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The Lone Family #1

His Playmate

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One mistake has twisted Diego Montosa’s world into darkness.

He kidnapped Wolf Lone’s only son, and now Wolf has kidnapped him.

Diego has been taken captive by the irresistible yakuza boss, broken down, and turned into his personal plaything.

Wolf is ruthless, subjecting his new pet to painful punishments and addictive pleasures. But Diego is a vicious young gang leader and will rebel at every chance he gets … even if it means sleeping with the enemy.

His Playmate is an enemies to lovers dark MM mafia romance. A content warning page can be found in the front matter of the book.

126 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 24, 2019

89 people are currently reading
127 people want to read

About the author

Ace Fawn

10 books26 followers
Ace Fawn is an MM author best known for her dark and steamy romance books. She was born in Australia, where she currently lives and writes.

Visit her website for more info at www.acefawn.com as well as join her mailing list for new book release updates and limited time offers.

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5 stars
40 (16%)
4 stars
80 (32%)
3 stars
86 (35%)
2 stars
28 (11%)
1 star
10 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
Profile Image for Calila.
1,178 reviews103 followers
August 28, 2019
*A copy was provided by the author for free in exchange for an honest review*

Enjoyed this for the most part. For the length, I think it does a decent job of developing the relationship believably and making it make sense for the characters. There's enough backstory and plot to make it interesting. The connection and intimacy with the characters is a little cliche but done well enough. The ending's a bit rushed but fine over all. I'd recommend this if you want something quick and smoldering.
Profile Image for Tara.
153 reviews3 followers
February 26, 2026
The concept was great, the execution not so much. It seemed stilted in areas, rushed in others (especially the sex scenes. Please prep properly!)
This really could have been a 5 star for me had it been seamless, but just fell flat after the first third of it.

I received an ARC from Book Sirens for my honest review.
Profile Image for nana.
539 reviews52 followers
December 17, 2021
— 2nd read.
Diego narrowed his eyes. "I don't need to tell you that."
"Yes, you do. You're with me now. I own every part of you. That means you don't hide things from me, pet."


I am right now reading a lot of twisted dynamics and thought a reread of this story would be a good call. The power unbalance here fits my exact tastes and provides a quick entertainment. We have a tropey kidnapping, age gap, enemies to lovers dark romance.

Looking at the story, I like it a lot. Wolf helds Diego captive and they form a bond during that experience. The problem is, the way the author tried to develop the romance in just a few pages didn't work. So it would come off naturally, the story either needed to be told in a full lengh novel or it needed to be told in a different style/format of scenes, maybe with more focus on the feelings.

In the end, the power dynamic is what keeps the interest going, because the characters aren't really remarkable with the development following such an awkward pace, but it was a nice finding fitting my specific tastes.
Profile Image for Shelba.
2,750 reviews103 followers
February 25, 2023
“He was a gorgeous menace” is how I want more of MCs described, lol.

This was okay. It had a lot of potential, but it kind of wasted it by working on setting things up for Levi’s story.

Diego kidnaps Levi. Wolf captures Diego. And then some “torture” BDSM ensures. Wolf think how nice it will be to make Diego submit, that he wants to keep him, that it’s been awhile since his last relationship. Diego is upset that Wolf “treating Diego like he was nothing more than a captive”… (because you are captive). There’s little to no urgency to have Diego release Levi.

Funny enough, once Diego returns to Wolf, we don’t get to see any of the D/s or BDSM dynamic that apparently is what draws them to each other. We just get two additional sex scenes, that follow the same steps of two fingers, then fuck him. The only difference is the body positions.

There are CWs for this. They fail to include that it’s noncon/dubcon. It also says “spanking”, and while there is no actual spanking, there is impact play/torture(?) using a belt, a crop and canning. And some collaring (involuntary & voluntary), and restraints (involuntary).

Profile Image for Julia (bookish.jka).
974 reviews320 followers
June 14, 2023
“I’m not here to kill you. I’m here to take what’s mine,” Wolf said, his eyes hard, and his tone firm.

His Playmate is the first in a three book novella series, The Lone Family, by Ace Fawn. This is Wolf and Diego's story. Both are heads of their individual crime families. Diego kidnaps Wolf's son Levi and then he is subsequently kidnapped by Wolf in retaliation. Along the way, a relationship (of sorts) is formed.

Given this is a novella, the story has no real time to develop and so it's an insta-lust, MM mafia, enemies to lovers, dark(ish) romance read. All of these tropes, except the insta-lust, are usually favourites of mine but for me, His Playmate was just too short and too clichéd to work well in this format.

If you love short and steamy reads, with a splash of darkness and some dom/sub vibes, you'll likely enjoy this one.

3 stars ⭐⭐⭐
Profile Image for Joyfully Jay.
9,282 reviews527 followers
May 18, 2020
A Joyfully Jay review.

2.5 stars


Ace Fawn is a new to me author and presents an interesting story with His Playmate, the first in The Lone Family series. The setup is a fun one with a bratty up and coming gang leader wanting to get in on the action of an established and very deadly crime lord. Wolf has been around for quite a while, but then so has Diego, who formed his own gang at an early age and is determined to make his mark on the crime world. While kidnapping Wolf’s only child and heir might not be the smartest move, it certainly gets the man’s attention—something Diego quickly comes to regret. However, despite the torture he will endure, Diego ends up giving up Wolf’s son on his own terms and coming away from the experience knowing he has gotten under Wolf’s skin and in his bed.

Read Sammy’s review in its entirety here.



Profile Image for Val.
66 reviews3 followers
Read
October 28, 2023
I think the promise of the plot was good. But the book was really rushed and plot didn't actually give me what I wanted. I didn't actually care about the characters and their relationship. There was a lot of holes in the plot, lot of things could've been written. For example, we didn't get much of Levi and I feel like his relationship with Wolf should've been more important and we shouldn't just expect all to be okay once the "kidnapping" thing was done. It wasn't insta love or anything but everything felt rushed and I would've loved to read more about their dynamic. Whole mafia plot wasn't actually a plot but more like a tool to be used for their relationship. Again there wasn't much of a world or relationship building in the book and that was the main problem. Writing wasn't bad or anything I think what could've made this book actually enjoyable would be plot being explored more and characters being written more deeply.

Thanks to BookSirens for a free copy of the book!
3,469 reviews28 followers
April 12, 2020
Diego is the cities most notorious self made gang leader and he decides to kidnap the son of Wolf Lone. He is a business man and mafia boss to the Japanese Mafia. Diego and his men have no problems getting Levi but that's where his plans stop because Diego finds himself Kidnapped by Wolf.
All Wolf wants is his son back and has no problem dishing out pain on Diego but when he sees that it excites him things start to unravel. Diego ends up kissing Wolf and it quickly ends up with them taking it to the next stage.
But will this change things between them??? Will Wolf get his son back??
This was an good read. Its fast paced and exciting and the sex scenes are very very hot.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Cristina.
26 reviews1 follower
March 2, 2026
I didn't like it much. I think its short length worked against it, as the character development felt nonexistent and unbelievable. The story lacks depth and backstory. I only finished it because it wasn't very long; otherwise, it would have been a complete flop.

I don't like the dynamic between Wolf and Diego as a couple (and I've read other stories with the same premise).

It's a shame because it seemed like a good story.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for DLB2572.
3,356 reviews26 followers
June 7, 2023
Dark & Steamy

I'm rounding this up from 3.5. This is dark, intense and steamy. This isn't a bad story but, as short as it is, it seemed like it wasn't completely focused on Wolf and Diego so that took a bit away from it for me.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
Profile Image for Nicole van Dongen.
387 reviews7 followers
September 26, 2023
3.5 rounded up. This was pretty short, so Ace didn't have a lot of time to develop the relationship. This is a mafia enemies to lovers short. Quite a bit of insta-lust, considering this jumps right in with Diego being Wolf's prisoner. The steam is on point, I would have preferred more story development. There is a lot of telling and not showing.
Profile Image for Nikki.
112 reviews1 follower
December 20, 2019
The writing wasnt to my taste. The story wasnt believable, it was ridiculous.. however i think with better execution, this book could have been much better than what was delivered.
I started rolling my eyes during the first chapter...the lines were incredibly cliche and the characters were one dimensional. There was no finesse to this story. I wouldn't be suprised if this was an amateur author....because it came off as such.
I would not read any further books in this series as it was disappointing.

1 stars
Profile Image for Taya:).
499 reviews45 followers
August 26, 2019
3.5 stars

I received a copy of In bed with a stranger free from the author via the MMRG Don’t Buy My Love program for the purpose of my review.

I'm going to cut to the chase and say that I enjoyed reading this book. Things move quickly in this book. If you want background dressing read the blurb. The book cut right in it with an off the page kidnapping and damn near sweet but twisted retaliation for kidnapping the mafia boss son.

Overall, I would read this book again and grab to read another one of this author's book.
Profile Image for Sabrina.
519 reviews
Read
January 6, 2020
It was shallow and cheesy. Honestly, this is a book to read if you have absolutely nothing else to read, you are having a day off and don't want to analyze or read a substantial book and only want smut.........and even then. I want a lil bit of quality with my smut.
Profile Image for Rhonda Caston.
186 reviews2 followers
July 15, 2019
I enjoyed it. Just dark enough to not give me nightmares. But sweet too to get a smile. Please let Levi story be next!
Profile Image for JustJen "Miss Conduct".
2,412 reviews157 followers
June 18, 2020

This story had some potential, but it quickly becomes extremely far-fetched. Diego, thinking he is a bad-ass gang leader, kidnaps the son of the notorious Mafia boss, Wolf Lone. He, in turn, gets taken by Wolf who demands the return of his son. The two end up madly in lust and Wolf proposes that Diego join him in bed and in business, after the return of his son, of course.

The son is returned and Diego decides to play it out for a bit. There is a lot of animosity between the son and Diego who is now taking his father’s attention away from him but they eventually reach a truce. However, it doesn’t take long for Diego to miss his old life and gang or his need to get back to his own business. Not really sure how this is going to play out with both Diego and Wolf grappling for position and their need to be in control. Suffice to say, I was ready to jump into the next book to see how it all plays out.

This is a quick story that can be read in one sitting, but that also means that things happen very quickly. I think this would have benefitted from a little more meat and length, but it was intriguing and entertaining enough to keep my interest. If you’re looking for an afternoon quickie that gets down and a little dirty, you might want to give this one a try.

Review written for Love Bytes Reviews.
Profile Image for Terri-Lee Olivier.
84 reviews1 follower
October 24, 2023
I recently finished "His Playmate" by Ace Fawn and, to be honest, I found it to be a somewhat middling read. While it had its moments and was entertaining in parts, it ultimately left me wanting more, which I am sure it would have fufilled had it been longer.

I couldn't help but feel that the characters and the plot lacked depth. I was hoping for more development in terms of character backgrounds and motivations. It seemed as if the story leaned heavily on clichés, and the characters didn't evolve as much as I would have liked. This made it difficult for me to fully connect with their journeys.

It is a decent book if you're looking for a quick read filled with a lot of spice and a forbidden romance. If you enjoy complicated, heavy angst romance filled with a lot of heated spice, this might be a suitable choice, but for those seeking more complexity and character development, you may want to explore other options.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
13 reviews
April 14, 2026
This is a dark, intense mafia romance between a cocky young gang leader (Diego) and a powerful yakuza boss (Wolf). After Diego kidnaps Wolf’s son, Wolf turns the tables and takes Diego captive, punishing him while slowly breaking down his resistance.

The dynamic between them is electric — Wolf is dominant and controlled, Diego is fiery and rebellious, and their chemistry is raw and addictive. The BDSM elements and power play are well-written and frequent, with plenty of heat and tension.

However, the story moves fast (sometimes too fast), the emotional depth could be stronger, and some darker moments feel rushed. Diego’s “tough guy” attitude occasionally borders on repetitive.

If you enjoy dark mafia romance with a heavy dose of dominance, punishment, and a bratty sub who slowly submits, this delivers.
Profile Image for SNik.
738 reviews23 followers
June 8, 2023
First in series (The Lone Family), revised edition. Age gap. BDSM. Enemies to lovers. Quick read. Heed content warnings. Diego knows he’s asking for trouble, but kidnapping the local yakuza boss’s son is a quick way to get cash and he’s willing to take the risk. But Diego becomes a prisoner instead and Wolf Lone is willing to do anything to get his son back, and breaking Diego down brings him unexpected pleasure. For a short story this worked well, it was gritty, steamy and has a quick possessiveness from both characters. There is an initial power imbalance but Diego clearly shows he is his own person as well, and that accepting Wolf as a partner is his choice. Not a story full of emotions and romance, but plenty entertaining. 4.5 rounded up
Profile Image for Chani.
Author 63 books1,617 followers
October 6, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

What I really liked about this one was the relationship between the characters didn't feel forced, despite how they met. I also felt the world-building was good, and believable. This was a short and fun read which I breezed through, but all that being said I think it could have afforded to be a little bit longer. Because it was so short, a lot of things just get glossed over. Their chemistry is believable, and the foreplay was fun, but the sex scenes themselves were a bit quick, and I would have liked a little more lead-up to the two of them falling for each other before Wolf let him go that first time.

Would still recommend for a quick read!
3,469 reviews28 followers
May 29, 2022
Diego is the cities most notorious self made gang leader and he decides to kidnap the son of Wolf Lone. He is a business man and mafia boss to the Japanese Mafia. Diego and his men have no problems getting Levi but that's where his plans stop because Diego finds himself Kidnapped by Wolf.
All Wolf wants is his son back and has no problem dishing out pain on Diego but when he sees that it excites him things start to unravel. Diego ends up kissing Wolf and it quickly ends up with them taking it to the next stage.
But will this change things between them??? Will Wolf get his son back??
This was an good read. Its fast paced and exciting and the sex scenes are very very hot.
1,802 reviews11 followers
November 8, 2023
When Diego kidnapped Wolf’s son, little did he know what the repercussions would be. He found himself kidnapped by Wolf, trying to resist but dominated completely by the other man. That one mistake would have long, and unforeseen effects on Diego’s life, now and in the future.

Short and steamy tale of two underworld men vying for dominance and submission in a world with little respect nor care for their enemy, fighting an undeniable attraction and a struggle for power over each other. Strong characters in an inevitable power struggle to get what they both really want — each other.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Jay Purse.
296 reviews4 followers
May 10, 2024
Wolf and Diego

This short read has some great potential if the writer ever wants to go back and expand on the details happening... I do understand novellas tend to skimp on the details... But, the transitions sometimes were just too minimal in detail... One minute we're in the shower the next paragraph boxer briefs are being pulled on... IJS... I need a lil more walk-through of what is actually taking place... Plus, Diego's emotions were more always clear as to what he was feeling or even thinking at times...

MM
HEA
STRICT TOP/BOTTOM
MILD ANGST
KIDNAPPING/MOB/BRAT/SINGLE PARENT/DISCIPLINARY TACTICS/VIOLENCE
2 OUTTA 5 IN THE 🔥🔥🔥 DEPARTMENT
Profile Image for Caroline.
1,555 reviews12 followers
June 7, 2023
A steamy short read, my first book by Author Ace Fawn, but definitely not my last. Erotica levels are high with kink. Two men, opposite in almost every way, but not able to resist each other.

When the leader of a street gang kidnaps the son of a ruthless Japanese mafia boss, he thinks he’ll get all the cash he needs. Things don’t go as Diego plans and in no time he finds himself in the position of being kidnapped. Not only is he trapped, he’s punished for his sins.

Looking forward to book 2 in this series.
Profile Image for Teigan.
325 reviews66 followers
July 11, 2025
Third person. Too many time skips.

Third person was the real kicker here. Didn't feel connected to the book at all and kinda felt like it was just "he did this" then "he did that".

No passion between the characters. Every time they started getting anywhere Diego would leave and Wolf would go to collect him again after the time skip. No actual listed reason for Diego's leaving other than shits and giggles.

Loved the kinky side to this book but if a Yakuza leader is trying to get answers out of a 24 year old wanna be gangster, I'm not sure bdsm is the way to go about it...
1,723 reviews14 followers
April 7, 2020
Lots of excitement flows through these pages. Diego and Wolf, though mortal enemies, are drawn to one another. What starts out as a kidnapping/extortion situation soon turns into steamy and sexy business that ends in a relationship. Gangsters joining forces keeps this heated both in and out of the sheets. Definitely intense and extremely passionate.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,413 reviews9 followers
April 9, 2020
The mob boss and the street thug square off. Diego has lived on the streets and started his own empire at a very young age. When he takes Wolf's son in exchange for money, he starts something he can't stop. Wolf, a Japanese mob boss, knows the minute he sees Diego that he belongs to him. This was a spicy, passionate story with violence and danger. M/M romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,316 reviews20 followers
September 29, 2023
Diego, a gangster kidnaps a yakuza's son for money. The yakuza, Wolf grabs Diego and beats him keeping him confined and chained. The rough treatment sparks lust in their hearts and minds. In this short novella, Wolf makes Diego his without any words of love spoken and even though they are HFN, there is an unfinished feel to the book. It's hot but short. I received a copy of this book through BookSirens and this is my honest opinion.
Profile Image for AeonMetanoia.
26 reviews1 follower
November 5, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Rating: 2.5

I really wanted to enjoy this book, but it all felt way too fast paced. The characters were nicely made, but the plot felt like there could have been so much more. There were sections where descriptions were lacking and could have been fleshed out. There were times I almost thought about DNF, but pushed through.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews