost, he doesn’t know who he is anymore. But god does he finds himself and what he wants. And I adore that. I also adored seeing him go from afraid and refusing to open up to being all sweet and opening up to the twins, the switch is so nicely done.
I wanted to stay here forever. I wanted my body to be sore like this forever too. Marks from my Sadists and a peaceful mind—was there anything better?
And lastly, I have to comment on the sex because jesus christ is it hot. Some of the best sex scenes I have ever read are in this book. The twins are sadists, River prefers mental side of it (humiliation, degration, etc.) while Reese prefers the physical side of it. And Shay is a masochist who also happens to love being degraded. We get a bunch of different scenes in this one, exploring the different sides of their kinks and they’re all so damn hot. Also, I adore how Reese is a daddy to Shay while River rather dominate him, there is such a nice balance between the two.
‘’You like the floor, huh?” Daddy combed his fingers through my wet hair and scratched my scalp. “Yes, Sir.” I stroked his cock lovingly and kissed it. “It’s peaceful down here. I’m just your little animal, and I have my Owner and my Daddy to take care of everything.” “That’s absolutely right.” The praise in Daddy’s tone made me happy. “You leave everything to us.”
Special mention to that one degradation scene, the first time the twins try it with Shay, that is probably the best sex scene I have ever read in a book. It is so well done and so fucking hot. That scene is just the best.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Original Review
5 very kinky very sadistic stars.
I don’t have much to say except that I adored this. Everything about it was so perfect.
I loved how it was pretty light on the angst, all the angst’s was very understandable and came from Shay’s life, and his grief. There is was over the top or none neccesary angst. All of it was believable and dealt with perfectly. Also loved how there was no relationship angst. These three knew they wanted to be together from the start and they had very open communication, there was never a doubt that they are meant to be together and they never questionned it either, they all went with it and kept talking about what they wanted and made it work. I loved that part so much.
And lastely, the kink was so well done, I loved it. I loved how much it was shown that everyone loved everything that was happening. It always felt very pure and loving, even if Shay was inflicted so much pain, you were always shown how much he wanted it and loved it. Everything was so well done and so damn hot. Loved it, so much.
September 17, 2020
Wow, this was intense and will certainly leave me breathless for a while!
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
MCs: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cover: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Knowing what M/M tropes I am into, I knew that The Game series by Cara Dee - one of my favorite M/M authors - would be exactly my thing. While I really enjoyed the first part of the series Top Priority, the second book Their Boy has been a little bit of a disappointment. But I am so happy that I gave this third book a try.
Breathless was amazing - great main characters, a very good story and most importantly a credible relationship with a lot of kink.
But let me get into a little bit more detail:
Will you beat me without knowing the reason?
Shay is a very interesting character with a heartbreaking past and on his quest for punishment, he is addressing sadists with exactly this question. Having been turned down by most of them, he is taking a last chance by approaching Reese and River, the Tenley Twins, that had several appearances in the series before and that I was excited to meet. Word had spread about Shay ...
Shay was an incredibly sexy young man, and apparently he loved extreme pain. In theory, that made him our favorite drug. But I'd written him off when I'd learned about his behavior towards Sadists. Or rather, why he might want that pain. And if that was true, he wasn't a masochist. He was just a lost kid looking for punishment.
... and of course the Tenley Twins can't turn down a member of their community that was in desperate need of help.
And off we are for a roller coaster ride ... The dynamics between Reese, River and Shay are exquisite, they feel very credible and their relationship had basically everything I felt was missing in Their Boy. The balance between the partners was very good and I basically couldn't put this book down.
The kink level in this book was pretty high - relying less on the Daddy/Little relationship and being a lot more about psychological torture with mind fucking and degradation being River's specialties. Aiming at helping Shay to handle his guilt, they twins set out to save him. Breaking him - before putting him back together might be the only way!
They wanted to dig into my mind. Resisting that would be a fight much more difficult than facing Reese in a cage, because I had to admit to myself there was a part of me that was desperate to let go of everything. Just ... take it from me [...], let's see what's left of me when I'm naked in every sense of the word.
And for those of you wondering why the series is called The Game - well that is actually one of my favorite part of these books! Owning a house that is a fully-equipped kink heaven for all kind of kinksters, the founders of the BDSM community are hosting the so-called games in which everything seems possible. The Game in the second book had me already hooked, but this one was offering the perfect final to an amazing book. I won't go into more detail to keep this spoiler free ... but wow ... it was perfect!
No need to mention that I was very happy to read at the end of the book that Breathless wasn't the end of this series. I am already looking forward to the next installment and especially to the sequel and the novella that Cara Dee promised with regard to these characters.
To all of those enjoying BDSM/kink, go for this series! You won't regret it.
Warning: very minor twincest!
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
MCs: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cover: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Knowing what M/M tropes I am into, I knew that The Game series by Cara Dee - one of my favorite M/M authors - would be exactly my thing. While I really enjoyed the first part of the series Top Priority, the second book Their Boy has been a little bit of a disappointment. But I am so happy that I gave this third book a try.
Breathless was amazing - great main characters, a very good story and most importantly a credible relationship with a lot of kink.
But let me get into a little bit more detail:
Will you beat me without knowing the reason?
Shay is a very interesting character with a heartbreaking past and on his quest for punishment, he is addressing sadists with exactly this question. Having been turned down by most of them, he is taking a last chance by approaching Reese and River, the Tenley Twins, that had several appearances in the series before and that I was excited to meet. Word had spread about Shay ...
Shay was an incredibly sexy young man, and apparently he loved extreme pain. In theory, that made him our favorite drug. But I'd written him off when I'd learned about his behavior towards Sadists. Or rather, why he might want that pain. And if that was true, he wasn't a masochist. He was just a lost kid looking for punishment.
... and of course the Tenley Twins can't turn down a member of their community that was in desperate need of help.
And off we are for a roller coaster ride ... The dynamics between Reese, River and Shay are exquisite, they feel very credible and their relationship had basically everything I felt was missing in Their Boy. The balance between the partners was very good and I basically couldn't put this book down.
The kink level in this book was pretty high - relying less on the Daddy/Little relationship and being a lot more about psychological torture with mind fucking and degradation being River's specialties. Aiming at helping Shay to handle his guilt, they twins set out to save him. Breaking him - before putting him back together might be the only way!
They wanted to dig into my mind. Resisting that would be a fight much more difficult than facing Reese in a cage, because I had to admit to myself there was a part of me that was desperate to let go of everything. Just ... take it from me [...], let's see what's left of me when I'm naked in every sense of the word.
And for those of you wondering why the series is called The Game - well that is actually one of my favorite part of these books! Owning a house that is a fully-equipped kink heaven for all kind of kinksters, the founders of the BDSM community are hosting the so-called games in which everything seems possible. The Game in the second book had me already hooked, but this one was offering the perfect final to an amazing book. I won't go into more detail to keep this spoiler free ... but wow ... it was perfect!
No need to mention that I was very happy to read at the end of the book that Breathless wasn't the end of this series. I am already looking forward to the next installment and especially to the sequel and the novella that Cara Dee promised with regard to these characters.
To all of those enjoying BDSM/kink, go for this series! You won't regret it.
Warning: very minor twincest!
August 6, 2024
5 ⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Format: ebook
“I was only supposed to play with them a single time. They were going to punish me. Now…? Now they owned me.”
Cara Dee is not just a writer; she is a damn artist. She makes words and emotions her bitch.
It doesn’t even really matter that much that I don’t identify with the kink community, because I still find a way to enjoy each book in this series and learn about things I didn’t know before. I never thought I’d give a book about extreme sadism, humiliation and impact play five stars, but here we are. She just makes me fall in love with her characters.
Shay was so angry and prickly on the outside, but seeing him come into this other side of himself that can not only start to work through his trauma, but learn to forgive himself of all the guilt he’d been punishing himself for was beautiful. Reese and River piqued my interest from the first two books but they always came off as intimidating and almost removed from anyone else; it was great to see how their dynamic together worked and get into their heads somewhat. I do wish we got River’s POV, but we only got Shay’s and Reese’s. I’m still not quite sure about what all Reese and River’s relationship entails… It’s killing me not to know.
The spice was god-tier, I don’t know what else to say about it. It made me question lots of things about myself because I was blushing and fanning myself like 99% of the time… Sheesh. There’s no way I’d ever be into a fraction of what this book contained but I still found a way to love every second of the journey.
God, I just really love Cara Dee’s writing. And I love this series. Low-angst, high-spice, so many different dynamics and characters. Just keep feeding me.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Format: ebook
“I was only supposed to play with them a single time. They were going to punish me. Now…? Now they owned me.”
Cara Dee is not just a writer; she is a damn artist. She makes words and emotions her bitch.
It doesn’t even really matter that much that I don’t identify with the kink community, because I still find a way to enjoy each book in this series and learn about things I didn’t know before. I never thought I’d give a book about extreme sadism, humiliation and impact play five stars, but here we are. She just makes me fall in love with her characters.
Shay was so angry and prickly on the outside, but seeing him come into this other side of himself that can not only start to work through his trauma, but learn to forgive himself of all the guilt he’d been punishing himself for was beautiful. Reese and River piqued my interest from the first two books but they always came off as intimidating and almost removed from anyone else; it was great to see how their dynamic together worked and get into their heads somewhat. I do wish we got River’s POV, but we only got Shay’s and Reese’s. I’m still not quite sure about what all Reese and River’s relationship entails… It’s killing me not to know.
The spice was god-tier, I don’t know what else to say about it. It made me question lots of things about myself because I was blushing and fanning myself like 99% of the time… Sheesh. There’s no way I’d ever be into a fraction of what this book contained but I still found a way to love every second of the journey.
God, I just really love Cara Dee’s writing. And I love this series. Low-angst, high-spice, so many different dynamics and characters. Just keep feeding me.
September 15, 2020
This is one of those stories you want to live in forever. You don’t want it to end. One that, from every angle, is so very awesome. The amazingly writing and development made it a treat.
Meet The Tenley Twins, two Sadist known from their impact and degradation scenes.
When they get an ear about a young guy asking around in their community for heavy torture without letting the Sadist know the reason and with no aftercare, they immediately take action.
Shay lost so much in his life and the only way to survive is to remind himself what a failure he is and what he deserves for being one.
-“He dared me, Riv,” I said.-
Reese and River are twins, identical but when you look at them like Shay did you see so many differences. One thing is clear they are both Sadists, caring, dedicated, funny, and full of love for their little maso.
Picture some kind of large kink mansion where everything is possible, where every sadomasochistic dream come true.
A psychological war they played to save a boy. Someone has to submit, it takes patience and time. Luckily River and Reese aren’t going anywhere.
The story has an intelligent plot, nothing superficial to find here. Deep soul digging is necessary to get into the core and unravel minutely.
The twinset dynamic is wonderfully done, it left enough open to imagine deliciousness, I even wanted more without guessing, but at some point, it was also enough.
This author never disappoints me, never!
Meet The Tenley Twins, two Sadist known from their impact and degradation scenes.
When they get an ear about a young guy asking around in their community for heavy torture without letting the Sadist know the reason and with no aftercare, they immediately take action.
Shay lost so much in his life and the only way to survive is to remind himself what a failure he is and what he deserves for being one.
-“He dared me, Riv,” I said.-
Reese and River are twins, identical but when you look at them like Shay did you see so many differences. One thing is clear they are both Sadists, caring, dedicated, funny, and full of love for their little maso.
Picture some kind of large kink mansion where everything is possible, where every sadomasochistic dream come true.
A psychological war they played to save a boy. Someone has to submit, it takes patience and time. Luckily River and Reese aren’t going anywhere.
The story has an intelligent plot, nothing superficial to find here. Deep soul digging is necessary to get into the core and unravel minutely.
The twinset dynamic is wonderfully done, it left enough open to imagine deliciousness, I even wanted more without guessing, but at some point, it was also enough.
This author never disappoints me, never!
July 3, 2023
The overall plot of this book is pretty on par with Book 2.
The kink! Cara Dee has officially desensitized me from any and all uncomfortable kinky moments from the BDSM genre. How I've evolved! (And she's one of the only authors that I'll go into heavy kink for). There's Sadism, masochism, D/s, Dd/lb, psychological torture (mindfucking), and some super minor twincest (just some kissing).
None of it phased me. Not one scene.
The characters are relatable. The romance develops naturally. Good stuff!
What I would've liked - more angst. There really wasn't any to be found, other than these three figuring out they were in it for the long term. Also, there was the most tentative of the tentative HFNs. Luckily, Dee mentions there will be a novella epilogue in the future.
If you liked Book 2, then this one is definitely for you!
The kink! Cara Dee has officially desensitized me from any and all uncomfortable kinky moments from the BDSM genre. How I've evolved! (And she's one of the only authors that I'll go into heavy kink for). There's Sadism, masochism, D/s, Dd/lb, psychological torture (mindfucking), and some super minor twincest (just some kissing).
None of it phased me. Not one scene.
The characters are relatable. The romance develops naturally. Good stuff!
What I would've liked - more angst. There really wasn't any to be found, other than these three figuring out they were in it for the long term. Also, there was the most tentative of the tentative HFNs. Luckily, Dee mentions there will be a novella epilogue in the future.
If you liked Book 2, then this one is definitely for you!
April 14, 2023
April 2023
**Happy sigh**
I need more of the Tenley Trio in my life. This book continues to be one of my regular rereads. Every time I open it up I get so much out of it. I’m still after that third POV so hopefully we’ll get that in these guys next outing.
I just can’t get enough. The feels these guys make me feel is…GAH!!!!!
Reread March 2022
Its only the beginning of their relationship and I want to see so much more of these three.
Original Review
3.5 stars
I was so looking forward to the Tenley Twins story. As always Cara Dee does kink really well. She’s upped the ante here in terms of exploring not only pain play but mental sadism and degradation. Some of the scenes are pretty creative. But...
The relationship was just too easy. For such a painful backstory, and a stubborn attitude, Shay accepted his submission to the twins pretty much straight away. So, aside from some pretty serious BDSM scenes, this was fairly light reading. There were some pivotal moments that tore at me but ultimately the insta-lust/love and redemption made the story less interesting. I wanted more. More angst. More conflict.
Having only two of the three men’s POV’s was a problem for me, too. But mostly I think that having the taboo nature of the twins relationship watered down to gentle touches and sweet kisses, to likely appease retailer guidelines, was the most disappointing. Their relationship was so unique and special I wanted more.
This is the first Cara Dee book I haven’t absolutely loved. I’m still interested in the follow up novellas though. Because I did like all these characters, there was just something missing here, for me.
**Happy sigh**
I need more of the Tenley Trio in my life. This book continues to be one of my regular rereads. Every time I open it up I get so much out of it. I’m still after that third POV so hopefully we’ll get that in these guys next outing.
I just can’t get enough. The feels these guys make me feel is…GAH!!!!!
Reread March 2022
“This is how we want you. At our mercy, stripped of your defenses, and completely fucking breathless.”Reading this series again, and the Tenley twins backstory The Air That I Breathe has me enjoying the relationship nuances of this book a lot more now.
Its only the beginning of their relationship and I want to see so much more of these three.
Original Review
3.5 stars
I was so looking forward to the Tenley Twins story. As always Cara Dee does kink really well. She’s upped the ante here in terms of exploring not only pain play but mental sadism and degradation. Some of the scenes are pretty creative. But...
The relationship was just too easy. For such a painful backstory, and a stubborn attitude, Shay accepted his submission to the twins pretty much straight away. So, aside from some pretty serious BDSM scenes, this was fairly light reading. There were some pivotal moments that tore at me but ultimately the insta-lust/love and redemption made the story less interesting. I wanted more. More angst. More conflict.
Having only two of the three men’s POV’s was a problem for me, too. But mostly I think that having the taboo nature of the twins relationship watered down to gentle touches and sweet kisses, to likely appease retailer guidelines, was the most disappointing. Their relationship was so unique and special I wanted more.
This is the first Cara Dee book I haven’t absolutely loved. I’m still interested in the follow up novellas though. Because I did like all these characters, there was just something missing here, for me.
August 21, 2024
bum bum bee dum, bum bum, bee dum bum.. 🎼 I kept humming this tune during breaks from the book, and IT WAS THE WRONG SONG😶😅 also, I wonder what real ‘kinksters’ would say about this book?!!!!!
everything happened too fast, with Shay changing his whole existence of two years in four days, and there was a hell of a lot of kinks I dislike -in the series and this book specifically- even the thought of like: mental and physical sadism, degradation, impact play, psychological torture, water sports, breath play, poly, dd/lb, owner/puppy, etc….
BUT this book was my favorite, I am liking these characters somewhat and especially the Tenley twins and looking forward to what will happen next.
🙂 and what’s this obsession with this ivy chick that pops up every-freaking-where? give her her own damned book, I don’t want her brought up mid a hardcore scene, I LOSE FOCUS THE REST OF THE DAY!!!! she was mentioned over forty times in this 270 paged book!!!!!!!!!
everything happened too fast, with Shay changing his whole existence of two years in four days, and there was a hell of a lot of kinks I dislike -in the series and this book specifically- even the thought of like: mental and physical sadism, degradation, impact play, psychological torture, water sports, breath play, poly, dd/lb, owner/puppy, etc….
BUT this book was my favorite, I am liking these characters somewhat and especially the Tenley twins and looking forward to what will happen next.
🙂 and what’s this obsession with this ivy chick that pops up every-freaking-where? give her her own damned book, I don’t want her brought up mid a hardcore scene, I LOSE FOCUS THE REST OF THE DAY!!!! she was mentioned over forty times in this 270 paged book!!!!!!!!!
January 22, 2025
This book felt like someone five shots deep deciding to give the dart board a go because we were all over the place somehow trying to do too much but also nothing at all simultaneously. River and Reece so obviously had an incestuous relationship that the author danced around so hard instead of committing to the bit like you are either doing this or not don’t just tease the idea. That definitely weakened the portrayal of their relationship because it was kept so vague and honestly I think that Shay had such a good setup but the twins fixed him a little too easily with like one scene and suddenly all was well. I mean the book was fine but it certainly could have been so much more if that author had decided to actually make a statement instead of pulling back. Shay being a little also didn’t work for me, he never gave off little or even middle vibes personally and I think it really weakened the exploration of his masochism by throwing that in there at what felt like random. This book was in desperate need of more focus because things got a bit too muddled and just kind of create a bit of a mess with way too many ideas that were all half-baked or got lost along the way
Read
November 14, 2020Oh boy, this is waaaayyyyy too intense for me.
I’ve been pushing myself to read out of my comfort zone. I’m finding new interests, and I’m also finding things that just aren’t for me.
Maybe I’m into Vanilla BDSM. After that shower scene, I needed a full ass twenty minutes to gather myself.
I guess I don’t enjoy hardcore sadomasochism. It was too much for my fragile soul. I liked what happened after, but honestly...I can’t do it. It was interesting, it just didn’t turn me on. And that’s what I look for in BDSM/erotica’s. If it doesn’t have that, it better have a killer romance. That also fell short for me.
Also, I am inherently NOT a fan of MMM. I also really wanted a twincest storyline thrown in there, but there wasn’t, and I’m sad about it.
I really loved River, and I would’ve liked to see his POV. Not that Reese wasn’t great! River was just the more interesting character.
And, I guess mental torture is on the list of Things I Can’t Do. Holy shit, they put him through so much! Yes, all consensual, but damn, I’m not cut out for witnessing this.
Some parts made me giggle. I liked the twins’ chemistry (which is why it was SUCH a missed opportunity not to throw some ‘cesty action in there).
Anywho, DNF at 55%. It’s not the book, though. It’s just little ol’ me and my lite BDSM, sickeningly sweet romantic preferences.
My whimsey soul needs a romantic, meet-cute comfort read after this.
I’ve been pushing myself to read out of my comfort zone. I’m finding new interests, and I’m also finding things that just aren’t for me.
Maybe I’m into Vanilla BDSM. After that shower scene, I needed a full ass twenty minutes to gather myself.
I guess I don’t enjoy hardcore sadomasochism. It was too much for my fragile soul. I liked what happened after, but honestly...I can’t do it. It was interesting, it just didn’t turn me on. And that’s what I look for in BDSM/erotica’s. If it doesn’t have that, it better have a killer romance. That also fell short for me.
Also, I am inherently NOT a fan of MMM. I also really wanted a twincest storyline thrown in there, but there wasn’t, and I’m sad about it.
I really loved River, and I would’ve liked to see his POV. Not that Reese wasn’t great! River was just the more interesting character.
And, I guess mental torture is on the list of Things I Can’t Do. Holy shit, they put him through so much! Yes, all consensual, but damn, I’m not cut out for witnessing this.
Some parts made me giggle. I liked the twins’ chemistry (which is why it was SUCH a missed opportunity not to throw some ‘cesty action in there).
Anywho, DNF at 55%. It’s not the book, though. It’s just little ol’ me and my lite BDSM, sickeningly sweet romantic preferences.
My whimsey soul needs a romantic, meet-cute comfort read after this.
September 25, 2020
This was all sorts of fucked up and I didn't even flinch. I'm in awe with the way Shay's voice changes depending on the mindset he's in each time.
I'm actually excited for the books to come in the series. Except the one about the twins. Not sure about that.
I'm actually excited for the books to come in the series. Except the one about the twins. Not sure about that.
March 18, 2021
"This is how we want you. At our mercy, stripped of your defenses, and completely fucking breathless."
Nothing but love and admiration for these twisted twins! I love this triad but I must say that Reese won my heart a bit bit more. I love Colt and Lucas in the previous two books but it's just that I love how these twins are more well balanced in their roles than them. Reese deals with the physical torture while River gets on with the mindfucks. Also, I must admit some certain scenes got me quite squeamish, especially their first one, but thankfully I braved through all of it. If you think about it, being humiliated and degraded MAY not be a bad thing? Lol!
October 8, 2021
This was way better than the second book!
I really liked Reese and River and their approach towards Shay.
And I wanna know more about them so gonna start the last book asap!
I really liked Reese and River and their approach towards Shay.
And I wanna know more about them so gonna start the last book asap!
Read
January 16, 2022I’m respectfully bowing out of the kink world @60% ☺️, it’s not for me. It requires a lot of mental processing to take everything in , I tried to be clinical about it but then lost the connection with the MCs. It’s definitely me not the book
September 23, 2020
Loved the intensity, vulnerability and acceptance. Really would love more time with this trio - they were just unfolding and then it ended ! Really wanted more ❤️❤️❤️
September 9, 2020
It's hot in here, or it's just me ??! 🔥🔥🔥
Get ready 'cause Tenley Twins enjoy to play heavy, and just like Shay, you are not gonna stood a chance against their charm 😌😌😌
Let's make clear one thing: this book is not for everyone. You need to be open-minded to really appriciate it.
I, on the other hand, happens to love this kind of stories 😏😏😏
There is so much more than the kink- ish part...
It's more about the freedom you can find in being yourself without "limits"; about being part of a community who looks after its members.
Breathless is damn steamy, but it's also heartbreaking, sweet, and funny.
That's one thing i love about Cara Dee's books: they always leave me with a soft smile on my face and yearning for more.
I loved Shay, his story broke my heart 💔
He really deserved someone who took care of him.
But my unconditional love goes to Tenley Twins 😍😍😍
Reese and River's bond is something indescribable...so i'm gonna use Shay' words.
"𝑯𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒈𝒐𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒆𝒏𝒍𝒆𝒚 𝒕𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒔 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆, 𝒊 𝒔𝒂𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒃𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒉. 𝑰𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒉𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆, 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒔 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒊'𝒅 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅".
They are physically alike, but so different in every other aspects. They are halves of a whole. They complete each other.
But with Shay they found something they didn't even know they needed.
I can tell you i'm ready for more about them!!
Only one thing dissappointed me: the absence of River's pov. Hopefully we gonna have a glimpse of his mind in the next book 🤞
Get ready 'cause Tenley Twins enjoy to play heavy, and just like Shay, you are not gonna stood a chance against their charm 😌😌😌
Let's make clear one thing: this book is not for everyone. You need to be open-minded to really appriciate it.
I, on the other hand, happens to love this kind of stories 😏😏😏
There is so much more than the kink- ish part...
It's more about the freedom you can find in being yourself without "limits"; about being part of a community who looks after its members.
Breathless is damn steamy, but it's also heartbreaking, sweet, and funny.
That's one thing i love about Cara Dee's books: they always leave me with a soft smile on my face and yearning for more.
I loved Shay, his story broke my heart 💔
He really deserved someone who took care of him.
But my unconditional love goes to Tenley Twins 😍😍😍
Reese and River's bond is something indescribable...so i'm gonna use Shay' words.
"𝑯𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒈𝒐𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒆𝒏𝒍𝒆𝒚 𝒕𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒔 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆, 𝒊 𝒔𝒂𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒃𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒉. 𝑰𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒉𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆, 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒔 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒊'𝒅 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅".
They are physically alike, but so different in every other aspects. They are halves of a whole. They complete each other.
But with Shay they found something they didn't even know they needed.
I can tell you i'm ready for more about them!!
Only one thing dissappointed me: the absence of River's pov. Hopefully we gonna have a glimpse of his mind in the next book 🤞
Read
September 17, 2020I’m going to refrain from rating this one because while it was probably a 3-ish star read for me - that’s all on me. I’m the one who keeps picking books with kinks I know are outside my comfort zone. I love dominant, assertive MCs, but not so much the sadism and sharing. 😂
Some critique not involving the kinks though: the way the twins devolved into total saps. I was looking forward to more macho caveman antics. And I wish Cara had just went there with River and Reese’s relationship. I felt like it was very alluded to, but you never see much.
That being said, if you’re into physical and mental sadism, lite Daddy/Little interactions, and a side of fluff; then this may be a perfect book for you!
Some critique not involving the kinks though: the way the twins devolved into total saps. I was looking forward to more macho caveman antics. And I wish Cara had just went there with River and Reese’s relationship. I felt like it was very alluded to, but you never see much.
That being said, if you’re into physical and mental sadism, lite Daddy/Little interactions, and a side of fluff; then this may be a perfect book for you!
October 3, 2020
Started out with strong characters, kink and plot and then nosedived. Both Shay and Reese did 180's. Shay the cage fighter morphed into a spineless clueless little. He also came across as a young woman instead of a man. Reese turned into a fluffy daddy. River was more consistent but turned into a puppy owner.
Loved the twincest. Hated the daddy/little and puppy play, especially when expecting hard core S/M. Hated the outside sharing of Shay. DNF @ 64%.
Loved the twincest. Hated the daddy/little and puppy play, especially when expecting hard core S/M. Hated the outside sharing of Shay. DNF @ 64%.
July 8, 2022
Shay esta buscando en los clubs de BDSM a un sadomasoquista que lo castigue como el siente que se lo merece, pero al parecer en esta comunidad todo es hablar, hablar de limites, de hacer acuerdos, de sentirse querido, el no quiere nada de eso, el solo quiere una buena golpiza y que despues lo dejen ahi, castigado y golpeado sin merecer mas amor. Pero eso solo puede hacerlo en la privacidad de un club, porque en su vida privada debe ayudar a mantener a sus dos hermanos menores y entrenarse para luchar en las peleas undergroud para ganar el dinero suficiente para enviar a sus hermanos a la universidad. Asi que en su busqueda del sado perfecto, mas de una persona le ha dicho que se acerque a los gemelos Tenley, se dice que son unos sados unicos y que son el sueno de cualquier masoquista.
Reese y River son gemelos que comparten practicamente todo, inclusive sus subs o "juguetes", ademas son parte del grupo original de fundadores del Club BDSM e intentar mantener a su comunidad sana y ayudar a todos sus integrantes. Y ahora uno de sus integrantes esta causando revuelo y es su obligacion determinar que hacer con el, el joven es un masoquista que esta "pidiendo" ayuda de forma que pone a sus miembros nerviosos, asi que Reese y River tienen un plan para "ayudar" al joven y asi volver a estabilizar a su comunidad.
Asi que cuando Shay, Reese y River se reunen, no pueden evitar sentir lo sencillo que es para los tres encajar, y quizas el ayudar a Shay tambien pueda permitirles a Reese y River encontrar la tranquilidad que han estado buscando.
El libro es parte de una serie que comence a leer hace mucho tiempo y que estoy retomando, basada totalmente en un Club BDSM donde sus integrantes pueden disfrutar de sus relaciones totalmente consensuales, pero que tambien les permite encontrar aquella pareja "perfecta" para el momento o para siempre. Los primeros 2 libros son del trio Colt-Luke-Nate, y ahora a partir del 3ero son de parejas diferentes (aunque estoy comenzando a sentir que todos van a ser trios), asi que lo que esperaba de estos libros no son historias romanticas, sino escenas eroticas totalmente BDSM y un poco que drama y misterio. Con eso en mente, este libro no decepciono en absoluto, tiene mucho drama interno del prota Shay y muchas escenas eroticas totalmente HOT, y varias interacciones con los otros personajes, pero sobre todo es un libro erotico, facil de leer y sin mayores complicaciones.
Ahora tiene un fallo que se sintio mucho al final, al ser el libro narrado con dos puntos de vista, senti que faltaban algunos capitulos donde Shay no estuviera con los gemelos sino con los otros subs, o con su familia, porque despues encuentras escenas donde habla de tal o cual sub y no logras entender de donde los conoce o como sabe eso de el o ella.
En fin, es una buena serie, interesante, erotica, sin mucho romance pero con un final HEA (Happy Ever After), que vale le pena leer si se esta de humor. Yo voy a continuar con la serie y ver que me deparan el resto de los integrantes del Club.
Reese y River son gemelos que comparten practicamente todo, inclusive sus subs o "juguetes", ademas son parte del grupo original de fundadores del Club BDSM e intentar mantener a su comunidad sana y ayudar a todos sus integrantes. Y ahora uno de sus integrantes esta causando revuelo y es su obligacion determinar que hacer con el, el joven es un masoquista que esta "pidiendo" ayuda de forma que pone a sus miembros nerviosos, asi que Reese y River tienen un plan para "ayudar" al joven y asi volver a estabilizar a su comunidad.
Asi que cuando Shay, Reese y River se reunen, no pueden evitar sentir lo sencillo que es para los tres encajar, y quizas el ayudar a Shay tambien pueda permitirles a Reese y River encontrar la tranquilidad que han estado buscando.
El libro es parte de una serie que comence a leer hace mucho tiempo y que estoy retomando, basada totalmente en un Club BDSM donde sus integrantes pueden disfrutar de sus relaciones totalmente consensuales, pero que tambien les permite encontrar aquella pareja "perfecta" para el momento o para siempre. Los primeros 2 libros son del trio Colt-Luke-Nate, y ahora a partir del 3ero son de parejas diferentes (aunque estoy comenzando a sentir que todos van a ser trios), asi que lo que esperaba de estos libros no son historias romanticas, sino escenas eroticas totalmente BDSM y un poco que drama y misterio. Con eso en mente, este libro no decepciono en absoluto, tiene mucho drama interno del prota Shay y muchas escenas eroticas totalmente HOT, y varias interacciones con los otros personajes, pero sobre todo es un libro erotico, facil de leer y sin mayores complicaciones.
Ahora tiene un fallo que se sintio mucho al final, al ser el libro narrado con dos puntos de vista, senti que faltaban algunos capitulos donde Shay no estuviera con los gemelos sino con los otros subs, o con su familia, porque despues encuentras escenas donde habla de tal o cual sub y no logras entender de donde los conoce o como sabe eso de el o ella.
En fin, es una buena serie, interesante, erotica, sin mucho romance pero con un final HEA (Happy Ever After), que vale le pena leer si se esta de humor. Yo voy a continuar con la serie y ver que me deparan el resto de los integrantes del Club.
August 26, 2025
Another book, another triad. And this time the Dom duo is made up of the Tenley twins, Reese and River. The incest is never spelled out in so many terms and nothing overly explicit is shown in this book, but it’s heavily implied in the kind of relationship they have ().
Enter Shay, a sub who’s attracted the wrong kind of attention from some of the founders of Mclean House because he’s breaking the rules of safe play or at least raised some red flags. Reese and River, as the two founders who own the house and run the place the most, try to get to the bottom of why Shay is looking for a Dom willing to beat him without asking questions first.
This one was a surprise on both Shay's and the twins' sides. Shay comes off as a bit of an arrogant jerk with an attitude at the very beginning of the book, but he’s actually the opposite, I was surprised by his sweetness and his dedication to his brothers was as heartbreaking as it was sweet.
Reese and River have a reputation of being intense and scary sadists, and it’s not like they aren’t, they don’t play light at all and their “specialties” are pretty hardcore, but they’re also very sweet and caring, each in their own particular way. I really loved the dynamic they established with Shay and I’ve loved seeing them all together in the rest of the series.
I just hope it will eventually be said what they decided to do about .
Enter Shay, a sub who’s attracted the wrong kind of attention from some of the founders of Mclean House because he’s breaking the rules of safe play or at least raised some red flags. Reese and River, as the two founders who own the house and run the place the most, try to get to the bottom of why Shay is looking for a Dom willing to beat him without asking questions first.
This one was a surprise on both Shay's and the twins' sides. Shay comes off as a bit of an arrogant jerk with an attitude at the very beginning of the book, but he’s actually the opposite, I was surprised by his sweetness and his dedication to his brothers was as heartbreaking as it was sweet.
Reese and River have a reputation of being intense and scary sadists, and it’s not like they aren’t, they don’t play light at all and their “specialties” are pretty hardcore, but they’re also very sweet and caring, each in their own particular way. I really loved the dynamic they established with Shay and I’ve loved seeing them all together in the rest of the series.
I just hope it will eventually be said what they decided to do about .
September 7, 2020
HOLYHELL, all the taboo sadistic daddy stars for this book! It was way too short, but oh so delicious!
OH-MY GOD! I never. Never in a million years thought this book will be THIS AMAZING.
I just have no words! I am really speechless. I think this book is the BEST from Cara Dee. And not from her, it's the best in it's own category - S/M!
When I thought it's hard to surprise me, when I thought I wouldn't get perfectly written S/M, when I thought twins with S/M and Daddy-kink is like a unicorn - doesn't exist. Then came Cara Dee with Breathless and made me breathless too.
This book is all the things I dreamed of and never even knew I dreamed of. All the things I love and crave. All the deliciousness wrapped up behind this beautiful cover.
River & Reese... OMG- my only probleme is those missing scenes with full on twinning (hint-hint)! But I was really happy with the barely there touches too- holy hell SO HOT!
The S/M scenes were so well written with all the emotions, and hell, those scenes, just remembering them makes me breathless and hot as hell!
This book is really something else. Something perfect, something beautiful. Love is not enough strong word for this story. I NEED more!
OH-MY GOD! I never. Never in a million years thought this book will be THIS AMAZING.
I just have no words! I am really speechless. I think this book is the BEST from Cara Dee. And not from her, it's the best in it's own category - S/M!
When I thought it's hard to surprise me, when I thought I wouldn't get perfectly written S/M, when I thought twins with S/M and Daddy-kink is like a unicorn - doesn't exist. Then came Cara Dee with Breathless and made me breathless too.
This book is all the things I dreamed of and never even knew I dreamed of. All the things I love and crave. All the deliciousness wrapped up behind this beautiful cover.
River & Reese... OMG- my only probleme is those missing scenes with full on twinning (hint-hint)! But I was really happy with the barely there touches too- holy hell SO HOT!
The S/M scenes were so well written with all the emotions, and hell, those scenes, just remembering them makes me breathless and hot as hell!
This book is really something else. Something perfect, something beautiful. Love is not enough strong word for this story. I NEED more!
dnf
September 18, 2020I am the fool who tries to read these books like they’re somehow going to miraculously get better? I am weak for books on KU but actually making it all the way through is another story.
Trigger warnings before DNF for death of parents and sibling in a fire, survivor’s guilt, racism, hints at incest, rape jokes, psychological torture, intense BDSM scenes, and borderline nonconsent.
Like, I think the beginning of this was strong and interesting. I tend to always be interested in how Cara Dee’s book start out and always seem to like the concept. I was interested in Shay and wanting the best for him. He’s lost a lot and just trying to make enough money to help support his brothers through school. That’s admirable. He’s raising all sorts of red flags in the BDSM community though, because he thinks he deserves to be punished and won’t play with a sadist who wants to stick to the rules.
In comes River and Reese. I wanted to know more about them since the last book. The Games? Terrible. But intriguing from a dark romance perspective, I guess? But it turns out the most ~dark romance~ or taboo thing about them is that they’re literally brothers who like to share a third. There’s hints that they might be something more and this book definitely skirts the line on whether their relationship is taboo or not. Otherwise, they’re pretty sticklers for the rules and consent when it comes to others. I was waiting for this book to dig deep and one scene is really intense from Shay’s POV, but otherwise, *shrug* It never quite hints that angst spot for me.
I feel like Shay could’ve saved a lot more money if he didn’t try to put his two younger brothers through private school. Public school is an option too, you know? Never said why they couldn’t go to public school instead.
This relationship turns into a Dd/lb situation between Reese and Shay and an owner/pet situation between River and Shay. And...meh. I’m just personally not a big fan of how Cara Dee writes Dd/lb relationships? So once that started kicking in, I just wanted to DNF it.
This is ultimately a DNF @ 65% for me.
But that wasn’t the main cause. Some parts of this was just super unnecessary and gross???
This was published recently and in 2020 when there absolutely is anti-Asian sentiment because of the pandemic, the author thought it was smart to add in a throwaway racist comment like, “I heard a joke once saying there’s no such thing as a Chinese diplomat.” Why even include that??? As someone who is Chinese American, just get out of here with that nonsense.
Also, Reese and Rivers are two of the eight founders of their BDSM community and they keep a storage area for their “Littles” called a “Little Bar” filled with candy and other sugary sweets, and this part in particular was G R O S S: “Because we were funny as shit, we’d had a massive decal of a white van affixed to the doors.”
There’s other stuff in this book too but those two parts definitely stick out to me the most.
Trigger warnings before DNF for death of parents and sibling in a fire, survivor’s guilt, racism, hints at incest, rape jokes, psychological torture, intense BDSM scenes, and borderline nonconsent.
Like, I think the beginning of this was strong and interesting. I tend to always be interested in how Cara Dee’s book start out and always seem to like the concept. I was interested in Shay and wanting the best for him. He’s lost a lot and just trying to make enough money to help support his brothers through school. That’s admirable. He’s raising all sorts of red flags in the BDSM community though, because he thinks he deserves to be punished and won’t play with a sadist who wants to stick to the rules.
In comes River and Reese. I wanted to know more about them since the last book. The Games? Terrible. But intriguing from a dark romance perspective, I guess? But it turns out the most ~dark romance~ or taboo thing about them is that they’re literally brothers who like to share a third. There’s hints that they might be something more and this book definitely skirts the line on whether their relationship is taboo or not. Otherwise, they’re pretty sticklers for the rules and consent when it comes to others. I was waiting for this book to dig deep and one scene is really intense from Shay’s POV, but otherwise, *shrug* It never quite hints that angst spot for me.
I feel like Shay could’ve saved a lot more money if he didn’t try to put his two younger brothers through private school. Public school is an option too, you know? Never said why they couldn’t go to public school instead.
This relationship turns into a Dd/lb situation between Reese and Shay and an owner/pet situation between River and Shay. And...meh. I’m just personally not a big fan of how Cara Dee writes Dd/lb relationships? So once that started kicking in, I just wanted to DNF it.
This is ultimately a DNF @ 65% for me.
But that wasn’t the main cause. Some parts of this was just super unnecessary and gross???
This was published recently and in 2020 when there absolutely is anti-Asian sentiment because of the pandemic, the author thought it was smart to add in a throwaway racist comment like, “I heard a joke once saying there’s no such thing as a Chinese diplomat.” Why even include that??? As someone who is Chinese American, just get out of here with that nonsense.
Also, Reese and Rivers are two of the eight founders of their BDSM community and they keep a storage area for their “Littles” called a “Little Bar” filled with candy and other sugary sweets, and this part in particular was G R O S S: “Because we were funny as shit, we’d had a massive decal of a white van affixed to the doors.”
There’s other stuff in this book too but those two parts definitely stick out to me the most.
September 22, 2020
Not again! What's with the DD/lb again?! Again! I read the blurb, the intro and this was not mentioned. Can I please get a good BDSM book without the Daddy treatment?!And Shay cracked with a kiss, FFS! Before they even went home! What a mindfuck, really! The superior behavior from RandR really pissed me off, too. I hope they get handed their asses before the book's end, but as I see Shay submitting on the first night, I'm not getting my hopes up.
Read
September 16, 2020got to 50% and DNF
Nothing wrong with it. Just not for me at the current moment.
Nothing wrong with it. Just not for me at the current moment.
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