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The Collar Promises Forever

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It was a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

In her pursuit to find meaning in her life, Melanie Smith moves to a foreign country to put down roots and start anew. Lulled into trusting a crafty stranger, all of her expectations regarding her journey are shattered when she's kidnapped and kept as a human pet by a man who seeks something impossible from her—absolute submission. Though she initially views him as a monster, Melanie finds that her captor hides a painful past behind his desire to possess and keep her locked away for himself. Can she convince him to change for the better, or will Takeshi slowly bend her to his will until she inevitably breaks? There has to be a man beneath all of that monster, somewhere. She has to try, because he promised he would keep her forever.

It was a case of being in the right place at the right time.

Unconditional love is difficult to find—but as far as Takeshi Ankata is concerned, he believes it can be forged in the fires of captivity. Convinced that traditional connections always come apart, Takeshi falls prey to his wicked desires and takes Melanie for himself. Determined to create an inescapable bond with her, he refuses to let her leave his side. From now on, he is the only thing she should ever desire. While Takeshi is lost in the darkness of his own heart, Melanie may be the only person capable of finding him… if he'll let her.

Warning: This work of fiction contains mature and dark themes such as psychological conditioning, dubious consent, BDSM, sexual submission, and referenced violence including organized crime.

676 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 4, 2021

202 people are currently reading
848 people want to read

About the author

Bianca Howards

1 book33 followers
Bianca Howards is a 30-something-year-old woman who spent most of her life dreaming up fantasy worlds and characters that live rent-free in her head. She decided to start charging them and pursued a career in writing. She hopes to make it a full-time job so that she doesn't have to go back to sweeping burrows for the mole people.

She's a big advocate for alternative lifestyles and encourages people to safely pursue being their best, truest selves.

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5 stars
142 (36%)
4 stars
98 (24%)
3 stars
76 (19%)
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46 (11%)
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32 (8%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
Profile Image for mads ꫂৎ.
197 reviews29 followers
December 28, 2025
5 stars | When I first started this book I truly had no fucking clue what I was getting myself into. After finishing I can truthfully say that I am so glad this book came across on my radar. Saying that, this book is definitely not for everyone. This book is incredibly heavy on the triggers/kinks. Please take what I’m saying seriously. But, if you read them and you’re good with them then I truly cannot recommend this book enough. While this book and its content it seriously fucked, it is such a hidden gem, I’m not even joking.

The book itself, was extremely well written. It somehow showcases kink and emotional depth inordinately well (considering the fact that this book mainly centers around kink). It also has its humorous and wholesome moments which I wouldn’t suspect would happen due to the novels highly erotic nature. The more I read the more I couldn’t predict where the novel would go. I loved the fact that this book really keeps you on your toes. While I was very stressed throughout different points in the book I loved the mystery element that was woven into this book. At various times I had absolutely no clue or idea of what would happen next.

This book genuinely felt like some sort of drug. At its core, this novel truly lives and thrives from its deprived, deranged and unhinged nature. When I wasn’t reading this book I just couldn’t wait to get home so I could read more of it. And I cannot accurately express how much I am watering at the mouth for this authors next piece of work. I haven’t had a lot of five stars this year but this book kept my attention the entire time. Which is sometimes hard to do with a novel of this length.

~

Edit Upon Rereading: While I do love this book upon rereading it I have a bit of a different viewpoint on certain things. I think I still stick with my original rating and review but I do wish that we could’ve seen a lot more of the softer and comforting moments between our main characters. While it is obvious that this book is highly erotic, when reading the story again I just craved a lot more depth and character study between these two. While it does have some information I wanted much more emotional depth for properly connecting and understanding the characters. I can appreciate a smutty novel (as much as anyone) but I enjoy it much more when there is a heavy connection with the characters. To me it makes the intimacy much more impactful. I would’ve also loved to either see a longer epilogue or an extended one. Or even a possible sequel about their next chapter moving forward together. All in all I do really like this book but going through it again made me think about things in a bit of a different way. I’m also still very excited for future works of this author. I love how the writing has the ability to really build and immerse you into the story.
Profile Image for Clarice.
552 reviews134 followers
December 4, 2024
4 solid stars

If you’re looking for a great dark erotic thriller with a dash of romance this is the perfect read.

This reminded me a lot of DeathsDoll’s Bought and Paid For, but less physically violent and more mind twisty (which is how I like my erotica).

I enjoyed Melanie having a spine in the beginning of her captivity. Her fighting Takashi and not immediately falling for him made the story actually seem like there were stakes and not too fantastical or fluffy. It added depth to her and Takashi’s relationship.

I think the pet play kink wasn’t taken too far or made gross. It was tastefully done and made sense for the characters. It provided a path to understanding why Takashi needed “full” control over Melanie and why Melanie was willing to give up so much to feel “loved”.

There is om “sharing” but if you read Bought and Paid For by DD it’s on the same level that the FMC was “shared” with the Doctor.

I’m definitely reading Ryo’s book next, which is currently partially complete and on AO3.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for E The Creepy Girl.
128 reviews22 followers
March 3, 2024
I read this chunky novel in less than 24 hours it was that good. I mean, it was so many levels of f’ed up, and so many levels of sexy, and so many levels of depraved. But let’s face it, that’s all my thing.

I loved it, so much, probably too much.

I really have nothing bad to say. I liked it, a lot. Sexy, scary, stressful, I mean, it’s everything I like wrapped up into one not so little book.

Also I just wanted to say I love Japan as a setting so much. I’m a huge manga fan so that really resonated with me.

I am soooo excited for the sequel. When Ryo was introduced, I just kept thinking “I need a sequel with Ryo, please” and yes, the ending delivers that heavenly news. I can’t wait!!

Also, pretty sure she was playing animal crossing. Too funny.
Profile Image for Emma ♡.
91 reviews9 followers
December 27, 2024
One of my favourite captive/captor reads of the year!!

Everything about this book HIT SO GOOD. 🤌 It's quite long, which intimidated me at first, but I couldn't put it down and ended up finishing it within a couple of days.

The FMC and MMC are both fantastically written, and where I sometimes find the FMC annoying in these kinds of books, I found her so relatable and realistic in terms of her actions and emotions.

There were elements of mystery that kept me intrigued, but mostly I just couldn't stop reading about these characters interactions with each other, and what could possibly be next for them.

I can't wait to read more from this author and what she has planned for the next pairing. 👀
Profile Image for Porcelain.
1 review2 followers
December 9, 2021
I originally found this floating around AO3 under the BDSM tag in Original Works. I’m glad I stuck around to see it published.

This is a great dark BDSM work with Master/pet and Master/slave dynamics plus a plot.

The characters are wonderful. What drives them, their mental states throughout the story, their views on life and how the world operates are all fascinating.

And the plot keeps on rolling. Emiko’s always up to something and her Master is always plotting. There was one part where I was originally afraid it was going too vanilla for the mood I was in, but wow, did that take a turn. Ryosuke is my favorite character in a dark romance yet. Don’t assume anything particular is going to happen in this story. I was taken by surprise delightfully a few times.

I enjoyed the sex and kink scenes. The sex is told through a kink-submissive cis-female view point except for one scene (cis-male Dominant), if that matters to you.

I recommend this as a must-read for anyone looking for a Master/pet erotica. There’s dubious consent and generally dark themes, so please consider that before reading. If any sort of dark BDSM fantasy is something that interests you, I suggest that you give this a go. I wasn’t disappointed.

Congrats to Bianca Howards on her first self-published book! I look forward to the next one.
Profile Image for Hot Mess Sommelière ~ Caro.
1,486 reviews239 followers
August 29, 2025
Good morning weirdos

I'm embarassed to have read this

The Guy is a red pilled ball of nerves it's really pathetic

The reason why he got the way he is is mean parents and his ex gf ghosting him

You know when they say the bar is in hell for men to perform to any standard? This guy is who they meant. The heroine settled so low for him you couldn't distinguish her from a doormat by the end.

She was humoring him!! Because he is a poor lost soul who just can't express his love!! The fact that he is scared of marriage and equal relationships is due to the hardships he experienced (tiny violins) and we should all cut this guy some slack instead of putting him in a padded cell!

By the end of the book she was justifying his BS way more than he did. I felt mortified to be in a room with her monologues. Girl, stand up!

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Emily.
154 reviews50 followers
June 1, 2025
11/10 ⭐️ Absolutely adore this book! It hits every mark for me and then some. I’m going to be constantly searching for another like this, but I doubt anything could hold a candle.

1000/10 recommend
⚠️CHECK TWS⚠️
Profile Image for Divyangi Singh.
345 reviews15 followers
August 25, 2025
I have no number for how many kidnapper-captive / master-slave books I have read. And after so many years and so many books, I think I found the perfect one in this genre. One which actually shows the gradual growth in the relationship. Which doesn't go from 5 days to 5 weeks to "and months passed like this". That stage did come, but very much later. This book gave very much well-required attention to the attachment building. Top it all with despite knowing every hour of the first 2-3 months of the couple (?) - this story didn't get repetitive or boring!
I have read books much much hardcore than this, but this was good in a way it didn't just focus on the physical torture portion of the trope. Actual torture was in fact very tame considering things I've read. This was more of a two very intelligent beings trying to manipulate each other in order to get what they want, leading to - both of them coming to terms with the gradually changing, evolving power dynamic. I mean the FMC, (and we) don't even know the MMC's name till 65% of the book.
It was all this could end only one of the two ways. But this story even in this overwritten trope found a new way to reach the ending.
Every single Kidnapper-captive turned couple results in the kidnapper falling in love and setting them free only for them to come back, or the captive running away only for them to realise they can't live alone now, and returning. Well, this one here definitely had a twist to that.
I definitely hadn't expected this story to actually be something. I mean, don't be confused, this is definitely smut. But even for a smut to be good, it needs to have a good background, a good story. And this book - definitely has it.
Profile Image for Blythe G.
13 reviews1 follower
October 28, 2022
Wow! Absolutely amazing. I read this book on a recommendation and I’m so sad it took me nearly a year to get to. I found myself unable to put it down once I started! This books is super spicy, with great characters that I really found myself rooting for and enjoying. I understand this book won’t be for everyone, but if you enjoy heavy kink in your dark romance, I’d recommend 100%. Even when I disagreed with character choices/plot points, I always found myself understanding them and how they fit into the story from a bigger picture. I am anxiously and excitedly awaiting the next book and all the twists it will bring with it.
Bonus: spice level was 🥵🥵🥵
Keep in mind: heavy trigger warning!!!
Profile Image for Grace.
5 reviews3 followers
October 1, 2022
I read this book right when it came out when looking for something extremely specific and damn did i find it! i have read this book 4-5 times since it came out and am finally going to order the paperback because it’s hands down my favorite book i have ever read
1 review
September 21, 2022
Fantastic read if you have darker tastes.

Give the description another read so you know what you're signing up for. If you're here for love and puppies, you're in the wrong place - I'd suggest giving Clifford the Big Red Dog a try if that's what you like 🤩

A fascinating look at the twisted power dynamics in a kidnapping victim. Emiko is certainly one of the less whiny and teary protagonists, and she's got half a brain and even some good wit to go along with it.

The book held my interest throughout - even activities that I'm not interested in myself were so masterfully written that I stayed captivated through the scene.

Be prepared to be uncomfortable. Our dear protagonist ends up in a terrible situation, and unless you're a complete psychopath you'll feel some secondhand embarrassment for her bad choices. Share some of the fear of her captor. The warm blossom of hope will bloom as she plans her daring escape.

It's rare to find stories like these nowadays, let alone ones as well written as The Collar Promises Forever. This book pushes boundaries and forces you to think critically with the protagonist as she struggles - would you do any better?
Profile Image for osha.
159 reviews
December 21, 2024
I’ve done nothing but inhale this book for the past two days and I can tell you, wholeheartedly, that this single book had altered my whole being. I did not think for one second that a recommendation from someone on reddit—kudos to you by the way I hope that nothing but good fortune falls on you and if I could build an alter and worship at your feet I would— would be this insane book.

To be someone with such twisted tastes it’s almost nearly impossible to find others who share the same tastes. And, I cannnot express how much I’ve longed for a book, or some sort of media that could resonate with me this hard. For every single fantasy and desire i’ve ever had to be malleable in my hands is a feeling truly otherworldly.

It is a very powerful talent for an author to write such characters that seemed to become alive. You truly can feel the amount of depth each of them had. Hell, even with ryo’s few chapter appearances, you can just tell how full he is.

I wasn’t ready for it to end, but i’ve checked the authors ao3 and was delighted to find not only takeshi’s POV but also bonus scenes along with a full on novel of ryo!!

Profile Image for Alarming Allegory.
47 reviews5 followers
August 14, 2024
An incredibly poor representation of BDSM, D/s, Master/pet kink.

A very thinly veiled author-insert sexual fantasy with gross over sexualisation of virgins, victim blaming, and an irredeemable MMC.

This reads like a wattapad story. There are glaring inconsistencies in the narrative, repetitive internal monologues, and a heap of male-gaze misogyny.

I enjoy dark romance, I have read well written BDSM, dub-con and non-con content, this is not that.
Profile Image for Katelin Cole.
109 reviews7 followers
May 27, 2024
Super kinky, super dark, and super long. Books like this aren’t usually well written, but this one was great! It needs far more attention, the FMC isn’t a dumb doormat and actually fights back. The kink in this is so good too, I loved it!
Profile Image for Martha Hettel.
308 reviews3 followers
March 4, 2024
A dark romance, age gap, torture, kidnapping. If you enjoy very dark romance this is a book for you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Olivia P..
3 reviews1 follower
October 25, 2024
The Collar Promises Forever is deserving of SIX STARS. This is an underrated, not-talked-about-enough, and seemingly yet-to-be-discovered-by-the-masses novel that kept me up late at night and reading into the early hours of the morning. When sleep did **eventually** hit me, the storyline actually crept into my dreams.

Bianca Howards is absolutely brilliant in her writing of this novel. My favorite aspect being her strong character development: Takeshi's hesitancy to love, unrelenting desire of complete submission, and genuine care of his captive "pet"; Emiko and her continual fight for independency and freedom, yet simultaneous longing to better understand and please her captor.

This novel is dark (probably the darkest story I have ever read), deranged, and twisted on a whole new level. It is not for the faint of heart, as it incorporates aspects of sex slavery, psychological conditioning, kidnapping, BDSM with a master/pet dynamic, gang violence, and practically every type of abuse imaginable. It evoked so many emotions -- thrill, shock, rage, anticipation-- and mentally shook me to my core.

I can not wait for the sequel, Clan Promises forever, with Ryo as a the main character. He is ruthless, yet a total goofball (arguably my favorite character that had me laugh-out-loud several times) that is bound to make for another captivating read.
Profile Image for neerj.
52 reviews1 follower
February 3, 2025
the book was perfection until the whole ryo thing. like i couldn’t stand the sharing and HER ENJOYING IT. AND THEN WTF DO U MEAN UR INFATUATED W HIM??? AND WDYM UGH. that whole ryo thing ruined everything for me so it would’ve been five stars if not for him. i don’t like the way ryo says he owns her and mel is okay w it. and i loved the book and all but the ending was very unexpected. i was thinking they’d b equals. BUT YEAH STOCKHOLM. anyways idk i literally loved mel sm UNTIL SHE STARTED FEINING FOR O’S. like oh. 😐😐😐😐. anyway to protect my peace i have to pretend the end never happened. so yeah. i swear i was so angry w the whole ryo thing. how tf does she express loyalty to her mans and have those thoughts about RYO??? also mel had beautiful backbone and all but after ryo there was no more…..she js now takes everything her mans gives her?? like she was js okay w the treatment that she purposely didn’t want anymore? interesting. idk this was def not a hea tho. more like a stockholm ever after. MEL NEEDS THERAPY. WHATEVER THE MMC’S NAME IS NEEDS THERAPY. but seriously even in the end this man was so set on making sure mel knew even that ring meant nothing 😂. lollllll. i thought the book was so good tho!! obviously except the whole sharing rendezvous cs that’s not my thing AT ALL if u couldn’t tell. anyways that it was written so good and i loved it i just didn’t love the way it ended!


i looked at the authors ao3 and saw her the sevond book to this ONE AND IT ABSOLUTELY RUINS EVERYTHING FOR ME. I FREAKING HATE THISSSS. ugh. i don’t want to speak about fmc derogatorily but she turned into a
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
3 reviews1 follower
March 26, 2025
The book was well written apart from a few grammatical and spelling mistakes.
The story on the other hand was captivating, almost as captivating as ‘Master’. The author did a good job painting a picture of a Master and his ‘Pet’ wrapped in a neat BDSM bow. The scenes were well described albeit a but short-lived for my liking. It mostly painted a scene one could appreciate as a older man with a high sex drive with a significantly younger companion in her peak sexual years, having finally being awoken to the pleasures she could not grasp or fully understand before experiencing them.
As for the relationship of love between then it is one that may seem strange at first, but eventually once you understand the dynamic of it you begin to appreciate it for what it is.
The ending comes across a but rushed, although it wrapped up the story of Master and Pet in an amicable way.
Also….
Cliffhanger ending, implies more to come?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Terri Lee.
385 reviews3 followers
July 5, 2025
I devoured this book. It was deliciously dark. Stockholm 101. Like others, I felt it could have been even longer with a more in depth look at master and his motivations.
Profile Image for Natalie.
62 reviews1 follower
October 28, 2025
If you see this no you didn’t.. embarrassed to have read this and I am in need of therapy…
Profile Image for sage🎀.
194 reviews2 followers
June 6, 2025
Absolutely ZERO notes holy shit. This book is like damn crack I need MORE. I was trying to relent and only reread in October but im weak and takeshi’s mastership i mean love is too strong. UGHHH ITS SO GOOD A BOOK WILL NEVER TOP THIS. I need. Anyways! I’ll probably see you around Christmas time for another reread! I’m so desperate for TCPF2 to update so i can see Takeshi again hehehheheheh.

Third time reading infinite stars obv
——-


oh my FUCKKKK how have i gotten even more obsessed with this book on my second read through. I cannot put into words how much I’ve FUCKING LOVED IT. Every captive slave master whatever dark romance needs to use this masterpiece as a blueprint of what to include because it was just pure bliss every single page. Didn’t get bored until ryo, and I KNOW but i just wanted my man takeshi back. Ryo will get his own spotlight when i read his, (pls include my girls in that one, PLEASE)

I had to go back to look at the cover a couple of times while reading it because i was actually IN LOVEEEE. I MEAN. all that happens is shown clearly, but you don’t know until YOU KNOW. YK? The brand the collar and cuffs, the outfit, the leash i mean 😩 black hair would’ve sealed the deal. AND TAKESHI IS SO HOTTTT INCANNTTTTTTT. i totally get how Melanie is so infatuated and blinded by him, because if that man gave me the best sex and orgasms of my life, yo best believe i could forgive just about anything. My god. My previous still stand btw, anyone wanna treats me like takeshi, hit me up babe xx

BIANCA DAMN HOWARDS, YOU BETTER KEEP PULLING THIS DAMN MAGIC, BECAUSE I SURE AS HELL NEED MORE OF IT. I was shocked to learn there is a paperback as well, i need that shit ASAP. That beautiful artwork on my shelf? Yes fucking please. UGH I LOVE THIS BOOK READ IT.

PS THE WAY HE GRIPS THAT DAMN COLLAR ON THE COVER LIKE HIS LIFE DEPENDS ON IT?!?!? UGHHHHHHH I SWOONED
AND THE WAY EMIKOS HAND IS ON HIS CHEST AND HES REACHING TO PLACE HIS OVER HERS OMGGGOMGOMGGGGGG I CANTTTTT ITS TOO MUCH I LVOE HIM!!! i’ve been reading bought and paid for and what i thought was my dream man where he is so absolutely brutal with the fmc i acc realised i need some sweetness believe it or not 🤭 i think extremely dub con is my fav where the mmc is threatening but also condescendingly encouraging ugh i love them love love them.


ok so. yes. i love ryo. just author pls stop describing his hair its longer then mine, and in the ponytail i get an ick. and the cover. omg so sexy. like it works because it's not a real person and it looks like what he describes and hes HAWT. like i get why all these bitches have stockholme syndrome. If a man kidnapped me, promised to cherish me for forever, provide for me so i wouldn't ever have to work and give me the best sex of my fucking life and all he wants in return is for me to call him master and obey? i'm already at you door after you said kidnap. the requirement is he has to be hot tho. when theyre not thats just gross. and i would cry and try to escape as well. anyways pls dont quote me on any of this im joking xx. i was a big mmhhhheh about the glasses but they EAT in the cover so you won't be hearing any complaints from me!!

The character wasn't too annoying either she liked the sex but she'd still want to escape so it seemed reasonable which is always important. only think i would want else in this book if the guy was rougher but HEY DONT COME FOR ME. if you read this book you cant judge nothin. i gotta take a break from long books tho, they are tiring. def gonna read ryo's book on ao3, that little excerpt was very promising hehe. and with her lasting attraction of him, i wish we could get a threesome scene but hes too possessive sigh. but she litrally gets butterflies just hearing his voice after four years and only knowing him for 24 hours and torturing him (so btw master plan didnt work out bc she was supposed to be terrified) but it shows how fucked in the head she is lol and how its literally stockholme if she likes ryo so much after 24 hours. if he was her master instead like if she was given to him shed probably switch up real fast and love him.

also I can tell how likeable this author is from her small little text at the end. "You are truly one of the seven wonders of this world. Godspeed." I giggled, and i've never done that at an acknowledgement.

First time reading four stars
Profile Image for Recal.
4 reviews1 follower
June 18, 2024
I dusted off the old goodreads account just so I could come here and gush about this book. I loved it; devoured it in a day and night and then went back and read it again.

This book is a 100% a dark romance. This isn't a fic where she gets a light spanking, calls him master, then becomes suddenly docile willing to give up her whole life. No, she is reluctant to change and give up control, and he punishes her. It's great. I found the punishments to be the right balance of gravity and lust, but if you prefer even darker punishments this author has other stories in progress on AO3. Ultimately, he wants her to enjoy her new role as his slave/pet, promising to never let her go no matter what. Don't we all wish we had a partner that committed?

They have a good chemistry together, testing each other in the ways real people do. I simply I adore how fleshed out these characters are. I love how they don't lose their entire personalities after the first night together. He doesn't instantly melt and let her get away with things once he's had a taste, and she doesn't give up trying to get her freedom just because she starts to enjoy what he's doing.

It's also a really beefy book. Longer than most books in this genre, you are getting your money's worth and I didn't find the sex or dialogue repetitive at all.

Definitely recommend this if you like a nice long read, a battle of wills, BDSM, Bondage, dubcon, possessive males, females that aren't sex dolls after 1 night of sausage, and more.

Profile Image for Kaylee.
41 reviews
November 21, 2024
holy cow this book is everything to me. I can’t believe I read almost 700 pages in a day and still wanted more.

This book scratched an itch I didn’t even know I had and boy howdy am I grateful for that. Genuinely an absolutely amazing story that’s wonderfully written.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews

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