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Taming Tyler
A M/M trans Contemporary romance.
Tyler Devon is a Trans man who’s barely keeping it together. His anxiety is always on high and he’s plagued daily with attacks. He remains in constant fear that he’s one misstep from it all falling apart.
Found mid attack in the elevator on the way to his desk job, he finds instant connection with mechanic Ryder Kane.
Ryder is surprised and delighted when Tyler responds instantly to his commands. But is he ready to take on all the baggage that comes with Tyler? And is Tyler ready to let go of it all and let Ryder tame his aching heart?
Tyler Devon is a Trans man who’s barely keeping it together. His anxiety is always on high and he’s plagued daily with attacks. He remains in constant fear that he’s one misstep from it all falling apart.
Found mid attack in the elevator on the way to his desk job, he finds instant connection with mechanic Ryder Kane.
Ryder is surprised and delighted when Tyler responds instantly to his commands. But is he ready to take on all the baggage that comes with Tyler? And is Tyler ready to let go of it all and let Ryder tame his aching heart?
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 22, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 24, 2022
4/5 stars! Man, this story was so very good.
Tropes:
✅ Age gap
✅ Trans MC
✅ BDSM-lite
✅ Hurt/comfort
✅ Asshole ex gets the boot
This is honestly my second book picked up featuring a trans MC and it did not disappoint. I have a little bit of a squick at the fact that the author uses “transexual” instead of transgender, but from what I could tell the author is not from the United States due to other words used in the book (just looked, she’s Australian). So maybe that is the norm from where she’s from, but there wasn’t anything else done weirdly in terms of handling Tyler’s identity as a trans person. I love it when authors don’t make things trauma porn or so focused on transphobia.
This story did have to deal with transphobia - thankfully not from the other MC at all, but an abusive ex and Tyler’s mom. It was seriously wild what the ex tried to do and I’m glad Ryder was there to help with that. This book was a medium burn, and I felt it was very well done in pacing! I believed their story and am glad the epilogue wasn’t them getting married, that it was well done in their future of moving in together and what we could dream to happen later.
As for the BDSM part, it was good and light! I wouldn’t consider this hardcore by any means, and the edging kink was great. One thing I wasn’t a fan of is the honorifics being ‘Mr. Kane’ or ‘Mr. Devon’, it was a little cheesy or cringe just for my personal tastes.
The only criticisms I have as while the writing is *amazing*, there was some typos that jarred me. Like ‘organisms’ instead of ‘orgasms’. I know they can’t be all caught but the few I saw stuck with me lmao, wishing I could correct it in-book.
If you want a trans BDSM romance, with hurt/comfort, definitely pick this up!
Tropes:
✅ Age gap
✅ Trans MC
✅ BDSM-lite
✅ Hurt/comfort
✅ Asshole ex gets the boot
This is honestly my second book picked up featuring a trans MC and it did not disappoint. I have a little bit of a squick at the fact that the author uses “transexual” instead of transgender, but from what I could tell the author is not from the United States due to other words used in the book (just looked, she’s Australian). So maybe that is the norm from where she’s from, but there wasn’t anything else done weirdly in terms of handling Tyler’s identity as a trans person. I love it when authors don’t make things trauma porn or so focused on transphobia.
This story did have to deal with transphobia - thankfully not from the other MC at all, but an abusive ex and Tyler’s mom. It was seriously wild what the ex tried to do and I’m glad Ryder was there to help with that. This book was a medium burn, and I felt it was very well done in pacing! I believed their story and am glad the epilogue wasn’t them getting married, that it was well done in their future of moving in together and what we could dream to happen later.
As for the BDSM part, it was good and light! I wouldn’t consider this hardcore by any means, and the edging kink was great. One thing I wasn’t a fan of is the honorifics being ‘Mr. Kane’ or ‘Mr. Devon’, it was a little cheesy or cringe just for my personal tastes.
The only criticisms I have as while the writing is *amazing*, there was some typos that jarred me. Like ‘organisms’ instead of ‘orgasms’. I know they can’t be all caught but the few I saw stuck with me lmao, wishing I could correct it in-book.
If you want a trans BDSM romance, with hurt/comfort, definitely pick this up!
August 31, 2021
Lovely...
I adored this story, I loved Tyler, tolerated Ryder and now need a story about Jacob.
This did have some editing errors that took me out of the story, mostly in the second half but I still enjoyed it.
I adored this story, I loved Tyler, tolerated Ryder and now need a story about Jacob.
This did have some editing errors that took me out of the story, mostly in the second half but I still enjoyed it.
February 24, 2022
Plus for trans representation, minus for spelling issues, continuity errors, and unfitting language
This was an okay read, but the spelling and grammar errors made it too easy to lose focus of what was going on. I also can't help but wonder if this book skipped the beta reader stage because there's some notable continuity errors:
Connor calls to say he's coming Saturday. Later says he's coming Sunday.
Tyler tells Ryder he wants him there the rest of the week until Connor arrives then they don't see each other until Saturday.
Connors presence seems to get forgotten about and remembered as an afterthought multiple times, and everything is all rainbows and roses until he's miraculously remembered again.
Tyler also comments on having no missed calls from Connor after him being kicked out... Forgetting he was blocked.
At some point Tyler's name is even replaced with Toby.
Also, it feels like this was written by someone with a very limited experience of the trans experience, especially the chosen language surrounding female genitalia. It just didn't sit right at all. It's always great to see trans characters in books, but this felt like a very surface level understanding. Also, at no point is Tyler portrayed as having any interest in anything feminine or looking at all femme, rather it seems he's more concerned with 'passing'... So it makes no sense that after a traumatizing scene being misgendered and dead named by Connor and sent crashing into a major anxiety attack, why wound he allow Bec to dress him in makeup and a corset? It seems very out of character at the best of time, never mind after the events he'd just endured.
This was an okay read, but the spelling and grammar errors made it too easy to lose focus of what was going on. I also can't help but wonder if this book skipped the beta reader stage because there's some notable continuity errors:
Connor calls to say he's coming Saturday. Later says he's coming Sunday.
Tyler tells Ryder he wants him there the rest of the week until Connor arrives then they don't see each other until Saturday.
Connors presence seems to get forgotten about and remembered as an afterthought multiple times, and everything is all rainbows and roses until he's miraculously remembered again.
Tyler also comments on having no missed calls from Connor after him being kicked out... Forgetting he was blocked.
At some point Tyler's name is even replaced with Toby.
Also, it feels like this was written by someone with a very limited experience of the trans experience, especially the chosen language surrounding female genitalia. It just didn't sit right at all. It's always great to see trans characters in books, but this felt like a very surface level understanding. Also, at no point is Tyler portrayed as having any interest in anything feminine or looking at all femme, rather it seems he's more concerned with 'passing'... So it makes no sense that after a traumatizing scene being misgendered and dead named by Connor and sent crashing into a major anxiety attack, why wound he allow Bec to dress him in makeup and a corset? It seems very out of character at the best of time, never mind after the events he'd just endured.
September 6, 2021
I wanted to love this
I really wanted to love this story. We need more transgendered characters in romance. Unfortunately, the errors both spelling and grammar were hard to get over. There was even a point where the main character was called a completely different name. The story was good but the errors stopped me from giving it a higher score.
I really wanted to love this story. We need more transgendered characters in romance. Unfortunately, the errors both spelling and grammar were hard to get over. There was even a point where the main character was called a completely different name. The story was good but the errors stopped me from giving it a higher score.
July 26, 2021
A Raunchy Romance
A beautifully written story about realistic characters in a realistic setting. Taming Tyler appears to explore control in a myriad of ways, from Tyler’s anxiety to reclaiming his life and identity, from Ryder’s having lost his parents and having to raise his kid sister barely into adulthood, to putting his own demons to rest. In the middle is some of the hottest romance guaranteed to get the blood pumping. It’s raw and honest and emotional, leaving you wanting to know what happens next for these two men. An excellent read and I am looking forward to reading more from this exciting new author.
A beautifully written story about realistic characters in a realistic setting. Taming Tyler appears to explore control in a myriad of ways, from Tyler’s anxiety to reclaiming his life and identity, from Ryder’s having lost his parents and having to raise his kid sister barely into adulthood, to putting his own demons to rest. In the middle is some of the hottest romance guaranteed to get the blood pumping. It’s raw and honest and emotional, leaving you wanting to know what happens next for these two men. An excellent read and I am looking forward to reading more from this exciting new author.
March 19, 2022
I've read a couple of trans-man stories, although this one is nice it also has pain in it too as Tyler has an ex and a Mother who refuse to accept him and call him by his previous female name, its very sad to read knowing that many do struggle with this denial. Ryder more than accepts him and so a gorgeous romance begins. A touching and lovely read.
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September 29, 2021DNF @ 58%
Not my cup of tea, the plot felt very predictable and I didn't connect with the characters.
Not my cup of tea, the plot felt very predictable and I didn't connect with the characters.
September 27, 2021
DNF...too many triggers
August 11, 2021
Taming Tyler is one of the kindest and most compassionate books I read this year. It tells the story of Tyler Devon, a trans man struggling with anxiety, and Ryder Kane, a mechanic shop owner dealing with his own traumas. Their complicated pasts don’t keep them from taking a chance on each other, and luckily we are able to tag along.
What makes this book exceptional are the characters, and I want to tell you why. Tyler is this sweet, shy, and incredibly brave man, who had to flee his toxic hometown to be himself. Despite his daily fight with anxiety, he finds the strength to give up control and open up to love. That takes me to Ryder, a greased-up version of your hottest dominant dreams, with one of the safest attitudes I’ve read on BDSM books.
Apart from the fact we won’t stumble into a dom as sexy as Ryder on a trip to the mechanic, the book strives for a truthfulness that I sometimes miss in contemporary romances. A good story doesn’t always need kidnappings and horrible accidents to move forward, and I appreciated how in touch with reality the book was.
Besides the heart-warming LGBT love story and perfectly placed steam, there is something else I want to point out that makes Taming Tyler an outstanding read. This book is necessary. Anxiety attacks, gender dysphoria, letting go of toxic relationships, safe BDSM, are just some of the incredibly important topics the story brings, and Mel Dixon still had the sensibility to make the story about love.
I don’t think there are any negative remarks I can do about this one, besides perhaps the fact it ended too soon. But to put me out of my book hangover, I heard Mel is working on a follow-up, Teasing Tina, that will star Ryder’s equally sexy best friend.
What makes this book exceptional are the characters, and I want to tell you why. Tyler is this sweet, shy, and incredibly brave man, who had to flee his toxic hometown to be himself. Despite his daily fight with anxiety, he finds the strength to give up control and open up to love. That takes me to Ryder, a greased-up version of your hottest dominant dreams, with one of the safest attitudes I’ve read on BDSM books.
Apart from the fact we won’t stumble into a dom as sexy as Ryder on a trip to the mechanic, the book strives for a truthfulness that I sometimes miss in contemporary romances. A good story doesn’t always need kidnappings and horrible accidents to move forward, and I appreciated how in touch with reality the book was.
Besides the heart-warming LGBT love story and perfectly placed steam, there is something else I want to point out that makes Taming Tyler an outstanding read. This book is necessary. Anxiety attacks, gender dysphoria, letting go of toxic relationships, safe BDSM, are just some of the incredibly important topics the story brings, and Mel Dixon still had the sensibility to make the story about love.
I don’t think there are any negative remarks I can do about this one, besides perhaps the fact it ended too soon. But to put me out of my book hangover, I heard Mel is working on a follow-up, Teasing Tina, that will star Ryder’s equally sexy best friend.
November 26, 2022
there was an attempt
I feel like this book came from a good place but just didn’t hit the mark. Books with LGBTQ+ are extremely important for representation especially love stories, unfortunately this book just is not it. This book seems like it was created by someone who doesn’t know anyone who is actually trans. Many of Tyler’s struggles did not fit what actually happens in the trans experience. The story doesn’t flow very well and they timeline doesn’t really match. Many parts of the story are just kind of thrown together as afterthoughts. At one point (around 70%) Tyler is misnamed as Toby.
I feel like this book came from a good place but just didn’t hit the mark. Books with LGBTQ+ are extremely important for representation especially love stories, unfortunately this book just is not it. This book seems like it was created by someone who doesn’t know anyone who is actually trans. Many of Tyler’s struggles did not fit what actually happens in the trans experience. The story doesn’t flow very well and they timeline doesn’t really match. Many parts of the story are just kind of thrown together as afterthoughts. At one point (around 70%) Tyler is misnamed as Toby.
January 12, 2023
I wanted to love it but...
I just didn't. It was missing something. I didn't love any of the characters and asked myself why I was continuing to read it after about the 25% mark.
I just didn't. It was missing something. I didn't love any of the characters and asked myself why I was continuing to read it after about the 25% mark.
November 26, 2024
1.5 stars rounded down because yes to trans representation but no to pretty much everything else. I am begging Dixon to find a beta reader of some format because the amount of times I got thrown out of the story for absolutely absurd typos and completely incorrect words was way too high. Also, while I appreciate the desire to toss transness and kink together (we exist, I'm glad to see us in fiction), I'm not sure Dixon has ever met anyone from either community. The characterizations of both felt like the kinds of things found in high schooler fanfiction gleaned from other fanfiction, not the kind that comes from any sort of research.
I'm pleased Dixon wants to tell these stories, but my God do I wish it was told better than this. (And the title continues to confuse me; how is Tyler tamed? He's hardly wild. Even his "brat" scenes are more from not knowing how to respond than from truly bratting.)
I'm pleased Dixon wants to tell these stories, but my God do I wish it was told better than this. (And the title continues to confuse me; how is Tyler tamed? He's hardly wild. Even his "brat" scenes are more from not knowing how to respond than from truly bratting.)
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews