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Leashing His Heart #1
Leashing His Heart
Broken, haunted Johan doesn’t want a bondservant. He certainly doesn’t want a bondservant like Emil, who is mouthy and disobedient and completely disrespectful. But if Johan can overcome his own nature and subjugate Emil, maybe he can finally win the respect of his family—and escape the painful shadows of his past.
Emil never expected to get caught for his crimes, and he didn’t expect to end up as a bondservant to one of the richest families on Cadmus Station. He’s willing to play nice, but he refuses to be submissive—there’s nothing submissive about him.
His new master is cruel, but he’s inept and inexperienced. Emil can see all the cracks in Johan, and he’s going to take every advantage he can get to gain the upper hand.
Leashing His Heart is set in the Under His Heel universe but can be read as a standalone.
Leashing His Heart contains dark themes and potentially triggering content. Read at your own discretion. You can find full content notes on the author's website.
Emil never expected to get caught for his crimes, and he didn’t expect to end up as a bondservant to one of the richest families on Cadmus Station. He’s willing to play nice, but he refuses to be submissive—there’s nothing submissive about him.
His new master is cruel, but he’s inept and inexperienced. Emil can see all the cracks in Johan, and he’s going to take every advantage he can get to gain the upper hand.
Leashing His Heart is set in the Under His Heel universe but can be read as a standalone.
Leashing His Heart contains dark themes and potentially triggering content. Read at your own discretion. You can find full content notes on the author's website.
337 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 15, 2022
65 people are currently reading
229 people want to read
About the author
Adara Wolf
51 books438 followersI write almost exclusive m/m, but I have a fondness for bisexual protagonists. I enjoy a lot of darker themes, so you'll see a lot of that around here.
When I’m not writing, I’m reading, painting, playing video games, and rescuing cats. I also enjoy learning about languages and other cultures.
If you're ever curious about the contents of my works, I put content notes on my website (http://adarawolf.com)
You can also follow me on facebook and twitter. I also have a Patreon account
When I’m not writing, I’m reading, painting, playing video games, and rescuing cats. I also enjoy learning about languages and other cultures.
If you're ever curious about the contents of my works, I put content notes on my website (http://adarawolf.com)
You can also follow me on facebook and twitter. I also have a Patreon account
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July 31, 2023
“I’m—I’m really glad. That my mom got you for me. I wouldn’t have liked anybody else. You’re… you’re the only good thing that’s happened to me.”
Warning for a long review.
Leashing His Heart is a spin-off of Under His Heel , but I believe it can be read as a standalone.
We have Johan, the nephew of Captain Tracht from Under His Heel. Johan has always had an unhealthy obsession and idealization towards his uncle. After being “saved” during a kidnapping as a child, those feelings reach a new level. He is a bundle of trauma and mental illness, and coupled with his asocial and spoiled behaviour, he’s a mess. He’s now in university, living on his own but does not attend classes, has no friends, and is withdrawn from the world. His mother decides he needs a bondservant, Emil, to get him back on track and help with his daily tasks.
Johan sees Emil as an opportunity to act out Tracht and Alex's dynamic, where he can control Dom, a person, while also proving himself to others. He soon learns he’s not Tracht, that Emil is not Alex, and that his being the dominant one is just delusional.
Emil is a hacker who got caught and has an agreement with Anna Tracht. She takes on his debt on the condition that he becomes a bondservant and does work for her on the side. Emil quickly realizes Johan is not only a mess and a spoiled brat but also starved for affection. He also learns that this boy has fantasies of domming, but his true nature is a sub, and he decides to use that to his advantage.
I honestly felt so bad for Johan; he’s really a product of his environment. He’s been raised in a family that is quite horrible to one another, and his parents are self-absorbed and neglectful. They don’t even seem to be very sympathetic that, as a child, he experienced a horrible incident that left him deep scars. Rather they want him healed as soon as possible and to ensure he mars the family’s image/reputation. So it’s easy to see why he has latched on to unhealthy relationship dynamics and seeks the worst avenues to try to show that he’s not the pitiful fool everyone thinks he is.
However, with Emil, he learns that he never really wanted to be the dominant one or to inflict violence on others during sex. He wants to be taken, dominated, and treated like a good puppy. He craves affection, and Emil is more than happy to oblige.
Johan got lucky with Emil. As a Dom he cares and has a conscience, but he’s also not forgotten how he’s trapped by Anna and her son despite how beautiful he finds Johan’s submission and neediness. He knows that by manipulating Johan, he could use him to his advantage. Thus there are scenes where consent is heavily blurred.
I LOVED their relationship dynamic. Johan is a brat who lashes out in anger but is so needy and affection starved. The way he wants to please, desires and needs Emil….I loved it. I adore needy codependent MCs.
The collaring. While Emil may be the bondservant with the bondcollar, Johan wears a choker that signifies that he also belongs to Emil privately.
Their relationship is unhealthy, and while Emil does acknowledge what he’s doing is wrong and feels guilty, he doesn’t stop. Yet at the same time, Emil does a lot of good for Johan in the sense that he actually participates in society again. He attends classes, does homework, and acts civil towards others. His life starts to change for the better, and he slowly gains confidence in himself as well.
The praise kink and puppy play! I loved how Emil rewarded Johan with praise. Johan is clearly motivated by it and acts so sweet and bashful, and the Puppy Play! Johan wants nothing more than to be Emil's good puppy.
Alex and Tracht make an appearance! Tracht really is an unfeeling psycho, and Alex is still a brute.
Overall I really enjoyed Leashing His Heart. I totally love Johan and Emil - they both have issues and are unlikable MCs but are so perfect for one another. While this book is not anywhere near as dark as the Under His Heel series there’s noncon, emotional manipulation, violence, and references to PTSD/mental illness.
TWs: Dub/noncon, D/s, drugged sex, one-sided incestuous feelings, violence, pet play, praise kink, spanking, sounding, bondage, domestic discipline, needles, caning, PTSD/trauma, gaslighting.
---------------------------
Leashing His Heart Duet
Book 1 - Leashing His Heart-
Book 2 - Collaring His Heart - My Review
--
Under His Heel Related Series (prequel)
Book 1 - Under His Heel - My Review
Book 2 - A Kidnapping - My Review
Book 3 - Under His Control - My Review
Book 4 - Under His Skin - My Review
Under His... Shorts - My Review
Warning for a long review.
Leashing His Heart is a spin-off of Under His Heel , but I believe it can be read as a standalone.
We have Johan, the nephew of Captain Tracht from Under His Heel. Johan has always had an unhealthy obsession and idealization towards his uncle. After being “saved” during a kidnapping as a child, those feelings reach a new level. He is a bundle of trauma and mental illness, and coupled with his asocial and spoiled behaviour, he’s a mess. He’s now in university, living on his own but does not attend classes, has no friends, and is withdrawn from the world. His mother decides he needs a bondservant, Emil, to get him back on track and help with his daily tasks.
Johan sees Emil as an opportunity to act out Tracht and Alex's dynamic, where he can control Dom, a person, while also proving himself to others. He soon learns he’s not Tracht, that Emil is not Alex, and that his being the dominant one is just delusional.
Emil is a hacker who got caught and has an agreement with Anna Tracht. She takes on his debt on the condition that he becomes a bondservant and does work for her on the side. Emil quickly realizes Johan is not only a mess and a spoiled brat but also starved for affection. He also learns that this boy has fantasies of domming, but his true nature is a sub, and he decides to use that to his advantage.
I honestly felt so bad for Johan; he’s really a product of his environment. He’s been raised in a family that is quite horrible to one another, and his parents are self-absorbed and neglectful. They don’t even seem to be very sympathetic that, as a child, he experienced a horrible incident that left him deep scars. Rather they want him healed as soon as possible and to ensure he mars the family’s image/reputation. So it’s easy to see why he has latched on to unhealthy relationship dynamics and seeks the worst avenues to try to show that he’s not the pitiful fool everyone thinks he is.
However, with Emil, he learns that he never really wanted to be the dominant one or to inflict violence on others during sex. He wants to be taken, dominated, and treated like a good puppy. He craves affection, and Emil is more than happy to oblige.
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you? If the only thing you had to do was take a huge cock and be pretty. Let somebody else take care of you so you didn’t have to think about anything else.”
Johan got lucky with Emil. As a Dom he cares and has a conscience, but he’s also not forgotten how he’s trapped by Anna and her son despite how beautiful he finds Johan’s submission and neediness. He knows that by manipulating Johan, he could use him to his advantage. Thus there are scenes where consent is heavily blurred.
This was why he’d agreed to Johan’s stupid request. Because he loved the idea of training up his own perfect little sub, one that knew exactly what Emil liked. Getting to mold Johan into something Anna would hate was just a bonus.
If Anna Tracht wanted her son to be well-adjusted and normal, maybe she should have tried harder. Now Johan was a prickly mess, trying to hide all his soft spots yet broadcasting them to anybody who cared to pay attention.
But it was all a game, wasn’t it. One where he made Johan trust him, and then broke him down. Fuck the entire Tracht and Lysander family.
I LOVED their relationship dynamic. Johan is a brat who lashes out in anger but is so needy and affection starved. The way he wants to please, desires and needs Emil….I loved it. I adore needy codependent MCs.
The collaring. While Emil may be the bondservant with the bondcollar, Johan wears a choker that signifies that he also belongs to Emil privately.
Something warm settled in Johan’s chest. He hadn’t come yet, he was still hard, but he was… he was glad. He’d given Emil pleasure. Johan felt himself smiling despite the tears still leaking out of his eyes.
Relief flooded Johan. At least Emil wasn’t mad anymore. He’d cry a million tears if it meant Emil didn’t hate him.
“It won’t mean anything to anybody else. But the two of us, we’d know, right? That it’s the collar I put around my good little puppy.”
Their relationship is unhealthy, and while Emil does acknowledge what he’s doing is wrong and feels guilty, he doesn’t stop. Yet at the same time, Emil does a lot of good for Johan in the sense that he actually participates in society again. He attends classes, does homework, and acts civil towards others. His life starts to change for the better, and he slowly gains confidence in himself as well.
These past few weeks, he’d done so many new things. He was doing better in his classes, and had even passed a recent quiz with a decent grade. They’d gone out to the gym multiple times, to play badminton—mercifully alone—or use the treadmills and rowing machines. There’d been outside dinners.
The praise kink and puppy play! I loved how Emil rewarded Johan with praise. Johan is clearly motivated by it and acts so sweet and bashful, and the Puppy Play! Johan wants nothing more than to be Emil's good puppy.
“Oh, my puppy is very, very eager. That’s all right.” Emil got up and gave the leash another tug. “Come on, puppy. You were pretty good today. I’ll give you a reward, after all.”
Thankfully, Emil kept petting Johan. On his belly, on his thighs, stroking his pecs and his cock and murmuring little encouraging noises. Like he really was trying to calm a nervous puppy, which should have insulted Johan but, embarrassingly, reassured him.
Alex and Tracht make an appearance! Tracht really is an unfeeling psycho, and Alex is still a brute.
Overall I really enjoyed Leashing His Heart. I totally love Johan and Emil - they both have issues and are unlikable MCs but are so perfect for one another. While this book is not anywhere near as dark as the Under His Heel series there’s noncon, emotional manipulation, violence, and references to PTSD/mental illness.
TWs: Dub/noncon, D/s, drugged sex, one-sided incestuous feelings, violence, pet play, praise kink, spanking, sounding, bondage, domestic discipline, needles, caning, PTSD/trauma, gaslighting.
---------------------------
Leashing His Heart Duet
Book 1 - Leashing His Heart-
Book 2 - Collaring His Heart - My Review
--
Under His Heel Related Series (prequel)
Book 1 - Under His Heel - My Review
Book 2 - A Kidnapping - My Review
Book 3 - Under His Control - My Review
Book 4 - Under His Skin - My Review
Under His... Shorts - My Review
March 20, 2022
I loved this. Adara Wolf’s writing is excellent. She makes those fucked-up relationship dynamics so intriguing and fun by exploring the D/s and master/servant tropes in a unusual way. Plus, holy shit praise kink! I recommend this to anyone who likes dark romance of the "I will break him and mold him to my liking" kind.
Leashing his Heart is about Johan, Tracht’s nephew from Under His Heels, who is basically a mess in every aspect of his life, and Emil, the bondservant his mother is imposing on him. Johan wants to prove himself by subduing Emil, but he is young and inexperienced, and maybe not as assertive as he thought; Emil is looking to take advantage of that to gain back some kind of power over his situation. The push and pull of the power dynamics between them was intriguing and fascinating. Often, in dark romance, the bad, manipulating guy is the Dom, the master, and the one who holds the power in the relationship outside of sex too. Those roles became so much more complex in this and the lines blurred a lot: it was so fun to see how the relationship dynamics between the two MCs kept evolving and changing.
Their relationship is unhealthy as fuck: this has dubcon in both directions at different moments and both MCs have issues that make them lash out at each other in abusive ways (please check out the CW on the author's website!). But it worked for them, and it worked for me. There were still some very sweet moments and it ended up being more romantic than I thought it would, in a dark, twisted way. I even thought it was more romantic than Bruising Love (the only other book of this author I've read yet!). It made me emotional! The kink scenes were very well-done and some of them, including the puppy play, were honestly cute: there’s way more praise and caretaking in this than I would have thought.
Adara Wolf is an excellent writer and her characters are deeply flawed. The psychology behind the characters' behaviors and beliefs is very developed, without becoming too heavy-handed or making the story too dreadful or serious. Johan is so unlikeable; he’s a rich brat, whiny and self-centered. I still couldn’t help but feel bad for him: he’s a non-functional mess, with PTSD and anxiety issues, and is just very sad and lonely. Emil was such a unique character, I don’t even know how to describe him, just great and still very morally grey. I’m excited to see where their story goes! (This doesn't end with a cliffhanger though the plot is obviously not over).
I didn’t read Under His Heels (will definitely read it, now), and thought this worked fine as a standalone. Even then, judging by what I heard about Under His Heels and by Tracht and Alex appearances in this, I think I can confidentially say the relationship dynamics are way different and this is on the “lighter” side in comparison.
CW (please check the author website): dubcon, drugged sex, physical violence, psychological manipulation
Leashing his Heart is about Johan, Tracht’s nephew from Under His Heels, who is basically a mess in every aspect of his life, and Emil, the bondservant his mother is imposing on him. Johan wants to prove himself by subduing Emil, but he is young and inexperienced, and maybe not as assertive as he thought; Emil is looking to take advantage of that to gain back some kind of power over his situation. The push and pull of the power dynamics between them was intriguing and fascinating. Often, in dark romance, the bad, manipulating guy is the Dom, the master, and the one who holds the power in the relationship outside of sex too. Those roles became so much more complex in this and the lines blurred a lot: it was so fun to see how the relationship dynamics between the two MCs kept evolving and changing.
Their relationship is unhealthy as fuck: this has dubcon in both directions at different moments and both MCs have issues that make them lash out at each other in abusive ways (please check out the CW on the author's website!). But it worked for them, and it worked for me. There were still some very sweet moments and it ended up being more romantic than I thought it would, in a dark, twisted way. I even thought it was more romantic than Bruising Love (the only other book of this author I've read yet!). It made me emotional! The kink scenes were very well-done and some of them, including the puppy play, were honestly cute: there’s way more praise and caretaking in this than I would have thought.
Adara Wolf is an excellent writer and her characters are deeply flawed. The psychology behind the characters' behaviors and beliefs is very developed, without becoming too heavy-handed or making the story too dreadful or serious. Johan is so unlikeable; he’s a rich brat, whiny and self-centered. I still couldn’t help but feel bad for him: he’s a non-functional mess, with PTSD and anxiety issues, and is just very sad and lonely. Emil was such a unique character, I don’t even know how to describe him, just great and still very morally grey. I’m excited to see where their story goes! (This doesn't end with a cliffhanger though the plot is obviously not over).
I didn’t read Under His Heels (will definitely read it, now), and thought this worked fine as a standalone. Even then, judging by what I heard about Under His Heels and by Tracht and Alex appearances in this, I think I can confidentially say the relationship dynamics are way different and this is on the “lighter” side in comparison.
CW (please check the author website): dubcon, drugged sex, physical violence, psychological manipulation
March 18, 2022
OHMY!
I LOOOOVE the original series, Tracht&Alex are everything, and I was really, really excited about this spin off. I was a bit afraid of the dark elements, because we got to see almost everything with Tracht, and now we're with his nephew, Johan. But wow! This book blew my mind. Everything I wanted and more.
I wasn't prepared for the Tracht&Alex cameo, but holy shit, that scene was just perfect and so, so cruel. There wasn't a time when I 'hated' Tracht, but then and there, when he told THAT to Johan... poor baby. But really, it wouldn't even be Tracht if he wasn't cruel...
Now back to the real stuff, let's talk about our two MC - Johan and Emil.
Emil's first appearence was cute and made me *LOL* when I realised he'll be Johan's bondservant and Johan will be actually a master - or something like that. Hehe. Oh, but later on, how the tables have turned! Squeeeee!!
Emil was kind of irritating for me, he wasn't a bondservant material and everything he did (or really, didn't do!) was irritating. And how he acted with Johan. Pft.
Johan, oh poor baby Johan. He only wants to be loved (by anyone, really), and to be cared for. He wants puppy play (but not sure in what role hahaha). I really liked him in this book, his character is well written and the emotions are so great.
Adara writes really fascinating and interesting dark and twisted stories.
I read this book in one sitting, couldn't and wouldn't put it down for anything. Loved it from start to finish and I just CAN NOT WAIT for the next book.
I LOOOOVE the original series, Tracht&Alex are everything, and I was really, really excited about this spin off. I was a bit afraid of the dark elements, because we got to see almost everything with Tracht, and now we're with his nephew, Johan. But wow! This book blew my mind. Everything I wanted and more.
I wasn't prepared for the Tracht&Alex cameo, but holy shit, that scene was just perfect and so, so cruel. There wasn't a time when I 'hated' Tracht, but then and there, when he told THAT to Johan... poor baby. But really, it wouldn't even be Tracht if he wasn't cruel...
Now back to the real stuff, let's talk about our two MC - Johan and Emil.
Emil's first appearence was cute and made me *LOL* when I realised he'll be Johan's bondservant and Johan will be actually a master - or something like that. Hehe. Oh, but later on, how the tables have turned! Squeeeee!!
Emil was kind of irritating for me, he wasn't a bondservant material and everything he did (or really, didn't do!) was irritating. And how he acted with Johan. Pft.
Johan, oh poor baby Johan. He only wants to be loved (by anyone, really), and to be cared for. He wants puppy play (but not sure in what role hahaha). I really liked him in this book, his character is well written and the emotions are so great.
Adara writes really fascinating and interesting dark and twisted stories.
I read this book in one sitting, couldn't and wouldn't put it down for anything. Loved it from start to finish and I just CAN NOT WAIT for the next book.
August 1, 2022
Very much enjoyed this. Honestly probably the lightest Adara Wolf book I've read, in that there is only moderate manipulation and sociopathy in the two main characters as opposed to full psychopathy. So yea, sweet ❤️😛.
Looking forward to seeing how these two progress as they both still have their own shit to sort out despite starting to warm up to each other.
I still love Tracht and Alex although when putting them against more normal characters like Emil you remember how completely fucked up they are. But I can't hate them 🤷.
Also the cliffhanger was a minor one, more like introducing a new story arc for the next book, so don't let that put you off reading this one.
Looking forward to seeing how these two progress as they both still have their own shit to sort out despite starting to warm up to each other.
I still love Tracht and Alex although when putting them against more normal characters like Emil you remember how completely fucked up they are. But I can't hate them 🤷.
Also the cliffhanger was a minor one, more like introducing a new story arc for the next book, so don't let that put you off reading this one.
March 19, 2022
I love this scifi world of bond servants with morally grey characters and spoiled brats. This ends in a cliff hanger though of which I am not a fan.
January 8, 2023
Tags: sci fi, puppy play, master / servant, noncon / dubcon, mental health / PTSD, hacker MC
I love how Adara writes these completely unlikable, imperfect characters, making bad choices and being overly dramatic, and I end up 100% rooting for them. This book has so much drama! But it’s also very tongue in cheek, and after reading the Under His Heel series it’s such a fun contrast. In UHH, Johan comes across as whiny and immature. In LHH, he is *still* those things, and totally over dramatic in a very Brady from Dark Space kind of way, and I loved it. Neither he not Emil are nice people but they fit each other’s kinks so nicely and really do seem to be a good influence on each other.
Looking forward to the next in the series! Would definitely recommend. Read the CWs on Adara’s website first, though.
I love how Adara writes these completely unlikable, imperfect characters, making bad choices and being overly dramatic, and I end up 100% rooting for them. This book has so much drama! But it’s also very tongue in cheek, and after reading the Under His Heel series it’s such a fun contrast. In UHH, Johan comes across as whiny and immature. In LHH, he is *still* those things, and totally over dramatic in a very Brady from Dark Space kind of way, and I loved it. Neither he not Emil are nice people but they fit each other’s kinks so nicely and really do seem to be a good influence on each other.
Looking forward to the next in the series! Would definitely recommend. Read the CWs on Adara’s website first, though.
April 2, 2023
4 stars
A fascinating read with completely unlikeable characters and much trauma.
CW: ...this is pretty hectic. From the author's website:
I would say that the in particular was an important part of the plot so if you're triggered by that you should not read this.
I am at a loss with how to rate this.
I didn't enjoy most of it.
But I couldn't stop reading.
It's fucked up, it's so toxic, all of the characters are awful, and I don't see how they could possibly be redeemed. But I'm also rooting for them to work it out?
I don't know. I'm not sure I would recommend this? But also, I'm glad I read it and I'll definitely read the next book. I think this one might stay with me for a while.
Sexual content: Explicit. Non-con, dub-con, some consensual. Blowjobs, anal sex, toys.
Kink: Puppy play, impact play, D/s, sounding.
A fascinating read with completely unlikeable characters and much trauma.
CW: ...this is pretty hectic. From the author's website:
I would say that the in particular was an important part of the plot so if you're triggered by that you should not read this.
I am at a loss with how to rate this.
I didn't enjoy most of it.
But I couldn't stop reading.
It's fucked up, it's so toxic, all of the characters are awful, and I don't see how they could possibly be redeemed. But I'm also rooting for them to work it out?
I don't know. I'm not sure I would recommend this? But also, I'm glad I read it and I'll definitely read the next book. I think this one might stay with me for a while.
Sexual content: Explicit. Non-con, dub-con, some consensual. Blowjobs, anal sex, toys.
Kink: Puppy play, impact play, D/s, sounding.
January 6, 2023
This was…okay? I mean, I knew it wasn’t going to be like the Under His Heel series just because Johan is not Tracht and actually feels things very deeply, and yet it does feel like something’s missing? Don’t get me wrong, this book is MESSY and there’s still plenty of things our two MCs, Johan and Emil have to work out, but it did take me a quite a long time to finish this book. And it wasn’t until I completely re-read the Under His Heel series that I winded up just committing myself to this book and finishing it. I don’t feel like this is a great book to jump into as a standalone, even if this is a spin-off series.
BUT. I don’t think readers starting with this book will feel the need to jump into the Under His Heel series afterwards because this book presents Tracht and Alex as they are from an outsider’s (Emil) point-of-view, and they are admittedly a tough couple to be around and are only better people in their own minds and POVs. I like the characters in this book, but I’m not convinced I like Johan and Emil TOGETHER just yet.
Content notes include rape (main characters), implied mentions of rape (secondary characters), slavery, bondage, sex under the influence of drugs, and additional warnings from the author’s website: dub/noncon, D/s, drugged sex, one-sided incestuous feelings, violence, pet play, praise kink, spanking, sounding, bondage, domestic discipline, needles, caning, PTSD/trauma, and gaslighting.
Here, we meet Johan as an adult studying at the university on a planet called Cadmus. Or I should say Johan SHOULD be studying at university. He’s a bundle of anxiety and nerves and he keeps skipping out on all his classes. There’s a lot in this story that also points to Johan also having depression. He’s having a rough time. And all the money in the universe (he’s the youngest son of THE richest family on Cadmus) cannot not help him. But his mother, Anna, is determined to try. In her own way. By buying him a bondservant named Emil to keep her son in line. Examples of things Emil’s expected to do is making sure Johan goes to his classes, does his homework, cleans the apartment, and takes his meds. Johan hides his insecurities and anxiety with a bad attitude and this makes for very awkward, and creates very unfortunate circumstances between him and Emil.
Emil knows what it’s like to respect consent and what it means to be a Dom or a sub. He knows that Johan doesn’t know these things. And I think deep-down Emil regrets most of what he does to Johan (which, you know, Tracht never really regretted anything he did with Alex. I’m not sure he knows regret). But Emil is pushed to the breaking point so much in this book that this is where the morally gray bit of their relationship wiggles it’s way in. Johan and Emil are trying to find their footing in this owner/bondservant relationship and Johan discovers pretty quickly he’s no Dominant like his Uncle “Hannes” (who we know as Tracht). He’s much suited to be a submissive but who can he be a sub for his bondservant? That just…doesn’t happen. So, Johan lashes out (literally) against Emil and things get even messier between them. Emil is a hacker and overall computer wiz, but doing something almost impossible managed to get him caught and that’s why he’s in the situation he’s in today.
I do appreciate that this book is told in dual POVs so we know what Emil is thinking and going through at the same time we see Johan’s struggles with finding his place as a person in society, out from under his (in)famous family name. I just struggle with this book and how they’re going to overcome all that’s happening between them. Because some of goes on between them is SO BAD. I don’t know. It does feel odd to say I loved Tracht and Alex, and then have a problem with Johan and Emil’s relationship. I would like to remind everyone I only winded up liking Tracht and Alex after book 3 and…this story between Johan and Emil is only a two book series. So a slow burn this is not.
I think half my problem with this book in particular is that I love how awful Tracht and Alex are in THEIR books, but they are extra awful here to Johan and Emil, and I don’t like seeing them from outside eyes? We know the family looks down on Johan and is the cause for a lot of his insecurities, but Johan always thought his uncle loved him. The whole ~confrontation~ (if you will) between the Tracht, Alex, Johan, and Emil is my least favorite part of this book. It’s disgusting and just makes me sad? But I guess if one thing comes out of it, it’s that Johan gets the wake up call he needs to stop worshiping at the alter of Tracht.
While I appreciate how the author addresses and doesn’t necessarily shy away from saying what’s abuse and what’s would constitute as consent, some scenes in this book are still a bit much. I would say this book is still very dark due to the amount of sexual abuse scenes in this book.
So this book does set up book two nicely, even though the ending doesn’t feel too much like a cliffhanger. We learn that Emil had a contemptuous relationship with an ex-boyfriend who we can only assume will make an appearance at some point. It’ll be interesting to see how he’ll show up and what will happen to him by the end. I will want to see if Johan exhibits any growth and what will happen to Johan and Emil after Emil’s bond contract ends.
I’m glad to get more books in this world, even though I was never expecting the next book to be about Johan. We met him as a little kid in book 2 of Under His Heel and it’s always weird to me to get (adult) books for characters we were met as children. I don’t think Johan and Emil’s books will be my favorite anytime soon like the Under His Heel books, but I will keep reading to find out what happens with their story.
BUT. I don’t think readers starting with this book will feel the need to jump into the Under His Heel series afterwards because this book presents Tracht and Alex as they are from an outsider’s (Emil) point-of-view, and they are admittedly a tough couple to be around and are only better people in their own minds and POVs. I like the characters in this book, but I’m not convinced I like Johan and Emil TOGETHER just yet.
Content notes include rape (main characters), implied mentions of rape (secondary characters), slavery, bondage, sex under the influence of drugs, and additional warnings from the author’s website: dub/noncon, D/s, drugged sex, one-sided incestuous feelings, violence, pet play, praise kink, spanking, sounding, bondage, domestic discipline, needles, caning, PTSD/trauma, and gaslighting.
Here, we meet Johan as an adult studying at the university on a planet called Cadmus. Or I should say Johan SHOULD be studying at university. He’s a bundle of anxiety and nerves and he keeps skipping out on all his classes. There’s a lot in this story that also points to Johan also having depression. He’s having a rough time. And all the money in the universe (he’s the youngest son of THE richest family on Cadmus) cannot not help him. But his mother, Anna, is determined to try. In her own way. By buying him a bondservant named Emil to keep her son in line. Examples of things Emil’s expected to do is making sure Johan goes to his classes, does his homework, cleans the apartment, and takes his meds. Johan hides his insecurities and anxiety with a bad attitude and this makes for very awkward, and creates very unfortunate circumstances between him and Emil.
Emil knows what it’s like to respect consent and what it means to be a Dom or a sub. He knows that Johan doesn’t know these things. And I think deep-down Emil regrets most of what he does to Johan (which, you know, Tracht never really regretted anything he did with Alex. I’m not sure he knows regret). But Emil is pushed to the breaking point so much in this book that this is where the morally gray bit of their relationship wiggles it’s way in. Johan and Emil are trying to find their footing in this owner/bondservant relationship and Johan discovers pretty quickly he’s no Dominant like his Uncle “Hannes” (who we know as Tracht). He’s much suited to be a submissive but who can he be a sub for his bondservant? That just…doesn’t happen. So, Johan lashes out (literally) against Emil and things get even messier between them. Emil is a hacker and overall computer wiz, but doing something almost impossible managed to get him caught and that’s why he’s in the situation he’s in today.
I do appreciate that this book is told in dual POVs so we know what Emil is thinking and going through at the same time we see Johan’s struggles with finding his place as a person in society, out from under his (in)famous family name. I just struggle with this book and how they’re going to overcome all that’s happening between them. Because some of goes on between them is SO BAD. I don’t know. It does feel odd to say I loved Tracht and Alex, and then have a problem with Johan and Emil’s relationship. I would like to remind everyone I only winded up liking Tracht and Alex after book 3 and…this story between Johan and Emil is only a two book series. So a slow burn this is not.
I think half my problem with this book in particular is that I love how awful Tracht and Alex are in THEIR books, but they are extra awful here to Johan and Emil, and I don’t like seeing them from outside eyes? We know the family looks down on Johan and is the cause for a lot of his insecurities, but Johan always thought his uncle loved him. The whole ~confrontation~ (if you will) between the Tracht, Alex, Johan, and Emil is my least favorite part of this book. It’s disgusting and just makes me sad? But I guess if one thing comes out of it, it’s that Johan gets the wake up call he needs to stop worshiping at the alter of Tracht.
While I appreciate how the author addresses and doesn’t necessarily shy away from saying what’s abuse and what’s would constitute as consent, some scenes in this book are still a bit much. I would say this book is still very dark due to the amount of sexual abuse scenes in this book.
So this book does set up book two nicely, even though the ending doesn’t feel too much like a cliffhanger. We learn that Emil had a contemptuous relationship with an ex-boyfriend who we can only assume will make an appearance at some point. It’ll be interesting to see how he’ll show up and what will happen to him by the end. I will want to see if Johan exhibits any growth and what will happen to Johan and Emil after Emil’s bond contract ends.
I’m glad to get more books in this world, even though I was never expecting the next book to be about Johan. We met him as a little kid in book 2 of Under His Heel and it’s always weird to me to get (adult) books for characters we were met as children. I don’t think Johan and Emil’s books will be my favorite anytime soon like the Under His Heel books, but I will keep reading to find out what happens with their story.
January 26, 2024
I kind of feel bad for Johann
Considering what his family is like, no wonder he turned out the way he is. I'm just glad he was finally disillusioned about his Uncle Hannes.
How Johann and Emil started, it's actually a miracle it didn't take at least a year for them to get to this point. And Anna just makes things worse.
I did wonder why he calls them by their names instead of mom and dad. But considering his father doesn't seem half as bad as his wife and sister, it's kind of weird to see that he's actually not a very good father. Maybe it's hard to get a sense for what's normal after seeing how this family functions.
Much better than the previous series (little too much for me, thank you very much) but there are a few small things that could have been written differently. At least it's going in the right direction, so I hope I get to rate the next one (if there is one) five stars.
Considering what his family is like, no wonder he turned out the way he is. I'm just glad he was finally disillusioned about his Uncle Hannes.
How Johann and Emil started, it's actually a miracle it didn't take at least a year for them to get to this point. And Anna just makes things worse.
I did wonder why he calls them by their names instead of mom and dad. But considering his father doesn't seem half as bad as his wife and sister, it's kind of weird to see that he's actually not a very good father. Maybe it's hard to get a sense for what's normal after seeing how this family functions.
Much better than the previous series (little too much for me, thank you very much) but there are a few small things that could have been written differently. At least it's going in the right direction, so I hope I get to rate the next one (if there is one) five stars.
April 7, 2025
3.5 rounded
Dropping the series, the kid is a real bit*h. The story is well written as expected of AW, but I really can't stand Johan. So it's a me prob. I rounded it only for Alex and Tracht.
Dropping the series, the kid is a real bit*h. The story is well written as expected of AW, but I really can't stand Johan. So it's a me prob. I rounded it only for Alex and Tracht.
August 30, 2025
(3.25)
окей, я не стрималась і таки чекнула цей спін-офф про небожа трахта... мені було надто цікаво, що з цього вийде, а також я обвіослі сходила з 'under his heel' high.
що ж, динаміка тут рівно така, як я й очікувала: йогану підганяють бондсерванта, він не знає, що з ним робити, намагається його з якихось нав'язаних міркувань (невдало) домити/підкоряти та в процесі тих чи інших подій визнає, що сам хоче бути на його місці. в цьому плані книжка вийшла чудова — суперечливість почуттів, пошук себе, реклейминг ідентичності та своїх бажань тощо тощо тощо. манюсінька* дрібка токсичності та травматичний бекґрануд обох гг тільки додавали історії насиченості.
мені сподобалось, що одним з основних ракурсів історії було покращення життя (taking back of it?) та розвиток йогана як особистості. у мене personal investment в депресивних/тривожних/травмованих персонажах, а коли вони ще й трошки відлюдькуваті та з певних причин чорні овечки в сім'ї — золото. тож йоган не мав шансу пройти повз! часто в таких сюжетах, однак, гг1 дивовижним чином зцілюється, стає кращою версією себе, а гг2 виступає в ролі героя-рятівника, який тобі і part-time therapist, і в цілому wholly competent all-knowing person/perfect lover. так от тут цього не було, і це супер!
еміль — чудовий та багатогранний, от справді живий персонаж. він мав свої ulterior motives, та попри це лишався хорошою людиною (не будемо вникати у всі деталі, лол). він не намагався грати на публіку та був хоч і неідеальним, а втім дуже "нормальним", а тому страшенно симпатичним персонажем. його розсудливість мені полюбилась найбльше. обожнюю, коли персонажі свідомі у своїх вчинках та не обманюють самих себе. (я не планую найближчим часом братись за наступну частину, але дідько, як же кортить більше дізнатись про його минуле та оці тьорки з трошки крейзі (?) колишнім).
йоган же ж мене зацікавив ще в перших частинах 'under his heel' своєю ідолізацією трахта зокрема. вона очевидно мала місце й тут, і навіть дійшла нищівного апогею при їхній, кхем, зустрічі (як би мені не подобався трахт разом з його overall demeanor, мені було страшенно прикро за йогана в той момент). оце його пекуче бажання наслідувати свого дядька, урвати крихту його прихильності-- так, визнаю: я перша хіхікала в новелці про викрадення з того, наскільки трахту було поїбати на малого йогана в порівнянні з алексом, але камон! моє серце не настільки черстве і обвіослі я розумію йогона та feel for him. бонус поінтс за те, до речі, що його не намагались показати надто жалісним — він недоброзичливий, моментами відверто антипатичний, часто поводиться інфантильно та різко, але при цьому лишається дуже щирим. тому заміс з цим сюжетом та поєднання його з емілем було неймовірне!
all in all, теми тут цікаві, виконання дійсно непогане, і прочитала я цю книжечку відносно швидко, адже оповідь була справді захоплива — чи пак радше entertaining. перебіг подій був класний, декотрі сцени мені прям дуже прийшлись до душі, затравочки на продовження чудові... утім, ця історія все ж не стала моєю улюбленою чи будь-яким чином impressive. вона не дотягнула напругою, не вразила атмосферою та до того ж не мала в собі якихось особливо любимих мною елементів. мені хотілося чогось соліднішого, темнішого, чогось, що б дійсно pack a punch.
(*можливо, не за мірками нормальної пересічної людини, лол)
p.s. продо��ження колись обов'язково прочитаю!
p.p.s десь на половині книжки я мимоволі почала уявляти еміля з зовнішністю того perpetually horny кучерявого хлопаки з тіктока, який защораз цідить найбільш diabolical сценарії з '🥺' виразом обличчя. типу, його менш лайтову версію.... Я ДОСІ НЕ ВПЕВНЕНА ЯК ЦЕ ПОВПЛИВАЛО НА МОЄ СПРИЙНЯТТЯ ІСТОРІЇ 😭
окей, я не стрималась і таки чекнула цей спін-офф про небожа трахта... мені було надто цікаво, що з цього вийде, а також я обвіослі сходила з 'under his heel' high.
що ж, динаміка тут рівно така, як я й очікувала: йогану підганяють бондсерванта, він не знає, що з ним робити, намагається його з якихось нав'язаних міркувань (невдало) домити/підкоряти та в процесі тих чи інших подій визнає, що сам хоче бути на його місці. в цьому плані книжка вийшла чудова — суперечливість почуттів, пошук себе, реклейминг ідентичності та своїх бажань тощо тощо тощо. манюсінька* дрібка токсичності та травматичний бекґрануд обох гг тільки додавали історії насиченості.
мені сподобалось, що одним з основних ракурсів історії було покращення життя (taking back of it?) та розвиток йогана як особистості. у мене personal investment в депресивних/тривожних/травмованих персонажах, а коли вони ще й трошки відлюдькуваті та з певних причин чорні овечки в сім'ї — золото. тож йоган не мав шансу пройти повз! часто в таких сюжетах, однак, гг1 дивовижним чином зцілюється, стає кращою версією себе, а гг2 виступає в ролі героя-рятівника, який тобі і part-time therapist, і в цілому wholly competent all-knowing person/perfect lover. так от тут цього не було, і це супер!
еміль — чудовий та багатогранний, от справді живий персонаж. він мав свої ulterior motives, та попри це лишався хорошою людиною (не будемо вникати у всі деталі, лол). він не намагався грати на публіку та був хоч і неідеальним, а втім дуже "нормальним", а тому страшенно симпатичним персонажем. його розсудливість мені полюбилась найбльше. обожнюю, коли персонажі свідомі у своїх вчинках та не обманюють самих себе. (я не планую найближчим часом братись за наступну частину, але дідько, як же кортить більше дізнатись про його минуле та оці тьорки з трошки крейзі (?) колишнім).
йоган же ж мене зацікавив ще в перших частинах 'under his heel' своєю ідолізацією трахта зокрема. вона очевидно мала місце й тут, і навіть дійшла нищівного апогею при їхній, кхем, зустрічі (як би мені не подобався трахт разом з його overall demeanor, мені було страшенно прикро за йогана в той момент). оце його пекуче бажання наслідувати свого дядька, урвати крихту його прихильності-- так, визнаю: я перша хіхікала в новелці про викрадення з того, наскільки трахту було поїбати на малого йогана в порівнянні з алексом, але камон! моє серце не настільки черстве і обвіослі я розумію йогона та feel for him. бонус поінтс за те, до речі, що його не намагались показати надто жалісним — він недоброзичливий, моментами відверто антипатичний, часто поводиться інфантильно та різко, але при цьому лишається дуже щирим. тому заміс з цим сюжетом та поєднання його з емілем було неймовірне!
all in all, теми тут цікаві, виконання дійсно непогане, і прочитала я цю книжечку відносно швидко, адже оповідь була справді захоплива — чи пак радше entertaining. перебіг подій був класний, декотрі сцени мені прям дуже прийшлись до душі, затравочки на продовження чудові... утім, ця історія все ж не стала моєю улюбленою чи будь-яким чином impressive. вона не дотягнула напругою, не вразила атмосферою та до того ж не мала в собі якихось особливо любимих мною елементів. мені хотілося чогось соліднішого, темнішого, чогось, що б дійсно pack a punch.
(*можливо, не за мірками нормальної пересічної людини, лол)
p.s. продо��ження колись обов'язково прочитаю!
p.p.s десь на половині книжки я мимоволі почала уявляти еміля з зовнішністю того perpetually horny кучерявого хлопаки з тіктока, який защораз цідить найбільш diabolical сценарії з '🥺' виразом обличчя. типу, його менш лайтову версію.... Я ДОСІ НЕ ВПЕВНЕНА ЯК ЦЕ ПОВПЛИВАЛО НА МОЄ СПРИЙНЯТТЯ ІСТОРІЇ 😭
January 13, 2024
I hoped this would make me, if not like Johan, at least understand him more after Under His Heel. It probably made it worse that I can relate with his issues and how he thinks of himself as a result; key difference being, he has the self-awareness of a dog (no pun intended) who wants you to throw the ball but won't give it to you. Minus the cuteness.
And I take issue with Emil in general. After more than adequate time to learn and understand Johan's habits which are often volatile and erratic, he consistently provokes him under the guise of "doing what's best for them." He criticizes Johan's constant self-pity while being in a similar state, taking out his own unresolved issues on Johan. Emil is set up to be the 'least bad', if you will, but in my eyes it only made his qualms all the more obvious.
Extra star for the Alex/Tracht cameo. Pieces of shit, the both of them, but at least they don't pretend otherwise.
And I take issue with Emil in general. After more than adequate time to learn and understand Johan's habits which are often volatile and erratic, he consistently provokes him under the guise of "doing what's best for them." He criticizes Johan's constant self-pity while being in a similar state, taking out his own unresolved issues on Johan. Emil is set up to be the 'least bad', if you will, but in my eyes it only made his qualms all the more obvious.
Extra star for the Alex/Tracht cameo. Pieces of shit, the both of them, but at least they don't pretend otherwise.
April 14, 2022
I had an amazing time reading this book and getting to know these characters. Even though it is related to a series, it can be read easily as a stand-alone. It was fun for me going back to some characters I already know and love, which makes me believe people who had read Under His Heel, would love reading a bit about Tracht and Alex the guys too.
The plot was nice. It kept me guessing on the actions of the characters, since I found both very unpredictable. I loved the main characters, mostly because the author doesn’t go trying to make them likable and perfect characters. They make mistakes and can learn from them or not. It is fantastic. It makes them more realistic in my eyes, and that is something I love reading.
What I liked the most about the book was how easily I could get in touch with the main character’s emotion, and I might be very far from being objective here, but I have a soft spot for Johan, so I was particularly charmed by how easy I could feel his pain, his anger and everything he would send my way. It was beautiful.
There were very little things that I didn’t like about it, and most of the time it was related to other character’s actions, or a few things that I don’t love reading much, so it wasn’t really something that the book for itself lack but more of a personal thing. Overall it was a wonderful experience. It was hard for me to put it down. I wouldn’t hesitate on recommend it.
The plot was nice. It kept me guessing on the actions of the characters, since I found both very unpredictable. I loved the main characters, mostly because the author doesn’t go trying to make them likable and perfect characters. They make mistakes and can learn from them or not. It is fantastic. It makes them more realistic in my eyes, and that is something I love reading.
What I liked the most about the book was how easily I could get in touch with the main character’s emotion, and I might be very far from being objective here, but I have a soft spot for Johan, so I was particularly charmed by how easy I could feel his pain, his anger and everything he would send my way. It was beautiful.
There were very little things that I didn’t like about it, and most of the time it was related to other character’s actions, or a few things that I don’t love reading much, so it wasn’t really something that the book for itself lack but more of a personal thing. Overall it was a wonderful experience. It was hard for me to put it down. I wouldn’t hesitate on recommend it.
March 17, 2022
OK, so this author legit can write, and her characters and world-building is deeply clever. I kind of wish we didn't have dual POV (because it's a little too easy to show how Johan falls into puppy play by watching it from both characters' perspectives). And the honest truth is that the family dynamics of the richest family on the station could almost be static for all that they actually matter (the truth is just that these people are horrid, greedy, venal, and also did I mention horrid?).
In a way, there's the Philip K Dick phenomenon here: on the one hand, we're in a future world with spaceships and big space stations; on the other, there are still office politics and people playing badminton and stores that sell clothing that is not that different from what we wear now, with similar gender politics around men wearing skirts. This may or may not be your cup of tea!
The sex writing is ... disturbing, might be the right adjective, more than anything? I do wish that the way consent got skirted around was a bit less problematic, but part of this author's schtick is to do that skirting. But I at least appreciate that the physicality of the sex seemed feasible, if perhaps at times a little overly perfect.
In a way, there's the Philip K Dick phenomenon here: on the one hand, we're in a future world with spaceships and big space stations; on the other, there are still office politics and people playing badminton and stores that sell clothing that is not that different from what we wear now, with similar gender politics around men wearing skirts. This may or may not be your cup of tea!
The sex writing is ... disturbing, might be the right adjective, more than anything? I do wish that the way consent got skirted around was a bit less problematic, but part of this author's schtick is to do that skirting. But I at least appreciate that the physicality of the sex seemed feasible, if perhaps at times a little overly perfect.
March 15, 2022
Brilliant spinoff
Poor Johan. It's bad enough that he grew up as Anna's child, learning the most horrible ways to treat people and to see them as disposable.
Much of that behavior is ingrained in him and what he suffered through has only further compounded his issues.
He's floundering and has no idea how to simply live.
Everything and everyone is fraught with ulterior motives and he just can't trust himself.
Emil is absolutely the perfect foil for him.
He's just selfish enough to not put up with Johan's b.s. and to actually call him out on it.
Johan has a lot of misconceptions about sex and just life in general.
Emil is quick to disavow Johan of his beliefs but more disturbing to Johan is discovering that everything he believes about himself is just not true.
There's been hurt on both sides but there have also been beautiful scenes that could just end up in some kind of love.
Emil has made a mistake and now danger is rounding the corner for them.
I can't wait for the finale.
Poor Johan. It's bad enough that he grew up as Anna's child, learning the most horrible ways to treat people and to see them as disposable.
Much of that behavior is ingrained in him and what he suffered through has only further compounded his issues.
He's floundering and has no idea how to simply live.
Everything and everyone is fraught with ulterior motives and he just can't trust himself.
Emil is absolutely the perfect foil for him.
He's just selfish enough to not put up with Johan's b.s. and to actually call him out on it.
Johan has a lot of misconceptions about sex and just life in general.
Emil is quick to disavow Johan of his beliefs but more disturbing to Johan is discovering that everything he believes about himself is just not true.
There's been hurt on both sides but there have also been beautiful scenes that could just end up in some kind of love.
Emil has made a mistake and now danger is rounding the corner for them.
I can't wait for the finale.
August 23, 2023
Johan Lysander (20) & Emil Kiraz (25).
This duet is a spin off of the “Under His Heel” series. It is recommended that you read that series first, as a life shaping event happened to Johan in the second book. This book takes place after “Under His Skin”, the fourth novel in the “Under His Heel” series.
To catch you up: Johan is Tracht’s nephew, the one who was kidnapped & tortured along with Alex in “Under His Heel: A Kidnapping”.
At 20, Johan had moved to his own apartment and was enrolled in college, but he was skipping most of his classes, avoiding his family, and had become a recluse. Drugs, therapy, nothing had worked to break Johan out of the trauma of being abducted and tortured when he was ten.
As a last ditch effort to help Johan, his mother Anna procures him a bondservant named Emil. At the very least, she expects Emil to clean up after Johan and encourage him to go to classes.
Johan is the least dominant person ever, sexually or otherwise. As such, he has a hard time ordering Emil around and an even harder time trying to relate to him sexually.
Even before Tracht saved his life, Johan had a case of hero worship where it came to his Uncle Hannes. He also had a fascination with Tracht’s relationship with his former bondservant Alex. So when it came to Emil, Johan did his best to emulate his uncle, never fully realizing it was Alex’s position he wanted to be in.
Because he got off on puppy play porn, Johan dressed Emil up like a puppy and left him tied up all night. When that did nothing to curb Emil’s natural assertiveness, Johan contacted Dimitri, a friend of Anna’s who used to sub for Tracht.
Dimitri gave Johan advice and toys in the form of a ring gag & butt plug, before leaving Johan alone to play with his puppy. Johan got Emil off, but when Emil showed nothing but disdain, Johan kicked him repeatedly.
When Emil left the apartment without permission, Johan put him back in the puppy paraphernalia only to pinch and press at Emil’s bruises while threatening to castrate him. Emil didn’t just talk back that time, he fought back.
Anna gave Johan drugs meant to make the victim more susceptible. Johan tried drugging Emil, only Emil switched the glasses. To Emil’s surprise, the drug meant to make him more biddable, left Johan a clingy little puppy in Emil’s arms. Now it was clearer than ever, that Johan wanted to submit.
Emil had a crisis of conscious after that, but that was cut short when Johan introduced him to his Uncle Hannes & Alex.
This duet is a spin off of the “Under His Heel” series. It is recommended that you read that series first, as a life shaping event happened to Johan in the second book. This book takes place after “Under His Skin”, the fourth novel in the “Under His Heel” series.
To catch you up: Johan is Tracht’s nephew, the one who was kidnapped & tortured along with Alex in “Under His Heel: A Kidnapping”.
At 20, Johan had moved to his own apartment and was enrolled in college, but he was skipping most of his classes, avoiding his family, and had become a recluse. Drugs, therapy, nothing had worked to break Johan out of the trauma of being abducted and tortured when he was ten.
As a last ditch effort to help Johan, his mother Anna procures him a bondservant named Emil. At the very least, she expects Emil to clean up after Johan and encourage him to go to classes.
Johan is the least dominant person ever, sexually or otherwise. As such, he has a hard time ordering Emil around and an even harder time trying to relate to him sexually.
Even before Tracht saved his life, Johan had a case of hero worship where it came to his Uncle Hannes. He also had a fascination with Tracht’s relationship with his former bondservant Alex. So when it came to Emil, Johan did his best to emulate his uncle, never fully realizing it was Alex’s position he wanted to be in.
Because he got off on puppy play porn, Johan dressed Emil up like a puppy and left him tied up all night. When that did nothing to curb Emil’s natural assertiveness, Johan contacted Dimitri, a friend of Anna’s who used to sub for Tracht.
Dimitri gave Johan advice and toys in the form of a ring gag & butt plug, before leaving Johan alone to play with his puppy. Johan got Emil off, but when Emil showed nothing but disdain, Johan kicked him repeatedly.
When Emil left the apartment without permission, Johan put him back in the puppy paraphernalia only to pinch and press at Emil’s bruises while threatening to castrate him. Emil didn’t just talk back that time, he fought back.
Anna gave Johan drugs meant to make the victim more susceptible. Johan tried drugging Emil, only Emil switched the glasses. To Emil’s surprise, the drug meant to make him more biddable, left Johan a clingy little puppy in Emil’s arms. Now it was clearer than ever, that Johan wanted to submit.
Emil had a crisis of conscious after that, but that was cut short when Johan introduced him to his Uncle Hannes & Alex.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2022
3.5 stars
I'm excited to be back in this world again. I loved the Under His Heel series with Tracht and Alex, so I was thrilled to learn that the author was writing about Tracht's nephew Johan.
Johan, and his bondservant Emil, are both assholes at times. They each are dealing with their own issues and are still trying to figure out their relationship. Johan is suffering emotionally and mentally from the effects of . Emil has a backstory that hasn't yet been revealed. It was great seeing Tracht and Alex again, although they were both so heartless and cruel. (Just like usual.)
I look forward to the next book in this series. Towards the end of this book, it seemed like Johan and Emil were finally beginning to figure out their dynamic. I can't wait to see where it goes from here.
I'm excited to be back in this world again. I loved the Under His Heel series with Tracht and Alex, so I was thrilled to learn that the author was writing about Tracht's nephew Johan.
Johan, and his bondservant Emil, are both assholes at times. They each are dealing with their own issues and are still trying to figure out their relationship. Johan is suffering emotionally and mentally from the effects of . Emil has a backstory that hasn't yet been revealed. It was great seeing Tracht and Alex again, although they were both so heartless and cruel. (Just like usual.)
I look forward to the next book in this series. Towards the end of this book, it seemed like Johan and Emil were finally beginning to figure out their dynamic. I can't wait to see where it goes from here.
March 26, 2022
Adara Wolf's finds new and creative ways to get me to care about very despicable people. Almost everyone in this book is either a narcissistic sociopath or working their way towards convincing everyone that they are, but I still find myself rooting for them. As flawed as the characters are, the glimpses of their vulnerability and humanity encourage the reader to hope the characters will find happiness. This is why I read Adara Wolf's books. Well, that and the BDSM scenes...
This story works okay as a standalone , but has more impact if you have read the Under His Heel series. I was happy to see Alex and Tracht are still being awful together. I hope Emil meets them again in the future. 😏
This story works okay as a standalone , but has more impact if you have read the Under His Heel series. I was happy to see Alex and Tracht are still being awful together. I hope Emil meets them again in the future. 😏
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2023
I enjoyed this very much! Despite how unlikable Johan is as a character, I just loved the dynamic between him and Emil. This is both very different and similar to the original series (Under His Heel) as in there are still fucked up things happening and the relationship isn't very healthy, but in comparison, this could almost be called fluff. I especially enjoyed the puppy play scenes *chef's kiss*
The last third of the book didn't really work for me, though. It felt incredibly rushed and the sudden switch in character for Emil didn't make any sense and was just there as a convenient plot device. I was expecting a conflict towards the end of the book, but the way this conflict just starts pretty much out of nowhere felt extremely clunky.
The last third of the book didn't really work for me, though. It felt incredibly rushed and the sudden switch in character for Emil didn't make any sense and was just there as a convenient plot device. I was expecting a conflict towards the end of the book, but the way this conflict just starts pretty much out of nowhere felt extremely clunky.
June 12, 2023
This is fairly different from Under his Heel. But I liked it. I read other reviews and I disagree with them. A lot of people seemed to dislike Johan and okay, he is a jerk but look at his past, his trauma and his family. It makes sense that he is the way he is, he is trying to protect himself. And everyone seemed to love Emil and think he was the moral compass, and I disagree with that. I loved him too but that cause I wanted a bit of a morally gray jerk. He is more like Tracht than he realizes, just cause he feels some guilt and remorse doesn’t make him better. He still behaves the way he does. The plot is interesting and their relationship is intriguing.
March 16, 2022
A fantastic spinoff from the Under His Heel series.
Johan was a frequent character in that series and one almost empathised with him and all that he went through.
Floundering to find himself and be a person in the unfeeling world of his family, he gets his own bond servant in Emil.
Emil who makes him question all he knew and as a result they they both end up with a change in their perspectives and motives.
A riveting tale with elements of passion, action and danger. I loved seeing previous characters appear in this story. I can’t wait for the conclusion to see what happens next.
Johan was a frequent character in that series and one almost empathised with him and all that he went through.
Floundering to find himself and be a person in the unfeeling world of his family, he gets his own bond servant in Emil.
Emil who makes him question all he knew and as a result they they both end up with a change in their perspectives and motives.
A riveting tale with elements of passion, action and danger. I loved seeing previous characters appear in this story. I can’t wait for the conclusion to see what happens next.
Want to read
June 18, 2024Loved the Under His Heel series, so I thought about reading this spinoff. But Johan is way too pathetic and sadboi. It’s too much of a difference to the prior series. Very fluffy oddly enough. I basically cut ahead to the scene with Alex and Tracht. I know that scene is supposed to make you feel bad for Johan and Emil, but I enjoyed A+T way too much. Especially cause I agree with their opinions. Gonna skip this series for now and dive into the author’s other works instead.
March 11, 2022
**There are PLENTY of triggers that you should definitely check before diving into this awesome book**
I LOVE being back in this world. We get to spend time with Johan and find out exactly how he’s doing trying to be a functioning adult. Emil is such an interesting character and I love how he works through his own issues and concerns. There’s also a cameo in here I think everyone will love.
I LOVE being back in this world. We get to spend time with Johan and find out exactly how he’s doing trying to be a functioning adult. Emil is such an interesting character and I love how he works through his own issues and concerns. There’s also a cameo in here I think everyone will love.
March 13, 2022
I loved it.
Poor Johan. Forced to face a lot of truths in this one. I highly recommend reading this after the Under His Heel series.
Can’t wait to read the next book. Wondering how it will all work out.
Highly recommend.
I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Poor Johan. Forced to face a lot of truths in this one. I highly recommend reading this after the Under His Heel series.
Can’t wait to read the next book. Wondering how it will all work out.
Highly recommend.
I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 22, 2022
3.5*. Very different to what I expected. I really enjoyed it. There were some very dark and downright brutal moments which I’ve come to expect of this author, so definitely not for the faint of heart. There were certain ways this could have set up book 2 a bit better, but I will nevertheless be reading book two as soon as it’s released in December.
June 29, 2022
Not quite sure how I feel about this one. Mainly because I halfway liked Alex and Tracht in their series, but despised them here. I just felt so bad for Johan. I really hope it doesn't take 4 books to get his happily ever after like the other guys. Not sure I could take a couple 300 pagers with me just feeling bad for him the whole time.
November 20, 2022
Really enjoyed this!
Excellent book! Loved the characters and how their relationship holds and changes over time. I don't give spoilers so that's all I am going to say but seriously. If you like your books a bit on the dark side, read this book!
Excellent book! Loved the characters and how their relationship holds and changes over time. I don't give spoilers so that's all I am going to say but seriously. If you like your books a bit on the dark side, read this book!
Read
January 12, 2025tried so, so hard - 87% through, but just NOT my thing. COULD very much have been my thing just on the bare-bones-surface of it, but i think what i really want is cnc, and this just very much is not that 😭🥹😭🥹
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2022
Eh
So far this isn't as good as the previous series. More is going on behind the scenes currently. The two main characters just keep hurting each other and not in a good way.
So far this isn't as good as the previous series. More is going on behind the scenes currently. The two main characters just keep hurting each other and not in a good way.
March 29, 2022
4.5⭐️
Having to wait until December for book 2 is making me want to cry!
Having to wait until December for book 2 is making me want to cry!
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