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A daddy for the semester is better than no daddy at all.

Tyler Gray lost his apartment, his scholarship, and his job all in one week. Lost and alone, he needs to find a way to finish the last semester of his degree. If only it were that easy. Finding a job wasn’t the issue—it was finding one that would pay rent and allow him to save up for tuition, and going home wasn’t an option. Not since he introduced them to his ex-boyfriend three years earlier. When Tyler sees a job that includes room and board, he jumps on it. One semester there, and he would be back on track.

Liam Peters spends his days as ranch manager and his nights alone. He tried the dating-app thing. He met some fun guys, but they all wanted a night of passion, not a morning cuddle. Liam was officially done with dating. That is until Tyler walked onto the ranch as the new hand.

Tyler knows what he wants in a man. He wants a daddy, and Liam is just the man to fill that role. He might only have a few months on the ranch, but he plans to make the most of them.

Touch of Gray is an age gap MM romance featuring a smexy cowboy discovering he’s a daddy, a little who knows what he wants and isn’t afraid to go and get it, age play, a roll in the hay…or two, and two men discovering opposites really do attract. Touch of Gray is the third book in the popular Country Daddy, City Little MM romance series. Each book focuses on a new couple who find their Kinkily Ever After and includes some familiar faces from Collared Ever After.

187 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 28, 2022

124 people are currently reading
85 people want to read

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Della Cain

67 books197 followers

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5 stars
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162 (35%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
Profile Image for Carol.
3,762 reviews137 followers
July 13, 2023
This is the third book in the "Country Daddy, City Little" Series. I believe the time frame in the description is wrong. I believe it takes place over the summer, not a semester...but anyway...I love everything that I have ever read by Della Caine. She has a way of writing characters you fall in love with, plus she does a fantastic job of bringing these Daddy's & Littles/Subs together and allowing them to find all their happiness. It might not happen at once but always by the end. We meet Tyler Gray who has had a horrible, unbelievable week. He's lost his job, his apartment and his scholarship all in the course of one miserable week from Hell! Now he needs to find a way to finish the last semester to get his degree. Sounds easy enough...but life shows him that there is NO WAY! Oh...finding a "job.is not necessarily the problem...places in the college vicinity are always willing to heir students, but flipping burgers or pumping gas isn't going to begin to cut it...even if he planned somehow to never have to eat again. No one at "home" was going to help or welcome him for that matter...thanks to events from three-years ago...can't even go there, literally. Then Tyler sees a job that sys it includes room and board. There is a God! How hard can ranch work be? he asks. He's not planning to make it his life-long career...he only needs the job for one semester, and then things would be okay again. Now we meet Liam Peters...the ranch manager who works days but spends long, lonely nights. He's tried many dating app where he's met some fun guys, but they all just wanted a short night of passion. Liam was at his ropes end...done...finished......absolutely NO MORE trying this type of dating. Then Tyler walks onto the ranch and into Liams life and dreams. Tyler always knew what he wanted...he wanted a daddy, and Liam was the answer to his prayers. Heaven had not only sent a job to him, but also evidently, this man to fill that dream. He might only have a few months on the ranch, but he plans to make the most of every last one of them. Liam and Tyler learn that nobody is perfect 100% of the time...but the two of them are absolutely perfect for each other. The only thing that would have been a bit better is if it had been a little longer and included more Daddy/little time as Liam and Tyler explored their dynamic and developed their relationship.
Profile Image for Smut Librarian.
1,298 reviews51 followers
February 20, 2022
This was an enjoyable read but I felt it didn't quite hit the mark as a Daddy/boy book and only mildly dabbled near the ABDL area. Tyler talked a lot about being little but didn't display a lot of the behaviours of littles who want to or live the lifestyle. As a fan of ABDL and Daddy books, I found this quite disappointing and this book became more of a regular romance with some slight talk and a very minor scene or two of Daddy/little behaviours.
Profile Image for SJ.
2,020 reviews32 followers
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January 30, 2022
Not sure if I can get past some of the awkward writing in this book along with lack of punctuation and spelling errors. If I’m mentally adding commas while reading, this will be taking me out of the story. There are problems with sentence structure which makes for an uneven flow while reading. The syntax in the sentences can be confusing. One example is Frank telling Liam about the betting pool the ranch hands have going as to whether Liam and Tyler have slept together. I had to read that scene twice and it still was hard to understand. Also, I don’t mind insta if it’s well written. This new relationship has clunky insta in some dialogue. This might be a DNF, but I do enjoy Daddy/boy stories. * I’m done. The scene at the bar where the group shows up to watch Tyler at work is so badly written that it didn’t make sense.
Profile Image for Anna.
2,011 reviews357 followers
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February 2, 2022
Feeling fairly disappointed with this series. Like this book is fine. I don't really have any major complaints but it wasn't memorable. It was kind of boring and it was a lot of time jumps and telling versus showing. This is supposedly an age play with like literally no age play and then I don't even really know what this plot was or what took up 187 pages because you don't get any on-page talk of his jobs or school or age play or really their relationship at all. Feel very blah about this one. It's not bad but it wasn't great.

Explicit scenes on page. 1 minor ABDL scene, but literally like a sentence or two.
Profile Image for Suzanne Irving.
2,719 reviews24 followers
February 3, 2022
This is a totally feel good mm romance in Della Cain’s new series about city and country men meeting up and falling in love. So much fun to read. The only real angst is at the beginning when Tyler looses almost everything with only one semester of university to go. I liked that even though he is the little Tyler is the more aggressive of the two men in exploring a relationship. Liam gets my vote as a great Daddy because he is totally open to admitting that he doesn’t know that much about a relationship like this but is willing to learn.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Judy Ferrell.
Author 20 books87 followers
August 9, 2022
Everything gets messed up

Tyler loses his grant and his housing. He only needs one semester to finish his degree. HR applies for every job he can find. Liam hires him for the ranch. Sparks fly from the beginning.
Profile Image for Jamie Lee Zonneveld.
1,681 reviews51 followers
January 25, 2022
Touch of Gray is the third book in the Country Daddy, City Little series by Della Cain. This book is about Liam and Tyler. I loved their story. It was sweet, sexy, full of feels and very well written.
Profile Image for Tam.
Author 21 books104 followers
February 1, 2022
I'm marking this down for technical stuff. The story concept itself is fine. Tyler's scholarship is cancelled and they are kicked out their apartments so he needs to find a summer job desperately. He ends up interviewing for a ranch, mostly because it's room and board. Liam is instantly smitten and hires him because he feels bad. Of course Tyler ends up with a room in Liam's house. They skirt around the flirting for a while and Liam is a bit nervous as he's never been a Daddy to a little but two little's from previous books are around, but eventually Tyler has to go back to school (about 3 hours away).

So the concept, fine. But every now and then I would be reading (supposedly from one person's point of view) and there was a time when Tyler things "Tyler walked in". Um. You ARE Tyler. You meant Liam. And it would seems that the author changed the POV but didn't go back and adjust the text. There were several errors and times I had to go back and re-read things to clarify who was speaking or what was being said. Also lots of telling. Tyler (who also works part-time at the local bar to save more money) supposedly has little play dates with Brad and Declan and it's just thrown out there. You never see him being little much and I just felt like there were parts which would have added to their roles that were glossed over.

So your entertainment may vary, however the confusing writing in places and errors were too confusing for me to fully enjoy it.
3,367 reviews28 followers
February 3, 2022
Super cute and super sweet
This is one super cute read about a young guy who is in university when everything starts to go wrong he lost his apartment he lost the scholarship and his job all in one week. So Tyler really needs to find somewhere else to live and work so he can save up to do his last semester. So he is grateful when he gets taken on to work on a ranch. He knows nothing about animals but that’s not gonna stop him. But there’s also something else about Tyler and that is he is looking for a daddy. Someone to take care of him when he needs to be little.
Liam is the branch manager who takes on Tyler. I’m not because he found it extremely cute on the interview. But when he first comes face-to-face with Tyler it is obvious the attraction is hot hot hot. But he is a little confused by a few things that Tyler says every now and again. Liam tries to be good and keep it professional until he can’t.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and just couldn’t put it down I found Tyler to be a breath of fresh air. For such a young lad he knew exactly what he wanted and what he needed and he found that in Liam. I like that Liam just goes with the flow doesn’t get spooked doesn’t get shaken by the kink. It was a really good read really enjoyed it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Marion.
1,779 reviews
February 6, 2022
This is the third book in the Country Daddy, City Little Series. I have not read the previous two books but I was able to enjoy this book without any problems. This is the story of Tyler Gray and Liam Peters. Tyler is having a terrible week. He has lost his apartment, home and scholarship all at once. He is desperate to find a job that will allow him to finish off his degree next semester. He signs up for job he really doesn't know much about other than it will help him reach his goal of graduating. Liam Peters is a ranch manager and the man that interviewed Tyler. He felt a connection with Tyler and wanted to help him. That is how he ended up throwing in meals with his board. Liam is lonely but resigned to remain alone. But both their lives change drastically when Tyler arrives for work. Tyler begins to have someone who shows him kindness and consideration. Liam has someone who brightens his days. This is their story. It is well written and easy to read. I enjoyed watching their story develop. This is a quick and fun book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Mandy.
4,889 reviews46 followers
May 8, 2023
Tyler Gray lost his apartment, scholarships and job in the one week after losing his Daddy. With just one semester left in his degree, he needs to find a way to find the money to cover everything. When he sees a job that includes room and board he jumps at it. Ranch manager Liam Peters is busy during the day and alone at night. Dating apps are no good to him as one night is not enough so he gives up on dating in general until Tyler walks onto the ranch as the new hand. Liam is a Daddy and Tyler thanks a few months with one is better than nothing at all.

This was a fun story which started with the heartbreak of all the bad things happening to Tyler at once and then the explosive attraction between Liam and Tyler which just couldn't be denied. I loved the way that they did everything they could to make the long-distance thing work and that a long-term solution was found eventually. Easy to read, feel and understand. This MM story contains mature content and a BDSM-like DDLB relationship.
Profile Image for Rebecca Grove.
3,492 reviews26 followers
February 4, 2022
Tyler is a Little and he is desperate. He has just learned that the grant that was supposed to pay him to work this summer and to cover his scholarship the next semester has fallen through. He quickly has to find a job and a place to stay for the summer. He applies for multiple jobs including one as a ranch hand. The ranch owner and manager hires him even though he has no prior experience because he convinces them he will be a hard worker. Liam is the ranch manager and he is very impressed by Tyler and his determination to do the best that he can. Liam knows that Tyler is a Little since he is a Daddy Dom. Liam has given up on finding his Little because he can't believe that any Little would be happy out in the middle of nowhere on the ranch. Tyler is proving him wrong. The attraction between the two is so strong that Liam offers to show Tyler what having a Daddy is really like. Tyler agrees because having a Daddy for the summer is better than having no Daddy.
Profile Image for Barb ~rede-2-read~.
3,746 reviews113 followers
November 24, 2023
A sweet daddy kink story with a twist: Liam never realized he was a daddy. He knew he was a caretaker but hadn't explored kink. Tyler, a young man down on his luck (an understatement!) finds a job at Liam's ranch and one look and Liam wants to help him. Tyler, thankfully, knows he's a little and in need of a daddy to help him when he needs to go to that headspace. He's not going to turn down Liam's advances and is thrilled when the sexy silver fox cowboy seems willing to take on the role.

I probably would have liked this better if there hadn't been several errors like sentences that were cut off (not purposely) and at least one instance of character confusion. These things pull me from a story and make me wary as I continue so it slows my reading. I know this isn't disruptive to everyone but I need to note this for myself so I don't wonder later why I didn't continue a series, or why I didn't rate the story higher.

It is sweet and many readers will enjoy it, no doubt.
1,967 reviews10 followers
February 2, 2022
A wonderful and sweet story!

I loved this book! Tyler is a little who would love to have a forever daddy but life is not going his way. He loses his scholarship and his place to live due to circumstances beyond his control. Desperate to be able to finish his degree, he applies for a job at a ranch hoping to be able to finish his degree in the fall. He will be hired and it will change his life. It will lead him to Liam, a natural caregiver, he’s perfect for Tyler but not quite a daddy. The summer will go by quickly but the two vow to continue their relationship when Tyler goes back to school. Everything will fall into place for the two and they will be able to move forward to their happily ever when things finally start to go Tyler’s way.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
595 reviews5 followers
January 29, 2022
A quick read that is enriched with characters that are lovable and a storyline that is fast paced, enjoyable, and entertaining.
Tyler and Liam have an instant attraction, a pull towards each other that they try to deny, but when they give in, it is only the beginning of a deepening connection - with some steamy sexy times - leading to a genuine love with a sweetly satisfying HEA.
I did feel it could use some more details though - like, how old is Liam or going through an event instead of being told it happened.
The ARC I read still needed another round of proofreading that would hopefully be fixed for the final copy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Syd Springer.
4,029 reviews6 followers
February 1, 2022
I thought that this was a really sweet book. I really liked Tyler and Liam together. The connection and chemistry between these two was amazing. Liam is exactly who Tyler needs in his life and has been looking for. Liam is drawn to Tyler and all he wants to do is protect him and love him. These two try to fight there attraction but they can't for long and a little wager and their friends help give them a little push they needed. I thought that this was a fantastic addition to this series and I can't wait for the next book. I loved this book and I would highly recommend this book and Ms. Della as a must read author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4,852 reviews18 followers
February 3, 2022
When three doors slam shut, open a new door. Tyler, was slammed with the triple wammy of losing his house, his job and his grant for school. He was just one semester away from graduating. Liam told Frank, his boss that they needed another hand because absenses were making their jobs harder. Liam hired Tyler. They noticed each other, but kept the short term employer/employee perspective at the top of their heads. Tyler is a little, looking for a permanent daddy. Liam, just wants to take care of Tyler. Will they communicate their feelings to each other? Will Tyler make enough for school? Will Liam embrace being a Daddy? Nice story. Good flow. Good romance development. Absolutely likeable characters. Well done! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Latecia Jennings.
2,325 reviews10 followers
February 4, 2022
Very enjoyable addition to this series. A first time daddy and a sweet independent little meet and fall in love. I loved their romance and their dynamic. Tyler wasn't really looking for a daddy but more and more he is around Liam he knows he is the best daddy for him. The flirting, the banter and the chemistry between the guys had me all in til the end. We get a little play time ...not much...this to me was more the development and trust building for the guys and to get to point of their relationship they can finally be free and be together. Finally...Love to see other littles/daddies making appearances in this story...adds to the enjoyment of reading...can't wait to see what's coming next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
209 reviews5 followers
January 27, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed the latest book in the Country Daddy, City Little series. Liam and Tyler had an instant connection and even though Liam didn't realize he was a daddy, he fit the role perfectly without having to change anything about himself. Tyler was able to convey his needs and I appreciated that there wasn't any unnecessary drama in their relationship.

This book was the perfect blend of sweet and sexy and while it was a quick read, it gave me everything I needed. I loved seeing Uncle Frank and the daddies/littles from the first two books and am excited to read the next one in the series!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for K-Me.
2,822 reviews
January 29, 2022
Liam and Tyler's romance is just perfect! Tyler is such a nice, hardworking young guy who had some really bad luck all at once. This landed him the live in job at the Ranch with Liam! I could really feel the attraction and chemistry between these two jumping off the pages! I loved watching Liam realize he was a Daddy at heart! Love the banter with Liam and Frank by the way!! This is a quick and easy read but is the perfect length to really get to know these two! I received an ARC and this is my favorite of the series so far! The perfect balance of sweet and steamy!
Profile Image for Amber.
1,701 reviews6 followers
February 3, 2022
I loved Touch of Gray more than gummy bears. Tyler was so sweet and such a hard worker, never giving up on his dreams even when everything was stacked against him, and then he met his new boss, Liam. The attraction was instant, and the chemistry was hot, and I ended up loving Tyler and Liam more than gummy bears too. I also loved seeing more of the group from Collared and how they became part of Tyler's family, just like Uncle Frank. Another great book by Della Cain.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,475 reviews9 followers
January 27, 2022
I absolutely loved this story. Tyler wasn’t looking for a daddy and Liam isn’t a daddy but when these two meet, sparks fly. This was so sweet and I loved getting to visit with other characters from this series. If you like sweet daddy books then you should definitely check this series out. I can’t wait for the next one.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for SFBookReviewer.
631 reviews3 followers
January 28, 2022
Touch of Gray is part of the Country Daddy, City Little series and follows the story of Tyler and Liam. It contains only light Daddy/Boy and little kink. The book is really sweet and has a great selection of characters. It was well written and the story was good. It was an enjoyable read that I enjoyed more than gummy bears.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,897 reviews8 followers
January 30, 2022
This was a great quick read! Liam was a Daddy but didn’t quite realize it and a total sweetheart. Tyler was such a sweetheart who really had a run of bad luck. There is instant chemistry when these two meet and watching them tip toe around each other is just adorable! These are some fantastic characters and a great world! I highly recommend!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,841 reviews14 followers
January 29, 2022
You are never too old or too young to know what you want and need. While Tyler's life seemed to be falling apart, he didn't, and I enjoyed he wasn't a whiny little but someone who tried to figure out what to do. I cannot wait to read about this couple in a Collared playdate.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,918 reviews8 followers
January 30, 2022
Tyler and Liam

This was a interesting story. This is book three in the series and was a great addition. This was a wonderful opposites attract romance with a cute city little and a fun sexy country daddy. There was a unique relationship between theses two that was amazing and enjoyable. Great Read.
Profile Image for Akasha721.
872 reviews
January 31, 2022
Sweet story about a little without a daddy and a daddy who doesn't know he is one. Tyler is down on his luck when he takes a job as a ranch hand. Liam invites Tyler to stay with him while he works around the ranch. It takes a lot of flirting and some side bets before the two get together and take on their ultimate roles as Daddy and his Little!
Profile Image for Lydia Devlin.
387 reviews2 followers
February 2, 2022
I was really looking forward to reading this book after reading the synopsis.I am more than happy to say that I loved it!
A super sweet Daddy, Little,romance that had me hooked straight from the beginning.
I don't want to say too much about this as I don't want to spoil this delightful story for anyone.
I received an ARC copy of this book from Booksprout and this is my honest review
1,525 reviews1 follower
May 3, 2022
Touch of Gray

What an amazing story! From a sad and scary beginning for Tyler, to the sweetest and happiest ending, this book was wonderfully romantic and caring, and has such a great group of chosen family! I love that Liam wasn’t afraid to learn more about being a daddy, and that Tyler was steadfast in his love even when Liam worried, and I absolutely loved their HEA!
Profile Image for Debra  (Dragon Nanny) Phiri.
1,611 reviews19 followers
March 2, 2023
When reading this trope (especially when Della is the author) you know it’s not going to just always be the same ole thing. You get a different take on it each time!

This I enjoyed because it was the daddy who also lacked the confidence and knowledge. He does have good instincts where Tyler is concerned and that makes it extra sweet!

Tyler is a sweetheart too!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews

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