Nathan

Johnson Family Rules #2

by Carly Marie

It’s true that you catch more bees with honey than vinegar… but what if I’m looking for a unicorn?

Elliot’s life has been planned out for him: college, job, marriage, family. Going through life on autopilot, he’s rarely done anything for himself. When his sham marriage falls apart, he has to rebuild from the ground up and is faced with admitting the thing he’s hidden from everyone: He’s gay.

Nathan thrives on control and order. Having no say in the new attorney that was hired threatens both. Before meeting Elliot, Nathan’s made it his mission to run him off as quickly as possible. That is, until he spots him at DASH, the gay club in town.

Could Elliot be the unicorn Nathan’s been looking for? He’s never going to know if he doesn’t try, but the problem is going to be getting the quiet attorney to turn off his brain and just feel. If Nathan can find a way to be the Dom Elliot is just discovering he’s always needed, Elliot might just be the unicorn that changes Nathan’s life.

Nathan is the second book in the Johnson Family Rules series. When the Johnson family is around, there’s no telling what might happen. They are a family who loves fiercely and has unconditional support and nosiness for everyone in their lives. Nathan and Elliot are bound to be inundated with well-meaning family as they find their way as Dom and sub.

Genres: BDSM, M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, Enemies To Lovers, LGBT, Gay

392 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 14, 2021

Reviews

[Janet (iamltr) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my heart...

I'm doing a reread of all of Carlie's books and I keep finding that now that I know who everyone is, these books make more sense.

When I first read this one, I gave it 3 stars and left no review. This time I bumped it up to 5 and man, I loved it.

I think my feelings for Elliot were not good during the first read through as I had just read untamed and I did not like how he treated Kyle. This time, I can see why Elliot is the way he is and I love him.

So in here we have Elliot, who just blew up his life in NY and decided to get out and find a job he wanted to do. He ends up being hired by the mother of the Johnson family. Y'all might remember that this is a massive family of kinksters with no boundaries. He meets Nathan, brother of Zander and also a Dom.

Things happen, Elliot finally has his awakening and these two become a couple. I loved the progression of these two.

I actually did not like Kyle and Rand from untamed in here. Both acted like children and reminded me of the brothers treating my bae Jasper so badly. I also was not fond of the bff that started his downfall.

[Jenn (not Lily) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars
Oh Elliot, I had no idea when I finished Untamed that you would turn out to be such a freaking good guy. I knew you had your own problems and scars from growing up with those awful parents, but you tuned out so damn well despite them! And Nathan, Mr. Grumpy Pants, who obviously needed someone to need you -- this is the perfect look for you on the cover and I love how gently you smile at your boy by the end of the your book! I can't wait to catch up with you in Larson's book and in the other Johnson Family books that I'm sure will show up eventually.

[Szidi ☼ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Baby gay and baby sub. That's Elliott - 35, a new attorney to Nathan. Sounds good, right? Who doesn't like an office romance with BDSM elements and a virgin MC?

But I had problems with the book, so sadly it wasn't my favorite. And it's a new for me, because this book is the first from Carly that I gave less then 4 stars. I'm sad.

Slow burn, boring chapters, nothing happened at all. First kiss at 50%, first penetrative sex at the end of the book... And the biggest problem, I missed the BDSM. Nathan and his whole family works/owns DASH (gay BDSM club), and Nathan is a Dom. Yeah, Elliott is a baby sub, but come on, this book wasn't BDSM at all. Kneeling - end of the scene. I love kneeling subs, so at least I enjoyed those, but I missed more - both in deapth and play.

I couldn't find the romance part of the story either, it was just two flat character doing their thing and at the end of the book they exchanged I love yous, but aside that, I really couldn't find it where they fallen in love?

Sorry, it wasn't for me. I wanted to DNF it but I had hope... yeah, I haven't had missed anything if I'd finish it early. OR if I start at 50%. It blows my mind, but it's true. If you start at the 50% you will understand everything just the same, but you save yourself time.

Ps. There was one scene that had potential, and it wasn't in the book! So I thought it would be the bonus scene... but NO. Come on! Office sex, blow job under the desk while someone in the room?! I want that!

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really liked this book once it got going a little. The first bit felt REALLY slow. But once it started going, I actually liked it. Slow-burn is not my favorite trope, but this wasn't bad.

Nathan comes across as a grumpy guy that is hard to get a long with. He's really anything but. He has a soft spot for Elliot. Elliot was very timid. He doesn't stand up for himself often, and he's absolutely clueless to this BDSM world. Some of it felt really unrealistic honestly for a 35 year old man.

What my biggest issue is is the order in which to read these books. My first series with this author was the Finding Home series. We meet Derek and Colt. Loved them, so I started reading Zander because well he's in that book. I shouldn't have. I should've started with the Undisclosed series. But even that's not right, because once you hit Larsen's book, you actually shouldn't read that book before you read this one, because you get spoilers for this book. Sigh....I've been to the author's page multiple times and there is no order to read the books. These books flow so much better when read in order. So please tell me how was I supposed to know that Kyle, Elliot's brother, has a book which is called Untamed. We would already have the background on Kyle and Rand. It's really frustrating as a reader. Especially one that really needs to read things in order.

So for those that may read like me, after you read this book, then you jump back to the Undislosed series for book 4 & 5, and then you come back to this one to read Seth.

[Valerie ❈M/M Romance Junkie❈]

I have no idea how to rate this. If I think of this just as Nathan’s book and Elliot is just some random guy, this would be a solid four stars. But… it’s NOT. Elliot is the brother of Kyle (MC from Untamed). Elliot was an asshole to Kyle in that book. He was such an ass that I almost skipped this book to avoid reading about him. The author attempted to redeem him. It was a decent attempt, but his reasons for being an ass just weren’t enough for me. They may have worked if he wasn’t in his 30s. 😒 He basically had a personality transplant from one book to the next. I have to be honest. If I’d realized that the Elliot in this book was the Elliot from Untamed, I would have NEVER purchased and read Nathan. Seriously, NEVER. YOU may be able to forgive the asshat. I just can’t.

Sooo 4 stars for the parts that read as though Elliot is a random sub and not Kyle’s brother.
1 star for Elliot’s about face and his so-called “reasoning” for being a dick to his brother.

Do with that what you will.🤷🏽‍♀️

[Yuli Atta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my 3rd read I think and I love this book so much 😍

[Nese's reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh boy, not Elliot !
I hated him so much in Untamed, he made life hell for his brother Kyle and his Daddy, I was determined not to give him a chance....

Elliot is a mess, his life is a wreck . He has spent most of his life trying to please everyone, at a huge cost to himself. He has lied, he has hurt and he has hidden his true self. Yeah, he was not liked at all.
After a disastrous sham of a wedding Elliot leaves NY and his life behind for good, he promised his ex wife that he would try to find peace and be happy. If only it was that easy....

Elliot is the new attorney with the Johnson family firm, he comes in with a clean slate, nobody knows him, he can be true to himself, maybe even be liked and belong....
What he didn't expect was for Nathan Johnson to totally ignore him. Like a fish out of water he flounders, trying to be his best at his job while trying to decipher his body's reactions to Nathan, I actually felt sorry for him.

Nathan is a loud, proud in your face strong Dom, that seems to steamroll his way with his family and his work.
He has no time for a man that he did not choose to work with. Elliot won't be around for long anyway.

How this story could turn around, how these two characters would find a common ground was beyond me. Slowly, slowly with the help of Nathan's brothers, Elliot's ex wife pushing him and an eventful night at DASH things happen. So many new feelings and reactions for both men, all I can say is that I did not expect it at all...

Can Elliot come to terms with being gay and submissive? Can he ever look his brother in the eyes ?
Can Nathan be the Dom that enlightens this 35 year old novice, or will his harshness push him away ?

Love the Johnson's, maybe even as much as I love the Scott's (Finding Home) they are pretty unique after all.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not prepared for this to be a companion novel to Untamed, but as soon as I realized it was happening I jumped fully on board. I didn't realize that I needed a redemption arc for Elliot from his behavior and Untamed yet holy freaking hell it was done great. I'm so glad that these books overlap.

I will say that you do still need to read Zander, the first book of the Johnson family before you read this one in addition to reading Untamed. Could you read it without reading untamed, yes, but I think you will get a lot more out of the story if you read both Zander and untamed first. Personally I think the best course of action when tackling Carly Marie's books is just to read in the order that they were published because the characters overlap in almost every book and some of them don't make sense without the others.

On to this book. I am such a sucker for gruff emotionally closed off characters who are actually just soft and squishy but don't know how to show it. Both Nathan and Elliot give off those vibes and the two of them together were just perfect. They were able to help bring each other out of their little hard shells and show some vulnerability. I don't want to give too much away, but just know that this does include BDSM but it's on the lighter side. Nathan's family owns a gay BDSM club and while some of his siblings engage in a little bit rougher, maybe that's the word, BDSM, this book really focuses on dominance and submission. There isn't any sort of impact play or even punishments of any sort. They're still very much Dom / sub, but it is one of the lighter kinky books I've read and so if the harder kink isn't for you, perhaps this book is worth a read.

Gay MC with anxiety, pansexual MC
CW: age play described in secondary characters

[Barb ~rede-2-read~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable. This author's work is getter better. Or...she's growing on me. Either way, this story of Nathan, the Johnson family workaholic who we see briefly in Zander.

Through a miscommunication, he gets a new law firm associate who he assumes he's not going to like, but ultimately ends up loving. The story takes some time to develop and the Dom and his virgin boy don't just jump right into bed. Thankfully. But once Elliot, who is finally seeking something for himself instead of trying to please others, accepts Nathan fully as his Dom and develops his own sense of self-worth, their relationship takes off.

I also enjoyed the bit of crossover with some of the other books by the author (especially Secrets, and I'm intrigued by the story of Elliot's brother Kyle, whose story is next up in my queue.

This story filled my need for some light, yet heartwarming, mild D/s and I recommend this series and the Undisclosed series as well.

[MN Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nathan has intrigued me from the first time I saw him in Zander. I loved him then, even though he was a grump and I loved how he turned his grump around after meeting Elliot. I had not read the story of Elliot's wedding, but hearing what happened and what he did made me mad. I like how he worked through what he wanted and stood up to Nathan. Nathan did take a bit to get on board, but I appreciated the care and concern he gave to Elliot.

Love the Johnson Family and can't wait to read more.

[Judy Ferrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The misfit

Elliott didn't really fit with his family. He tried to be what his parents wanted but he just couldn't. Nathan wasn't expecting someone like Elliott when his mom hired him. A truly beautiful match.

[Alexis Woods · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 2

Wow, just all the tropes thrown in this one. Grumpy Dom, newbie sub, "baby gay" lol.

KU, contemporary, lawyers, book in a series, first time, kneeling

[Maria Arroyo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loveeee it, but I also feel like this had so many parts left out and ended in an almost cliffhanger yet not? Idk I’m happy with most of it but feel strange with how it went.

[Julie Underhill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nathan by Carly Marie is the second book in her Johnson Family Rules series. The Johnson family has 9 siblings and their parents own DASH, a BDSM club is Nashville. Nathan is a lawyer in practice with his mother. She has decided that she wants to retire soon so they will need another lawyer to take her place in their firm. Unbeknownst to Nathan she has hired someone that he doesn’t know and he isn’t happy about it because he wants to help those in the BDSM community and needs someone that will go along with this and be sympathetic to clients. He is a rather surly dom who likes control and to be in charge so this doesn’t go over well. He decides he isn’t going to make it easy on the new guy until he finds out if he will work out with this. Elliot is the lawyer that his mother hired. His life has been one of trying to please everyone but always coming up short. He was never good enough for his parents, even though he graduated in the top five in college. He wanted to be a partner in the firm because he thought that would please them but he didn’t make it. He was not nice to his brother so their relationship was strained. And he was in the closet and terrified to come out. He finally had an incident with his best friend that ended up in him leaving New York City and finding a job in Tennessee with Nathan’s firm. He was very vanilla when he got there and was intimidated by Nathan’s attitude but he wanted to keep the job so he looked into the lifestyle and was stunned when he thought he might be a submissive. The story continues as Nathan learns that Elliot might just be the one for him and Elliot learns that Nathan isn’t that bad and might be able to give him what he needs most – acceptance and the feeling that he is enough. I really like how Ms. Marie developed the characters. You could slowly see changes happening in both of them that led to their HEA. There was humor in some of the situations, especially as family members interacted with them, as well as some sadness as realizations were made about their actions and the consequences for them. There was also hope that past challenges could be resolved. The slow burn was well written as well as the loving times as Elliot learned what it was like to be a submissive. I am a big fan of Ms. Marie’s books and this one did not disappoint. I highly recommend it and I’m looking forward to reading the next one in the series.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

The chemistry that developed between Nathan and Elliott was amazing. They got a rough start by the way that Elliott came into Nathan's families law firm, but both Nathan and Elliott, as well as the readers, soon discover what we knew would happen all along...they were made for each other. Both men were hurting, both men were lonely, but together they blended together beautifully. You can see the changes as that started to take place in the two of them. Nathan had a hot-tempered personality...even his brother Austin calls him "grouchy pants" while still loving him. The Johnsons are one big, (9 kids, his, hers and theirs), close kinit, loving family so it's not surprising the support that Nathan received. When Elliott first comes to work at the law firm, Nahan does his best to get rid of him, that is until he gets to really know him. Elliott didn't like him in another series by Carly Marie...how Elliott treated his then boyfriend, Kevin was the problem then. Elliotts parents were horrible. Nothing he did was ever good enough for them and he knew that if he continued to try to always, please other people that he very easily could end up just like his mother and father. Elliott is lucky to have a best friend, Emma who listens to him and encourages him to move and get another job. He promises her he will and will also start to live for himself...finally admit that he's gay and work on making his life what HE wants. New city, new law firm, new friends. He eventually finds that with Nathan he can have all that and much more. At first, he's shy and quiet but that soon changes as these two together begin to help each other. I struggled a bit with the rating...not because of the characters or the story content. I LOVED every word, every sentence of it. The struggle came from the switch with the series. Three books are under the series entitled "Johnson Family Rules"...then these same characters are all in another series called "Undisclosed"...same family members getting their stories told. It's confusing and a bit difficult to actually find them. I did run across Larson's story but purely by accident. I have read it and will review it later.

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cozy kink

This was a cozy kinky romance. Which is pretty much what I've come to expect from Carly Marie book. However, this book did something that usually doesn't work for me and that is redeem a character I genuinely hated.

I hated Elliot after reading Untamed. He was awful to his brother for seemingly no reason and she said all around terrible person. I never in my mind thought it was possible to redeem him and yet. He's not completely absolved of his wrongdoings. Kyle doesn't a 100% forgive him and he does have to deal with the consequences for his actions. But through Nathan and this wonderful family that doesn't understand boundaries he grows and you end up rooting for him. I don't think his reasons for being terrible were 100% sound but his journey is worth it.

Really quick, because this wouldn't be a proper review without mentioning how sweetie these brothers are. But Nathan is swoon. He's also the definition of lovable grump. I think oftentimes people confuse grump with @sshole. That wasn't the case here. Nathan is a grouch for sure but he's also a loving brother and a kind friend. I adored him.

This was just such a cozy book. It may seem long but it's paced expertly so it goes by fast without feeling like you're losing something. I think this series is 100% worth your time. I would even say if you hadn't read untamed read this book first. You still act up hating Elliot but at least you'll see the light at the end of the tunnel. Five stars because I love this family and would like to know how to be adopted.

[els✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

- a MM romance! workplace romance, grumpy/sunshine, BDSM, Dom/sub, forced proximity, found family!
- HOW DID I NEVER CONNECT THE DOTS ON WHO THE BROTHER WAS
- what a messy messy prologue hahaha
- well Nathan is beating around the bush and i do indeed love that
- oh Elliot just breaks my damn heart 😭
- i am SO impatient and just want these cuties to be together already 😂
- we all knew that the meeting at DASH was gonna be messy but i did not think it would be that messy
- i am so glad Nathan went back to Elliot’s tho!!
- THE FIRST KNEELING MOMENT
- all of the relationships Elliot makes with Nathan’s family separate to Nathan makes my heart swell
- i honestly did expect to look at the explore a bit more than they did but i really did love their dynamic and how they made it work for them
- the reunion with Kyle was so emotional and all i did was cry x
- i really love how Elliot and Kyle left it! so realistic and so happy they’re back in each others lives 🥹
- their sex scenes are STUPID hot
- and their love confessions!! so so good and perfect for them
- i love SO MUCH that the end of this book is the beginning of Larson’s!!!
- i honestly think Elliot’s character development was INCREDIBLE!! the way he couldn’t even say he was gay out loud at the beginning of the book to being completely open about his kinky side was amazing
- and the ending was incredible 🥹
- why do i always leave books i know i’m gonna love until the end of time 😭 this was BEAUTIFUL

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elliot's life was planned out for him: college, job, marriage and then family. He has rarely done anything for himself but when his sham marriage falls apart he has to rebuild from the ground up and admit what he has hidden from everyone - that he is gay. Nathan thrives with control and order and so having no say on the new attorney threatens them both. Before meeting Elliot Nathan made it his mission to run him off as quickly as possible until he spots him at DASH the gay BDSM club in town. Could Elliot be teh unicorn Nathan has been looking for but first he needs to get the quiet attorney to turn off his brain and just feel. If Nathan can find a way to be the Dom Elliot is just discovering he’s always needed, Elliot might just be the unicorn that changes Nathan’s life.

I really enjoyed this story with the friendship between Elliot and his ex-wife, the broken relationship between Elliot and his brother Kyle and the entense relationship between Submissive Elliot and Dom Nahan. Elliot was so quiet and shy which fed into his need to stay hidden in the background but it was great to see him coming into his own sexuality and personality. I loved their relationship and the way that it developed. This was easy to read, gfeel and understand. It is an MM story with mature content with a BDSM-like D/s dynamic.

[M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another amazing book. I loved Elliot. My heart broke for him and the internal struggles he dealt with throughout his life. Always trying to please everyone and getting hurt over and over when he couldn’t. I found the pairing between Nathan and him interesting. Elliot was such a natural submissive with a praise kink. Even though he’s new to the scene he falls into the submissive mindset so easily. It’s beautiful to read. Once Nathan was able to get his head out of his ass and quit acting like a temperamental child to Elliot, thankfully it didn’t go on for too many chapters, I fell in love with him too. Nathan is protective and extremely supportive of Elliot which shows throughout many instances in the book.

Regarding Kyle and Elliot’s relationship: I disliked Kyle from the get go. I tried to read Untamed (Kyle and Rand’s book), but I could not stand Kyle (Elliot’s brother). His personality annoyed me to no end. When I started reading Nathan and realized Elliot’s wedding was in Untamed, I decided to go back and read the wedding portion in Untamed. Still didn’t like Kyle. Still doesn’t excuse Elliot’s behavior. I guess I just have a huge soft spot for Elliot. Now, I thought the author handled the brother’s relationship beautifully. With everything Kyle went through with Elliot, Kyle’s actions and demeanor makes sense. As a reader, we don’t expect everything to be hunky dory by the end of the book.

All in all, great book. I’m excited to read Larson’s book next.

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know the author has written an awesome story when she makes you fall in love with a character you really despised in a previous story. Elliot first appears in Untamed and I really wanted to slap him. He was such an ahole. (btw, you don't need to read Untamed to read this story, but highly recommend it so you can fully understand Elliot's "growth". Also, Untamed is another awesome story so you won't regret reading it). When I find out he was the MC in this story, I was like WTH, he's a big jerk! How dare you Ms. Marie. But once I began reading it and really got to know Elliot's, he broke my heart. He redeemed himself little by little with each page. And I loved how his previous behavior wasn't excused away, Elliot accepted his faults and short comings. But his story is written so heartbrokenly beautiful, that you can't help but let him into your heart. Nathan, Mr Grumpy, you just help but love, he uses his bark to cover his big heart. And that big heart chose Elliot, giving him what he so desperately needed...understanding, patience, courage, and love. And best of all, taught him to learn how to love himself. Nathan and Elliot were so sexy (HOT), funny, and sweet together. Definitely a triumph redeeming story for Elliot.

[Reading*Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying getting to know the large, outspoken, tight-knit, and accepting Johnson family (and I eagerly await Larson's story next!). Here, gruff attorney Nathan gets off to a rocky start with his family law firm's new hire Elliot, before slowly realizing he's everything the Dom didn't know he needed.

Seeking a fresh start in Tennessee after a lifetime of denying himself, and with support from his new Johnson family member friends and - most importantly - Nathan, the closeted 35-year-old Elliot embarks on a journey of self-acceptance, exploration, and D/s dynamics. Overcoming a tendency to avoid personal conflict at all costs, he also faces repairing a long-broken relationship with his younger brother Kyle. It's all more heartwarming than angsty, and the Johnson brothers' dynamics add plenty of lightness and humor.

This book somewhat works as a standalone, but not having read Kyle's story in the author's crossover Untamed series felt like a disadvantage given his importance here. I received an advance reading e-copy of this book and have left this honest review voluntarily. (Also read in KU.)

[Deb Loves to Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love! Love! Love! this story. Our beloved author has brought another couple to life and it's a very good thing. We have met them before - Nathan from "Zander" and Eliott in "Untamed"... one with a good reputation and the other a bit of an annoying pill. While this can certainly be read as a standalone story, I went back and reread "Untamed" before I started and I'm really glad I did. Kyle and Rand play a significant role and being reminded of their story made the journey through Nathan and Eliott's story more satisfying. And we get to see more of the Johnson family and the DASH club family. Carly Marie has woven together a wonderful universe anchored in middle Tennessee (you can find bits and pieces from her other books in this story, too).
One of the things I most appreciate is the nuance that she brings to the BDSM community - one size does not fit all - and how people can grow and change into the right role for themselves, especially when surrounded by a supportive community. You will certainly love this couple and their story... you should order it TODAY!

[Rainbow Reads and Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

We first meet Elliot in Untamed. He’s Kyle’s older brother and a complete jerk.

When Carly announced that Nathan’s counterpart was Elliot, I was completely surprised.

We learn Elliot’s secrets and why he treated Kyle like he did. It’s heartbreaking to learn the reasons for his actions. His atonement felt authentic and I’m glad it wasn’t just wiped away and everything was unicorns and rainbows between he and Kyle.

As for Nathan, I really didn’t care for him for the first half of the book. Talk about a tantrum. I did enjoy how his character evolved and how the D/s relationship between the two progressed. I enjoyed seeing submission through someone completely new to the scene and the idea of being submissive.

My most favorite part of the book is Elliot’s friendship with Sean. It really felt like an authentic friendship and I loved getting to know another brother.

A great second book in this series. I’m really looking forward to the next one!

*I received an ARC, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.*

[FHR · Rating 4 out of 5]

After things come to head with his disastrous wedding, Elliot realises it’s time to make a change. With the encouragement of his only friend, he makes a life changing move and hopes for a new start with a clean slate. Nathan was a Dom who liked to make his own choices and when his hand is forced the new hire, he has his own plan in mind. But, the family business has a way of changing ones perspective and maybe Nathan was a bit too quick to judge. This was an engrossing story about learning to finally accept oneself and finding the courage to seek one’s happiness. This in essence was Elliots story and how he found his redemption in many ways. Nathan was the missing person/ piece in his life that he needed to help guide him in his journey of self realisation and acceptance. I loved the glimpses of the Johnson family we got in the story, it gives it more depth and the appearance of my favourite couple from Untamed was an added bonus. A lovely, low angst read with mild bdsm moments.

[Courtney Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well from start to finish this book is well written, characters are clear and have personality and history. If you haven’t read the book untamed by Carly marie then there might be a few spoilers.
This follows Elliot, who has been in the closet and living to please other people his entire life, never feeling good enough and never feeling as if he belongs.
After his marriage ended after only a few hours after a miscommunication and then family taking over fully🤦🏻
He escaped to a new job where he met someone that finally saw him completely, after a few tumbles.
Nathan is a grumpy dom that is taking over the family firm and is reluctant to let just anybody have a job as his focus is the BDSM community.
This book gave me watery eyes more than once from Elliot’s POV where he just feels like he doesn’t belong anywhere.
Their story isn’t insta love but is a medium burn romance with spice. Definitely worth a read

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a wonderful story. Elliot has never lived his life for himself and he’s having trouble figuring out how to do that. Nathan likes to be in control of everything in his life and is struggling with Elliot being brought into their law office without his opinion. These two both avoid each other until one interaction outside of work makes them rethink what it is they may want. Nathan was able to give Elliot a safe place to be himself and the love and care that he never got before. Elliot gives Nathan a reason to not be so grumpy anymore, he still gets the control he needs, it's just not how he always thought it would be. I am glad that Elliot was able to start reconnecting with Kyle and maybe we’ll get to see a bit more of them too.

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

[Denise Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow didn't think I'd like Elliot after what he put Kyle, through but having it explained helped.
Elliot is a people pleaser. Always doing what others want , his parents constantly driving him to do better, never good enough.
This explains why he treated Kyle so bad. After the wedding he leaves New York, Emma tells him to be true to himself and enjoy life.
When he finds a job in Tennessee, he's nervous, starting again. On the first day Nathan comes shouting down the corridor being Mr Grump. Nathan did not want Elliot there, his mother had hired him.
This is beautifully written, with Elliot being true to himself, and Nathan finally finding a balance between work and play.I
Highly recommend. Need to give Elliot a chance you'll be surprised

[Denise GremoryKohta · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!!

I knew from the first book by this author that we were in for a treat. I’ve been blown away ever since. I was not expecting to like much less love Elliot. And the change in Nathan is amazing. I love how close all the characters are and how we keep running into previous ones. The only drawback to getting lost in this world is when we reach the end of the story. We still have more to come. Too many guys out there that need their HEA’s. Get the bonus scene and you’ll know why I’m so excited at what comes next. As a stal... I mean follower and Facebook group member I may have been hinting, okay begging for a certain guy to get his turn. What can I say. I’m totally attached to these guys. Heck I might even survive the wait lol.

[Tam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I went into this thinking I wouldn't enjoy it much because I was annoyed it wasn't Larson's story and I thought Nathan was kind of a jerk. Then when I realized Elliot was the awful brother of Kyle in another series and I was ready to hate the entire thing. But ... I'm not sure I "loved" Nathan but I did appreciate that he was able to let go of his "grr grr, I'm a big mean dom" and be what Elliot needed and I did love Elliot and the shit he went through broke my heart. I adored Austin and the ex/bf was ... most of the time okay, and I know it's my personality but I can't imagine sharing the intimate stuff he did with ANYONE. Like holy no boundaries Batman. But that's me.

So despite a reluctant start, I did really enjoy it and I can't wait for Larsen's story coming soon.

[moonydew · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars…
Not too bad. This was again much less kinky and honestly my biggest complaint was his friend Emma just absolutely sucking. With the family ad crazy as this one I’m sick of this mild kinky books. Where’s is the flavor???

I really liked Elliot but Nathan was sooo bland and I once again didn’t feel any chemistry with them, just felt like I was being told about it.

I read this entire universe out of order so ik Seth ends up with someone and honestly he’s the most interesting character in this family IMO and Kyle (Elliot’s brother) and his daddy sound wayyyy more fun than these two so once I’m done with this series I’ll go read that lol

2/5 on spice. 1/5 on kink. 1/5 on tears. “Sir” and kneeling don’t even get a 2 on my kinky scale. Fight me.