For Keeps

The X Club

by R.A. Frick

As a non-binary Dom and chef who just turned forty, my past affects every part of my life and makes it harder for me to trust enough to build relationships. Pining after my younger roommates in San Francisco, my friends point out my Daddy side, and I start to wonder what else could be possible.

My youngest roommate was a shy, chubby, red-headed trans boy finishing his fashion degree online. July’s confidence came out when he worked as a cam-boy every night, but he seemed to be holding back from pursuing the kinks he really wanted. His family was either dead or rejected him, and I have helped him as much as I can.

My other roommate, Roman, was living his best life as a fabulous, tech-savvy gay man by day, high femme Drag Queen by night. He had everything he wanted, but seemed to need a firm hand as he flirts relentlessly, resulting in both July and I wanting him.

When one of July's online clients tracks him down and turns into a stalker who thinks Roman is a threat, Shepherd has to protect both boys. They were members of the same kink club as well as roommates and friends for years, but the forced proximity of hiding out reveals secrets long held.

On Amazon KU!

Genres: M M M, Friends To Lovers, Transgender, BDSM, Polyamory, LGBT, Romance

221 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 28, 2022

About the author

R.A. Frick is a queer author of steamy queer romance, often with angst, always with a HEA! Focusing on non-binary, trans, and gay characters is close to RA's lived experiences, though they have written everything from YA dystopian time travel to dark taboo romance, and added paranormal romance to their repertoire in 2025.

RA's books have been on multiple bestseller lists, and they are usually found writing with their corgi in Northern California.

Reviews

[Peppa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I freaking adored this book oml. The characters , the poly dynamic, the hot kinky scenes and the little angst we got here, were just perfectly balanced!!

(Might write a full review when I have time)

[Anna]

I really enjoyed this one. I'm not always a huge fan of romantic suspense novels but this one had so much diverse queer representation and kink representation that it made me super happy.

Shepherd is 40 and runs a soup kitchen of sorts where they feed the homeless but also sell meal plans to wealthier clients to help offset costs. Shepherd is a caretaker but hasn't really thought of the term Daddy to describe them. They have some childhood trauma they're still working through and some gender struggles with the term Daddy, but when they're roommate gets threatened, Shepherd does everything he can to protect both of their roommates.

July is my favorite of this book. He is just so soft and cute and I love him. July is a demisexual trans fashion designer working as a cam boy to pay for college. He is mid-size and I love him. When one of his fans becomes obsessed with him things escalate very quickly and all of a sudden July is in danger. July is 22 in this book and getting his feet in both his day-to-day life and also his kink life. He is a little/middle who age regresses to 8-10 but honestly that part of the book is very small. He also is a sub who was a top. I really appreciated the demisexual rep with July. From an asexual point of view, I do think this is quality demisexual representation and I think that it was well done in terms of describing how a demi person a doesn't feel attraction until they have an emotional bond. July is forced to grapple with his feelings for his two roommates who are respectively a decade and two decades older than him.

Then there's Roman. Roman is an overexcited drag queen extroverted pup and he is precious. He is also a sub but also a brat. He is possessive and loyal and will do anything to protect July. I wish we had gotten a little bit more about Roman. I think that his character arc is really pushed into his pup persona which is fine but I feel like both Shepherd and July got more character development in their personal lives including family stuff and career, and Roman didn't get a whole lot of that. He had a little bit, but I would have liked a bit more.

Basically the three of them realize they're meant to be together as they fight off a stalker. It was cute and dramatic and I wish there was more on page dialogue but there is a lot of conversations about consent still and boundaries. I do think some of the timing and pacing was off but as a whole I really enjoyed it and I will definitely be reading the first in the series and the next that comes out.

Rep: Nonbinary femme AMAB queer MC over 40 (these are the terms used in the book), gay queer MC who is also a drag queen, midsize demisexual trans boy

M/M/Mx poly bdsm romance, pup play, minor age play, sexual puppy play, explicit sex scenes

CW: stalking, violence, guns, discussion of childhood trauma, misgendering, police officers, transphobia, homophobia

[Suzanne Irving · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of variety in this book

This second book in R.A. Frick’s X club series still revolves around the same group but the romance is focused on Shepherd, Roman and July. Romance between two characters is hard enough to write but add in a third and it only gets more difficult. R.A. Frick does a great job of fitting these three people together. I really enjoyed reading about them and seeing how they were all hurt in different ways and have secrets but they slowly work things out and find how they compliment each other. I really enjoyed the way that gender is played with by the characters in this series and how much it shows how you don’t have to act a certain way because of how society expects you to. This book is hot, kinky and a lot of fun to read. Enjoy!

[Heather MMRomanceReviewed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review here:
https://www.mmromancereviewed.com/202...

[Nedra81 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another educational opportunity with a twist. From the mistreatment endured by law enforcement, intolerance of the LGBTQ+ community, and learning about this community as a whole was fascinating.

𝙋𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙬𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙜𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙖 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨.

Shepherd, Roman, and the lovable July were forced into hiding at the hands of a aggressive stalker. Their relationship blossomed from here, increasing their connection drastically with a lot of free time to explore one another. Each taking on a pertinent role in their trio, which worked naturally for everyone.

An enjoyable read of acceptance, building trust, and some fireworks setting off, all wrapped up in love. Excited to see more from this author.

[Chelsea Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was truly an incredible read! July was such a sweet cinnamon roll living his best life. Roman is a sassy strong willed drag queen who thinks he can handle everything on his own. Shepherd is of course the caretaker of the group who looks out for his 2 younger roommates. He has essentially been in the roll of Daddy for a long longer than he thinks. He has always looked out for July and Roman and made sure they were always okay and had what they needed. Shepherd is very protective of his boys and wants nothing but the best for them. When a stalker begins to threaten July, Shepherd and Roman both go into extreme protective mode. This causes them all to see each other in a new light. They all start realizing they have real, deep feelings for each other. These three have crazy off the charts chemistry and when they come together it is explosive! I loved this story so much and I am so excited I got the opportunity to read it!


I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.

POV: 1st Person Triple POV

Standalone or series: Book 2 in the X Club series

Would I recommend it: 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ highly recommend!! 🤩

Would I read it again: Most definitely!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Romance was cute but I would have enjoyed it more without the stalking subplot

[Tessa Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Shepard, Roman and July’s story. I love that R.A Frick writes non binary, trans and exploring characters. The mystery/suspense part of the stories i really like compared to just a straight up romance story. I’ve enjoyed getting to know these characters.

[LucyLui · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title - For Keeps

Author - R.A Fricks

Genre - MM Romance

Published - Feb 2022

Pages - 212 Pages



What I Thought About The Book - I enjoyed this book, It was a little different from my usual MM Romance books that I read as it has a darker side to it, with the stalking and whatnot. But I really enjoyed it, I loved the characters, I loved how they supported each other and brought out the best in each other and how they protected and looked after each other. I also enjoyed the BDSM side of the story. Pup-Play has never been of interest to me and to be honest it's not something I usually read about but I feel like it was really well written into the story that I actually enjoyed it.

I found the story to be well written, easy to follow, well structured. This author is new to me and I haven't read the first book in this series but I shall certainly be going back to read it now. I will also be looking to see what else this author has written and look forward to reading the next book in this series.

Would I Recommend - Yes

Would I Read Again/Continue The Series - Yes/Yes

Rating - 4*



Reviewed by LucyLui

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Own your truth! Shephard, is a 40yo gender fluid Daddy/Dom working as a Chef in his restaurant. He is a board member in the X Club. He is dragging baggage that affects his ability to trust. July his youngest roommate, at 22 is an obedient sub. He's a trans boy, rejected by his family pursuing a fashion degree online while working as a cam boy. He is interested in many kinks he's too insecure to pursue. Roman, 30yo, works in the IT field by day and as a femm drag queen at night and a DJ. He is a sassy sub with an inner puppy. Shep, crushed on his room mates, but respected everyone's roles. Everyone wanted to find their "one" or their "many", but didn't look at home. July, gets a stalker who is an ex client and doesn't understand boundaries. Shep, stepped up into protective Daddy mode.The men in their own ways compliment each other and fit. Is Shep able to keep July and Roman safe? Does the stalker get caught? Do the men really see themselves? Nicely done. Good story, excellent likeable characters and found family. Well done! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bkwrm24 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars 🌟

Shepherd + Roman + July = ❤️🔥❤️

This was an Extra Large dose of suspenseful... Kinky......sexy....goodness and I was so here for it 😜 this book had a lot going on, the characters were unique as hell and adorable, I loved July!!!! This universe is fantastic and I for one can't wait for more. I highly recommend this read, each book in this series is great and it keeps getting better.

* I received an ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review *

[Trish Skywalker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an excellent read!
July is a sweet ray of sunshine, enjoying his post transition life. Roman is a strong-willed drag queen with a sassy streak. Shepherd is a kind care-taker with a secretive past. They have been living as roommates for a few years, but when a stalker starts threatening July, Shepherd and Roman go into protective mode…and the three start looking at each other in a different way. When a sweet little, a bratty pup, and a Dom finding their inner Daddy come together, it is explosive! This story combines kinks, a scary stalker, non-binary and demi, and transgender characters. These three are sexy, sweet, and such good souls. There’s so much emotion: joy, fear, discovery, self-acceptance and found family.

[S.M. LANYON · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been on my radar for a while now, and I read it immediately upon release and let me tell you, IT IS HOT🥵🥵🥵

Normally in my reviews I leave the sexy stuff for the end, but this ain't no ordinary book😈

The sex scenes in this book had me do a double and triple take and write down some freaking notes🤤🥵 the intimacy and trust between the characters was overwhelming, steamy and intense. They were perfection together🤌🤌🤌

Now, I know everyone who has read this book will say they love the young innocent July the most, or the brave and protective daddy dom Shepherd, but I personally LOVED Roman🤩 He was so comfortable with himself I just couldn't help but admire him🖤 he took what he wanted without hang ups and hesitation and I feel like he was the spark that ignited the blazing inferno between them🧡🧡🧡

I loved the fact that they all shared the same love language - touch and praise. It was adorable to see them fall into that beautiful comfortable state, especially after living together platonically as friends for so many years🖤

[Ida Umphers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm always down for a good, suspenseful stalker plot and R.A. Frick has given us a great one here, but the real standout are the characterizations. I adored Shepherd immediately and no one could be more perfectly named. They protect those who need protection, providing food and sanctuary. I loved watching them assume the official role of Dom to July and Roman. These two are so much stronger than they initially realize. July overcoming family rejection to pursue a fashion degree and the confidence to be a cam-boy and Roman, a success in the tech world and in drag. It was wonderful seeing them explore everything they truly wanted with Shepherd as a guide.

[Amy Dahmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Shepherd Roman and July together. This series has stories that deal with gender fluidity and LGBTQ culture in an amazing way. The concepts are great, and the back stories for all 3 characters really worked. I loved learning just who Shepherd was and how his formative years shaped him to who he was today. I loved July's transition, and Roman's bratty pup side. The stalker story was great, and really delivered action and suspense. All in all several story lines combined to make a great book. Highly recommend this one.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful MMM, 4½ stars
It was very lovely to see these 3 people from the first book find their happiness. Shepherd, Roman and July are perfect together and when they finally figure it out it’s so good and so hot. There is some drama with July being stalked and one discriminating police officer, but they get through it together and with the help of good friends. I learn a lot about the LGBTQ+ community from this series and I’m loving it. I highly recommend this book and also the first one in the series, even though a small part of me wishes they were a bit longer.

[Nina Diab · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this book had an interesting and unique set of characters! I loved all three of them! Daddy Shephard, drag queen Roman, and fashion-loving trans boy July had such a wonderful relationship that blossomed into something more when a stalker goes after July and finds out where they live. The story has suspense and danger from the stalker, and sweet and loving chemistry. Great world building and wonderful characters. Well written and well paced. This is the first book I've read by this author and I will happily come back for more. 5 stars.

[Beate Dorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The X Club Series is a complete different kind of Book for me with the X included and I love it.

This book is about Shephard, Roman and July, three people being roommates and finding their love together.

This threesome is completely different from all the others I read before and it’s so cute. As usual all the three have to solve problems and issues first but then they find their HEA. The story is very ongoing, I couldn’t let it down.

I had the luck to get an ARC to read.

[Sarah Mitcham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Open for more.

M/M/X, BDSM, Friends to lovers, Forced Proximity, Contemporary, Romance. An easy to read page-turner with great characters and lots of heat, drama and angst. An enjoyable story to read, I thoroughly enjoyed reading their story. Guaranteed HEA.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

He is an non-binary dom who has been burnt too many times and he cannot trust anyone else again. He find he wants to be a daddy to the young boy who others think would be good for him. Will he take that step? How will it go? Will life be great for them? See just how it is all goes

[Rachwithheadinabook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series, it has quite a few Trigger Warnings which some people may need to take notice of.
This is a lovely written roommates, age gap, forced proximity mmx story, I found myself getting involved with the characters feeling their pain and frustration which for me is the best feeling when reading, this is a series worth reading and is enjoyable too.

[J K H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a refreshingly different take on a MMM book - RA Frick has given us a trio that is made up of unique, loving people and there is such care between them. The mix of tropes is absolutely perfect and I couldn’t have been happier with it. Heat, suspense and did I mention heat? round it all out - excellent book!

[Scatteredashes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I liked this a bit more than the first one. It's pretty much a standalone though Ash and Jefferson do have some cameos. I really liked the pacing as it felt pretty smooth without any down time or extra drama. The obsessive stalker brought most of the drama which was nice as there wasn't too much angst from within the relationship. Each of the characters felt really nicely flushed out and I enjoyed their conversations. Roman definitely has some witty comebacks that were fun and I loved how supportive of July both Shepard and Roman were. It's a revolving POV so we get to experience the story from each of the main characters but the nice thing is that events aren't rehashed too often. This was a hot and fun story and I'm interested in seeing how the next in the series plays out.

[LJ Henley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shepherd, July and Roman are great characters and I loved each one. All three have some baggage but have been lucky enough to find a group of friends and to have found each other. None of them had planned on seeking out a poly or triad relationship, but although each are very different in their needs and kinks, they fit together perfectly. Shepherd is a they, them. They are fluid, where one day they might be fem and wearing dresses and the next day be more masculine in appearance. They are a natural daddy, although they are late in realizing it. Roman is a pup! His kink is puppy play and he loves makeup, dressing as a drag queen and being a brat. July was born a female, but is now a trans man. He is shy, yet is a cam boy, but has an assertiveness that pops out when he's aroused and feeling playful. He is a little and his relationship with Roman and Shepherd is a beautiful thing.

This book is great! It's full of emotion, full explanation on each characters backstory is explained. July is stalked by a crazy fan from his cam boy videos. I loved how they were so supportive of July and each other. Definitely a HEA!

I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amber Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up

I think this was a decent continuation in the series and I enjoyed getting to see more of these characters. The writing was fairly choppy with some parts being well written and other parts that fell a little short. Over all it wasn't a bad read, but I didn't really enjoy it as much as the first. I love a good Daddy kink with an age gap, but it felt a little... off to me that one of the "boys" literally saw the Daddy as a legit father figure leading up to this book, which might not even have been an issue if it didn't keep coming up in both of their POV chapters. I may read on into the series, but I'm not sure.

[Theresa Derwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stalkers, Polyfam, Dysphoria and Joy

This one sees Shepherd, Roman and July become involved when stuck under house arrest.
It starts and play only but it's obvious they have feelings for each other.
What I loved most about this was seeing a positive trans male character succeed and grow in body euphoria and love.
And it's clear from the narration that the hateful characters do exist in life but the bonds between the trio are strong enough to prevail.
There are moments of humour, cuteness, puppy play, little space and sexiness.
Wonderful book

[Malia Winger · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was so much I loved about this story! Shepherd, July, and Roman are all very compelling characters that all taught me things about a community that I can only view from the outside. Any story that interests me enough to send me to Google mid-read is great. And the fact that they were powerful and confronted the villain in the story when law enforcement drug their feet made me cheer out loud.

[SFBookReviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

For Keeps follows the story of July, Roman, and Shepherd. The book is filled with BDSM and kink, gender fluidity, transgender people, demisexuality, a poly relationship and is really well written. The book has a good story and lots of heat. Overall a good read and looking forward to reading more books in the series. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jill Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow—that’s all I can say!! This is my second read from this author—the first being #1 in this series and I love their writing more every time! I loved to see how the relationship progressed between Shepherd, Roman & July—to see how they all fit together so seamlessly was awesome! Definitely a 5+ star read!

[Denise Westra · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great second story in the series. The character development and dynamic between the characters was very well-thought-out and written. The suspense of the stalker plot line was perfectly written done at the pace. It was not too slow or too fast it was perfectly written. Can't wait to see what happens next