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Destination Daddies
Reel Love
A young brat and his buttoned-up best friend together for an unexpected and romantic weekend in Los Angeles. Is it a recipe for disaster or a chance at real love?
Archer has been in love with his best friend for years, but he’d never admit it out loud. Comparing every man he meets to the only man he wants, everyone falls short of the high ideal of Clint Taylor. On the heels of a date gone wrong, Clint ends up the last place either of them expect…Archer’s bed. There’s a kiss and another, and then everything changes.
Clint doesn’t understand some of the things Archer wants from him, but he knows he isn’t a quitter and Archer deserves the best. Determined to be the man and the Daddy Archer deserves, the two men find themselves together for a romantic and kinky weekend beneath the bright lights of Hollywood.
Archer is rich and Clint isn’t.
Clint is patient and Archer could never be.
Archer knows what he wants and Clint doesn’t believe he’s enough.
With so much stacked against them, is it too much to hope that love is the one thing that goes right?
Reel Love brings together a bratty boy, a Daddy who doesn’t know he’s a Daddy, a gorgeous L.A. backdrop, and enough steam to fog up all the windows in a high-rise hotel.
This book is part of the Destination Daddies multi-author series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but there are so many destinations and Daddies to discover, why not grab them all?
Archer has been in love with his best friend for years, but he’d never admit it out loud. Comparing every man he meets to the only man he wants, everyone falls short of the high ideal of Clint Taylor. On the heels of a date gone wrong, Clint ends up the last place either of them expect…Archer’s bed. There’s a kiss and another, and then everything changes.
Clint doesn’t understand some of the things Archer wants from him, but he knows he isn’t a quitter and Archer deserves the best. Determined to be the man and the Daddy Archer deserves, the two men find themselves together for a romantic and kinky weekend beneath the bright lights of Hollywood.
Archer is rich and Clint isn’t.
Clint is patient and Archer could never be.
Archer knows what he wants and Clint doesn’t believe he’s enough.
With so much stacked against them, is it too much to hope that love is the one thing that goes right?
Reel Love brings together a bratty boy, a Daddy who doesn’t know he’s a Daddy, a gorgeous L.A. backdrop, and enough steam to fog up all the windows in a high-rise hotel.
This book is part of the Destination Daddies multi-author series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but there are so many destinations and Daddies to discover, why not grab them all?
184 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 15, 2021
89 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
About the author
Kate Hawthorne
93 books930 followersWith over two dozen published romances to her name, Kate Hawthorne has built a recognizable brand around telling emotional stories that pack a figurative (and sometimes literal) punch.
Existing on a steady diet of wine and coffee, Kate spends her days dreaming up angsty stories full of heat, kink, and heart. Kate now lives in Louisville, where she writes romance, reads romance, and hides from the humidity.
Visit her website at http://www.katehawthornebooks.com
Existing on a steady diet of wine and coffee, Kate spends her days dreaming up angsty stories full of heat, kink, and heart. Kate now lives in Louisville, where she writes romance, reads romance, and hides from the humidity.
Visit her website at http://www.katehawthornebooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
August 3, 2021
⭐ 2.2 “this book went from shaping up to being out of shape” stars ⭐
A not-so-guarded secret is that I enjoy Daddy kink —It's one of the few ways I can stomach fluff and low angst/conflict in my books. Because hey, If I can't get drama, then I might as well get some spice to make up for it.
So for all intents and purposes, this was looking good…
Very perceptive indeed.
*****************************
For transparency's sake, I'll admit I was about to rate this 1 star, only to read the second book in the anthology and realize there were still depths of suffering to be unlocked 🤡
Since I have yet to write the review for that trauma-inducing installment, in case anyone is curious I’ll redirect you all to the one penned by my marvelous buddy-reading partner Florence. She got it right!! Plus helped to soften the blow from all the dubious titles that have been part of this series so far. Thanks for the mental support, girl 🖤
Now, without mincing more words, let’s get down to business:
THE ONE POSITIVE
— Archer Representing Brats All Around The World.
⬇️ Archer for y’all ⬇️
And, Your Honor, he has a point.
Kate Hawthorne writes excellent subs, this we know to be a fact —If you doubt my statement, check out the excellent Dual Hostilities and Dual Destruction, featuring hands down the most badass of them all. While Archer wasn’t an assassin for hire extraordinaire like Foster Golden, he was still amazing in his own right.
Successful, confident, self-reliant, independent despite wanting to engage in a Daddy/Boy relationship (not because those are mutually exclusive things, but because it's sadly more of a rarity in this kinky subgenre), and just overall not lacking in the attitude department.
To transition directly into where things started to go askew, however, both Florence and I ended up agreeing that Archer ultimately deserved better. The things he put up with from who was supposed to be both his best friend and then the love of his life, far exceeded what I would’ve ever stomached from a man in his mid-thirties.
Hell, I’m neither a guy nor a Daddy but I’d let Archer call me one if that got him out of his relationship with crusty dusty Clint. So my overall message to him, as much as I enjoyed his character, would be…
If settling were a game, Archer could be employed as a goddamn Grade A Juggler.
But that’s a wrap on the (single) highlight, so let’s venture forward down the dark and somber road to…
THE NEGATIVE ZONE
— Clint Aka An Accountant I Wouldn’t Let Handle My Taxes.
In one word:
Too bad being broke doesn’t count as a personality trait, because perhaps then Clint wouldn’t be the basic-est of basics.
He kept acting as if he had barely half a penny to his name, being an insecure jerk while complaining he couldn’t “afford” to be a Daddy for Archer —and apparently not a best friend either, since ghosting was his favorite hobby. From ordering takeout, to paying for a single restaurant meal, to hotel stays, ever going on vacations, and even to store-brand noodles... If you were to judge him based on what he claimed was above his pay grade, you’d believe this guy was an indebted college student earning below minimum wage at a Mcdonald's.
When in reality, let me clarify, he was a whole ass accountant. In Los Angeles, which my dear buddy reading partner bothered researching, apparently the average earnings for the job are about 60k a year.
So I repeat, 60k a year and you’re telling me he declared buying goddamn noodles was something he couldn’t splurge on? Either he was the laziest accountant to ever graduate, or Extreme Cheapskates might as well contact me because I just found their next leading man.
The Christmas at Clint’s experience.
Continuing on…
— Destination Daddies is the name of the series, but…
‘Cause I see no destinations in SIGHT.
Truthfully, this is what I call a flopcation. The two protagonists went to a retreat in their own city, paid for a single night at a hotel —or at least Archer did, considering Clint couldn’t even be bothered to open his wallet for it, the cheap bastard—, and then went right back to their day-to-day lives the very next evening.
So the destination (and vacation) part of the series? A scam. Unless you call somewhere a couple of blocks down a destination, in which case I just went to several ones today while buying groceries and watering my plants.
Archer and Clint talking about theirnot at all exotic retreat, probably:
I would still be a hundred percent on board with Clint taking a hike, though.
And lastly…
— The Character And Relationship Progress (Or Lack Thereof)
Boiling this couple down, in my modest opinion…
While Archer might’ve been an enjoyable MC, the romance in this wasn’t one for the history books… or even a two-bit gossip column, in all sincerity.
The ending (A HFN at best) was cute-ish, yet to me, it felt completely unearned. These two were supposed to be an example of the best friends-to-lovers trope, yet they had the combined communication skills of a shitty tinder hook up. There wasn’t any tangible bond to back up the connection we kept being told about, or any real gestures by Clint to validate the crush Archer had harbored for him for years.
(Again, that man wasn't even a reliable accountant, let alone Daddy material)
All in all, the actual relationship didn’t ever seem to come full circle. There were approximately ten chapters of development missing, and none of their actual issues —Clint’s plethora of insecurities and Archer’s fear of abandonment, for example— were ever properly addressed either.
At the end of the day, I never bought that they were right for each other. And keeping in mind all the shaky qualities Clint sported, I ultimately never found myself able to ship them or rooting for them to be together.
If anything, I ended the book by wanting to shake Archer and yell…
Run, fool, run!!
>*****************************
And at last, briefest of Closing Thoughts:
Although I wouldn’t exactly recommend this personally, I could still see others somewhat enjoying it. I just have a bad track record fully appreciating books if I dislike one of the MCs, and that was sadly the case here.
So even if this wasn’t that impressive in my opinion, my ultimate verdict is...
Hey, I wasn’t a fan of it, but you might turn out to be one yourself!
A not-so-guarded secret is that I enjoy Daddy kink —It's one of the few ways I can stomach fluff and low angst/conflict in my books. Because hey, If I can't get drama, then I might as well get some spice to make up for it.
So for all intents and purposes, this was looking good…
Very perceptive indeed.
*****************************
For transparency's sake, I'll admit I was about to rate this 1 star, only to read the second book in the anthology and realize there were still depths of suffering to be unlocked 🤡
Since I have yet to write the review for that trauma-inducing installment, in case anyone is curious I’ll redirect you all to the one penned by my marvelous buddy-reading partner Florence. She got it right!! Plus helped to soften the blow from all the dubious titles that have been part of this series so far. Thanks for the mental support, girl 🖤
Now, without mincing more words, let’s get down to business:
THE ONE POSITIVE
— Archer Representing Brats All Around The World.
⬇️ Archer for y’all ⬇️
And, Your Honor, he has a point.
Kate Hawthorne writes excellent subs, this we know to be a fact —If you doubt my statement, check out the excellent Dual Hostilities and Dual Destruction, featuring hands down the most badass of them all. While Archer wasn’t an assassin for hire extraordinaire like Foster Golden, he was still amazing in his own right.
Successful, confident, self-reliant, independent despite wanting to engage in a Daddy/Boy relationship (not because those are mutually exclusive things, but because it's sadly more of a rarity in this kinky subgenre), and just overall not lacking in the attitude department.
To transition directly into where things started to go askew, however, both Florence and I ended up agreeing that Archer ultimately deserved better. The things he put up with from who was supposed to be both his best friend and then the love of his life, far exceeded what I would’ve ever stomached from a man in his mid-thirties.
Hell, I’m neither a guy nor a Daddy but I’d let Archer call me one if that got him out of his relationship with crusty dusty Clint. So my overall message to him, as much as I enjoyed his character, would be…
If settling were a game, Archer could be employed as a goddamn Grade A Juggler.
But that’s a wrap on the (single) highlight, so let’s venture forward down the dark and somber road to…
THE NEGATIVE ZONE
— Clint Aka An Accountant I Wouldn’t Let Handle My Taxes.
In one word:
Too bad being broke doesn’t count as a personality trait, because perhaps then Clint wouldn’t be the basic-est of basics.
He kept acting as if he had barely half a penny to his name, being an insecure jerk while complaining he couldn’t “afford” to be a Daddy for Archer —and apparently not a best friend either, since ghosting was his favorite hobby. From ordering takeout, to paying for a single restaurant meal, to hotel stays, ever going on vacations, and even to store-brand noodles... If you were to judge him based on what he claimed was above his pay grade, you’d believe this guy was an indebted college student earning below minimum wage at a Mcdonald's.
When in reality, let me clarify, he was a whole ass accountant. In Los Angeles, which my dear buddy reading partner bothered researching, apparently the average earnings for the job are about 60k a year.
So I repeat, 60k a year and you’re telling me he declared buying goddamn noodles was something he couldn’t splurge on? Either he was the laziest accountant to ever graduate, or Extreme Cheapskates might as well contact me because I just found their next leading man.
The Christmas at Clint’s experience.
Continuing on…
— Destination Daddies is the name of the series, but…
‘Cause I see no destinations in SIGHT.
Truthfully, this is what I call a flopcation. The two protagonists went to a retreat in their own city, paid for a single night at a hotel —or at least Archer did, considering Clint couldn’t even be bothered to open his wallet for it, the cheap bastard—, and then went right back to their day-to-day lives the very next evening.
So the destination (and vacation) part of the series? A scam. Unless you call somewhere a couple of blocks down a destination, in which case I just went to several ones today while buying groceries and watering my plants.
Archer and Clint talking about their
I would still be a hundred percent on board with Clint taking a hike, though.
And lastly…
— The Character And Relationship Progress (Or Lack Thereof)
Boiling this couple down, in my modest opinion…
While Archer might’ve been an enjoyable MC, the romance in this wasn’t one for the history books… or even a two-bit gossip column, in all sincerity.
The ending (A HFN at best) was cute-ish, yet to me, it felt completely unearned. These two were supposed to be an example of the best friends-to-lovers trope, yet they had the combined communication skills of a shitty tinder hook up. There wasn’t any tangible bond to back up the connection we kept being told about, or any real gestures by Clint to validate the crush Archer had harbored for him for years.
(Again, that man wasn't even a reliable accountant, let alone Daddy material)
All in all, the actual relationship didn’t ever seem to come full circle. There were approximately ten chapters of development missing, and none of their actual issues —Clint’s plethora of insecurities and Archer’s fear of abandonment, for example— were ever properly addressed either.
At the end of the day, I never bought that they were right for each other. And keeping in mind all the shaky qualities Clint sported, I ultimately never found myself able to ship them or rooting for them to be together.
If anything, I ended the book by wanting to shake Archer and yell…
Run, fool, run!!
>*****************************
And at last, briefest of Closing Thoughts:
Although I wouldn’t exactly recommend this personally, I could still see others somewhat enjoying it. I just have a bad track record fully appreciating books if I dislike one of the MCs, and that was sadly the case here.
So even if this wasn’t that impressive in my opinion, my ultimate verdict is...
Hey, I wasn’t a fan of it, but you might turn out to be one yourself!
dnf
August 2, 2021Another friends to lover troupe with a sprinkle of daddy kink. For a inexperienced person Clint was kinda dear fella. Kinky side though did not fit well imo. I enjoyed reading it, but nothing remarkable actually happened.
October 17, 2022
oh well it's okay ig, not awful
July 16, 2021
For me this book was an okay-read. I honestly expected so much more out of it. The story was gut but for me the characters were not good developed. The daddy was hesitant, then he ghosted his boy for three days, then they made up, then it started from the beginning.
I am curious about the next book in the destination daddy's Series
I am curious about the next book in the destination daddy's Series
July 26, 2021
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
Reel Love is sweet, sexy, and a lot of delicious fun. It is a fairly short novel, but author Kate Hawthorne does a great job setting up the connection between Archer and Clint and giving the foundation to their relationship, which then allowed their romance to develop so nicely. I love stories where people are having first time experiences, so this one was particularly suited to me. I really enjoyed watching Clint learn more about a Daddy/boy relationship and seeing him come into his inner Daddy. Clint is a natural at it, and his own personality, combined with the deep affection he has for Archer, allows him to really slide into the role. The dynamic between the men is super sexy, but also light and playful. Archer is kind of a brat, and Clint seems to know just how to handle him.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
Reel Love is sweet, sexy, and a lot of delicious fun. It is a fairly short novel, but author Kate Hawthorne does a great job setting up the connection between Archer and Clint and giving the foundation to their relationship, which then allowed their romance to develop so nicely. I love stories where people are having first time experiences, so this one was particularly suited to me. I really enjoyed watching Clint learn more about a Daddy/boy relationship and seeing him come into his inner Daddy. Clint is a natural at it, and his own personality, combined with the deep affection he has for Archer, allows him to really slide into the role. The dynamic between the men is super sexy, but also light and playful. Archer is kind of a brat, and Clint seems to know just how to handle him.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
August 2, 2021
2.5
For a book about bdsm, there sure wasn't enough communication in this one. You can't expect someone else to know everything and it's irresponsible to not share knowledge when it comes to a new relationship dynamic. Overall, I was underwhelmed with this one.
For a book about bdsm, there sure wasn't enough communication in this one. You can't expect someone else to know everything and it's irresponsible to not share knowledge when it comes to a new relationship dynamic. Overall, I was underwhelmed with this one.
August 22, 2021
Not the book that caught my attention, but read because it’s the first in the series. It was alright, friends to lovers, but the trip wasn’t really needed. I didn’t like David or Jason. Pretty straightforward daddy worrying he’s not a daddy and who has the pay-check.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2021
Enjoyable read with great connection between the characters
July 16, 2021
A "No" For Me
I love Daddy books. A lot. So I was so happy to begin this series. I still am as many of my favorite authors have books in this series so I'm waiting for their books.
I enjoyed the friendship between Archer and Clint. They connected well in that regard. What I didn't like was the switch to Clint being Daddy. What ultimately ended up being the case in this story was Clint being Daddy as just a bedroom activity. It was just using the word Daddy and "sexy spanking." There was no depth to the dynamic. He had no idea how to be a Daddy, seemed to do no research, or made no effort to ask questions and learn.
I'm okay with New Daddies. I've read those books. But how he would ghost Archer for days or a week at a time was just poor communication and being a poor Daddy. He also tried to break up with Archer at one point. There were small examples on screen of Clint being a caregiver but so many of him being hot and cold, uncommunicative, and so insecure it felt like he needed therapy about it. He easily dismissed what his boy was saying in favor of his insecurities about being a Daddy and having money.
Overall I didn't connect with Clint and started to get tired of how Archer and him seemed only able to communicate when in bed together. They never really had in-depth conversations about the important things or even rules. It was just Archer showing up after days of being ghosted, them having sex, Clint going back to being insecure.
Their relationship wasn't for me. And this felt like a story written by someone following the Daddy fade rather than actually understanding and connecting with what a Daddy/boy dynamic is (in all its varied mutations). This felt like surface role-play between friends. Which is fine and fun, just not what I expected from a "Daddy" book.
I love Daddy books. A lot. So I was so happy to begin this series. I still am as many of my favorite authors have books in this series so I'm waiting for their books.
I enjoyed the friendship between Archer and Clint. They connected well in that regard. What I didn't like was the switch to Clint being Daddy. What ultimately ended up being the case in this story was Clint being Daddy as just a bedroom activity. It was just using the word Daddy and "sexy spanking." There was no depth to the dynamic. He had no idea how to be a Daddy, seemed to do no research, or made no effort to ask questions and learn.
I'm okay with New Daddies. I've read those books. But how he would ghost Archer for days or a week at a time was just poor communication and being a poor Daddy. He also tried to break up with Archer at one point. There were small examples on screen of Clint being a caregiver but so many of him being hot and cold, uncommunicative, and so insecure it felt like he needed therapy about it. He easily dismissed what his boy was saying in favor of his insecurities about being a Daddy and having money.
Overall I didn't connect with Clint and started to get tired of how Archer and him seemed only able to communicate when in bed together. They never really had in-depth conversations about the important things or even rules. It was just Archer showing up after days of being ghosted, them having sex, Clint going back to being insecure.
Their relationship wasn't for me. And this felt like a story written by someone following the Daddy fade rather than actually understanding and connecting with what a Daddy/boy dynamic is (in all its varied mutations). This felt like surface role-play between friends. Which is fine and fun, just not what I expected from a "Daddy" book.
July 12, 2021
Oooh, well I just loved this!
Kate Hawthorne is kicking off the Destination Daddies group series with an excellent novella!
Archer is a bratty boy, and he's also been in love with his best friend of three years, Clint. Archer also thinks that Clint would make a perfect daddy for him, but Clint will need some convincing that it's not money, status, and items that Archer wants in a relationship.
I really love that this is a bit refreshing - we have a secure boy, an insecure daddy, and a rich boy and a normal-salary, normal middle/upper class life daddy, rather than what we usually get, which is the opposite.
I love how naturally things came to Clint, and how wonderful the chemistry was between him and Archer. Very well written and steamy! Loved these two together. I think I'm going to really enjoy all of the stories this group of authors will be bringing us!
I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Kate Hawthorne is kicking off the Destination Daddies group series with an excellent novella!
Archer is a bratty boy, and he's also been in love with his best friend of three years, Clint. Archer also thinks that Clint would make a perfect daddy for him, but Clint will need some convincing that it's not money, status, and items that Archer wants in a relationship.
I really love that this is a bit refreshing - we have a secure boy, an insecure daddy, and a rich boy and a normal-salary, normal middle/upper class life daddy, rather than what we usually get, which is the opposite.
I love how naturally things came to Clint, and how wonderful the chemistry was between him and Archer. Very well written and steamy! Loved these two together. I think I'm going to really enjoy all of the stories this group of authors will be bringing us!
I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
July 15, 2021
Reel Love is the first book in the Destination Daddies series by multiple authors. Reel Love is written by Kate Hawthorne. This is the story of Archer and Clint. Best friends, but Archer wants more. I really liked their story. It was sweet, sexy, full of feels and very well written.
July 19, 2021
Hot fire garbage
It's taken me 3 days to get my thoughts together for this review. I'm so irritated at this book and the author. I've unfollowed her on all socials and refuse to read another book by her. Harsh? Maybe. Unwarranted? No.
This is in my top 10 worst books of 2021. I do not understand how an established author can feel comfortable publishing a book with so many issues. I'm not sure I can find one positive thing about this story.
The first chapter or so was fine, but as we progress through the book and Archer and Clint's Daddy/boy "relationship" it goes from bad to worse real quick.
The entire book was just lazy and sloppy and a huge disappointment. Not only is this the first book, in what could be, a great series. It's also not the first kink book by the author. Yet, it sure reads like one.
The first couple of series by Kate were amazing, but everything since the priest book has been a no from me.
It's taken me 3 days to get my thoughts together for this review. I'm so irritated at this book and the author. I've unfollowed her on all socials and refuse to read another book by her. Harsh? Maybe. Unwarranted? No.
This is in my top 10 worst books of 2021. I do not understand how an established author can feel comfortable publishing a book with so many issues. I'm not sure I can find one positive thing about this story.
The first chapter or so was fine, but as we progress through the book and Archer and Clint's Daddy/boy "relationship" it goes from bad to worse real quick.
The entire book was just lazy and sloppy and a huge disappointment. Not only is this the first book, in what could be, a great series. It's also not the first kink book by the author. Yet, it sure reads like one.
The first couple of series by Kate were amazing, but everything since the priest book has been a no from me.
July 12, 2021
4.5 stars A great start as two freinds bicker about dating attire to wear.
Archer's is in love with Clint although he kids himself he's not at all.
Scenes play out and they meet at the apps event vacation but not without some dramas. I loved the emotions between these guys as they'd learnt something new about each other. Clint has some learning about becoming a Daddy but he's already 70% there already. This is a great start for the Disternation Daddies series.
Includes Daddy, Bi-sexual MC, best-freinds-to-lovers, emotions,
Archer wanted Clint 30 yrs to notice him but here Clint was concerned he had blinkers on not seeing Acher at all.
Archer's is in love with Clint although he kids himself he's not at all.
Scenes play out and they meet at the apps event vacation but not without some dramas. I loved the emotions between these guys as they'd learnt something new about each other. Clint has some learning about becoming a Daddy but he's already 70% there already. This is a great start for the Disternation Daddies series.
Includes Daddy, Bi-sexual MC, best-freinds-to-lovers, emotions,
Archer wanted Clint 30 yrs to notice him but here Clint was concerned he had blinkers on not seeing Acher at all.
August 17, 2021
Oh no..
What the heck was this?? I swear this did not read like a Kate Hawthorne book. There were editing errors and some paragraphs did not flow well.
Ok, now onto the story. I loved Archer but I hated Clint so much. I mean hated him so much that the sex scenes did nothing for me. Archer deserves someone so much better than this guy. And this was not a true Daddy story. If you are going to write about a Daddy Dom, then write one. Calling someone Daddy and giving a spanking does not make one a Daddy.
What the heck was this?? I swear this did not read like a Kate Hawthorne book. There were editing errors and some paragraphs did not flow well.
Ok, now onto the story. I loved Archer but I hated Clint so much. I mean hated him so much that the sex scenes did nothing for me. Archer deserves someone so much better than this guy. And this was not a true Daddy story. If you are going to write about a Daddy Dom, then write one. Calling someone Daddy and giving a spanking does not make one a Daddy.
February 3, 2023
No tiene ni pies ni cabeza, ambos protagonistas entra en una relación en la que la química valió nada. No pierdan su tiempo, fin.
September 19, 2021
Not a true daddy book but still a decent read
This book was cute and as a lover of daddy books, I'm no mad I read it... But I was frustrated. For book that is relatively low stakes these characters were very dramatic about things they had no right being dramatic about. And I am only being nice because it's Kate Hawthorne. This is NOT her first rodeo. She has written more than a few Daddy and kink books in her day so I don't know what happened here but...choices were made and now I have to talk about it.
Let's talk about these characters. I actually like Archer. Yeah his brattiness and always read playful but if he wasn't the way he was, nothing would have happened here because Clint... Jesus did he got on my nerves more than once. He impersonated a yo-yo a little too well and for someone who talks so much about communication and honesty, he seemed very content to not keep up his end of the bargain. He would ghost Archer, let his insecurities get the best of him, and had a very narrow and shallow idea of what being a daddy meant and entailed. Thankfully, Archer being the way he is, put Clint in his place but yeah. I spent the majority this book not super on board with one of the captains of this ship.
Admittedly, Clint was was really swoony when he did let it go and became the daddy that he is. It took a little bit longer than I would have liked to get there but it did eventually happen. Archer's hot and cold attitude that seemingly would come out of nowhere wasn't super cute nor helpful either. I think that was supposed to read as bratting but it didn't. I will say their flaws do you make them multi-dimensional so I do appreciate that. As far as likeability and shipping goes, your mileage may vary. At least they weren't flat so I could deal.
Now, around the 60% mark the pacing took a bit of a nosedive. Naturally it was Clint's insecurities about money rearing its ugly and unnecessary head. (It comes up in the second chapter so I refuse to call it a spoiler). Anyways he doesn't like that Archer makes significantly more money than him and it's dumb. And I knew from the first time this was mentioned that it was going to become a bigger issue later on. I just didn't realize to what extent and how annoyed I was going to become. I know money is a sensitive topic for some but these two have been friends for 3 years. Archer liking to spend money on him shouldn't have been a big of a deal. It's not like Clint is poor and lives in a box. That and the constant "we can't ruin our friendship" was drama that should not have been drama. Had this book gone in the direction of kink exploration and these two finding each other, it would have been a lot more successful. As it is, it's drags and I had a hard time connecting with Clint.
I also think, and I truly cannot believe I am saying this, that if these two spent just a little more time talking to each other than screwing, some of the parts that felt a little nonsensical wouldn't have seemed so out of left field. I love smut and this book was hot but some of the sex scenes lacked the backing that comes from emotional depth and character development. I'm not saying I didn't believe that these two cared about each other but we didn't see it so much as were told about it. Telling is fine but when the actions of the characters dictate otherwise it reads...weird.
If you like friends to lovers, you will enjoy this. If you were looking for a strong Daddy book, maybe check out some of the other books in this multi-author series. That sounds really shady but this one just didn't hit the mark. Three stars because I'm not mad but it's never a good sign when I'm wondering if the lovers should have just stayed friends.
This book was cute and as a lover of daddy books, I'm no mad I read it... But I was frustrated. For book that is relatively low stakes these characters were very dramatic about things they had no right being dramatic about. And I am only being nice because it's Kate Hawthorne. This is NOT her first rodeo. She has written more than a few Daddy and kink books in her day so I don't know what happened here but...choices were made and now I have to talk about it.
Let's talk about these characters. I actually like Archer. Yeah his brattiness and always read playful but if he wasn't the way he was, nothing would have happened here because Clint... Jesus did he got on my nerves more than once. He impersonated a yo-yo a little too well and for someone who talks so much about communication and honesty, he seemed very content to not keep up his end of the bargain. He would ghost Archer, let his insecurities get the best of him, and had a very narrow and shallow idea of what being a daddy meant and entailed. Thankfully, Archer being the way he is, put Clint in his place but yeah. I spent the majority this book not super on board with one of the captains of this ship.
Admittedly, Clint was was really swoony when he did let it go and became the daddy that he is. It took a little bit longer than I would have liked to get there but it did eventually happen. Archer's hot and cold attitude that seemingly would come out of nowhere wasn't super cute nor helpful either. I think that was supposed to read as bratting but it didn't. I will say their flaws do you make them multi-dimensional so I do appreciate that. As far as likeability and shipping goes, your mileage may vary. At least they weren't flat so I could deal.
Now, around the 60% mark the pacing took a bit of a nosedive. Naturally it was Clint's insecurities about money rearing its ugly and unnecessary head. (It comes up in the second chapter so I refuse to call it a spoiler). Anyways he doesn't like that Archer makes significantly more money than him and it's dumb. And I knew from the first time this was mentioned that it was going to become a bigger issue later on. I just didn't realize to what extent and how annoyed I was going to become. I know money is a sensitive topic for some but these two have been friends for 3 years. Archer liking to spend money on him shouldn't have been a big of a deal. It's not like Clint is poor and lives in a box. That and the constant "we can't ruin our friendship" was drama that should not have been drama. Had this book gone in the direction of kink exploration and these two finding each other, it would have been a lot more successful. As it is, it's drags and I had a hard time connecting with Clint.
I also think, and I truly cannot believe I am saying this, that if these two spent just a little more time talking to each other than screwing, some of the parts that felt a little nonsensical wouldn't have seemed so out of left field. I love smut and this book was hot but some of the sex scenes lacked the backing that comes from emotional depth and character development. I'm not saying I didn't believe that these two cared about each other but we didn't see it so much as were told about it. Telling is fine but when the actions of the characters dictate otherwise it reads...weird.
If you like friends to lovers, you will enjoy this. If you were looking for a strong Daddy book, maybe check out some of the other books in this multi-author series. That sounds really shady but this one just didn't hit the mark. Three stars because I'm not mad but it's never a good sign when I'm wondering if the lovers should have just stayed friends.
June 12, 2023
Clint et Archer
Meilleur ami. Daddy Kink
Intéressant sans plus
📖
Un jeune morveux et son meilleur ami boutonné ensemble pour un week-end inattendu et romantique à Los Angeles. Est-ce une recette pour un désastre ou une chance au véritable amour ?
Archer est amoureux de son meilleur ami depuis des années, mais il ne l'admettra jamais à haute voix. En comparant chaque homme qu'il rencontre au seul homme qu'il veut, tout le monde est en deçà de l'idéal élevé de Clint Taylor. Dans la foulée d'un rendez-vous qui a mal tourné, Clint se retrouve au dernier endroit où ils s'attendent… le lit d'Archer. Il y a un baiser et un autre, et puis tout change.
Clint ne comprend pas certaines des choses qu'Archer attend de lui, mais il sait qu'il n'est pas un lâcheur et Archer mérite le meilleur. Déterminés à être l'homme que Daddy Archer mérite, les deux hommes se retrouvent pour un week-end romantique et coquin sous les lumières d'Hollywood.
Archer est riche et Clint ne l'est pas.
Clint est patient et Archer ne pourrait jamais l'être.
Archer sait ce qu'il veut et Clint pense qu'il ne suffit pas.
Avec tant de choses contre eux, est-ce trop d'espérer que l'amour est la seule chose qui va bien ?
Reel Love rassemble un garçon bratty, un papa qui ne sait pas qu'il est un papa, une magnifique toile de fond de LA et suffisamment de vapeur pour embuer toutes les fenêtres d'un hôtel de grande hauteur.
Ce livre fait partie de la série multi-auteurs Destination Daddies. Chaque livre peut être lu indépendamment, mais il y a tellement de destinations et de papas à découvrir, pourquoi ne pas tous les saisir ?
📕
🖋️
"Ce n'est pas une mauvaise chose," dit doucement Clint.
« Je pense que tu t'en tirerais bien. Mais je suis trop ivre pour une conversation sur les papas et les garçons et le kink. J'ai hoqueté. "Oh mon. Papas, et garçons, et kink, oh mon dieu.
"Que veux-tu dire?" Ses yeux se tournèrent vers mon téléphone.
« Tu es mon meilleur ami, mais il y a des choses sur moi que tu ne sais pas. Je ne pense pas que je veuille que tu le saches.
Cette dernière partie était un peu un mensonge.
🖋️
Meilleur ami. Daddy Kink
Intéressant sans plus
📖
Un jeune morveux et son meilleur ami boutonné ensemble pour un week-end inattendu et romantique à Los Angeles. Est-ce une recette pour un désastre ou une chance au véritable amour ?
Archer est amoureux de son meilleur ami depuis des années, mais il ne l'admettra jamais à haute voix. En comparant chaque homme qu'il rencontre au seul homme qu'il veut, tout le monde est en deçà de l'idéal élevé de Clint Taylor. Dans la foulée d'un rendez-vous qui a mal tourné, Clint se retrouve au dernier endroit où ils s'attendent… le lit d'Archer. Il y a un baiser et un autre, et puis tout change.
Clint ne comprend pas certaines des choses qu'Archer attend de lui, mais il sait qu'il n'est pas un lâcheur et Archer mérite le meilleur. Déterminés à être l'homme que Daddy Archer mérite, les deux hommes se retrouvent pour un week-end romantique et coquin sous les lumières d'Hollywood.
Archer est riche et Clint ne l'est pas.
Clint est patient et Archer ne pourrait jamais l'être.
Archer sait ce qu'il veut et Clint pense qu'il ne suffit pas.
Avec tant de choses contre eux, est-ce trop d'espérer que l'amour est la seule chose qui va bien ?
Reel Love rassemble un garçon bratty, un papa qui ne sait pas qu'il est un papa, une magnifique toile de fond de LA et suffisamment de vapeur pour embuer toutes les fenêtres d'un hôtel de grande hauteur.
Ce livre fait partie de la série multi-auteurs Destination Daddies. Chaque livre peut être lu indépendamment, mais il y a tellement de destinations et de papas à découvrir, pourquoi ne pas tous les saisir ?
📕
🖋️
"Ce n'est pas une mauvaise chose," dit doucement Clint.
« Je pense que tu t'en tirerais bien. Mais je suis trop ivre pour une conversation sur les papas et les garçons et le kink. J'ai hoqueté. "Oh mon. Papas, et garçons, et kink, oh mon dieu.
"Que veux-tu dire?" Ses yeux se tournèrent vers mon téléphone.
« Tu es mon meilleur ami, mais il y a des choses sur moi que tu ne sais pas. Je ne pense pas que je veuille que tu le saches.
Cette dernière partie était un peu un mensonge.
🖋️
July 19, 2021
This first book in this new multi-author series is by one of my favorite romance writers, so I was excited to dig in! Daddy kink isn’t what first comes to mind after my previous experience with Hawthorne’s work, so I knew she would be putting her usual unique spin on things. I was not disappointed by this friends-to-lovers romance in which Clint is the ultimate Daddy – which, of course, means he’s clueless about everything that involves.
He does know that he cares about his bestie Archer maybe a little bit too much for simple friendship, and the drunken reveal about what Archer looks for in a romantic partner sets Clint into a tailspin. An unfortunate but innocently chosen username on a hookup app gives him a crash course in kink. Unwilling to let Archer slip away, Clint follows Archer to a local event, determined to win his friend over and try to be what the other man needs. The way they finally come together is at turns sexy and awkward, but always fun. If only they can get over some hang-ups about what they think they should need and embrace being exactly what they want, their happily ever after is sure to be wonderful.
My favorite “idiots in love” trope is in full swing for this short, delightful book. This story is the perfect introduction to the concept of Daddy kink (without age play), featuring the brattiest brat (who knows it) and the Daddiest Daddy (who doesn’t). Fans of Hawthorne’s writing shouldn’t miss out, and I hope new readers are encouraged to check out her other work. I look forward to experiencing the rest of this fun series after that great introduction.
He does know that he cares about his bestie Archer maybe a little bit too much for simple friendship, and the drunken reveal about what Archer looks for in a romantic partner sets Clint into a tailspin. An unfortunate but innocently chosen username on a hookup app gives him a crash course in kink. Unwilling to let Archer slip away, Clint follows Archer to a local event, determined to win his friend over and try to be what the other man needs. The way they finally come together is at turns sexy and awkward, but always fun. If only they can get over some hang-ups about what they think they should need and embrace being exactly what they want, their happily ever after is sure to be wonderful.
My favorite “idiots in love” trope is in full swing for this short, delightful book. This story is the perfect introduction to the concept of Daddy kink (without age play), featuring the brattiest brat (who knows it) and the Daddiest Daddy (who doesn’t). Fans of Hawthorne’s writing shouldn’t miss out, and I hope new readers are encouraged to check out her other work. I look forward to experiencing the rest of this fun series after that great introduction.
July 16, 2021
I'll never say no to a Daddy/boy romance, and Archer and Clint's story was particularly enjoyable.
Unlike some of the sweet, submissive boys that appear in other books, Archer was an energetic, bratty delight. I fell in love with his personality instantly, and it was even sweeter to see how sure he was about Clint being his Daddy. I thought the concept of Archer molding Clint into the Daddy of his dreams was a fun one, and I was surprised by how emotionally connected I found myself getting to both men along the way. In a lot of ways, this book was an upbeat, fun adventure, but it had its moments of angst and indecision. Clint wavered from naturally assuming the role of Daddy to being seriously insecure of his worthiness, and it was a bit heartbreaking to see him struggle to find his place for so long. The relationship dynamic between him and Archer was very intriguing to me, and it reminded me how different kink is for every partnership. I, for one, loved seeing how their dynamic evolved and changed as they both gained confidence in their connection, and I can't imagine a future where these two don't end up staying together.
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
Unlike some of the sweet, submissive boys that appear in other books, Archer was an energetic, bratty delight. I fell in love with his personality instantly, and it was even sweeter to see how sure he was about Clint being his Daddy. I thought the concept of Archer molding Clint into the Daddy of his dreams was a fun one, and I was surprised by how emotionally connected I found myself getting to both men along the way. In a lot of ways, this book was an upbeat, fun adventure, but it had its moments of angst and indecision. Clint wavered from naturally assuming the role of Daddy to being seriously insecure of his worthiness, and it was a bit heartbreaking to see him struggle to find his place for so long. The relationship dynamic between him and Archer was very intriguing to me, and it reminded me how different kink is for every partnership. I, for one, loved seeing how their dynamic evolved and changed as they both gained confidence in their connection, and I can't imagine a future where these two don't end up staying together.
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
October 5, 2021
So here's the thing...this is my ideal fluffy relationship to read, but not my ideally written story from Ms. Kate Hawthorne.
Archer is sassy, bratty, and an overall pleasure as a realistic sub. He is experienced and takes no shit (except when it comes to Clint). Clint may be his one weakness.
Clint is new. He's so new the most basic spank and kiss sending him reeling. His biggest pro is being a Dom outside of that "Dom-box." So much is thrown at him at once that he takes it in along with his other insecurities. However, besides a basic job description, this is all we know about him.
My BIGGEST issue with this book? The length, or rather its development. We are thrown into an unbreakable friendship we know nothing about to ground us through their struggles. We know nothing about who Clint is as a person, not just a newbie Dom. We know nothing about Archer outside of Clint or Clint outside of Archer.
That being said, its fluff. Read with the idea of instalove and fluffy happy dreams and it's a cute kinky read. I loved it and highly recommend you give it a shot.
Archer is sassy, bratty, and an overall pleasure as a realistic sub. He is experienced and takes no shit (except when it comes to Clint). Clint may be his one weakness.
Clint is new. He's so new the most basic spank and kiss sending him reeling. His biggest pro is being a Dom outside of that "Dom-box." So much is thrown at him at once that he takes it in along with his other insecurities. However, besides a basic job description, this is all we know about him.
My BIGGEST issue with this book? The length, or rather its development. We are thrown into an unbreakable friendship we know nothing about to ground us through their struggles. We know nothing about who Clint is as a person, not just a newbie Dom. We know nothing about Archer outside of Clint or Clint outside of Archer.
That being said, its fluff. Read with the idea of instalove and fluffy happy dreams and it's a cute kinky read. I loved it and highly recommend you give it a shot.
October 29, 2023
- an MM romance! friends to lovers, daddy k!nk, age gap, sex weekend away..?
- we do love some unrequited love
- well that’s one way to expose your biggest secret lmao
- i did not like the time they were avoiding each other no thank you
- Clint went to the event!!!!!
- their kisses are so hot and heavy omg
- every time Clint calls himself daddy 🥵🥵
- they’re just not communicating!!!! and that’s the whole point of BDSM!! TRUST AND COMMUNICATION
- that whole double date was really icky
- i really love Archer but Clint is getting on my last nerve!!
- he’s not LISTENING TO ARCHER AT ALL and letting his insecurities run rampant
- they did everything backwards and it really bugged me 😭
- but the sex scenes were incredibly hot
- they kept saying they should talk but would have sex instead and ignore all their problems 😭
- this just felt like half a daddy/boy relationship? like it was so close to being there but something was missing
- i did really really like them but idk it’s like this book is jumbled in the wrong way?
- i also don’t understand how Clint is an accountant but poor…
- i really don’t know how i feel about this one… i think i was expecting so much more and it was a good premise but just fell flat
- we do love some unrequited love
- well that’s one way to expose your biggest secret lmao
- i did not like the time they were avoiding each other no thank you
- Clint went to the event!!!!!
- their kisses are so hot and heavy omg
- every time Clint calls himself daddy 🥵🥵
- they’re just not communicating!!!! and that’s the whole point of BDSM!! TRUST AND COMMUNICATION
- that whole double date was really icky
- i really love Archer but Clint is getting on my last nerve!!
- he’s not LISTENING TO ARCHER AT ALL and letting his insecurities run rampant
- they did everything backwards and it really bugged me 😭
- but the sex scenes were incredibly hot
- they kept saying they should talk but would have sex instead and ignore all their problems 😭
- this just felt like half a daddy/boy relationship? like it was so close to being there but something was missing
- i did really really like them but idk it’s like this book is jumbled in the wrong way?
- i also don’t understand how Clint is an accountant but poor…
- i really don’t know how i feel about this one… i think i was expecting so much more and it was a good premise but just fell flat
September 2, 2023
Archer has been in love with his best friend for years and so he has compared every other man to him which means they fall short. Clint Taylor ends up in Archer's bed after a bad date gone wrong and so there are kisses. Clint doesn't understand what Archer needs from him but he isn't a quitter and so he is determined to become the man and Daddy that Archer deserves. They find themselves together together for a kinky weekend in Hollywood and their differences become more obvious. Archer is rich but Clint is not, Clint is patient and Archer is not and Archer knows what he wants and Clint doesn't believe that he is enough. With so much stacked against them, is it too much to hope that love is the one thing that goes right?
I enjoyed this story with the best friends who are also in love with each other and what happened when they crossed the line. I loved that Clint was determined to give Archer what he needed even if he had to learn it and strive to become the best. This was deep down about love and compromise. It was easy to read, feel and understand. This is an MM story with mature content and a BSTM-like DDLB dynamic.
I enjoyed this story with the best friends who are also in love with each other and what happened when they crossed the line. I loved that Clint was determined to give Archer what he needed even if he had to learn it and strive to become the best. This was deep down about love and compromise. It was easy to read, feel and understand. This is an MM story with mature content and a BSTM-like DDLB dynamic.
August 8, 2021
HOPELESS. DNF at 73%
In all honesty, I think Kate Hawthorne can do better than this! It doesn't even feel like this book was written by Kate at all.
Really, an anticlimax. I have read many of this author's books and they always show evidence of deep research and substantially good delivery.
This book seems lazy, hurriedly written, (to meet a deadline perhaps?) inconsistent and loaded with typos. Such a pity this book (obviously) didn't even see a proofreader. What a shame!
As for the story itself? It is shallow, the characters failed to show any true chemistry, which, in turn, turns this unique dynamic into nothing but a train wreck of monumental proportions.
Sorry. Cannot recommend.
1.5 stars for a moderately accurate depiction on the cover.
The title? I've no clue what the significance could be. I'm stumped.
In all honesty, I think Kate Hawthorne can do better than this! It doesn't even feel like this book was written by Kate at all.
Really, an anticlimax. I have read many of this author's books and they always show evidence of deep research and substantially good delivery.
This book seems lazy, hurriedly written, (to meet a deadline perhaps?) inconsistent and loaded with typos. Such a pity this book (obviously) didn't even see a proofreader. What a shame!
As for the story itself? It is shallow, the characters failed to show any true chemistry, which, in turn, turns this unique dynamic into nothing but a train wreck of monumental proportions.
Sorry. Cannot recommend.
1.5 stars for a moderately accurate depiction on the cover.
The title? I've no clue what the significance could be. I'm stumped.
July 14, 2021
What do you get when you cross a boy who knows exactly what he wants with a Daddy who has no idea and a staycation born of a one sided drunken conversation? Reel Love of course!
I just want to eat Archer up - I love a boy who knows who and what he wants and can top from the bottom - he's ready to teach a reluctant Clint everything he needs to know about the Daddy dynamic and I love how Kate Hawthorne tips the typical power imbalances to create loveable characters who face different daddy/boy problems than the typical tropes. It's not easy to be totally unique with characters but I think Kate Hawthorne has done it with this pairing! This is a must read for your Summer TBR and I can't wait for the rest of the multi-author series if they are all as good as the first!
I just want to eat Archer up - I love a boy who knows who and what he wants and can top from the bottom - he's ready to teach a reluctant Clint everything he needs to know about the Daddy dynamic and I love how Kate Hawthorne tips the typical power imbalances to create loveable characters who face different daddy/boy problems than the typical tropes. It's not easy to be totally unique with characters but I think Kate Hawthorne has done it with this pairing! This is a must read for your Summer TBR and I can't wait for the rest of the multi-author series if they are all as good as the first!
August 8, 2021
This was a friends to more story. I really love this type of story and this story is well written but I didn't get into these two men as much as I wanted to do. I think part of the problem that sex seem to be used as a substitute for real communication. Clint's concerns were really especially with such limited exposure to the idea of being a daddy and Archer didn't seem to really make the effort to truly understand what Clint was dealing with. With all his supposed experience I would have like to see Archer introduce him to some better daddies and boys then they had met at the weekend. The ending did make it seem like there were finally working things out and that did help.
July 17, 2021
Have to admit disappointment on this one. Once the MCs got together it was just too many problems. They worked in the bedroom, but outside of it they couldn’t seem to get it together, and it was mostly because they didn’t communicate well. Lack of communication in real life frustrates me, so I definitely don’t want to see it in a romance where I’m hoping for something idealistic. And then suddenly we are at the end, and I don’t have any warm fuzzies about this couple. Mostly, I was just frustrated with both of them, and I didn’t feel confident they dealt with any of their problems.
August 10, 2021
Well I love it when Kate Hawthorne moves away from her usual hard core stuff to this more light and fluffy fun stuff!!
With two cute characters, one who doesn't have a clue who he is and one who is a completely over powering brat, this book made me giggle more than once. This is about two friends falling in love and playing together, learning and teaching as they go.
There wasn't really anything that I didn't like about this book, apart from maybe the puking!!
I loved this book and totally recommend you add it to your kindle summer reading list xx
With two cute characters, one who doesn't have a clue who he is and one who is a completely over powering brat, this book made me giggle more than once. This is about two friends falling in love and playing together, learning and teaching as they go.
There wasn't really anything that I didn't like about this book, apart from maybe the puking!!
I loved this book and totally recommend you add it to your kindle summer reading list xx
August 30, 2021
I found the MC both pretty annoying. The story is a reversal on the rich daddy/poor son trope. The boy, Archer, is much better off than his best friend and eventual daddy Clint. Archer works for one of the movie studios in the wardrobe department. How much does someone make as compared to Clint who's an accountant?
Clint has a huge hang-up about money and the fact that Archer has more. Archer wants to spend it on Clint and angst happens. I got bored with it. I did finish it just to see how it turned out. No big surprise. It's not even one of the better daddy/son books I've read.
Clint has a huge hang-up about money and the fact that Archer has more. Archer wants to spend it on Clint and angst happens. I got bored with it. I did finish it just to see how it turned out. No big surprise. It's not even one of the better daddy/son books I've read.
July 16, 2021
This was a very fun start to the new Destination Daddies series!
Clint and Archer are adorable together and their relationship offered an atypical twist on the Daddy/boy dynamic where the Daddy is new to the role and insecure with his abilities to meet his boy’s needs from both an emotional and financial perspective. In most books, topping from the bottom is considered a negative trait, but I liked how it was an integral part of Clint and Archer’s dynamic.
Clint and Archer are adorable together and their relationship offered an atypical twist on the Daddy/boy dynamic where the Daddy is new to the role and insecure with his abilities to meet his boy’s needs from both an emotional and financial perspective. In most books, topping from the bottom is considered a negative trait, but I liked how it was an integral part of Clint and Archer’s dynamic.
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