Litigation and Lace

Collared Ever After #1

by Della Cain

Johnson longs for a little of his own—a little who loves to see his daddy wearing manties. If only such a man existed.

Attorney Ryan Johnson has given up on ever being called Daddy again. He has a good life and, if that part of his life isn’t fulfilled...then that’s just the way it is. Who wants a daddy who likes to dress up in lingerie? From his experience—exactly zero.

Kasper Winston accepts the position as general counsel at his former housemate’s newly formed foundation, shattering the last thread connecting him to his family. It’s bad enough he didn’t settle down with a nice girl from church after college and fill a minivan with babies, but then he left the family firm for a new position in the sinful city.

Oh yeah, and there’s the small fact he’s gay.

After meeting at a handfasting ceremony at Club Collared, the attraction between the two lawyers is instant. The two eat, chat, and laugh the night away, neither of them wanting it to end. But it has to. Kasper is too new to the scene for Johnson to ask for what he truly desires.

Then Kasper asks one little question that changes everything: Do you think a daddy would ever want someone like me? After their magical night, Johnson sets out to prove that, yes, a daddy would want someone like Kasper. And, fortunately for Johnson, Kasper may be the little Johnson’s been looking for all along.

Litigation and Lace is a MM romance featuring a smexy daddy in need of a boy, a hawt lawyer exploring his sexuality for the first time, lots of lace, age play including some minor exploration of ABDL, and two men discovering that true love always leaves room for negotiations. Litigation and Lace is the first book in the Collared Ever After MM romance series. Each book focuses on a new couple who find their Kinkily Ever After at Club Collared.

Genres: M M Romance, BDSM, Romance, Contemporary, LGBT, Gay, Fiction

265 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2020

Reviews

[Saimi Vasquez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Johnson despues de 3 anos puede recomenzar su vida, un ano despues de su divorcio definitivo decide darse la oportunidad de volver a las citas, pero no esta tan seguro de poder volver a ser un Daddy. Pero cuando conoce a Kasper en un club BDSM, no puede negar que sus instintos despiertan mas fuerte que nunca. Asi que decide darle una oportunidad a esta nueva relacion, pero debe armarse de paciencia, ya que Kasper es nuevo en todo lo que concierne a las citas, el mundo del BDSM y ser un little, pero sabe que el premio cuando pueda confiar por completo en el, sera lo mejor.
Kasper no puede creer que su amigo Rayde se a va a casar, y no con uno sino dos hombres, asi que solo puede ofrecerles la oportunidad de oficiar el evento, y asi poder ver desde dentro lo que es el verdadero mundo del BDSM. Pero todavia no sabe cual es el aspecto que desea explorar, ni mucho menos todas las cosas diferentes que tiene este mundo. Asi que cuando conoce a Johnson, tiene miedo de que pueda burlarse de su falta de experiencia y de su inocencia en este mundo, pero resulta que es todo lo contrario. El hombre quiere ayudarlo a entender que es lo que quiere, y si es posible que sus personalidades sean compatibles, pero en ningun momento se burla o lo traiciona, asi que poco a poco va ganando confianza y se da cuenta que el quiere ser un boy, solo que el unico que quiere que sea su Daddy es Johnson. Asi que ahora tiene que aceptar que Daddy Johnson realmente lo quiere tal y como es, y que es el unico que le da la confianza para explorar su lado little abiertamente, quizas tambien pueda convertirse en su Daddy para siempre?

Es una historia dulce, sin problemas ni dramas, vemos a un par de protas uno con experiencia y otro totalmente novato, explorar sus verdaderas personalidad y compatibilidad en un entorno de confianza y sin dramas. Esperaba un poquitito de drama, quizas de parte de la familia de Kasper, esperaba conocer un poco mas del pasado de Johnson (antes de su ex-esposa), tambien esperaba saber un poco mas del trabajo de los protas o su vida fuera del club. Sin embargo, la lectura es facil, los dialogos sencillos y faciles de seguir, tuve algunos problemas con el paso del tiempo entre capitulos o con las ubicaciones donde se encontraban y parecia que a mitad del capitulo se movian, pero a pesar de eso, fue un libro disfrutable, entretenido para pasar el rato.
Se que es un spin-off de una trilogia anterior del autor (Collared by love), que todavia no he leido, pero tranquilamente se puede leer esta serie sin perderse de nada, asi que voy a continuar con la serie, para ver que otros personajes encontran su "Felices para Siempre".

[Geri · Rating 2 out of 5]

I struggled to connect with this book. I felt that there were time lapses that weren't always clearly defined, the conversation between the MCs was quite stilted and we were often 'told' of experiences, rather than experiencing them ourselves as readers. I won't be continuing with the series.

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was ok. Definitely didn't enjoy it as much as her previous trilogy. I think when reading a book very centred around kink, having a main character being introduced to kink needs to be done really well. If it goes to slow we end up with no kink, if it goes too fast it feels fake and unbelievable. I think this book somehow did both?? Plus it was very very sweet and fluffy, like insta love etc etc. Just a bit too 'ok' to rate higher than 3 stars.

[Jamie Lee Zonneveld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Litigation and Lace is the first book in a new series, Collared Ever After, by Della Cain. This book is about Johnson and Kasper. Johnson is a Daddy who loves to wear lingerie. Kasper is new to the scène but can he be the Little Johnson has been looking for?

I loved the story of Johnson and Kasper. Their story was sweet, sexy, hot and very well written. Can't wait for the next story in this series.

[Jenn (not Lily) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, but at some point I got a little bored. I'm not really sure where that was, since I was really enjoying it and thought it would be a 5 star at least until halfway. Johnson did a great job of introducing age play to Kaspar without either pushing or being too hesitant. As always with this author, so very sweet that I feel a little bit of a sugar coma coming on.

[Stephanie W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ryan Johnson, a lawyer, longed to have a little of his own who enjoyed manties. Kasper Winston,also a lawyer, was escaping a controlling family who strongly preferred he have the usual cliche. He needed to get away and fast. Taking a job was the final thread to the unwanted familial connection.

Kasper's preference to men placed a big wrench in his family plans for his life. What he needs is someone to take care of him.

A ceremony at Club Collared changed both their lives. Can Kasper and Ryan have it all; careers, a happy home and the relationship dynamic to suit their needs?

Took a little for me to connect to this story but was worthwhile by the final page.

**I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.**

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fine, good enough for me to continue the series but I had a couple issues. There's some weird toxic masculinity at times in this one and also there's some time jumps that would've been better if we actually got more pages instead. As a whole, I was here for it.

[Judy Ferrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lawyers at play

Kasper grew up in a cult till the day he ran. Ryan divorced his wife. They both get invited yo a wedding at Collared. Life begins for both at that point. Great beginning to a new series.

[Aki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet but short

[DLB2572 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not My Favorite

I had a lot of trouble with one from the start. I couldn't connect with the story early on especially with things jumping around. I did finish it though.

[SilverGirl2323 · Rating 3 out of 5]

HEA MxM

Wasn't as good as the triad but still very sweet shy boy meets his daddy
It was cute
Spice was a 1

[Chetana · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Cute and Fluffy

[Tam · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a lawyer who had managed to escape from his religious family but is not sure what he's really into and has never dated at all. He presides over the wedding of his best friend and his two husbands and meets lawyer Johnson at the wedding. Johnson has been divorced from his little girl for a couple of years and latches onto Kasper who he's sure is a little and leads him into the lifestyle. It's pretty typical, super shy Kasper who has no clue about dating let alone littles. I was kind of pissed at his friend Ryder who just sprung it on him in the middle of a club that he was a pup. You know the guy is super sensitive and freaked out about the club and them wham, your best friend is a pup.

But it was pretty typical and a little show moving. The whole "not wanting to rush someone" and then it goes on way too long gets boring. I do find this author doesn't use a lot of contractions, although it got better at the end. I will go to the store vs I'll go. It came across that English wasn't their first language. *shrug* I did feel for Kasper and the shitty life he had growing up with his step-father and his cult.

[Claudia Lezár · Rating 4 out of 5]

PLEASE READ MY RATING SYSTEM!!!

To my ratings:

5* - very very good and rare (it would be a Blow-
Away-book like
‘Jesse's Smile' or ‚Joey’ from Angelique Jurd,
‘Save the kids' series from EM Leya,
‘Love’s Tethered Heart’ from C.L. Etta or
'Liberty' from Seth King),
it's like an A+

4* - very good and will be often reread and is a
WOW-book with interesting plot and surprises
(like most of Andrew Grey books and
Davidson Kings 'Haven Hart'-series)
it's like an A

3,5* - a really good book, which will be reread a few
times a year (most romances where you can
enjoy for relaxing and during waiting times in
hospitals). I can recommend them definitively!
It's like an B+

3* - it could be more then a one-time-reader,
maybe 2-3 times a year. It’s like a B

2* - it was ok to read, but it's more a one-time-
reader (i wouldn't recommend it heartily, but
it was ok). It's like a C-, D

1* - sorry, but that isn't really a book for me (too
many mistakes, not nice plot, illogical, so an
absolut NO-GO). It's like failure in the whole
line, dismissed, repeat the class

[Amy Weller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! It's the first one I've read by Della but it most certainly won't be the last! Kasper has had a rough time with an overzealous, religious stepfather. He stays to keep his mother in his life but his wants and desires don't exactly get church approval. When he asks his friend Ryder to sponsor him to get a membership to a club, the whole thing blows up. He is caught at the club by another church member and his stepfather pushes harder. Kasper is forced to walk away from his mother and start over again. He will meet Ryan Johnson, Johnson to his friends, at a club called Collared, when they are there for the wedding of Kasper's friend Ryder. From there, the two will begin to grow closer. Johnson is a Daddy and would like to have another little in his life after it didn't work out with his ex wife. He soon begins to hope it will happen with Kasper and before long, they are taking baby steps towards this new relationship. Little by llittle, Kasper finds that this type of relationship is just what he wants and needs and he wants it with Johnson. There relationship will go so well, that soon, Johnson is asking for Kasper to be a part of his life always and Kasper agrees, giving them both everything they want.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nix Buttons · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book supposed to be the first book of the series, and yet it didn't feel like it. I was really confused and couldn't get into the story because of it and some more problems.
The weird undated time jumps right from the beginning, no inside into Kasper and Ryder's friendship or Johnson and Luke's friendship, the sparse information about Kasper's job and other things, as well as many, many off page events made it seem like I missed at least one previous book and half of this one was left out. (As I found out AFTER reading this book, Ryder's trilogy can be found here. Alas, there is no mention of it in the blurb or foreword of this book and I coudln't have known about it. To tell the truth I'm quite angry that it wasn't mentioned anywhere, because I would not classify this as a standalone/first book)
And the lingerie was such a minor thing, why mention it at all in the blurb.
The story at its core and the kink presentation were good, but it felt superficial and hollow. I will read the next one only because I already have it on my reader.
Such a shame, it could have been so good. Instead it was hollow and made me angry.

[Henry Wente · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting characters, but too insta-love for goos romance, and too light and basic for good kink. A escapist sweet Daddy kink (light ABDL and little play).

This age play / Daddy - little romance has an instant-love kind of speed which undermines the romantic aspect for me. The kinky aspects are a bit light, Using the typical trope in this genre of one character knowing little about the Daddy kink dynamics, especially the little aspects of it. This allows the story to move slowly trough the kink and explain it step-by-step. While providing a gentle introduction to readers new to or inexperienced with this type of play, it also generally means the kink is very subdued and basic.

On the positive side, each character’s backstory was interesting, including an inexperience man being expelled from / fleeing a ultra-religious family and group, and a divorcée trying to move on from the loss of his previous little. Th “extra” kink (the Dom’s lingerie which helped cause the divorce) was also extremely downplayed. (I must say, so far all of the lingerie “romances” I have read have very much downplayed or trivialized the kink or fetish in my view.)

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed getting to read Ryan and Kasper's story in Litigation and Lace. It's the first book in the Collared Ever After series. Each book will focus on a different couple that finds their kinky happily ever after at Club Collared. I was a little bit confused when I first started reading this book. To me, the characters sounded too much alike, and I would get confused about whose point of view I was reading. As Kasper was more defined in his role as a little, it was easier to differentiate who was who. I also liked watching Kasper and Ryan figure out what age of a little Kasper wanted to be. I also loved that Kasper was friends with Ryder, who is in a relationship with Lukas and Danny. I actually just got done reading Ryder, Lukas, and Danny's series, Collard By Love, before reading this book, and it was great getting to see them again. This book is standalone, and you don't have read the Collard By Love series to enjoy it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

After his divorce, manties wearing attorney Ryan Johnson had given up on being a Daddy again. Kasper Rushton is the general council for his former housemate's foundation having refused to settle down with a nice girl (not something a gay man would do) from his step-father's church after college and therefore shattering the last thread to link him with his family. Having met at a handfasting ceremony at a kink club called Collared the attraction between the two men is instant. Kasper is too new to the scene for Johnson to ask for what he truly desires but then everything changes when he hears Kasper says "Do you think a daddy would ever want someone like me?".

I loved this story where Johnson and Kasper were an instant attraction but also a great example of how in any BSDM-like situation everything is under negotiation. Their openness to each other, what they would like to try and what they could do to support each other was wonderful to read and experience through the story. Easy to read, feel and understand this is an MM story with a BSDM-like DDLB relationship with some ABDL.

[Barb ~rede-2-read~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet daddy kink story, this fits into the world the author has created with a few different series but is definitely able to be read as a standalone. The club, Collared, is the connection with the various stories and once in a while we see a little from another book but this is about Johnson, an attorney who gave up on finding a new little, and Kaspar a young man who was raised by (you guessed it!) religious homophobes who are part of a cult. Kaspar is just starting to explore the world of BDSM and isn't aware he's a little but those who meet him can easily see it.

This type of theme is enough to fill that spot in my heart that enjoys a sweet, carefree love story. I suspect the Daddy/little dynamic appeals to me as it has the overarching plot of one person taking care of another and allowing the other, often stressed by life, to relax and let it all go. When my need to be carefree strikes, I go to one of these books and leave with a warmhearted feeling. And that's the beauty of having so much variety in the books we read. Book two is already on my radar.

[Latecia Jennings · Rating 4 out of 5]

** First Time Reader** I really wanted to try this because it seem so interesting. At first I got a little bit lost. Took me a bit to follow the scenes between Kasper and his friends, his first time at a kink club, his issues with his family/church then thrown into officiating a wedding. Everything start meshing/flowing when he finally met Johnson. I like how Johnson was with Kasper...helped/guided him into what kind of kink is best for him. Johnson was patient not willing to rush things with Kasper...he was amazed(myself too) how deep he was feeling for the younger man. It was a delight to see their relationship grow and grow into something more than casual. Everything Johnson introduced to Kasper was fun and I was excited/happy for him. Kasper really came into his on with Johnson and it was fate that match them together. This was really a lovely romance and I enjoyed it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m always intrigued when I come across a daddy kink book so I had to pick this up. I read one of this author’s short stories so I figured I’d dive into one of her longer books.

I enjoyed the dynamics of Johnson and Kasper’s relationship, both regular and the daddy/boy. Johnson was super sweet and such a caring daddy and I really loved that. Kasper was... so-so for me. I get he had issues from his cult family and those issues lingered with him even though he got away from all of that. But he’s 30 years old and acts like he can’t handle anything. I was kinda rolling my eyes at how he was acting on his first date with Johnson.

Also, at the begin of the book after the first chapter or 2, there was a huge time jump that wasn’t even mentioned at the top of the page like books usually do ...”one year later”
And I’m pretty sure it was a year. I was confused as hell for a few minutes there.

All in all this book was okay but it wasn’t my favorite.

[Guardian.angel54 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect Daddy/Boy finding yourself story

I loved the three series books about Luke, Daniel and Ryder but I think I love this one even more. Kasper and Johnson are the sweetest couple. I love how patient and understanding Johnson is in letting Kasper find himself as a Little. I love that the relationship develops at a natural pace. There's no rushing for penetrative sex but a slow and steady unfolding of a loving physical intimacy. I really connected with Kasper's rigid religious upbringing and I found a lot of his struggles and discoveries to be quite familiar. Overall, the entire book was a wonderful experience of love and self discovery and I honestly loved it! I think the perfect summation is in a quote from Kasper:
"He’d taught me I was not only worthy of love but lovable. That family wasn’t controlling but loving, and that being yourself was the true path to happiness."

[Megan Hull · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok

I really wanted to love this book. I really enjoyed the characters and I think the storyline had so much potential but it did not deliver. The first 4 chapters jump around so much you have no clue what's going on and then the next thing you know a whole year has passed since the first page...but there is nothing, no emotions or feeling, and the author missed a huge opportunity to really make this book amazing. I really enjoyed the detail the author gave to the couple as they where beginning and defining there relationship, the consent and patience between the two was great...And if the author had given even half as much detail and time to those first several chapters to really give us a look at the thoughts and feelings it would have been a 5 star all the way...but instead your left with very little emotional expression from several extremely difficult and painful moments from the twos lives.

[ShelfLife · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh...

This book missed the mark for me. There is zero depth, character development, and description. Time jumps just came out of nowhere. Same for continuity in a scene: one minute, they're on the couch, the next, they're finishing up dishes. The pacing was slooooow and I got bored. I thought of giving up halfway then kept going, but I ended up skimming the last 20% or so. I just needed more. I don't even know what Johnson and Kasper look like! I just felt like huge chunks of their lives were missing and because of that, I didn't feel anything for them and couldn't connect or get into their D/l relationship. I've read something else by this author and liked it enough to follow them on Zon, but I didn't connect with this one and have zero interest in continuing the series. Gah, I sound super harsh...but I'm just annoyed. I will say, the writing is decent overall; very few errors.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable

This was a very enjoyable story, sweet little and a caring daddy.

It felt flat to me though. We are told a lot of their communication instead of seeing it and that made their relationship feel almost superficial to me. Even his relationship with Ryder felt superficial. We are told they are best friends and almost brothers, but the few times we see them interact it feels really thin. Ryder knew he was struggling to find his niche, even to accept that he was gay and it was clear that Ryder didn't open up to him about himself even to make kasper feel better which is very un best friend like.

In spite of the lack of depth to this story I would still recommend it. Kasper was sweet and cute while finding his way and Johnson really cared enough to be patient and guide him through it.

[☔️ Stormy Day Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better with context

I started reading this but kept getting confused since I hadn't read the final Collared by Love book. I'd highly recommend reading them first to understand who Kasper's friend Ryder is and the what's going on with his relationship with Luke and Daniel. The final book of the three also has both Kasper and Johnson in it. Going back and reading it cleared up some confusion for me.

I thought that Kasper and Johnson were really sweet. I liked seeing Kasper's transformation as he got more confident. Johnson's caring and patience was impressive. I liked Buttercup too. Makes me wonder if all of Della Cain's books have pets since the previous series had kittens.

[John-Torleif Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 stars

I wish that the communication between Johnson and Kaspar was more explicitly made out in this story. I think that there was a lot of communication and working through things between these two characters, but it was all off page.

I was also confused at the idea that being little and having a caregiver wasn’t a power exchange, at its heart. It might be out of the norm for what people think of, but there is still a power exchange going on, and it’s as good as any other.

Overall, I had higher hopes for this book than what was delivered. It was ok, but not much more.

[Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty cute

I'll keep this short. This is pretty cute. I liked Kasper and Johnson relationship even if Kasper did get on my nerves a little bit here and there but that's a personal problem. I liked how there was a support system and I liked how the conversation surrounding the sexuality was pretty chill. The age play scenes were cute and the smut was...lacking. But something tells me this book wasn't meant to be a smutty good time. I enjoyed this book, it was fine. I was just a little bored at times because the pacing felt a little slow and again, I wasn't vibing with Kasper. 4 stars because I just wanted a little more.

[Kerstin Meier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nope, not for me

Everyone regards things differently, so below is my own personal opinion.

I am sorry to write negatively but this book was bad. It was written quite childishly, the language wanting to be cute but way OTT and sweet. The story had a timeline jumping at times without notice you suddenly realize its 1 year later, hardly together the boy says I love you and 5 minuted later he gets asked to merry his daddy. I skipped and skimmed a lot of the book after some time the story not holding not amy appeal putting it down several times. Overall this was maybe 2.5 stars i would not recommend it