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What could go right with a loyal Daddy and a boy scared to make another mistake?
Anders
Anders lives to please. His latest boyfriend seems like the perfect match—dominant, confident, and in control. But the dream unravels when Anders realizes his boyfriend isn’t there to cherish him, only to use him. When discrepancies in the company books surface, Anders is horrified to find himself implicated. The truth hits his boyfriend has been manipulating him all along. Betrayed, blamed, and cast aside, Anders is left with nothing but a broken heart.
Emil
Emil sees what others Anders isn’t naive—he’s a man whose given his all to someone who doesn’t deserve him. The accusations against Anders don’t add up, and Emil can’t stand by while everyone else writes him off. Beneath the hurt and betrayal, Emil sees a man who craves structure, care, and unconditional love. Emil is ready to step in—not only as a reliable and fair boss, but as a Daddy who will value and protect Anders.
If Anders can trust again, Emil will ensure he never regrets it.
This is Book Three of the Almstead Newcomer's Club. The series is interconnected, but each story can be read as a standalone. This novel involves a Daddy/boy dynamic but no age play. Please know that this story has instances of emotional manipulation, though not between the main characters. There is a HEA for this couple and no cliffhanger, but some character redemptions will take longer than others.
Anders
Anders lives to please. His latest boyfriend seems like the perfect match—dominant, confident, and in control. But the dream unravels when Anders realizes his boyfriend isn’t there to cherish him, only to use him. When discrepancies in the company books surface, Anders is horrified to find himself implicated. The truth hits his boyfriend has been manipulating him all along. Betrayed, blamed, and cast aside, Anders is left with nothing but a broken heart.
Emil
Emil sees what others Anders isn’t naive—he’s a man whose given his all to someone who doesn’t deserve him. The accusations against Anders don’t add up, and Emil can’t stand by while everyone else writes him off. Beneath the hurt and betrayal, Emil sees a man who craves structure, care, and unconditional love. Emil is ready to step in—not only as a reliable and fair boss, but as a Daddy who will value and protect Anders.
If Anders can trust again, Emil will ensure he never regrets it.
This is Book Three of the Almstead Newcomer's Club. The series is interconnected, but each story can be read as a standalone. This novel involves a Daddy/boy dynamic but no age play. Please know that this story has instances of emotional manipulation, though not between the main characters. There is a HEA for this couple and no cliffhanger, but some character redemptions will take longer than others.
- GenresM M RomanceRomanceGay
Kindle Edition
Published January 28, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
January 31, 2026
Emil by Kerry Kilpatrick is the 3rd book in her Almstead Island: Newcomer’s Club series. It is the story of a hard-working man who is accused of something he didn’t do by someone he thought cared for him and the boss who knows something is wrong with that and in finding a way to clear him falls in love. Anders is a quiet man who when he sees a need to do something he doesn’t hesitate to do it. He works as an accountant in his boyfriend John’s business and has arranged office parties, gotten food, and helped anyone who needed it all while working long hours. He lives with John and does everything for him because serving others is a part of him and he longs to see that all he does is perfect. But lately all John has done is find fault, berate, and belittle him which makes him retreat into himself because he hasn’t received the praise he needs for a job well done. Also, another company has taken over John’s and his family is not happy with it. Now there is something wrong with the files and books and his friend Lacey can’t get the numbers to balance and said that he had made modifications, but he swore he had closed those accounts out. After an altercation with John, Anders is spiraling and faints but the new boss, Emil Magnuson, catches him and takes him to the hospital. Emil’s firm had absorbed John’s and he was there to integrate them into their systems. When Anders goes home he is told to take some time off to get better. Then John tells him to make dinner plans for Emil and that he has to show up to take notes. He also drops the bombshell that he has a new boyfriend that is much better than he is and he has 24 hours to move out. Emil doesn’t like John and when his parents come to the dinner, he finds out John has dumped him and his mother is glad so he tells them to leave. He learns a lot about Emil as they stay to eat, like he likes to be ordered for, and that he has a good grasp of every position in the company. He also learns about his friend group which consists of several Littles and their Daddies, even though Anders isn’t a little but he adores them even though John hated them. When he asks John if he can change his lunch schedule to look for a new apartment he told him no but Emil overhears him, says yes, and goes with him to look at it. It is not nice at all and Emil says he has a house on Almstead island and needs him to go over files there. He has a separate cottage with a work room and a small suite he can stay in. Then 2 men from financial come to the office and told them there are discrepancies in their files and they all lead to Anders stealing from the company. When Emil questioned him, he noticed his innocence over it and even though he gets suspended from his current position, Emil gives him the job of looking over his files on Almstead Island which Anders agrees to because he has no where else to go. He moves there and starts to work and Emil is starting to be attracted to him and notices all that he does. His need to serve becomes very apparent as he starts taking care of Emil with cooking and shining his shoes and anything else he can do as this makes him very happy. Lacey comes with some files and they talk about the case and that the others don’t believe his innocence which makes him so mad he takes it out on pounding bread dough and then with a hot scene with Emil. He is confused over this and talks to his friend Calvin who says it sounds like Anders is a service sub and also needs to be taken care of. Emil takes his advice and as they do more together he allows Anders to do more service for him and also takes care of him when he sees him stressing. He also makes sure Anders knows that all he does is appreciated and doesn’t find any fault with his actions. Anders is also falling for Emil and this leads to some hot love scenes. Meanwhile Emil has his people looking at what happened at the company and in the end he brings John’s and his family’s duplicity to light in a very public way that shows Anders is innocent. This leads them to say I love you and for Anders to figure out what he wants to do with his life with Emil by his side. I really enjoyed this book. You see from the start that Anders is a wonderful, soft-spoken man who just wants to serve others and make people happy. John took such advantage of that and did all he could to make him feel like a failure. Luckily Emil didn’t believe John and knew there was something about Anders that he wanted to explore. He quickly became enamored of him and tried to find out all he could to make him feel good and honor what he liked. He also didn’t like or trust John and did what he could to bring him down. Anders Little friends and their Daddies and Lacey as well as Emil’s friends also played a part in the story in helping the two of them get together and fall in love. I highly recommend this book, especially if you like stories involving a man who loves serving others and is wrongfully accused of something he would never do, the boss who knew he was innocent and proved it, and how they fall in love.
February 1, 2026
I went into this book with high expectations, which unfortunately made the disappointment hit harder.
Kerry Kilpatrick’s earlier work — especially Will, in my opinion, is genuinely excellent: complex characters, emotional depth, and thoughtful exploration of power dynamics. Because of that, I was incredibly excited for Anders’ story. He’s been present since the very beginning of these interconnected series, and watching him endure long-term emotional abuse from his partner made this book feel like it should have been cathartic, healing, and deeply satisfying.
Instead, it felt rushed, underdeveloped, and strangely empty.
Despite being 235 pages long, the actual plot doesn’t meaningfully begin until around page 50. Which leaves far too little space for everything this story tries to do. There are multiple threads running at once (workplace sabotage, an abuse recovery arc, a slow-burn that’s not really a slow-burn romance, kink exploration, career rediscovery), but none of them are given the time or care they deserve. As a result, a lot happens… yet somehow nothing really does.
The romance itself is particularly frustrating. Anders and Emil behave like a couple almost immediately! Basically living together, dating, being physically intimate. Yet Anders repeatedly insists they’re “barely friends.” This constant denial stretches believability and creates artificial tension instead of emotional growth. When they finally “officially” get together, it all happens within the last twenty pages, alongside every other major resolution, making it feel unearned and rushed.
One of the biggest missed opportunities is the handling of Anders’ service kink. This could have been a thoughtful, nuanced exploration of consent, communication, and healing after abuse. Instead, it’s treated more like a personality quirk than a kink that requires discussion, boundaries, and care. Emil never actually talks to Anders about it, he just silently accepts everything Anders does for him. For a book marketed around Daddy kink, this lack of communication feels especially disappointing.
Talking about daddy kink, this isn’t really a Daddy-kink book in any meaningful sense. Near the end, Anders’ friends repeatedly tell him that Emil is “basically his daddy,” which leads to a brief conversation between Anders and Emil about labels. Anders explains that he’s had daddies before and those relationships didn’t work out, so the word carries baggage for him. They settle on calling Emil “Emmie,” which is completely fine but once again, nothing is actually explored. There’s no real discussion of what that dynamic would look like, no negotiation, no structure, and no intentional shift in how they relate to each other. Like so many other elements in this book, the idea is introduced and then immediately dropped, making it feel more like a box-ticking exercise than a thoughtfully developed dynamic.
Even more frustrating is how Anders’ emotional abuse is handled. The harm John caused him is repeatedly shown, but rarely addressed. There’s no real reckoning, no meaningful healing journey, no therapy or intentional recovery. The story brushes past what could have been its most powerful emotional arc.
Late in the book, Anders’ love of flowers and his long-abandoned dream of working with them is suddenly introduced and immediately resolved in the epilogue. It’s a lovely idea, but it’s so shoehorned in that it feels disconnected from the rest of the story. Had this been seeded earlier, it could have added real depth and direction to Anders’ character.
The resolution of John’s wrongdoing also felt oddly staged and emotionally flat. Emil, who is positioned as a high-profile keynote speaker at a major conference, uses his speech to publicly outline how John stole money from the company and deliberately framed someone lower in the hierarchy for it. While I understand the intention, it’s an incredibly strange and unrealistic way to handle such a revelation. Emil also ensures that all of Anders’ friends are present in the audience for “support,” which is sweet in theory but makes very little sense in practice. What made it even more unsatisfying is that, in the epilogue, we’re simply told that John pleaded guilty, off page, after the fact. Given that Anders had already been socially and professionally ostracised, it would have been far more impactful (and emotionally earned) for the truth to come out in front of the colleagues who stopped believing him. Instead, the fallout is rushed past, leaving what should have been a powerful moment feeling hollow.
Ultimately, this book feels like it needed another 100–150 pages to do justice to its themes. As it stands, everything important is crammed into the final ten pages: the investigation, the villain’s downfall, the romantic commitment, the kink dynamic, and the “happily ever after.”
I wanted to love this book. I’ve loved this author before, and I wanted Anders’ story to be the payoff readers have been waiting for. Sadly, it just didn’t deliver.
Kerry Kilpatrick’s earlier work — especially Will, in my opinion, is genuinely excellent: complex characters, emotional depth, and thoughtful exploration of power dynamics. Because of that, I was incredibly excited for Anders’ story. He’s been present since the very beginning of these interconnected series, and watching him endure long-term emotional abuse from his partner made this book feel like it should have been cathartic, healing, and deeply satisfying.
Instead, it felt rushed, underdeveloped, and strangely empty.
Despite being 235 pages long, the actual plot doesn’t meaningfully begin until around page 50. Which leaves far too little space for everything this story tries to do. There are multiple threads running at once (workplace sabotage, an abuse recovery arc, a slow-burn that’s not really a slow-burn romance, kink exploration, career rediscovery), but none of them are given the time or care they deserve. As a result, a lot happens… yet somehow nothing really does.
The romance itself is particularly frustrating. Anders and Emil behave like a couple almost immediately! Basically living together, dating, being physically intimate. Yet Anders repeatedly insists they’re “barely friends.” This constant denial stretches believability and creates artificial tension instead of emotional growth. When they finally “officially” get together, it all happens within the last twenty pages, alongside every other major resolution, making it feel unearned and rushed.
One of the biggest missed opportunities is the handling of Anders’ service kink. This could have been a thoughtful, nuanced exploration of consent, communication, and healing after abuse. Instead, it’s treated more like a personality quirk than a kink that requires discussion, boundaries, and care. Emil never actually talks to Anders about it, he just silently accepts everything Anders does for him. For a book marketed around Daddy kink, this lack of communication feels especially disappointing.
Talking about daddy kink, this isn’t really a Daddy-kink book in any meaningful sense. Near the end, Anders’ friends repeatedly tell him that Emil is “basically his daddy,” which leads to a brief conversation between Anders and Emil about labels. Anders explains that he’s had daddies before and those relationships didn’t work out, so the word carries baggage for him. They settle on calling Emil “Emmie,” which is completely fine but once again, nothing is actually explored. There’s no real discussion of what that dynamic would look like, no negotiation, no structure, and no intentional shift in how they relate to each other. Like so many other elements in this book, the idea is introduced and then immediately dropped, making it feel more like a box-ticking exercise than a thoughtfully developed dynamic.
Even more frustrating is how Anders’ emotional abuse is handled. The harm John caused him is repeatedly shown, but rarely addressed. There’s no real reckoning, no meaningful healing journey, no therapy or intentional recovery. The story brushes past what could have been its most powerful emotional arc.
Late in the book, Anders’ love of flowers and his long-abandoned dream of working with them is suddenly introduced and immediately resolved in the epilogue. It’s a lovely idea, but it’s so shoehorned in that it feels disconnected from the rest of the story. Had this been seeded earlier, it could have added real depth and direction to Anders’ character.
The resolution of John’s wrongdoing also felt oddly staged and emotionally flat. Emil, who is positioned as a high-profile keynote speaker at a major conference, uses his speech to publicly outline how John stole money from the company and deliberately framed someone lower in the hierarchy for it. While I understand the intention, it’s an incredibly strange and unrealistic way to handle such a revelation. Emil also ensures that all of Anders’ friends are present in the audience for “support,” which is sweet in theory but makes very little sense in practice. What made it even more unsatisfying is that, in the epilogue, we’re simply told that John pleaded guilty, off page, after the fact. Given that Anders had already been socially and professionally ostracised, it would have been far more impactful (and emotionally earned) for the truth to come out in front of the colleagues who stopped believing him. Instead, the fallout is rushed past, leaving what should have been a powerful moment feeling hollow.
Ultimately, this book feels like it needed another 100–150 pages to do justice to its themes. As it stands, everything important is crammed into the final ten pages: the investigation, the villain’s downfall, the romantic commitment, the kink dynamic, and the “happily ever after.”
I wanted to love this book. I’ve loved this author before, and I wanted Anders’ story to be the payoff readers have been waiting for. Sadly, it just didn’t deliver.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2026
“Emil” is the third book in the Almstead Island: Newcomer's Club series by Kerry Kilpatrick. It can be read as a stand-alone with little confusion, but at the same time I highly recommend reading the other books in the series and the connected Just A Little series. It really isn’t necessary to read the other books before reading this one, except that Anders has been a secondary character in many of these books and his appearance in them and his friendships with the others adds an interesting complexity to the book and helps the reader understand a little more about Anders and his roll in the friend group. (I’m going to mention that there are a lot of secondary characters from previous book who appear in this book, but the are featured with a light hand. They aren’t over involved or meddlesome and their roles in this book fit naturally without feeling like too much or gratuitous character mentions.)
This book was among one of my most anticipated releases of the past few months. Anders is a character that is hard not to love and his life hasn’t been easy, so his finding love and getting a HEA is much appreciated. There were parts of this book that made Anders story even more heart wrenching. There are strong Hurt/comfort motivations in the books and some not very good things happen. Those things are well balanced with lighter, sweeter and more humorous moments. There are heavy topics but the books doesn’t feel heavy to read.
I really like Emil for Anders. He is able to just go with the flow of the things Anders needs even though at times these feel a little weird considering what their relationship is at the time. Emil is maybe one of my favorite characters just with how he treat Anders. He is calm and patient and tries to understand who he is and what he needs. It is freaking adorable how he basically crushes on Anders at first. This is a slow burn book, with a building up of trust and comfort to get there. That is something needed for the characters.
I am really hoping that there might one day be a few short stories with glimpses into the lives of these characters. There are things mentioned about the main couples in both series and the curious person in me want more.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
This book was among one of my most anticipated releases of the past few months. Anders is a character that is hard not to love and his life hasn’t been easy, so his finding love and getting a HEA is much appreciated. There were parts of this book that made Anders story even more heart wrenching. There are strong Hurt/comfort motivations in the books and some not very good things happen. Those things are well balanced with lighter, sweeter and more humorous moments. There are heavy topics but the books doesn’t feel heavy to read.
I really like Emil for Anders. He is able to just go with the flow of the things Anders needs even though at times these feel a little weird considering what their relationship is at the time. Emil is maybe one of my favorite characters just with how he treat Anders. He is calm and patient and tries to understand who he is and what he needs. It is freaking adorable how he basically crushes on Anders at first. This is a slow burn book, with a building up of trust and comfort to get there. That is something needed for the characters.
I am really hoping that there might one day be a few short stories with glimpses into the lives of these characters. There are things mentioned about the main couples in both series and the curious person in me want more.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
February 1, 2026
This is the third book in the Almstead Island: Newcomer's Club series. It can be enjoyed as a standalone read. This is the story of Anders and Emil. Anders loves to please. His service kink makes his current boyfriend John seem like a perfect match due to his confidence and dominance. Unfortunately Anders learns that his boyfriend was just using him, not supporting him. To make matter worse, he is implicated when discrepancies arise in the companies books. And John is one of the ones throwing the most shade. Now he is heartbroken and suspended while the company investigates. Emil's company has absorbed John's business and is there to oversee the integration. Emil has been paying attention and recognizes how hard Anders works for the company. When his boyfriend throws him out of their apartment, Emil steps in to help. He offers him a place to stay at his cottage on Almstead Island. Two relative strangers will be working together while the discrepancies are investigated. This is their story. The book is written well and is easy to read. I enjoyed watching how Emil recognized exactly what Anders needed and gave it to him without strings attached. Emil slowly started to work with Anders on bringing up his self confidence and self worth. I received a complementary advanced review copy of this book from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review. I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I liked watching their relationship grow. I especially liked how Anders evaluated how he was treated by co-workers who should have really known him better. How he made decisions based on what was best for him. I also enjoyed seeing the guilty parties identified and punished. Mostly, I am happy that Anders got his HEA that he so richly deserved. I look forward to the next book in this series.
Review of advance copy
Let me start by saying this is largely on me.
The description said daddy/boy, no age play, which I interpreted as daddy kink, something I can enjoy when it’s done well. In practice, though, this very much read as age play to me. I understand there are distinctions within the kink community, and I am absolutely not kink-shaming, but this crossed into territory that simply does not work for me. So right out of the gate, I was not the right reader for this book.
Beyond that mismatch, the story itself didn’t help. It opens with a cartoonishly villainous antagonist, which is a trope I really struggle with. It immediately flattens the narrative and makes me feel like the author doesn’t trust the reader to grasp nuance or moral complexity.
And because I like to sprinkle something shallow into all my reviews: Anders’ look baffled me. He’s described as wearing braids and a bun, which initially made me assume he was Black, except he’s blonde. I genuinely could not picture this, until Emil mentioned he looked like a Viking. But I still struggled to conceptualize it. Was it French braids, cornrow, or god forbid manic pixie dream girl space buns on either side of his head? Wondering what was going on with the hair took me out of the story more than once.
Finally, while this is technically readable as a standalone, it didn’t feel like one. There are a lot of returning characters from earlier books in the series, and while I could follow the plot just fine, it still felt like arriving late to a party where everyone else already knew each other.
Overall, this just wasn’t my cup of tea—but I own that. I now know that daddy/boy is effectively age play, at least by my personal definition, and I’ll be steering clear in the future.
ARC received by Gay Romance Review.
The description said daddy/boy, no age play, which I interpreted as daddy kink, something I can enjoy when it’s done well. In practice, though, this very much read as age play to me. I understand there are distinctions within the kink community, and I am absolutely not kink-shaming, but this crossed into territory that simply does not work for me. So right out of the gate, I was not the right reader for this book.
Beyond that mismatch, the story itself didn’t help. It opens with a cartoonishly villainous antagonist, which is a trope I really struggle with. It immediately flattens the narrative and makes me feel like the author doesn’t trust the reader to grasp nuance or moral complexity.
And because I like to sprinkle something shallow into all my reviews: Anders’ look baffled me. He’s described as wearing braids and a bun, which initially made me assume he was Black, except he’s blonde. I genuinely could not picture this, until Emil mentioned he looked like a Viking. But I still struggled to conceptualize it. Was it French braids, cornrow, or god forbid manic pixie dream girl space buns on either side of his head? Wondering what was going on with the hair took me out of the story more than once.
Finally, while this is technically readable as a standalone, it didn’t feel like one. There are a lot of returning characters from earlier books in the series, and while I could follow the plot just fine, it still felt like arriving late to a party where everyone else already knew each other.
Overall, this just wasn’t my cup of tea—but I own that. I now know that daddy/boy is effectively age play, at least by my personal definition, and I’ll be steering clear in the future.
ARC received by Gay Romance Review.
January 28, 2026
EMIL is the third book in the Almstead Island: Newcomer's Club, and was a fantastic read from beginning to end. If you're looking for a 'normal' Daddy/boy book, then this probably isn't for you.
Anders is a mixture of service sub and boy. The story begins with him in a bad relationship with John, who takes advantage of Anders need to serve, and basically is just plain nasty, to the point that Anders ends up in hospital. Luckily for Anders, Emil has just taken over John's family's business and is on hand to take care of him. John and his family are all cut from the same cloth, and delight in making things difficult for Anders, including framing him for stealing money from the company. Emil doesn't believe it and takes Anders under his wing as everything is investigated. This gives them both time to learn more about each other.
At the beginning, this story is described as a glacier-burn. It made me smile, but now I fully understand! It may be incredibly slow, but it's what Anders needs, and Emil is ALL about doing what Anders needs.
You do get to see the other Daddies in this series, plus some of the Littles and their Daddies from a different series (Just a Little), so although you can read this as a standalone, you will see characters you may or may not know.
This is not a traditional Daddy/boy story, and I loved it for that! I am so happy Anders got his HEA, and I hope they both appear in future books and crossovers. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by me.
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 28, 2026
Anders is a mixture of service sub and boy. The story begins with him in a bad relationship with John, who takes advantage of Anders need to serve, and basically is just plain nasty, to the point that Anders ends up in hospital. Luckily for Anders, Emil has just taken over John's family's business and is on hand to take care of him. John and his family are all cut from the same cloth, and delight in making things difficult for Anders, including framing him for stealing money from the company. Emil doesn't believe it and takes Anders under his wing as everything is investigated. This gives them both time to learn more about each other.
At the beginning, this story is described as a glacier-burn. It made me smile, but now I fully understand! It may be incredibly slow, but it's what Anders needs, and Emil is ALL about doing what Anders needs.
You do get to see the other Daddies in this series, plus some of the Littles and their Daddies from a different series (Just a Little), so although you can read this as a standalone, you will see characters you may or may not know.
This is not a traditional Daddy/boy story, and I loved it for that! I am so happy Anders got his HEA, and I hope they both appear in future books and crossovers. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by me.
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 28, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Author
Emil by Kerry Kilpatrick is the 3rd book of the Almstead Island: Newcomers Club series and is a wonderful addition to the series.
As always Kerry Kilpatrick puts a smile on my face. It’s just all so nice, calm and comforting.
Emil has just purchased the company that Anders works for when they first meet. At that time Anders is in a relationship with John, who is awful to him. John really did a number on Anders. He deserves to be bundled up in cozy blankets. Very early on in the story John breaks up with Anders and a false investigation into Anders is initiated. But, Emil believes in Anders and wants to protect and take care of him.
Anders joins Emil on Almstead Island working for him on a special project. While in that bubble they get to know each other better, and each other's friends. We learn of Emil's crafting hobby and how important to Anders it is for him to serve.
I love how Emil is so calm and reassuring with him. Emil is so sweet and careful with Anders. It’s a slow burn that is so natural. We get to see Emil figure out what’s best for Anders and learn how to give it to him.
I really like the juxtaposition of Anders’s size and his desire to serve and please Emil. His excitement for the little things is not typically seen with a character who is above average size.
There were just a couple of typos but it didn't take me out of the story at all.
Emil is a wonderful book for those who like to read about a non-traditional Daddy/boy story with lots of sweetness and a strong friend group.
Steam: 3/5
Fun: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
Thanks to the author for providing an eARC and this is my honest review.
As always Kerry Kilpatrick puts a smile on my face. It’s just all so nice, calm and comforting.
Emil has just purchased the company that Anders works for when they first meet. At that time Anders is in a relationship with John, who is awful to him. John really did a number on Anders. He deserves to be bundled up in cozy blankets. Very early on in the story John breaks up with Anders and a false investigation into Anders is initiated. But, Emil believes in Anders and wants to protect and take care of him.
Anders joins Emil on Almstead Island working for him on a special project. While in that bubble they get to know each other better, and each other's friends. We learn of Emil's crafting hobby and how important to Anders it is for him to serve.
I love how Emil is so calm and reassuring with him. Emil is so sweet and careful with Anders. It’s a slow burn that is so natural. We get to see Emil figure out what’s best for Anders and learn how to give it to him.
I really like the juxtaposition of Anders’s size and his desire to serve and please Emil. His excitement for the little things is not typically seen with a character who is above average size.
There were just a couple of typos but it didn't take me out of the story at all.
Emil is a wonderful book for those who like to read about a non-traditional Daddy/boy story with lots of sweetness and a strong friend group.
Steam: 3/5
Fun: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
Thanks to the author for providing an eARC and this is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I waited ages for Emil & Anders‘ story 😍😍😍 and it didn’t disappoint… It is perfect!!!
This is a crossover of two of my favorite series - „Almstead Island: Newcomer‘s Club and „Just a Little Series“
We finally get Anders’s story - He appeared as the kind of „big Brother“ to all the beloved boys and littles in Kerry’s Little series. One has to love Anders immediately.
He is very thoughtful, genuinely kind, helpful, protective and he thrives upon taking care of others.
He needs to be of service - he wants to please - like he needs air to breathe, it calms him and gives him the most peace. He is gorgeous, big and muscular with long blond hair and simultaneously very sweet and shy.
Anders is the best.
And Emil? Oh perfect Emil. He is the embodiment of calm. He anchors Anders when he gets overwhelmed
and he knows Anders in and out - all of his wants, needs and hidden desires.
Emil effortlessly slips into the daddy role, becomes Anders’ protector and gives him everything he needs to feel happy and complete and to fulfill his need to be useful! Emil truly sees Anders - the shy, sweet boy deep down and Anders finally gets the love and care he deserves.
There love just happens, they fit into each others lives so effortlessly - with every encounter they get familiar with each other and they just fit together like two pieces of a puzzle.
Oh reading this book was such a pleasure… I love a good daddy/ boy story and this one instantly made it’s way into my heart … it set up home there… not going to leave anytime soon…
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an ARC from the author
This is a crossover of two of my favorite series - „Almstead Island: Newcomer‘s Club and „Just a Little Series“
We finally get Anders’s story - He appeared as the kind of „big Brother“ to all the beloved boys and littles in Kerry’s Little series. One has to love Anders immediately.
He is very thoughtful, genuinely kind, helpful, protective and he thrives upon taking care of others.
He needs to be of service - he wants to please - like he needs air to breathe, it calms him and gives him the most peace. He is gorgeous, big and muscular with long blond hair and simultaneously very sweet and shy.
Anders is the best.
And Emil? Oh perfect Emil. He is the embodiment of calm. He anchors Anders when he gets overwhelmed
and he knows Anders in and out - all of his wants, needs and hidden desires.
Emil effortlessly slips into the daddy role, becomes Anders’ protector and gives him everything he needs to feel happy and complete and to fulfill his need to be useful! Emil truly sees Anders - the shy, sweet boy deep down and Anders finally gets the love and care he deserves.
There love just happens, they fit into each others lives so effortlessly - with every encounter they get familiar with each other and they just fit together like two pieces of a puzzle.
Oh reading this book was such a pleasure… I love a good daddy/ boy story and this one instantly made it’s way into my heart … it set up home there… not going to leave anytime soon…
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an ARC from the author
January 29, 2026
Anders thinks he’s found the perfect dominant partner, but everything collapses when his boyfriend uses him, manipulates him, and even frames him for financial misconduct. Heartbroken and blamed, he’s left with nothing. Emil, his steady and perceptive boss, sees the truth. He knows Anders wasn’t foolish — just devoted to the wrong man — and he refuses to let him be discarded. Emil offers support, protection, and the kind of steady care Anders has always needed. If Anders can learn to trust again, Emil is ready to show him a love that won’t fail him.
I loved this story that delivered a heartfelt blend of healing, justice, and devotion. Emil stands out as a truly remarkable partner — not because he’s perfect, but because he’s willing to learn how to be exactly what Anders needs. His patience, steadiness, and determination to become the best Daddy for Anders gives the book its emotional core. While Anders struggles with the betrayal and manipulation that left him framed for financial misconduct, Emil quietly takes charge of uncovering the truth. He protects Anders not just with authority, but with genuine care, proving that love can be both gentle and fiercely loyal. Their relationship grew through trust, communication, and Emil’s unwavering belief that Anders deserved to be cherished. A tender, restorative romance where justice is served and love becomes a safe place to land. This was an MM story with mature content and a BDSM-like Daddy/boy dynamic.
I loved this story that delivered a heartfelt blend of healing, justice, and devotion. Emil stands out as a truly remarkable partner — not because he’s perfect, but because he’s willing to learn how to be exactly what Anders needs. His patience, steadiness, and determination to become the best Daddy for Anders gives the book its emotional core. While Anders struggles with the betrayal and manipulation that left him framed for financial misconduct, Emil quietly takes charge of uncovering the truth. He protects Anders not just with authority, but with genuine care, proving that love can be both gentle and fiercely loyal. Their relationship grew through trust, communication, and Emil’s unwavering belief that Anders deserved to be cherished. A tender, restorative romance where justice is served and love becomes a safe place to land. This was an MM story with mature content and a BDSM-like Daddy/boy dynamic.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a combination of the Almstead Island series and the Just a Little one.
We already met Anders in all the Just a Little books and always wanted his story.
He comes over a bit different and we see how much he actually covered up and hid in the previous books.
Andres is a service sub, happy if he can take care of people, please them and make them happy by helping them.
His ex used him and destroyed his confidence, making him doubt himself at every moment. Now also accused of fraud, he is alone.
And now we have Emil, I just love him. He is the perfect Daddy for Anders, helping, encouraging without pushing and slowly letting Anders being the sweet sub he is and getting to trust Emil.
Emil really is the white knight, battling for Anders not just as a person but also to get behind the fraud accusations.
The romance comes quite late in the book but the build up with Emil taking care of Anders is just so lovely.
The group chat with the Littles is just funny and hillarious as usual. We also see the strain he is normally under when he is with them.
We already met Anders in all the Just a Little books and always wanted his story.
He comes over a bit different and we see how much he actually covered up and hid in the previous books.
Andres is a service sub, happy if he can take care of people, please them and make them happy by helping them.
His ex used him and destroyed his confidence, making him doubt himself at every moment. Now also accused of fraud, he is alone.
And now we have Emil, I just love him. He is the perfect Daddy for Anders, helping, encouraging without pushing and slowly letting Anders being the sweet sub he is and getting to trust Emil.
Emil really is the white knight, battling for Anders not just as a person but also to get behind the fraud accusations.
The romance comes quite late in the book but the build up with Emil taking care of Anders is just so lovely.
The group chat with the Littles is just funny and hillarious as usual. We also see the strain he is normally under when he is with them.
January 31, 2026
Anders is one of my favourite characters in the Just a Little series, plays the role of big brother to Rory, Owen and Nico, he knows how to be the voice of reason and cares for them deeply. But who is caring for him, it is definitely not John, his boyfriend, who abuses his needs.
Emil has just taken over John's business and when evidence is stacked against Anders, he looks deeper than the paperwork and sees a man who needs to be cherished.
I spent the first quarter of the book worrying about Anders, he was such a loveable character and seeing him crumble broke my heart, so when Emil stepped in like a knight in shining armour I was super happy. The relationship with Emil and Anders is a slow burn as Emil learns what he needs to do, to support and care for Anders, and I loved that Emil did his research, to give Anders what he needed. Catching up with the littles and Daddies and I loved the text interactions between Anders and his friends. Seeing Micah flourish with Calvin and Anders having support in a friend.
I am glad this series is continuing and looking forward to more
Emil has just taken over John's business and when evidence is stacked against Anders, he looks deeper than the paperwork and sees a man who needs to be cherished.
I spent the first quarter of the book worrying about Anders, he was such a loveable character and seeing him crumble broke my heart, so when Emil stepped in like a knight in shining armour I was super happy. The relationship with Emil and Anders is a slow burn as Emil learns what he needs to do, to support and care for Anders, and I loved that Emil did his research, to give Anders what he needed. Catching up with the littles and Daddies and I loved the text interactions between Anders and his friends. Seeing Micah flourish with Calvin and Anders having support in a friend.
I am glad this series is continuing and looking forward to more
February 2, 2026
I have been so looking forward to this book. Each story in this interconnected series (Almstead Island: Newcomer’s Club and Just a Little) can be read as a standalone but I would say that you will get so much more enjoyment if you read the prior stories which will also explain about Anders and how he fits in. This story is not fast paced, of necessity it is glacial in its pace but you will see why this is the best way for Emil and Anders’ relationship to bloom; it is what Anders needs and Emil is happy to give him. We learn so much more about Anders and I really felt for him and what he had to endure. I would say this book is not traditionally Daddy/Boy as Anders is also a service sub but this did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the story. We do get to see crossover characters from all the previous books and I’m happy to think that we will get to see more of Emil and Anders in future stories when we can be reassured of their HEA.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Anders is a secondary character in another series by the author and I always loved him. I loved his kindness and his patience and his loyalty. Anders is a favorite and beloved character and I was highly anticipating his story. I wanted him to get away from his horrible boyfriend and finally find someone who would cherish him and treat him with the love and respect he deserves. Emil was that person and he was absolutely wonderful. Very caring and respectful and willing to learn how to make all of Anders' desires come true. They were a perfect match and the way Emil took care of Anders warmed my heart.
Also, I adored how Emil encouraged Anders to explore different types of hobbies. It was so much fun seeing him trying new things and discovering his talents.
I'm so happy Anders found his happily ever after with Emil.
This was such a feel good book, I loved it!
Also, I adored how Emil encouraged Anders to explore different types of hobbies. It was so much fun seeing him trying new things and discovering his talents.
I'm so happy Anders found his happily ever after with Emil.
This was such a feel good book, I loved it!
January 31, 2026
Lovely
My review 🌕🌕🌕🌖
I love these books! They’re all different couples, and seeing them in other books is fantastic. And this one was amazing. I loved how Emil treats Anders so nicely, with so much care, and tries to make sure he isn’t messing up anything and not taking advantage of him at all. I enjoyed very much the fact that Anders’ friends tell him to go for it, no need to wait or think that Emil is a rebound fling. I thought it was awesome how Emil kept showing off Anders to everyone, being so proud to be with him, in comparison with the other piece of trash. It was very enjoyable, nicely paced, even though it felt a bit harder to believe than other books by the same author, but fiction can be as fictional as we wish. I really liked it, and I loved how the comparison between Emil and disposable other was obvious and consistent, without being forced, well done.
My review 🌕🌕🌕🌖
I love these books! They’re all different couples, and seeing them in other books is fantastic. And this one was amazing. I loved how Emil treats Anders so nicely, with so much care, and tries to make sure he isn’t messing up anything and not taking advantage of him at all. I enjoyed very much the fact that Anders’ friends tell him to go for it, no need to wait or think that Emil is a rebound fling. I thought it was awesome how Emil kept showing off Anders to everyone, being so proud to be with him, in comparison with the other piece of trash. It was very enjoyable, nicely paced, even though it felt a bit harder to believe than other books by the same author, but fiction can be as fictional as we wish. I really liked it, and I loved how the comparison between Emil and disposable other was obvious and consistent, without being forced, well done.
January 25, 2026
I preordered this book months ago and still jumped at the chance to ARC. KK has become one of my favorite others over the last couple of yrs. and this held to the same beautiful storytelling standard as all the other books I’ve read by her; which I think including this one, is 7 or 8.
I have always loved Anders as a character through the other books- this deep dive to see the depth of him, beyond the persona he shares with the others was beautiful. Emmie’s patience was a gift. Both for anders and getting his public lick back. To finally see John get what was coming. Everything 👌🏾
We met Emil briefly in Calvin and Micah’s book, but getting to know him and what he’s willing to do and how wonderful he is was truly top tier.
I have always loved Anders as a character through the other books- this deep dive to see the depth of him, beyond the persona he shares with the others was beautiful. Emmie’s patience was a gift. Both for anders and getting his public lick back. To finally see John get what was coming. Everything 👌🏾
We met Emil briefly in Calvin and Micah’s book, but getting to know him and what he’s willing to do and how wonderful he is was truly top tier.
January 28, 2026
I read this book in one sitting because I just couldn’t put it down. There was something beautifully domestic and comforting about this book. Kerry Kilpatrick has created some awesome characters in this book. The premise is Anders has a terrible boyfriend, who also happens to be his boss. The company he works for gets bought out and a new big boss comes in. Emil is someone who immediately sees how badly Anders is being treated and delicately extracts him from his nightmare, while maybe falling a little bit in love.
- Dom/Service Sub
- Forced Proximity
- Slow Burn
I really enjoyed the slow burn in this, it made sense and the pining was really well written. Anders desire to serve was evident throughout the book and seeing him be able to fulfil his own needs with service was very sweet. I would highly recommend that you pick up this book if you are looking for something sweet and kinky!
Thank-you to the author for providing me an ARC. This review is my honest opinion.
- Dom/Service Sub
- Forced Proximity
- Slow Burn
I really enjoyed the slow burn in this, it made sense and the pining was really well written. Anders desire to serve was evident throughout the book and seeing him be able to fulfil his own needs with service was very sweet. I would highly recommend that you pick up this book if you are looking for something sweet and kinky!
Thank-you to the author for providing me an ARC. This review is my honest opinion.
January 28, 2026
Emil and Anders’s book is so good. I have been waiting for Anders to get the happily ever after he deserves, and this book did not disappoint. I love how well Emil comes to understand Anders and his service sub/boy ways. This is a very slow burn, which is what Anders needed, and Emil is good at giving Anders what he needs. I always enjoy getting to see past characters from this series and the Just a Little series, but you don’t need to read those books to understand this one. I definitely recommend this book!
January 29, 2026
Ander’s Story-Finally
Ander has been one of my favorites in these two series. He shows his love in the most practical of ways. I became clear in the previous books that he had a service kink. I was so pleased how Emil was able to recognize his need to serve and still keep Ander from overdoing. I was also pleased to see the Ander didn’t negate his earlier statements about not wanting a Daddy despite needing someone to help him keep grounded. I don’t think I could have imagined the story better than how it was written.
Ander has been one of my favorites in these two series. He shows his love in the most practical of ways. I became clear in the previous books that he had a service kink. I was so pleased how Emil was able to recognize his need to serve and still keep Ander from overdoing. I was also pleased to see the Ander didn’t negate his earlier statements about not wanting a Daddy despite needing someone to help him keep grounded. I don’t think I could have imagined the story better than how it was written.
January 29, 2026
So excited to read Anders story finally, since his appearance in Just a little Love. Always wanted them to leave their awful ex! And get the happily ever after they deserved! And Emil did not disappoint in delivering just that.
This book was a joy to read, everyone getting what they deserved. It was quite satisfying. I love reading when evil people get their comeuppance and sweet people like Anders are given a break.
This is a uplifting sweet story, which should make you smile while reading.
This book was a joy to read, everyone getting what they deserved. It was quite satisfying. I love reading when evil people get their comeuppance and sweet people like Anders are given a break.
This is a uplifting sweet story, which should make you smile while reading.
January 30, 2026
A hurt and comfort story. We learn about Anders more and heal with him as he also heals from the breakup from his latest crappy boyfriend.
It was a comfort cozy read with very little spice, and a slow burn as we get to heal from the traumatic boyfriend thing, and see that Anders gets his HEA with Emil.
Recommended if you’ve been enjoying this series and want to see Anders get his HEA, as you’ve also been invested in his happiness from his mentions in the other books.
The story is not dramatic at all, very little angst, but it was a nice cozy read.
It was a comfort cozy read with very little spice, and a slow burn as we get to heal from the traumatic boyfriend thing, and see that Anders gets his HEA with Emil.
Recommended if you’ve been enjoying this series and want to see Anders get his HEA, as you’ve also been invested in his happiness from his mentions in the other books.
The story is not dramatic at all, very little angst, but it was a nice cozy read.
Review of advance copy
This was a very heart-warming story. I was a little overwhelmed with the amount of side characters even though I had read previous books from both series. The romance doesn't even really start out as a romance and spicier scenes come pretty late in the story. That made the pacing unique and interesting. The relationship between our two MCs was mostly drama free and very sweet and that was just what I needed.
January 28, 2026
Oh sweet Anders. He is such a giving, lovely, and kind person. He absolutely deserves the world and someone to cherish him and give it to him. I just knew I would adore his book! His and Emil’s story is a very slow burn, but that is what Anders needs as he heals from the damage left by his ex. Emil knows the prize at the end will be worth it. Oh this story was so good. My heart broke for Anders but was put back together as he came to life under Emil’s care and constant consideration.
January 28, 2026
It's finally Anders' turn. His boyfriend nobody liked dumps him and it's his new boss Emil to the rescue. His ex is stealing money trying to frame Anders but Emil has faith in him. This book highlights Anders' service kink and gives Emil a chance to Daddy. The group chats participants are all in here along with their Daddies. I have enjoyed all of this group but especially my favorite, Anders in this slow burn book. I received a copy of this and this is my voluntary opinion..
January 29, 2026
Anders, run from that weasel of a boyfriend, and toss his clothes off the balcony on your way out. That guy is the definition of toxic.
But don’t fear for Anders, Emil is there to see that he is taken care of and that weasel gets his due!!
Emil is calm, collected, and caring. The way he provides steady compassion and gives Anders space to rebuild his life…beautiful.
Such a warm story that gives you hope that good and love can win.
But don’t fear for Anders, Emil is there to see that he is taken care of and that weasel gets his due!!
Emil is calm, collected, and caring. The way he provides steady compassion and gives Anders space to rebuild his life…beautiful.
Such a warm story that gives you hope that good and love can win.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was EVERYTHING!!! I am obsessed with it. I love Anders from all the previous books, and I have been (not so) patiently waiting for his book. This did not disappoint. It had everything I wanted. The asshole boyfriend got what was coming to him, and we got to see the little!!! but most importantly, he found the man who would love him and treat him right. This was perfect.
January 28, 2026
Anders finally gets his own HEA! My heart broke for him so many times throughout the story. Emil is the perfect, gentle person to see him and pick up everything that had broke from the last relationship. It was such a sweet story and I’m so glad he finally got a chance to shine.
Thank you., GRR, for the ARC!
Thank you., GRR, for the ARC!
January 28, 2026
Emil & Anders Fantastic
OH...... WOW..... Absolutely Loved this been waiting for Anders story and it's wonderful he deserves someone who will love and cherish him and Emil does it so perfectly he's so patient and caring the way he takes care of him is so very beautiful these two are amazing together fantastic.
OH...... WOW..... Absolutely Loved this been waiting for Anders story and it's wonderful he deserves someone who will love and cherish him and Emil does it so perfectly he's so patient and caring the way he takes care of him is so very beautiful these two are amazing together fantastic.
January 30, 2026
Yes!!!!
I have been waiting for this. I knew Anders’ ex was a low life scum but dang he is so awful he almost makes other low life scum look respectable. I loved the slow burn of this. It was definitely the way to go for Anders. Watching him work is way through things made me want to hug him so much. This book was a work of art.
I have been waiting for this. I knew Anders’ ex was a low life scum but dang he is so awful he almost makes other low life scum look respectable. I loved the slow burn of this. It was definitely the way to go for Anders. Watching him work is way through things made me want to hug him so much. This book was a work of art.
January 27, 2026
This book is Anders long awaited HEA. Anders has been a favorite since this series began. And now you get to see his happily ever after. There are some triggers for some so read with care. With how much Anders gives to himself it’s finally nice to see his friends trying to do the same for him.
January 28, 2026
Emil is the third book in the Almstead Island Newcomer's Club series and I think is best read in order. I really enjoyed this slow burn read about Emil and Anders, it feels like we've waited forever for Anders' story.
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