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Masters Unleashed #5

All's Fair in Love and Mastery

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Grant Ellis, co-owner of the exclusive Catacombs club, can't stand Arabella Dexter...his own best friend. One scorching night shouldn't have made things weird between them, but it changed everything. Who knew there were lines friends can't uncross? Now, no one gets under his skin and drives him wild quite like Dex. Since she refuses to wear his collar, he can only mask his desire with sarcasm and antagonism.

Dex has had it up to here with Grant. He's a bossy, domineering jerk, and the sexiest man she's ever been with. Even so, she's done with collars and the nonsense that comes with commitments. When he extends an olive branch and invites her to visit his new resort on a remote island in Canada, it's a chance to get their friendship back on track.

Alone in the wilderness for a week, they explore Grant's investment and the boundaries of their relationship. Some bonfires can't be contained.

195 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 19, 2019

106 people are currently reading
527 people want to read

About the author

Sparrow Beckett

16 books689 followers

Two writers in two countries transform into the super writing duo, Sparrow Beckett, each night after wrangling their housefuls of children and pets. They trade the cape and colorful tights for tattoos and cups of coffee then set out to create a world where readers fall in love with heroes and the women who willingly go to their knees for them. Their books are the products of two kinky minds who don’t take themselves too seriously.

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5 stars
174 (34%)
4 stars
163 (32%)
3 stars
131 (25%)
2 stars
27 (5%)
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12 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
Profile Image for tinyteaplots.
703 reviews2 followers
February 27, 2019
It really saddens me to give this 3 stars.
I've been a huge fan of the Sparrow Beckett duo, there's only 2 or 3 books I haven't gotten to yet, but have every intention to. I pre-ordered this book the second Amazon had that option available.
But honestly, I was bored. And I really didn't like the hero or the heroine very much. In fact I liked them better in the previous book.
And to make matters more disheartening, this is the last book to be written by Sparrow Beckett, which means I won't be getting my greatly desired series featuring Loke, Geir, and Rune. Sigh.
Profile Image for Tequila.
1,446 reviews28 followers
March 16, 2019
End of an Era

I hate that this is the last Masters Unleashed book, but like all the previous books, I wasn't the least bit disappointed. I loved Dex and Grant sooooo much!
Profile Image for Marwa Euler .
72 reviews4 followers
February 23, 2019
Not good at all
so the two main leads were best friends about a year ago they slept together the M lead wanted something serious but the F lead didn't but sur she still wanted him and lust after him , i found the F lead a RUDE person i'm sure the auther wanted her to come as sassy F lead with some strong persona who wasn't easily intimidated but she done a very poor job all i've seen some brat rude and a non enjoyable person there is a fine line beetween rude a sassy you need balance and sure been sumbissive in bed room doesn't mean your weak but i'll tell you the M lead was "supposedly a dominant " wich he was and the F lead was the sub but even in the bed room she kept the " so called attitude " what i mean she was called a sub but sure as hell didn't act like one and all the auther did to add the bsm mood is for the M lead to supposedly torment her when the sleep together.
Also the F lead was annoying she didn't want a serious relationship but wanted to sleep with the M lead and she got mad when others showed any interest in him then she go and act like a tool brat and blaming him indirectly make your ****** mind so no i didn't like this.
Profile Image for Deanie Nelder.
1,131 reviews24 followers
July 20, 2020
Best friends Grant Ellis and Arabella "Dex" Dexter have had problems with each other since the one night they decided to have sex. Neither one is willing to go forward, and they don't know how to go back to being just friends. Both have been let down by the people who were supposed to love them more than anything, so neither one is good at trust.

I've been waiting for Grant and Dex's story, and this does not disappoint. Their dialogue is snappy and their connection is electric. The book does get bogged down in the middle when they're at Grant's new Canadian resort. If I didn't know this was Sparrow Beckett's last book as a team, I'd think they were setting up a spin-off series with all the time they spent describing the Canadian lodge. However, the romance between Grant and Dex makes up for any slow parts in the book as they finally get together.
Profile Image for Sanjana .
132 reviews28 followers
September 5, 2021
This is the most vanilla book in the whole series.
I can't believe it's the last Sparrow Beckett book.
The best thing about Sparrow Beckett books is the love story.
Their writing will be missed <3
Profile Image for OpenBookSociety.com .
4,106 reviews135 followers
February 20, 2019
http://openbooksociety.com/article/al...

All’s Fair in Love and Mastery
Masters Unleashed, Book #5
By Sparrow Beckett
Authors’ Website: https://www.sparrowbeckett.com/
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi

Grant Ellis had a crappy childhood where he always felt unwanted. His mother left his brother, Will, and him with their father, when she left. Will was their dad’s favorite and when their new step-mom didn’t want anything to do with Grant, his dad sent him to a boarding school where the teachers thought nothing was wrong with beating some manners into their charges. When Will was kicked out of the home, Grant left with him and they never looked back.

The brothers now own and run a sex club, Catacombs. However, Will has recently gotten married and is raising a toddler. Grant wants to make something of himself and he wants to own something that is completely his instead of just always tagging along with his brother. So, when he finds a private island in Canada for sale, he jumps at a chance to make it his! His plans are to make a kinky getaway for those people who don’t like having to act ‘normal’ on vacation. And, he decides to bring he and Will’s best friend, Arabella (aka Dex), with him to the property to check things out.

However, things haven’t been going very well between Grant and Dex ever since they hooked-up one night. It was supposed to be a one-time thing, but it left him wanting more. He wants her to wear his collar and for them to be completely committed to each other, but Dex refuses. Her ex hurt her pretty bad emotionally, and she never wants to leave herself vulnerable like that again. Grant and Dex want different things, which has led to them fighting. Can they put their differences aside long enough to check out Grant’s new investment? And, can they ever get their friendship back to what it once was?

This is the first book I’ve read from this series and this writing duo (Leia Shaw & Sorcha Black) in general. And, after reading the acknowledgments at the back of the book I see this novel is actually the conclusion of their collaboration project.

This book is for all of those with an open mind and a kinky heart … or is that an open heart and a kinky mind? Whichever 🙂 There are definitely some vivid scenes in this book and so it’s not for the light of heart, but the main focus is actually the storyline. I was actually surprised to see a BDSM book with an actual plot, if I’m being honest. This book delved into Grant’s past, which has left him feeling unwanted. He’s used to being used, which is why he was so adamant about getting a commitment out of Dex. It’s all or nothing with him. He also felt like a burden to his brother and wanted to find his own way. But this book is also about learning to trust someone else as that is something that both Grant and Arabella had to learn.

I actually enjoyed the banter between Dex and Grant and even found myself laughing at their antics at times. It gives you a glimpse of how things were before they brought sex into the equation.

“See? If you would have gotten a dog like I told you to, you’d be one of the cool kids around here.”

“And I told I work too much to have a dog. If you want a dog, you get a dog.”

“I did suggest that at one point, but you said no.”

“As I recall, your plan was to get a dog and keep it at my house. That would still be me getting a dog except in that scenario you would get to pick the dog. For some strange reason, that seems lose/lose to me.”

“Well, obviously I’d come over whenever it needed to go out.”

“How is that going to work? The club is almost an hour’s drive from my house even at the best of times.”

He sighed, leading the way into the great room. “You’d need to let me live in your pool house, of course.”

“I don’t have a pool house, or even a pool, dipshit.”

He followed her inside, enjoying this conversation far too much to leave now.

“Obviously, the first part of the plan would be for you to get a pool installed, and then build a pool house for me to live in.”

She frowned at him and punched him in the chest. “Your imaginary dog is already costing me an imaginary fortune.”

“The upside is that imaginary dogs aren’t big eaters. You’re already saving a fortune on dog food.”

There are a lot of unattached friends still in Grant and Dex’s circle of friends so I’m a bit surprised to see this is the last book in the series. Unless the two authors that make up Sparrow Beckett have plans to revive it later or do some individual writing within the series.

I felt this was a decent book, as decent as it can be for the subject matter anyway. It’s more of a smut/kinky kind of book though so it’s hard for me to rate any book of this nature too highly. However, it was better than I was expecting, so there is that. If the series were to continue I’d probably even continue it (shocker).

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
Profile Image for Shari.
871 reviews76 followers
February 19, 2019
I received this book for free from NetGalley, Publisher in exchange for an honest review.This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.


The Delight
It's another book in a series I have adored since book one! With overly dominant men, women who give them a run for their money and ropes, and a collars only these people can clasp. Friends to lovers to enemies, we get to find out what these two were bickering about when they were best friends once upon a time.


Review
We met Dex and Grant in Master in Shining Armor, where Grant's brother Will found his submissive. Will and Grant have a pretty bad childhood that leads to them being estranged from their father, but close as brothers who started their own BDSM Club. Dex isn't part of their business, but is their best friend. She has a past that neither brother really knows what has happened, they just know she was hurt in some way that makes a permanent Dom not her thing. Grant for his part has never felt like he was lovable. We come into the story knowing they were once best friends, but not barely tolerating each other. We find out why.

We join Dex as she is gazing at Grant doing a scene with a submissive and lamenting the fact that they are no longer best friends after their night of passion, kink and mastery. In fact Grant mastered Dex's bratiness so well, she hasn't been able to sleep with another other dominant since. That doesn't mean she is going to let him collar her and there in lies all the problems. To Grant, this was just another example of how he is worthy of love. He offers her a collar she refuses and he won't accept less than her being his submissive in more than a hook up. Both are longing to recapture their friendship, but neither can agree on what they want in the bedroom.

While I have loved this series, this is the one book that I had a hard time enjoying. There is a lot of angry, hate sex and domination. It is never violent or un-consensual, just not healthy how each are hurt by what they want and can't have. Dex wants to be dominated, have sex and just not commit to anything more than being best friends. Grant wants more commitment, a collar, exclusiveness, and someone to call his own. He isn't giving in to a casual relationship and his puts a strain on them being friends let alone lovers. There is one scene I so wanted to shout a safe word as a reader that was a hard limit....no lube when it really is needed.

The two skate each other, but also hurt each other like they need to one up what the other has done. Grant tries to pull back and a platonic relationship that they are best friends while Dex tries to get what she wants even though she knows it isn't what Grant wants. In fact I got so irritated I had to put this book down and move onto another for a while.

To add to all of this, Grant feels like a fuck up. He doesn't feel like he has much that his own now that his brother has moved onto marriage with a kid. He knows he wants to branch out to something that is just his and he does do that, but it felt very irresponsible how he goes about it sight unseen. This is when they start to talk and find out what drives each other's actions and feelings. Even if I disagreed with the first part of the story, this is what I felt they needed the entire time.

My biggest regret from this story was not meeting them before their beginning. Not seeing how they came together from their friendship. We jump right into the middle of the conflict and it sent a sour note on how I looked at these people. Grant I respected a lot. Dex I wanted to smack the shit out of. Seriously, she treated him like trash in the beginning and what else was he to think he was?

So here is some noteworthy experiences...

The idea of a BDSM vacation resort was interesting, but felt underdeveloped.
End of a series and end of a writing team. Sparrow Beckett finished up their series and now planning to start writing separate books :(
Best friends to lovers....well this happens entirely before this story even begins and I felt left out on what happened.
Dex was a strong woman who dealt with a betrayal no one should have too. Unfortunately this translated into someone I had a hard time respecting as she drove Grant to do things he didn't want to. It was a gender reversal we wouldn't tolerate in men, I don't see why I should tolerate it in a woman.

While this was an end to a series, it was also an end to a writing team. Sparrow Beckett are going back to writing alone under their own names, Sorcha Black and Leia Shaw. It's a sad day as I loved this series and this writing team. I wish them both the best as they continue their writing series, but catch me later crying that I won't get any more of the stories I saw could be formed with the other characters we got hints about. I really wished I could send this series off with a big bang of a review, but unfortunately that just can't happen :(


Challenges

Review Writing Challenge #7
Bad Boys of Romance Challenge #3
Literary Pickers #4 - Canada
New Release #3
Books 'N' Tunes #4 - Be Alright by Dean Lewis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRRzg...


The Series


Profile Image for Kitt Crescendo.
Author 4 books50 followers
February 23, 2019
I’ll start with this. Personal experiences are always going to color perceptions and who you relate to. For me, it meant I had a much deeper connection and emotional understanding of Grant.

It also meant that, while I liked Arabella aka Dex, she frustrated me to no end bost of the way through this book.

Here’s the thing...it’s always complicated when friends navigate their way to lovers. Especially best friends. You always bring your baggage and fears into the relationship. You can’t help it. So it stands to reason that sex will color, and potentially jeopardize, relationships, which is precisely where these two awesome characters found themselves.

The had sex. Promised it wouldn’t change their best friendship, and then discovered there was no coming back from it. They had to navigate their new normal, but it wasn’t so easy. One of them was terrified to be in a relationship, while the other needed the relationship to feel loved, and neither would back down.

So what do you do to fix it? Buy a BDSM island resort in the middle of nowhere and invite your best friend to check it out with you!

What could possibly go wrong?

And yes, I’d read this book, this author, and/or this series again. It was THAT good.
Profile Image for Di.
46 reviews7 followers
March 11, 2019
Unleashed Fury and Brattiness

Oh what to say. Each book in this series stands alone, however to get the full picture, you should read them in order.

Did you ever have that absolutely best friend, of the other sex, and wonder if it could be more?

This is Dex and Grant’ story. He wants more, than she is willing to give. She lets her past spur her to the possibilities of having another Master.

As in all relationships, there is give and take.
Their story is in reverse. Grant takes, but ultimately the change happens when Dex realizes when she gives her total submission, they can over come and make their friendship stronger. I also love Dex’s brattiness, she will keep him on his toes throughout their lives.

Only downside I see, is that this is the last of the series? What about Tak and Echo’s story?
Profile Image for Limecello.
2,527 reviews47 followers
Read
June 11, 2019
Obviously I picked up this book then ... >.> put it down for quite some time.
It ... was not how ... I don't know what I expected.
This is what I get for starting series in the middle of things so :P

And we all know BDSM isn't my thing. [But sometimes I just want to read an erotic romance!]
Also O_O sadism is ... NOT my thing ... so ... hooray for it working out for them (although like GOTT-DAMN DID IT NOT WORK OUT EASILY)
And then it kinda felt like it all happened "too quickly" but ... they were/are best friends so ...

Definitely hot - definitely something people who enjoy BDSM romances would likely love.

I didn't read this one cover to cover though nor enough of it to rate, but I did read enough of it to note - like many others this year.
Profile Image for Dee.
70 reviews23 followers
January 7, 2021
This was a bdsm, friends to hate to friends to lovers romance. I really enjoyed it, the constant bickering and banter was really sweet and the chemistry was amazing. The MC was bisexual which is a plus. This had less smut than all the other books in the series, which was strange because it wasn't compensated with plot as you would expect, it was around the same level as the others. The romance was great, loved it, but I couldn't help feeling a little disappointed at some of it. With the island being the getaway for them, aside from (*spoilers*) nothing much else happened, and I kept waiting for it to. I still loved it despite that and I'm sad the series is over. Which means it's time for a reread!
Profile Image for Linda Rea.
2,189 reviews15 followers
February 12, 2019
I found this story more of a love story then anything else but the give and take between Grant and Arabella made for a fun story. Arabella and Grant both play at a kink club and have been best friends for a long time, well after they spend one night night together Grant wants more. Arabella won’t trust a man to collar her again she lost the love of her life and her best friend thinking collaring meant something till it didn’t. When you read how Grant is trying to get his best friend to give in and how she is being a brat it’s really entertaining. The book doesn’t end in a cliff hanger but you really want more.
Reviewed on behalf of Once upon an Alpha
Profile Image for Anna.
790 reviews
February 26, 2019
The tension and sexual chemistry between Dex and Grant is incredible. It’s OFF THE CHARTS HOT! 🔥 And when they lose control and get together, WOWZA 🔥🔥🔥 But it’s all pulled together and intensified by the emotional part of the story. We’ve heard some of Grant’s story before in previous books. But to see his vulnerability and hear his view of himself... it pulled me in and had me rooting for him, even when he was acting like a big, gruff a-hole. And Dex, her story seemed slower to come out. I was yelling at her to just give in to Grant already. But I loved “Pixie” just as much as Grant and felt for her too. Ahhhh.... what an EMOTIONAL, SEXY, HOT ride. THANK YOU Sparrow Beckett ❤️
Profile Image for Once Upon An Alpha.
365 reviews83 followers
April 20, 2019
I found this story more of a love story then anything else but the give and take between Grant and Arabella made for a fun story. Arabella and Grant both play at a kink club and have been best friends for a long time, well after they spend one night night together Grant wants more. Arabella won’t trust a man to collar her again she lost the love of her life and her best friend thinking collaring meant something till it didn’t. When you read how Grant is trying to get his best friend to give in and how she is being a brat it’s really entertaining. The book doesn’t end in a cliff hanger but you really want more. - Reviewed by Linda
Profile Image for AnnieBananie.
64 reviews
February 16, 2021
A delightful end to the series

I have to say, I was a little sad when I got to the end and saw that Sparrow Beckett were not going to be writing together anymore. I have to say, I’ve enjoyed their writing style and series and I think it ended on a high note. The dynamic between Dex and Grant was fantastic. Kinky but sensitive. Strong characters but with vulnerabilities. You can see how their writing partnership has grown and improved over time and the genre will be poorer for loss of further collaborative works. But that won’t stop me from checking them out as individual writers!
Profile Image for Nicole Johnson.
863 reviews30 followers
March 19, 2019
AFILAM is Grant's book. He has fallen for his best friend Arabella Dexter aka Dex. Their story is a bit of an angsty slow burn. These two tease each other along the way which results in delicious reading and the ultimate HEA. I enjoyed their story, their journey, and love that they are true friends to lovers. I laughed several times throughout the story. The banter is laughter and smile-inducing and the sexy scenes are incredibly HOT. Great story.
Profile Image for Melanie Marnell.
4,221 reviews34 followers
March 15, 2020
Grant Ellis is at a crossroads in his life and Arabella "Dex" Dexter maybe the one person who will point him in the right direction. Best friends for years he wants something more but that something is the one thing she can't or won't give him. Taking on a new challenge he enlists Dex's help in assessing the locale and needs of his new venture. A week in the Canadian wilderness gives them a different perspective on their relationship.
Profile Image for Miranda Whore.
937 reviews86 followers
July 30, 2019
I can't even with the dirty, sexy, smutty hotness. Chemistry for days and days between the characters. Once again Beckett nails the balance between kink and genuine emotion. Not all authors can do it, but Beckett has found the sweet spot giving the reader all the delicious dirty along with all the heart and feels. A must read series for sure!
160 reviews
January 5, 2021
This is the first Sparrow Beckett book I’ve read. I was very excited by the exerpt i had read but to be honest it left me flat. After the first couple of chapters it was an OK read but i honestly skimmed over some chapters hoping it was hoping to get better. Sorry to say it was an OK read but wouldn’t inspire me to want more
2 reviews
March 16, 2021
This one was my least favourite from the series, the story seemed unrealistic and a little bit dragged out. The concept was great and I loved the different scene which was set in the second half. Glad I read on until the end.
105 reviews3 followers
August 25, 2021
Best one yet

This has been my favorite in the series. Both characters are lovable for a change and they both have a great sense of humor to the point that I laughed out loud multiple times. And true to the author, it was HOT
Profile Image for Brandy .
250 reviews33 followers
March 25, 2019
Great book

As expected this was a great book. They never disappoint and I'm sad there won't be more books by this awesome writing duo
6 reviews
May 17, 2019
Great wrap up of the series!

Thanks Sparrow Beckett for a great ride! Looking forward to y’alls next adventures. Keep up the great writing more books please!
Profile Image for Aline Silva.
38 reviews
June 25, 2020
It was okay, the franchise is kinda off handed right now, pretty excited for Tak and Echo tho
Profile Image for Symantha.
280 reviews5 followers
January 2, 2021
You need to read the rest of the series or the confusion is real.
Profile Image for gilleoin.
318 reviews
February 4, 2021
I just love Sparrow Beckett's style. Erotic BDSM at it's best, the Finding Master Right series was a great read. Well written and of course, sexy AF.
I was sad to see this is the last one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews

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