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Love in the Woods #1

Little in the Woods

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An MM Age Play Romance

Oliver:
When Elijah shows up at my home in the middle of the woods, I know he's running away from something. I have chosen a life of solitude, and I refuse to have anything to do with people. I have fallen in love before, and it’s nothing but a trap. I have pledged to never fall in love again. You think it’s going to last forever, but it only leads to disappointment and heartbreak. Elijah is so handsome, but that won't change my mind about love. Besides, I'm old enough to be his daddy.

Elijah:
Running away from a dark past, I land in the hands of a handsome daddy. He's in denial about his loneliness. Nobody lives in the woods without a good reason. He must've had a rough life, just like me. I don't deserve to be loved, but he cares for me nevertheless. He says he’ll protect me from anything and anyone, but he doesn’t know what he’s up against.. I'm broken and no one can save me, not even Oliver. When he introduces me to age play, can being a carefree little solve all my problems? Can I finally let go of all my worries and let daddy take care of everything?

I shouldn’t fall for him, but he’s so irresistible. Did I mention he has a 9 feet tall brown bear for a pet who demands belly rubs and loves honey?

116 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 8, 2020

210 people are currently reading
94 people want to read

About the author

Ruby Keller

19 books17 followers

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5 stars
66 (25%)
4 stars
59 (22%)
3 stars
72 (27%)
2 stars
44 (16%)
1 star
23 (8%)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews128 followers
Want to read
May 10, 2021
🎁 FREE on Amazon today (5/10/2021)! 🎁
Profile Image for Elin.
938 reviews8 followers
July 8, 2020
I love Daddy/little stories, I think I write that on every one I read, but I couldn't finish this one, I stopped at about 60%.

The plot is a bit over the top, more so than it needs to be for 90 pages, everything happens so fast and so convenient as well.
There are contradictions in the story which threw me off and the sudden introduction of age play was strange.

I can agree that it might just be me, that I need something more believable when I read it. That people don't tell their life story within minutes of meeting, and hold a healthy scepticism to someone they have just met. No matter how pretty or handsome they are.

I think Elijah was a little I would want to read about in another setting.
Profile Image for Beagle Lover (Avid Reader).
622 reviews53 followers
January 1, 2022
Average story about two damaged men...and a bear?

3.75 stars rounded down.

***CONTAINS SPOILERS***

A mostly basic plot involving a runaway abused teen and a man who had his heart shattered by his ex-wife and best friend.

Elijah ran away from his home, fleeing an abusive father who blames him for the death of his wife (during childbirth) and despises him for being gay. Lost in a dense forest, Elijah breaks into a clearing with a cabin in it.

The cabin's owner, Oliver, is a deeply emotionally scarred man who, after being betrayed by his then wife and best friend, chose to live away from people and close off his heart from further pain.

Oliver sees Elijah and brings him into his self-built home. Both are wary of each other at first, but Oliver begins to fall for the young, damaged teen and allows him to stay as long as he wishes. Elijah agrees to stay and help out around the cabin and property.

On a hike into the surrounding forest to gather edible mushrooms, Elijah stumbles upon a brown bear. The bear sees the young man as a threat and begins to advance upon him. Oliver, who has basically raised the bear he calls "Coco," stops the animal's attack by first standing in front of Elijah and letting Coco sniff and lick his face. He then kisses Elijah to show the bear that the stranger is his friend, and Coco accepts him, licking his face to show her friendship.

Both men are not inclined to act on their physical attraction to one another but do reveal their history of pain and abuse to each other. Afterwards, they open their hearts a fraction and begin to form a relationship.

Things are going fine for the men and Coco visits the home nearly every morning. But Elijah's ingrained low self-esteem begins to take control when he realizes he is putting Oliver in danger from his cruel father, who has the police looking for Elijah. He leaves the security of both Oliver and his home, walking away from a life he truly wants.

Elijah stays with his sister-in-law, which is NOT a smart move. Days pass with both men increasingly regretting their decisions. One day the police arrive and take Elijah back to his father. As soon as they leave, the father begins his mental and physical abuse on his terrified son. Removing his belt, the older man orders the pleading Elijah to remove his shirt and face to wall, in preparation for a whipping.

Oliver, unhappy and realizing he loves Elijah, sets out for the younger man's home, to the address Elijah had given him. Arriving just as the beating was about to begin, Oliver confesses his love to the teen, and Elijah reciprocates by admitting his true feelings. Disgusted, the father heaps verbal insults at both men, forcing Oliver to take the crying Elijah back to his house to live, as he is 18 years of age.

The bear plays a larger role in the plotline, but I felt it best to focus on the protagonist's story. Character development was average, same with the relationship. (Which the author made into a Daddy/little relationship.) Editing errors were fairly prevalent and annoying. Overall, a story that could have been better but settled for average.
Profile Image for Vaughn.
142 reviews5 followers
May 21, 2022
4.5⭐️ - This review is for all 3 books.

"Family is supposed to be our safe haven. Very often, it's the place where we find the deepest heartache". - Iyanla Vanzant
♡Little in the woods♡
I enjoyed the premise of this book. It starts out with Elijah running away and heading into the woods where he finds a cabin. Then we meet Oliver who has been a loner for a long time due to some past trauma. The two end up bonding while spending time together. My main issue with this book is the grammatical errors and almost childlike writing. I also didn't like the way the Daddy little play was introduced. I understood how the author was trying to go about it but I still didn't like it. It felt more forced then anything else. Overall this book was an ok start to the series.
♡Two Daddies for Elijah♡
This was my favorite book out of the series. We are introduced to Lance who had lost his boy, he was broken and that's what drew him to Elijah since he was also a broken character in his own right. They both had very traumatic experiences and it made them grow close quite quickly. But this relationship didn't feel as forced as the first book with Oliver. It was a bit rushed but much more natural. I also enjoyed Oliver's character much better in this book. He was solid, sweet strength for Elijah and you could tell how deeply he loved and wanted to protect him. This story also didn't feel as short as the first and it gave it a bit more of an adventure between the three characters. Very good.
♡A Daddy for his Daddy♡
This story focused the most on Lance. We really got to dive into his struggles with closure and coming to terms with the loss of his boy while figuring out how he fits with his current new found family. I think it was the perfect ending to this series. I'm really happy I continued after the first book because they got better and better throughout the series.

♡I really loved these books and will absolutely read them again. I did read them back to back a few times to get my thoughts together. But they are jumping into my favs pile.♡
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.8k reviews360 followers
July 9, 2020
This is a story of two hurting people who just need to find the right person to understand and love them. Oliver had his heart broken when his wife Rebecca cheated on him with his best friend. The betrayal by the two people closest to him was more than he could tolerate, so he went into seclusion in the woods. He learned that love isn’t forever; people will hurt you. And he would rather be alone than risk his heart again.

Elijah has been punished verbally and physically by his abusive father who blames him for the death of his wife during childbirth. He feels he doesn’t deserve love, he’s been told how worthless he is, over and over. And when his father finds out that he is gay, he knows he will be killed if he doesn’t escape from him. So he runs into the woods until he collapses, dehydrated, starving, exhausted.

Both men are suffering and yet neither deserves the pain they were thrown into. Neither had done anything wrong to warrant what happened to them. Can they help each other find peace and rebuild trust and self-esteem? I totally dislike the “age play” approach, but the reader will realize that kindness, compassion, love, gentleness, and trust in large doses is definitely due to both of these characters. Can they heal the damage others have done to each of them? Grab your copy and find out whether there is still hope in their hearts or is there too much damage to repair?
Profile Image for Aelter G.
158 reviews1 follower
September 17, 2020
DNFed at 42%

I knew it wasn't going to be the best but I really wanted to muscle through it. The plot was so interesting but the execution was so bad I cringed.

The first chapter was fine. And I started thinking that this was going to be one of those books that everyone hated but I loved. I was wrong.

It felt like the author was disconnected from her own characters and their worries. Everything was surface level and we were told too much too quickly. By chapter 4, I knew everything and then by the middle of the book, I could predict everything that would happen.

It felt like a short story written by a 15 year old in their creative writing class which isn't a bad thing. I, myself, was once a 15 year old in a creative writing class. But as an adult, the writing and narration was not my cup of tea.

Also, this bear is way too friendly. I would have believed it more if she didn't go from "I kill you" to "cuddle me" in seconds. The pacing was way too fast and I wish the plot was more simple so the relationship between the two characters could develop. And I don't mean the forced fed info they each shared within days of meeting each other which went something like this:

Hey, nice to meet you.

*inhales*
Let me tell you my whole life story.



Anywhose, maybe I'll try again later but couldn't get over the "bad man" "evil man" wording. As well as, the sudden caretaker role Oliver took on. I mean, wow.
3,381 reviews28 followers
July 7, 2020
Super cute story of finding love when you need it the most
Oliver has been living in the woods for the last two years after his wife hurt him by cheating on him with his own best friend. He got his brother to run his business and get food delivered to the door. He hadn't seen anyone for 2 years so when a young man comes across him he is slightly taken aback but he can tell he is running from someone or something.
Elijah is running away from his abusive father. He blames Elijah for the death of his wife who died in child birth. He had never let him forget even calling him a murderer. And now he knows that he is gay he said he would whip him to death, Elijah knew he had to run. So he ran towards the woods he ran until he couldn't run no more and thankfully he bumped into Oliver who said he would help him.
Could Oliver help Elijah find some self worth and could Elijah help Oliver to trust people???
This was so heart breaking. There is just so much pain in both of their life's. I just wanted to give them both a big hug but together they helped each other. Its was magical and COco is just amazing and I wish I would have a cuddly bear to hug every day! A wonderful read!
This is the first book ive read by Ruby Keller but it wont be my last. I cant wait to read your next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Latecia Jennings.
2,337 reviews10 followers
July 9, 2020
Interesting Age Play OM/YM

This is the second book I read from the author and it was what I expected. Young male...lost and abused finds an older male that's willing to play daddy for him. The premise of the story(lost in woods finds shelter/safety with handsome man...romance ensues) is what drew me in ...not really the age play. When the age play started I think both characters were not really into it. I think this story would have been better without the age play. This issues Oliver had in becoming a hermit and the issues Elijah had for running away form home, carried the story...the age play was just a filler/an afterthought to me. The banter/dialogue to me was too plastic and fake...not realistic talk. Both of these people need therapy rather than jumping into a long term relationship.You feel the love but its not really based pn any substance . I think i'm going to have to pass on age play romances.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Breni  Diaz .
222 reviews1 follower
August 5, 2024
No es un libro con trama al que suelo estar acostumbrada. De hecho me pareció super raro y un poco incomodo.

Leí este libro como un favor a una amiga pero como yo odio las tramas con demasiada edad, simplemente no lo recomiendo.

El protagonista mas joven (18 años) es abusado por su padre y encuentra consuelo en un hombre traumado de 35 años llamado Oliver (si mal no recuerdo), así que Oliver idea un plan para darle a Elijah la niñez que nunca tuvo haciendo que Elijah se comporte como un niño de menos de 10 años de edad, lo cual es incomodo de leer porque el chico tiene 18 años.

Aunque las acciones de Oliver son dulces porque en realidad es un buen tipo, sigue sin gustarme estos dos recursos (la diferencia de edad y el fingir ser un niño.) En la vida real estas dos personas deberían tomar terapia urgente.

Lo único adorable en este libro es la participación de la dulce Coco. Estoy feliz de que no la abandonaran.
Profile Image for bee.
20 reviews
January 18, 2026
This was at 2 stars until the ending where Oliver brought Coco, a WILD bear into his van and into the city to go "save" Elijah, which Elijah's father put up NO fight whatsoever, just stood there and let the two MCs confess their feelings and blah blah blah. And why he would let Elijah open the door is beyond me!

I honestly really would've liked Elijah's friend running into the forest, find Oliver and explain that Elijah was taken by his father, and then Oliver run in and save Elijah. That would've been so much more believable.

The Little world was introduced WAY too quickly, no hesitation or awkwardness or anything.

Omg, and the cops taking Elijah was so unreasonable and just wouldn't happen like that. As he is of legal age and wouldn't be taken back to his father like that. He is 18, he can make choices for himself.

But apparently not.

This was just painful to read, I facepalmed at one point, and just overall the sex at the end was not worth it at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for wordsandblankspaces.
875 reviews7 followers
December 29, 2021
Ok

Was interesting but I wish the author would have spent more time developing Elijah and Oliver's relationship instead of rehashing their pasts constantly. I don't know how ddlb relationships work in real life but it seems to me like you would need to have some inkling to do it yourself, not be told it's something that would help you. Also, you would need absolute trust in someone to be little in front of them. You also wouldn't go from not being little ever in your to suddenly being completely immersed in it. I understand for timing purposes why the author wouldn't have slowly developed Elijah's little side but a way around that is to already have him be a little. I liked their relationship though and I liked Coco. I think I will at least try the next book.
Profile Image for Sarah's Book Den.
241 reviews14 followers
March 30, 2023
This book was really choppy for me. I am not new to MM/daddy/ageplay books so none of that bothered me it was just the writing and storyline. You have a straight man who meets a young boy and all of the sudden will be into daddy/age play for the good of the boy. I don't buy it. Instalove I am also good with but the secondhalf break up was really abrupt and a little ridiculous. I feel like this entire story line was rushed and sloppy. Had it be thought out and written in a longer time frame I feel like this story would have been so much better. Unfortunately I will not be continuing in the series.
Profile Image for Annemarie.
2,186 reviews16 followers
July 7, 2020
Elijah is running from an abusive father. Exhausted, he collapses in front of Oliver. Oliver built a life and home in the woods after being hurt and betrayed by his ex wife and best friend. Along with Coco, the bear, he cares for Elijah and grows to love him. He introduces a Daddy/little dynamic to help Elijah heal from his broken childhood. Good ending.
29 reviews
July 20, 2020
First book I read written Ruby Keller

4 stars! 2 souls finding each other 😍
I give 4 because its a good story if you like this trope 😊.
I would of liked it to be a bit longer because I enjoyed it.
I think the author could introduce age play in a way that's less "abrupt", but the feel was there.
Profile Image for andrea moran.
2,128 reviews
July 20, 2020
Little in the woods

This is not a book for people who enjoy much of a plot with their stories or need them to be vaguely possible in a world outside fiction but if you can suspend all disbelief for an hr or so it has its moments
Profile Image for Kirstin.
2,106 reviews19 followers
August 10, 2020
Well, that was cringey. I’m not sure how it veered so off course, but everything that happened was just over the top. The writing was elementary as well. Not one I’ll read again or consider the author for in the future.
Profile Image for Avril.
308 reviews
October 11, 2020
Just terrible. Disjointed, unedited, grammar issues galore. i couldn't get into the story because of all the above.
Profile Image for Tammy.
18 reviews22 followers
Want to read
January 14, 2021
FREE on Amazon today (1/14/2021)
Profile Image for America.
703 reviews2 followers
Read
March 22, 2024
DNF 10% Very poorly written, couldn't go any further
Profile Image for Yuki Collins.
2 reviews
July 17, 2024
Loved it, the constanst switch between Oliver and Elijah was nice and you could understandt their actions better.
22 reviews1 follower
August 22, 2020
Oh this was. .

Not mine. I have come to love Daddy books w/wout Littles but this one to me felt very naive, immature and unrealistic. I did not like the writing, use of words and how Daddy/Little came to be. For me the MC were not developped enough the only bright spot was the bear but even that felt unrealistic.

To each their own, for me one of the weakest Daddy/Little books I have ever read.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews

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