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City Hall #1
Staking His Claim
I told him to leave. He told me I was his….
The Intern
Jaxson Bell has one goal: advancing his career by any means possible. Sleeping with men to further his aspirations isn’t uncommon for Jaxson, and his next target is obvious—the deputy mayor. Flirting with Vane is easy because he’s handsome, charming, confident, and knows exactly what Jaxson wants. It’s effortless to make a deal with Vane, who’s more than happy to exchange sex for a job at city hall. What Jaxson doesn’t expect is the very unusual kink Vane obsesses over. The oddness should be a deal breaker, but it only has Jaxson more interested.
The Deputy Mayor
Vane Elwood knows exactly what Jaxson wants the moment he approaches him because, at heart, he’s the same kind of ruthless man. He loves sex, and if he can get it free for the simple exchange of a job, he will. Vane anticipates a hasty exit from Jaxson as soon as he discovers Vane’s secret kink. To his surprise, Jaxson not only sticks around but seems to be excited.
The Right Kind of Dirty
Their relationship is meant to be purely physical, but as feelings grow, Vane and Jaxson will have to decide what to do. Vane has a reputation to uphold, and Jaxson has never had a relationship. If news gets out that the deputy mayor is sleeping with his new assistant, their careers could implode. They’ll need to use every trick in the book to keep each other.
The Intern
Jaxson Bell has one goal: advancing his career by any means possible. Sleeping with men to further his aspirations isn’t uncommon for Jaxson, and his next target is obvious—the deputy mayor. Flirting with Vane is easy because he’s handsome, charming, confident, and knows exactly what Jaxson wants. It’s effortless to make a deal with Vane, who’s more than happy to exchange sex for a job at city hall. What Jaxson doesn’t expect is the very unusual kink Vane obsesses over. The oddness should be a deal breaker, but it only has Jaxson more interested.
The Deputy Mayor
Vane Elwood knows exactly what Jaxson wants the moment he approaches him because, at heart, he’s the same kind of ruthless man. He loves sex, and if he can get it free for the simple exchange of a job, he will. Vane anticipates a hasty exit from Jaxson as soon as he discovers Vane’s secret kink. To his surprise, Jaxson not only sticks around but seems to be excited.
The Right Kind of Dirty
Their relationship is meant to be purely physical, but as feelings grow, Vane and Jaxson will have to decide what to do. Vane has a reputation to uphold, and Jaxson has never had a relationship. If news gets out that the deputy mayor is sleeping with his new assistant, their careers could implode. They’ll need to use every trick in the book to keep each other.
243 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 12, 2020
About the author
Ki Brightly
92 books749 followersI spend most of my days writing, editing, and perfecting the craft of storytelling.
A note to readers: I don't hang out on Goodreads or social media, so if you have any questions about my books, please check out my website, which I host with M.D. Gregory.
A note to readers: I don't hang out on Goodreads or social media, so if you have any questions about my books, please check out my website, which I host with M.D. Gregory.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 203 reviews
January 4, 2021
"Sir, I have your list." I held out the paper, but he didn't reach for it.
"What happened to calling me Daddy?" he whispered, and all at once my body reacted.
My first favorite of the year was a blast! I was bit in a daze recently because I can't seem to find a book that will fully stick with me until I found this. Office-based romance heavily wrapped in politics that finally gripped my interest. We have Jaxson Bell, the intern who is not afraid to use his charm and sexual services to further up his career, and Vane Elwood, the current Deputy Mayor who got some nasty kinky fantasies. They clicked, they got hot with each other, Jaxson started to climb up in his career while Vane fulfilled his full blown kinkiness with Jaxson. I'm here for the Daddy kink but the other one... caught me by surprise. I love the writing because everything just flows easily. A bit of angst and drama here and there.
February 27, 2021
DNF
Started good but then went downhill pretty quick. Not only does one of the hero's NEVER wear condoms (including with other people), and has a pregnancy fetish, but then he had to bring in a silicone pregnant belly for the other hero to wear so that he can indulge himself in his getting-hero#2-preggo fantasy, and it just got super weird for me. So, I'm out😬✌
Started good but then went downhill pretty quick. Not only does one of the hero's NEVER wear condoms (including with other people), and has a pregnancy fetish, but then he had to bring in a silicone pregnant belly for the other hero to wear so that he can indulge himself in his getting-hero#2-preggo fantasy, and it just got super weird for me. So, I'm out😬✌
November 7, 2021
dnf @ 48%.
May 24, 2023
Jax esta de pasantía en el Capitolio, y quiere llegar a un puesto mas alto que solo pasante, así que decide utilizar todas "sus armas" para conquistar a alguno de los concejales o inclusive a alguien mas arriba. Así que pone sus ojos en el hombre que es la mano derecha del alcalde (2do al mando) y se acerca a ofrecerle "cualquier cosa" con tal de que lo ayude a subir de puesto. Lo que no espera es que el hombre no solo acepte su propuesta, sino que quiera cobrar su "cuota" esa misma noche. Y aunque Jax no es ajeno a muchos de los kinks en el sexo, no esta preparado para lo que su nuevo amante trae a la mesa, como tampoco espera que le guste tanto. Sin embargo, lo que comenzó como una "noche" se convirtió en mucho mas, cuando ambos comenzaron a sentir que la atracción entre ellos crecía. Ahora tendrán que tener cuidado que no se mezclen su trabajo con su vida personal porque eso puede llevarlos a ambos fuera del Capitolio enseguida.
El libro es ok, los personajes son muy planos, cambian de personalidad de la nada y no se siente que hubiera verdadera química en ella. Y si, se que el kink en las escenas eróticas tuvo mucho que ver con que el libro me aburriera, pero por mas que lo intente no logre entender que podia ser tan excitante el hablar de "embarazar" a un hombre y tener sexo con una barriga de goma. Aunque entiendo que hay personas que pueden excitarse con esas cosas, el autor no logro transmitirlo en lo mas mínimo.
En fin, es quizás uno de los peores comienzos de serie que he leído este ano, pero voy a continuarla por que conozco mucho del trabajo del autor y espero que los próximos sean mucho mejores que este.
El libro es ok, los personajes son muy planos, cambian de personalidad de la nada y no se siente que hubiera verdadera química en ella. Y si, se que el kink en las escenas eróticas tuvo mucho que ver con que el libro me aburriera, pero por mas que lo intente no logre entender que podia ser tan excitante el hablar de "embarazar" a un hombre y tener sexo con una barriga de goma. Aunque entiendo que hay personas que pueden excitarse con esas cosas, el autor no logro transmitirlo en lo mas mínimo.
En fin, es quizás uno de los peores comienzos de serie que he leído este ano, pero voy a continuarla por que conozco mucho del trabajo del autor y espero que los próximos sean mucho mejores que este.
July 20, 2021
✨who knew a pregnancy kink between men could be so damn hot 🥵
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2021
Staking His Claim is the first book in Ki Brightly and MD Gregory’s City Hall series. Taking place in their New Gothenburg universe, the focus of this series is… well, it’s on the folks at City Hall.
Starting off with the dark and delightfully kinky Deputy Mayor, Vane Elwood, and his ambitious intern, Jaxson Bell. Willing to do whatever (and whomever) he needs to succeed leads him to a surprising, but intriguingly erotic, encounter which rises all sorts of new emotions in Jax.
In addition to an exciting storyline, I have to say what really impressed me with Staking His Claim is the character development. Both of the main characters change so much over the course of the story, and the relationship which blooms between them as the result of their shared kink, is quite impressive.
Jaxson’s reactions to the things Vane introduces him to, both what he shares outwardly with Vane and what we get to see through the alternating points of view, are so intimate. The further the couple goes in exploring this kink, their walls come down, and the closer they become.
The love affair grows so naturally, and is woven seamlessly into the storyline… I hope we get more of Vane and Jaxson in future New Gothenburg stories.
Staking His Claim is available in audio, narrated by Barney Parkwynne. Mr. Parkwynne’s low, gravelly voice works well for both Vane and Jaxson, as well as the wide variety of supporting characters in the story.
I like the way Barney Parkwynne changes Jaxson’s voice when he's in-character. It's especially impressive in the early scenes, as it dawn's on Jackson how much he's enjoying it, and he gradually gets more into his role.
thank you to the author for generously providing an audiobook copy of Staking His Claim, all opinions are my own
Starting off with the dark and delightfully kinky Deputy Mayor, Vane Elwood, and his ambitious intern, Jaxson Bell. Willing to do whatever (and whomever) he needs to succeed leads him to a surprising, but intriguingly erotic, encounter which rises all sorts of new emotions in Jax.
In addition to an exciting storyline, I have to say what really impressed me with Staking His Claim is the character development. Both of the main characters change so much over the course of the story, and the relationship which blooms between them as the result of their shared kink, is quite impressive.
Jaxson’s reactions to the things Vane introduces him to, both what he shares outwardly with Vane and what we get to see through the alternating points of view, are so intimate. The further the couple goes in exploring this kink, their walls come down, and the closer they become.
The love affair grows so naturally, and is woven seamlessly into the storyline… I hope we get more of Vane and Jaxson in future New Gothenburg stories.
Staking His Claim is available in audio, narrated by Barney Parkwynne. Mr. Parkwynne’s low, gravelly voice works well for both Vane and Jaxson, as well as the wide variety of supporting characters in the story.
I like the way Barney Parkwynne changes Jaxson’s voice when he's in-character. It's especially impressive in the early scenes, as it dawn's on Jackson how much he's enjoying it, and he gradually gets more into his role.
thank you to the author for generously providing an audiobook copy of Staking His Claim, all opinions are my own
February 22, 2021
I've never read these authors before and I only started reading this because I wanted find out what the kink was, on my own. I didn't read any reviews that might spoil it so when I started reading that part I was a bit surprised and it made me laugh, it was a bit strange but I rolled with it. That was certainly a kink I had ever expected to read, but these authors made it work somehow.
November 7, 2025
4.25⭐️ 4.25🌶️
📝 REVIEW & THOUGHTS:
Have I discovered I have a thing for pregnant men? Apparently I do 🤔 guess it shouldn’t come to a surprise considering I read omegaverse. But never did I think I’d like it as much in contemporary romance 🤣 if a man wearing a baby belly prop icks you, skip this book cause it ain’t for you babe.
This was a wonderful book, I had so much fun reading about this breeding and pregnancy kınky MF who is deputy mayor.
I will surely be reading more books by these authors. Totally recommend it!
Thank you my wonderful friend, Belle, to have brought this book into my radar.
🏷️ TROPES & TAGS (possible spoilers):
Genre/subgenre: contemporary romance
Pairing: MM
POV: 1st person, dual
Angst: low
Burn: fast
Vibe/mood: kinky, hot
Pet names: baby, belly boy, little baker, little belly bıtch
Characters’ ages: not mentioned, I assume early 20s and mid 30s
HEA: yes
Book type: novel
Series structure: interconnected standalones
Workplace romance
Intern/boss
Politics environment (city hall)
Power imbalance
Sēx for career advancement
BDSM elements
Age gap (~15 years)
Possessive MC
Protective and caring Daddy
Insta-lust but emotional slow burn
Strangers-to-lovers
Secret relationship
“You’re mine”
🌶️ SPICE & K!NKS (possible spoilers):
Strict top/bottom or versatile: top/bottom
Heat: 6 scenes, high heat
D/s dynamic
Dirty talk
Daddy kınk
Anāl
Bareback
Heavy breeding kınk
Heavy pregnancy kınk
Mpreg role play with baby belly prop
Oral
Sēx in the office
Jerking off
Praise and mild degradation
⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS (possible spoilers):
Dubcon: no
Noncon: no
OM/OW: no
Breakup: no
Mention of cop rāping girls (not MCs)
Hearth attack (MC’s dad, survived)
Secrecy
😤 LITTLE RANT (possible spoilers):
Just mad about the last fade to black spicy scene. I thought I’d get one last one. Alas, I didn’t 🤣
* Fyi about 🌶️ levels: I rate spice on a combination of quantity, quality, length, intensity and explicitness of the scenes. K!nks are listed separately and generally do not directly affect the steam level to keep it fair for non k!nky books.
📝 REVIEW & THOUGHTS:
Have I discovered I have a thing for pregnant men? Apparently I do 🤔 guess it shouldn’t come to a surprise considering I read omegaverse. But never did I think I’d like it as much in contemporary romance 🤣 if a man wearing a baby belly prop icks you, skip this book cause it ain’t for you babe.
This was a wonderful book, I had so much fun reading about this breeding and pregnancy kınky MF who is deputy mayor.
I will surely be reading more books by these authors. Totally recommend it!
Thank you my wonderful friend, Belle, to have brought this book into my radar.
🏷️ TROPES & TAGS (possible spoilers):
Genre/subgenre: contemporary romance
Pairing: MM
POV: 1st person, dual
Angst: low
Burn: fast
Vibe/mood: kinky, hot
Pet names: baby, belly boy, little baker, little belly bıtch
Characters’ ages: not mentioned, I assume early 20s and mid 30s
HEA: yes
Book type: novel
Series structure: interconnected standalones
Workplace romance
Intern/boss
Politics environment (city hall)
Power imbalance
Sēx for career advancement
BDSM elements
Age gap (~15 years)
Possessive MC
Protective and caring Daddy
Insta-lust but emotional slow burn
Strangers-to-lovers
Secret relationship
“You’re mine”
🌶️ SPICE & K!NKS (possible spoilers):
Strict top/bottom or versatile: top/bottom
Heat: 6 scenes, high heat
D/s dynamic
Dirty talk
Daddy kınk
Anāl
Bareback
Heavy breeding kınk
Heavy pregnancy kınk
Mpreg role play with baby belly prop
Oral
Sēx in the office
Jerking off
Praise and mild degradation
⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS (possible spoilers):
Dubcon: no
Noncon: no
OM/OW: no
Breakup: no
Mention of cop rāping girls (not MCs)
Hearth attack (MC’s dad, survived)
Secrecy
😤 LITTLE RANT (possible spoilers):
Just mad about the last fade to black spicy scene. I thought I’d get one last one. Alas, I didn’t 🤣
* Fyi about 🌶️ levels: I rate spice on a combination of quantity, quality, length, intensity and explicitness of the scenes. K!nks are listed separately and generally do not directly affect the steam level to keep it fair for non k!nky books.
Read
December 13, 2020So, I'm going to put the kink under a spoiler bar for people who don't want to know!
Thank you everyone who continues to support M.D. Gregory and myself in our endeavor to write great romance and (and also kinky love) in New Gothenburg.
Ki
Thank you everyone who continues to support M.D. Gregory and myself in our endeavor to write great romance and (and also kinky love) in New Gothenburg.
Ki
September 18, 2025
This wasn’t a full 4 star read, maybe 3.75? There’s just something about the way these two authors write spice that just does it for me, so yeah.. the dirty talk and kink in this was super fun for me hahahah.
April 26, 2026
Yep, I read it again. I'll just stop counting because it won't be the last time.
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5th read - still five stars.
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4th read!! yes, still love it.
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Upgraded to five stars on re-read. I really, really loved this. So...this is not for the faint of heart. Jaxson, an intern at the Mayor's office, becomes involved with Vane, the Deputy Mayor - a powerful man with a male pregnancy kink. I've never actually read male pregnancy outside of Omegaverse so, at first, I was like ummm, WHAT the hell. But this is really, really well written and HOT. The authors explore Jaxson's initial skepticism well and the fact that, at first, he's just into the roleplay to please Vane. But soon he starts to enjoy it too, and as we see Vane's excitement at his genuine interest, it makes us go awwww. Well, me anyway lol.
Still, it's not super sappy. Some readers may not like Vane calling Jax his 'belly bitch' as much as they like it when he calls him 'my little baker'. I took them both in stride. To be clear, it's all role play; there's no actual pregnancy. Everyone who knows me knows I LOVE Daddy kink and I'm very picky about it. It's done really well here. No age-play or manties (super refreshing!), and Vane introduces it right from the start so there is really no need to 'build up' to it. I lurvvved it.
So, yeah. I would not have pegged this as something I would enjoy but I totally did, so give it a whirl...or don't lol.
--------------------
What did I just read?? Enjoyed it though! 3.75. Review to follow.
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5th read - still five stars.
------------
4th read!! yes, still love it.
----------
Upgraded to five stars on re-read. I really, really loved this. So...this is not for the faint of heart. Jaxson, an intern at the Mayor's office, becomes involved with Vane, the Deputy Mayor - a powerful man with a male pregnancy kink. I've never actually read male pregnancy outside of Omegaverse so, at first, I was like ummm, WHAT the hell. But this is really, really well written and HOT. The authors explore Jaxson's initial skepticism well and the fact that, at first, he's just into the roleplay to please Vane. But soon he starts to enjoy it too, and as we see Vane's excitement at his genuine interest, it makes us go awwww. Well, me anyway lol.
Still, it's not super sappy. Some readers may not like Vane calling Jax his 'belly bitch' as much as they like it when he calls him 'my little baker'. I took them both in stride. To be clear, it's all role play; there's no actual pregnancy. Everyone who knows me knows I LOVE Daddy kink and I'm very picky about it. It's done really well here. No age-play or manties (super refreshing!), and Vane introduces it right from the start so there is really no need to 'build up' to it. I lurvvved it.
So, yeah. I would not have pegged this as something I would enjoy but I totally did, so give it a whirl...or don't lol.
--------------------
What did I just read?? Enjoyed it though! 3.75. Review to follow.
June 25, 2021
DNF. This one just wasn’t for me.
September 3, 2023
3.5 stars
the utter filth omg. mpreg is a... concept. i haven't decided if it's for me yet. whatever nasty stuff was happening in this book? very overzealous but i was still here for it 😭 i love a good breeding and this was OTT af without ever becoming too tasteless. maybe? by my standards.
Jaxson (ridiculous name no. 1) is an intern at city hall and his little uwu quirk is that he sleeps with anyone who can give him a leg up in his career. this ambitious mindset is how he crosses paths with Vane (ridiculous name no. 2) Vane is the deputy mayor and has a sick fascination with Jax Bell's hips. particularly, his child bearing hips. Vane has a baby-making, pregnancy kink and he is absolutely not shy about it. but since most men can't get pregnant, mans really leans into this fantasy and invests in a silicone belly. i was speechless through this entire thing i can't even tell you how much of a chokehold it had me in. i was pleased, disgusted, and titillated.
there's some plot between all the hot stuff with general hoopla that goes on in city hall. some blackmail, some threats, some rich and influential ppl. i was particularly fond of the mayor, Ross and Vane's assistant, Jean-Paul. mostly Vane calling Jax his "belly boy" is going to haunt me for life so i know i will never forget this book and that was probably the point
the utter filth omg. mpreg is a... concept. i haven't decided if it's for me yet. whatever nasty stuff was happening in this book? very overzealous but i was still here for it 😭 i love a good breeding and this was OTT af without ever becoming too tasteless. maybe? by my standards.
Jaxson (ridiculous name no. 1) is an intern at city hall and his little uwu quirk is that he sleeps with anyone who can give him a leg up in his career. this ambitious mindset is how he crosses paths with Vane (ridiculous name no. 2) Vane is the deputy mayor and has a sick fascination with Jax Bell's hips. particularly, his child bearing hips. Vane has a baby-making, pregnancy kink and he is absolutely not shy about it. but since most men can't get pregnant, mans really leans into this fantasy and invests in a silicone belly. i was speechless through this entire thing i can't even tell you how much of a chokehold it had me in. i was pleased, disgusted, and titillated.
there's some plot between all the hot stuff with general hoopla that goes on in city hall. some blackmail, some threats, some rich and influential ppl. i was particularly fond of the mayor, Ross and Vane's assistant, Jean-Paul. mostly Vane calling Jax his "belly boy" is going to haunt me for life so i know i will never forget this book and that was probably the point
September 24, 2024
Well....
That was... interesting.
I'm not sure how I feel about it. It started so well but then got erratic and super rushed. The characters began to act like telenovela and soap opera crazy. So if you like OTT characters who have instalust and instalove (pretty much) then you might like it.
Def not for everyone...
That was... interesting.
I'm not sure how I feel about it. It started so well but then got erratic and super rushed. The characters began to act like telenovela and soap opera crazy. So if you like OTT characters who have instalust and instalove (pretty much) then you might like it.
Def not for everyone...
January 24, 2021
I can't believe my rating either, but this one was so good that I'm confused about the authorship? I have tried one of the MC based series and found it pretty unreadable. And the Mafia dub-con one I tried got one of my harshest 1 star reviews yet. So I honestly don't even know how this landed on my kindle. Ok, I do know: I wanted to know what the kink was and the gamble paid off. Honestly this might as well be five stars because it hit the spot so well...
Since my kink is pretty much whatever gets fictional guys really, really hot I was absolutely down for what the author was serving here. This is the kind of smutty erotica I like to discover from time to time and it did not disappoint!
The "unsual kink" is not a big deal for anyone who has been around in M/M Romance or fandom for five minutes especially since the majority of the readership is female.
Now I'm almost tempted to try the other series out again..
Since my kink is pretty much whatever gets fictional guys really, really hot I was absolutely down for what the author was serving here. This is the kind of smutty erotica I like to discover from time to time and it did not disappoint!
The "unsual kink" is not a big deal for anyone who has been around in M/M Romance or fandom for five minutes especially since the majority of the readership is female.
Now I'm almost tempted to try the other series out again..
August 9, 2026
“You’re mine now, Bell. I’ve had a taste of you and I like it. I will fuck you again.”
^ Page 36.
I'm conflicted. Preggophilia is something I've never read before. However, I am unsure how I feel with the kink. Not yucking anyone's yum here. I think if the word choices had been different I would've liked it better.
The worst phrases probably were: baby batter, juices, seed.
I'm also not sure if this is a romance because if Jaxson didn't like the pregnant kink or daddy kink, Vane would've stopped fucking him after the first night and that would've been the end of the book.
There was no real character development or plot development because it was just the two characters get together for some sex and that's about it.
Therefore, I didn't not like it, there just wasn't much to like here.
Additionally, Vane just casually mentions how he married an older woman when he was in his 20s for money then invested it to be rich for life and he chose to be a deputy mayor?
How old are these characters? Vane assumes they have a 15 year age gap but I like specifics if there's gonna be an age gap in the books I read.
^ Page 36.
I'm conflicted. Preggophilia is something I've never read before. However, I am unsure how I feel with the kink. Not yucking anyone's yum here. I think if the word choices had been different I would've liked it better.
The worst phrases probably were: baby batter, juices, seed.
I'm also not sure if this is a romance because if Jaxson didn't like the pregnant kink or daddy kink, Vane would've stopped fucking him after the first night and that would've been the end of the book.
There was no real character development or plot development because it was just the two characters get together for some sex and that's about it.
Therefore, I didn't not like it, there just wasn't much to like here.
Additionally, Vane just casually mentions how he married an older woman when he was in his 20s for money then invested it to be rich for life and he chose to be a deputy mayor?
How old are these characters? Vane assumes they have a 15 year age gap but I like specifics if there's gonna be an age gap in the books I read.
December 14, 2020
4.6 stars
Tbh I started reading this only because my friend asked me to find out what was the kink. I’ve never read these authors before and I didn’t know what t o expect. But from the first chapter, I was hooked and when I found out what kink it was, I read the sentence twice and I was like oooh I knew this kink existed and there are romance books about it but I personally haven’t read this before.
It was a little strange to me but I rolled with it and I actually really enjoyed and liked the 2 MCs, their story and the kink actually suited them both!!! I’m definitely going to be reading other books by these authors!!
Tbh I started reading this only because my friend asked me to find out what was the kink. I’ve never read these authors before and I didn’t know what t o expect. But from the first chapter, I was hooked and when I found out what kink it was, I read the sentence twice and I was like oooh I knew this kink existed and there are romance books about it but I personally haven’t read this before.
It was a little strange to me but I rolled with it and I actually really enjoyed and liked the 2 MCs, their story and the kink actually suited them both!!! I’m definitely going to be reading other books by these authors!!
December 6, 2021
I love this cover and quote "I told him to leave, He told me I was his." I quite enjoyed it was smutty and kinky. Daddy kink I can do with but the other made me a little uneasy but as I read it was okay. Vane and Jaxson were good together and dirty talk..... I was expecting that kind of dialects but I enjoyed how the book ended.
July 28, 2026
I went into this one blind and I’m so glad that I did. This was so much fun.!!
Did Not Finish
November 9, 2021DNF at 54%
And not for the reason most might think. The big kink in this, I can definitely see being off-putting for most. I'll put it under the spoiler tag unless you don't want to know and want to be surprised by what the kink is.
Now, I actually don't mind this - although I prefer
But ultimately I don't mind this kink that much. At times, as I said above in those circumstances, I can also enjoy it.
So my reason for DNF'ing is not the kink.
It was more...I wasn't connected with these two. Ever since around 32% I just find myself skimming and skimming and skimming this. There were a few parts to capture my interest for a page or two, before I went back to skimming.
I just wasn't into this story. The political aspect wasn't working - I just didn't care about that part of the plot, and seeing as this was both of their jobs, we spent more time in the office and in the political story more than I wished to.
Two, it was mostly just lust between these two - at first - and I don't think it made for a very good foundation and building of a relationship. Which, I can enjoy a more erotic, mainly sex story if it's written well and in the right way, but this one just wasn't. There wasn't an established connection for these two for me to care about, and that just left the sex feeling kinda "meh" as well, which when this has mainly been sex (and politics) so far, kinda leaves me not feeling interested in most of this story.
I was trying to get back into it, to see if my interest could be saved, but then I was just mainly skimming things, and running across one part that was partly interesting, but then it would just quickly go back to being not interesting.
I don't think that happening is enough for me to keep going. If I'd been interested all the way through to this halfway point and then all the sudden was struggling a little, I would keep going and give this another chance. But I was kinda struggled from the beginning, and then at 30% it just went downhill from there.
This one just wasn't a win. And I am trying to DNF more, as much as my being protests against DNF'ing haha.
But for this one, I will. It just wasn't working for me.
And not for the reason most might think. The big kink in this, I can definitely see being off-putting for most. I'll put it under the spoiler tag unless you don't want to know and want to be surprised by what the kink is.
Now, I actually don't mind this - although I prefer
But ultimately I don't mind this kink that much. At times, as I said above in those circumstances, I can also enjoy it.
So my reason for DNF'ing is not the kink.
It was more...I wasn't connected with these two. Ever since around 32% I just find myself skimming and skimming and skimming this. There were a few parts to capture my interest for a page or two, before I went back to skimming.
I just wasn't into this story. The political aspect wasn't working - I just didn't care about that part of the plot, and seeing as this was both of their jobs, we spent more time in the office and in the political story more than I wished to.
Two, it was mostly just lust between these two - at first - and I don't think it made for a very good foundation and building of a relationship. Which, I can enjoy a more erotic, mainly sex story if it's written well and in the right way, but this one just wasn't. There wasn't an established connection for these two for me to care about, and that just left the sex feeling kinda "meh" as well, which when this has mainly been sex (and politics) so far, kinda leaves me not feeling interested in most of this story.
I was trying to get back into it, to see if my interest could be saved, but then I was just mainly skimming things, and running across one part that was partly interesting, but then it would just quickly go back to being not interesting.
I don't think that happening is enough for me to keep going. If I'd been interested all the way through to this halfway point and then all the sudden was struggling a little, I would keep going and give this another chance. But I was kinda struggled from the beginning, and then at 30% it just went downhill from there.
This one just wasn't a win. And I am trying to DNF more, as much as my being protests against DNF'ing haha.
But for this one, I will. It just wasn't working for me.
December 14, 2020
I discovered this book via an m/m kink-friendly facebook book group I recently joined. The authors teasingly revealed there that they wrote this book in response to an undisclosed kink that two readers said they wanted to see featured in a book.
I am kink-friendly and veeeery curious to learn what the kink was, so I nabbed the book on Amazon (it's currently a KU book) to learn more. Without spoiling anything, this was indeed the first time I've *ever* seen this kink featured in a story that's not paranormal in nature -- and I've read at least 125+ m/m books annually for the past 10 years!
And while this isn't a kink that would normally rev my engine, I still really enjoyed the book and found it to be an erotic and emotional read. This was due, in large part, to the author's abilities to create interesting storylines, intriguing characters, and steamy love scenes that tap into reader's love for the taboo.
This was my first book by these authors, but it won't be the last! I'm going to start checking out their backlist right now...
I am kink-friendly and veeeery curious to learn what the kink was, so I nabbed the book on Amazon (it's currently a KU book) to learn more. Without spoiling anything, this was indeed the first time I've *ever* seen this kink featured in a story that's not paranormal in nature -- and I've read at least 125+ m/m books annually for the past 10 years!
And while this isn't a kink that would normally rev my engine, I still really enjoyed the book and found it to be an erotic and emotional read. This was due, in large part, to the author's abilities to create interesting storylines, intriguing characters, and steamy love scenes that tap into reader's love for the taboo.
This was my first book by these authors, but it won't be the last! I'm going to start checking out their backlist right now...
September 6, 2021
I don't know how to talk about this book. On the surface, it's an age-gap, power-differential romance, you know - the boss and the intern. But it had the single most specifically bizarre kink I've ever read about. I'm not one to kinkshame, I swear, but that was so weird. That was so weird, oh my god.
March 21, 2021
His Little Baker...Loved it!
Wow!! I had so much fun reading this. From the start when Jax met Vane, I knew this was going to be good. Their interaction was off the chain. Jax so bold and knowing what he wants to get ahead going toe to toe with a professional like Vane was entertaining. Then later on learning the kink that Vane is into was not putting off at the least. I was like Jax...I thought it was a little weird but I got on board the more I was exposed and how HOT Vane got with Jax. These two really connected and I wasn't surprised they eventually was into each other...exclusively. Since I love the authors book so much whenever I come across other characters from other books ...I grin and yell their name (Maddie!!!) like an cheerleader/fangirl. This ended well and I'm so hyped to read the shennigans JP got in store for our little blackmailer...LOL.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wow!! I had so much fun reading this. From the start when Jax met Vane, I knew this was going to be good. Their interaction was off the chain. Jax so bold and knowing what he wants to get ahead going toe to toe with a professional like Vane was entertaining. Then later on learning the kink that Vane is into was not putting off at the least. I was like Jax...I thought it was a little weird but I got on board the more I was exposed and how HOT Vane got with Jax. These two really connected and I wasn't surprised they eventually was into each other...exclusively. Since I love the authors book so much whenever I come across other characters from other books ...I grin and yell their name (Maddie!!!) like an cheerleader/fangirl. This ended well and I'm so hyped to read the shennigans JP got in store for our little blackmailer...LOL.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 6, 2021
This was certainly....different
I don't think I've gone through a book and skipped ALL the sex scenes so this was a first for me.
Vane's kink was....hmmm....let's just say it wasn't for me. Ordinarily, this would've let to a straight dnf from me but I want to read book #3 and skipping books in a series is something I avoid,
So yeah, I skipped all the sex, got a gist about the next book(which is why I picked this in the first place) so I'll just get to it!!
I don't think I've gone through a book and skipped ALL the sex scenes so this was a first for me.
Vane's kink was....hmmm....let's just say it wasn't for me. Ordinarily, this would've let to a straight dnf from me but I want to read book #3 and skipping books in a series is something I avoid,
So yeah, I skipped all the sex, got a gist about the next book(which is why I picked this in the first place) so I'll just get to it!!
September 6, 2021
I've been so busy these last couple of weeks that I had pretty much forgotten which book I'd been trying to read. So when i resumed this, i expected to not be into it as much as before but surprisingly i was. And well that's probably because I've never read a book w pregnancy kink in it before let alone an m/m one so naturally I was intrigued. Now, I certainly did have to pause and take a deep breath everytime Vane called Jax "his Baker boy" but I did enjoy everything else regardless. They were hot together and I realized, yet again, that I should really stop judging a book by it's ugly cover✌
Did Not Finish
June 20, 2023Dropped
Tried it out cos I was curious about the breeding kink but both characters and premise was too OTT and unrealistic to me - 17%
Tried it out cos I was curious about the breeding kink but both characters and premise was too OTT and unrealistic to me - 17%
August 13, 2021
I honestly feel kind of bad for not giving this another star but I just can't. It's not poorly written and it's not even the subject matter that made it a 3 star book for me but I think I kept reading it to see how many terms/words/euphemisms were used for cum and being pregnant. I mean they were ridiculous and funny but they weren't meant to be. Baby batter was used at least a couple of times as well as splooge. 😂 Baker was a shortened endearment for the "pregant" MC, but there were many others.
As I said in my update, this was a very strange kink but relatively tame and I was honestly not mad at it. It just threw me off-kilter mentally partially because the MC who had the kink was really invested in the fantasy to the point of me wondering if he was somewhat delusional. The other MC grew to like it mainly because of how cherished and sexy the other man made him feel. I mean it was sweet in a strange way but I guess that's what kink kind of is anyway.
I was entertained enough that I want to keep going with the series especially since I read a review of the 4th one with the wolf stuff (also not real). It sounded a little bit sexy and I don't mind reading about something new.
As I said in my update, this was a very strange kink but relatively tame and I was honestly not mad at it. It just threw me off-kilter mentally partially because the MC who had the kink was really invested in the fantasy to the point of me wondering if he was somewhat delusional. The other MC grew to like it mainly because of how cherished and sexy the other man made him feel. I mean it was sweet in a strange way but I guess that's what kink kind of is anyway.
I was entertained enough that I want to keep going with the series especially since I read a review of the 4th one with the wolf stuff (also not real). It sounded a little bit sexy and I don't mind reading about something new.
January 9, 2021
DNF @ 28%.
The blurb of this was intriguing and the writing was engaging, but if I had know what the kinks were going into this, I wouldn’t have touched it.
As far as the kinks go:
And fine, I’ve read mpreg, so I thought it wouldn’t phase me, but it’s a bit different when it’s make believe. And in think that the on the second day and second hook up was sprung on me and Jax rather suddenly.
Then there was the whole condom thing. Jax is like, there are the condoms, and Vane is like, < i> “Condoms? No. Daddy doesn’t do condoms. I’m going to breed you.” And when Jax is like, the hell you won’t, Vane reminds him that he wants the job so of course he’ll allow it. Eww.
The blurb of this was intriguing and the writing was engaging, but if I had know what the kinks were going into this, I wouldn’t have touched it.
As far as the kinks go:
And fine, I’ve read mpreg, so I thought it wouldn’t phase me, but it’s a bit different when it’s make believe. And in think that the on the second day and second hook up was sprung on me and Jax rather suddenly.
Then there was the whole condom thing. Jax is like, there are the condoms, and Vane is like, < i> “Condoms? No. Daddy doesn’t do condoms. I’m going to breed you.” And when Jax is like, the hell you won’t, Vane reminds him that he wants the job so of course he’ll allow it. Eww.
December 28, 2020
DNF 24%
No no no. Just no. I wasn't even sure such a kink existed until I read this book. This book was NOT for me. I think I'm scarred for life. Holy hell. (No offense to the kink community)
One thing I didn't understand though, was how Vane was so confident. I'd think such a kink made for countless embarrassing situations, and he didn't have one ounce of insecurity. And he was the Deputy Mayor. It's not a very private job. Using his bedroom activities as blackmail would be a very easy thing to do.
No no no. Just no. I wasn't even sure such a kink existed until I read this book. This book was NOT for me. I think I'm scarred for life. Holy hell. (No offense to the kink community)
One thing I didn't understand though, was how Vane was so confident. I'd think such a kink made for countless embarrassing situations, and he didn't have one ounce of insecurity. And he was the Deputy Mayor. It's not a very private job. Using his bedroom activities as blackmail would be a very easy thing to do.
November 30, 2021
Politics and the most unique kink
Wow! That kind of sums up everything about this book in one word. I had a general idea going in as to what the kink was, but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine "this". Jax wants to further his political career and Deputy Mayor, Vane, seems like the perfect person to make that happen. What Jax hadn't counted on was Vane's unique kink and how their arrangement of "sex for a job" would soon spill over into their hearts and whole lives. I'm usually not very interested in political storylines but this book wove just enough realism with snarky humor and multifaceted characters that I couldn't help but be completely pulled in and captivated. Definitely high on the kink meter but also a really solid romance as well. I will certainly be recommending this book in the future!
Wow! That kind of sums up everything about this book in one word. I had a general idea going in as to what the kink was, but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine "this". Jax wants to further his political career and Deputy Mayor, Vane, seems like the perfect person to make that happen. What Jax hadn't counted on was Vane's unique kink and how their arrangement of "sex for a job" would soon spill over into their hearts and whole lives. I'm usually not very interested in political storylines but this book wove just enough realism with snarky humor and multifaceted characters that I couldn't help but be completely pulled in and captivated. Definitely high on the kink meter but also a really solid romance as well. I will certainly be recommending this book in the future!
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