Dressed in Desire

Club DeSires #1

by Quinn Ward

He left home to find acceptance. When he falls for a supposedly straight bouncer, can he awaken the man who's everything he needs?

Living in the shadows has always been easier for Maverick. One trip to Annandale was all it took for him to see what life could be like if he let both sides of his personality shine. After all, what good was a closet filled with pretty clothes and killer makeup skills if he couldn’t show them off?

His best friend thought he was crazy for moving cross-country, but it was exactly the move he needed to finally live in the light.

John’s known as the token straight guy at work. But can he claim that when one encounter with a pretty boy has haunted him for months? His attraction to men isn’t the only thing that’s fully awake after they meet again. Yes, he wants to see if he’s more than just bi-curious, but he also wants to be the one to take care of Maverick and show him how special he is.

When a chance encounter leads to a love John never expected, can he accept who he is and be the Daddy his boy deserves?

Dressed in Desire is the first book in the Club DeSires series, set in the kinky town of Annandale. While there are cameo appearances from characters in the other series, you can jump in wherever you are without a problem! This book features a bi-awakening for an older man, and the genderfluid boy who sometimes wants to be Daddy's princess. Together, they'll explore kinks that might be better left as fantasies...

Genres: BDSM, M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, LGBT, Erotica

254 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 25, 2021

Reviews

[Vickie]

I really tried but I have to call quits. I really liked Mav and was excited to see him explore his fem side but John? I think that’s his name ruined it for me. He was obviously still trying to come to grips with liking a man, one second he was ready to dive in the deep end and the next he was having a mini freak out. Also I wasn’t sure what was going on with his brother Stephen and don’t want to, there was really no point for him and his club to be part of the story.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maverick lives in a close-minded town where he feels he can never really be himself. He likes makeup and dressing pretty, but he couldn't have any of this where he was living. He had to find a more accepting place to live even if it meant leaving his best friend, Tanner, behind. He met some friends online and they invited him to stay with them and even offered him a job at one of the clubs that they were opening. At the club...Club DeSire, he meets John. It read like they had met before, but this is book #1...so if it's true, it must have been in another series. John is a straight guy that's working construction on the new club with a couple of friends. John knew the type of club it was and had no problem with it, even if it wasn’t necessarily his "thing"…but he didn’t expect a gay club to be a problem, nor did he expect to run into the guy he couldn’t get off of his mind to be there. The author does a great job of bringing John and Maverick slowly together...allowing them to explore a bit of what each of them needed. Maverick wasn't a "little", but at times, he showed some "little" kinks...which John had to not only find out what in the world was happening with Maverick, but how to help and provide for his "boy". Those little surprises and tidbits were half the fun of the book. Poor John...had a lot to work out and to learn about a lifestyle that was a foreign to him as the surface of Mars....like how to handle his new role as a "Daddy" with this boy, and what to tell his brother's biker club that was after him to join them. He didn't think that his new role was going to go over too well. John made a lot of mistakes in the beginning.... Maverick had some doubts that he had done the right thing, but the two guys knew they loved one another, and that they would find a way to navigate their new life so that what they ended up with felt right and real for them....and that was all that mattered.

[vrstal · Rating 5 out of 5]

NTM, great writing, and I just loved so much of this. Mav is a genderfluid man, moving to Annadale to get away from his queerphobic hometown. He reconnects with a man he has been with before, who most people assume is straight but never asked. He has been only with women until Mav, but he feels less conflicted about 'oh no not men!' and more just conflict around his brother who runs a motorcycle club and not wanting to subject a future partner to that part of his life.

I loved the NB rep, I enjoyed the steam and Daddy/boy (not little, not ABDL dynamic), and how they deal with their issues. There is a bit of push and pull with 'I'm struggling coming out' type thing, but there's never a break up over it. The only thing I didn't like is there's a specific steam scene that kept getting interrupted so there wasn't proper aftercare taken.

CW: use of queer as a slur, on-and-off page homophobia. Also a secret kink that isn't made clear: Oviposition. Mav explains he wants to have eggs in him and push them out. This does happen at the end of the book.

[Jenny Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw Daddy in the description and jumped on this one, I didn’t care about anything else. Unfortunately, I hadn’t read any of the other ones in this series, or pertaining to this series, so I feel like there are several couples that I might’ve missed out on. I’ll be fixing that. In saying that, I didn’t feel like I missed out on anything major….

So, first, we meet Maverick, who lives in a close-minded town where he feels he can’t really be himself. Liking makeup and dressing pretty, he couldn’t live openly where he was. Even if he did hate the prospect of leaving his best friend Tanner behind.

Moving to Annandale to stay with some friends he met online, he was excited to start over someplace new, they even offered him a job at one of the clubs they were opening. And that’s where he officially meets John. (he met him once before but that must’ve been another book that I haven’t read yet, but they did know each other slightly in passing)…

John is the token straight guy who’s working construction on the new club with a couple of friends he’s recently got to know. He knew the kind of club it was and had no problem with it, even if it wasn’t necessarily his thing… he’d been with a guy once, and though that guy was exactly what he wanted, he’d never been attracted to a guy before, so other than thinking about the guy non-stop since he’d last seen him, he didn’t expect a gay club to be a problem….nor did he expect to run into the guy he couldn’t get off of his mind…to be there.

I don’t want to give anything away because I loved this book so much and finding out the little surprises and little tidbits was half the fun. There is a part where there’s a bit of sharing, but not enough for my psycho self to be jealous or think it’s out of the way. It fit perfectly into this and I really hope there’s a part in this series for Doctor B…or Blake, as he’s otherwise known as. (There's also a new kink explored that I've never experienced or even read about, and I'll admit that it's new to me but it has me intrigued. I'll have to find more books on this one later....)

I like that these two took it slow because John was trying to figure out where falling for a man fit into his life with his brother and his brother's biker club he’s trying to get John to join, and understandable, Mav wanted to take it slow because John kept putting his foot in it in the beginning and he was wary for a minute about getting hurt… It all worked out in the end though and the way it’s navigated and worked through felt real. I like that in stories…the ones that feel real.

Overall, I loved this one and I cannot wait to see who’s next. I’m definitely going back and read the couples that I missed. I’m looking forward to it!
4 kinky stars from me!

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

[I received a digital arc for an honest review]

I requested this book for two reasons. One because I enjoy stories with gender fluid characters and I enjoy most BDSM/kink novels. My only hard limit with kink is age play and that's why I haven't read a Quinn Ward book before even though I have heard great things about their writing. In the request form it specifically states "this book contains daddy kink without age play" and while yes the main character doesn't fully become a little at any point this really pushes the boundary between daddy kink and daddy/littles. That alone would have had me settling on a 3 star but towards the end they do a scene that was so far out of my comfort zone that it ruined the story for me.

I don't want to write a review only stating the negatives because a lot of what made this a two star for me was personal preferences. The characters' themselves were wonderful and the side characters around them made me want to pick up her previous series "The Lodge" if it was the type of books I enjoyed. Maverick was wonderful and as soon as he was in a safe space to fully express himself he didn't let anyone hold him back. Then we have John, who even though he struggled with coming out , when he was with Mav you never doubted how much he cared. John was so attentive and always asking for consent, his number one goal was to make Mav happy and comfortable.

I enjoyed Quinn Wards writing style but unless she decides to write a different sub-genre I won't be rushing to read another one.

[Amy Dufera - Amy's MM Romance Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dressed in Desire is the first book in Quinn Ward's Club DeSires series. And, damn, it's one hot tale.

Maverick and John's story is riveting and all consuming. Both men are struggling with being who they really are. Maverick's struggling to start over, moving to a new place where he can be himself. John, meanwhile, works at the club but is struggling with his sexuality.

There's a lot going on in this tale and I love the way it all unfolds. The men are wonderfully complex and make for an amazing couple. They definitely belong together and help one another, but their journey has some obstacles in it's way.

I love Mav. He's a genderfluid man who has long struggled to find acceptance. Moving and joining the club definitely helps him to be himself. I adore the way John connects with him and completely supports his needs.

John's struggles are a huge issue, as his brother has expectations and issues that make it hard for John to be himself. It's all well explored and an important part of his character, as well as adding a lot of tension to the storyline at parts.

Their story is one with first times and some hot kink, including some super hot role play. And, wow, I am still thinking about that scene. It's beautifully done and extremely memorable. Just wow!
This is a wonderful tale of finding a place and a person who accepts and supports you as you are. It's about finding someone who understands you and can give you what you need.

Once again, I am in love with Quinn Ward's writing style and the world building. This series is a spin-off of The Lodge series and it's just perfectly done.

Dressed in Desire is a beautiful story with some extremely emotional and beautiful scenes. I love everything about this Quinn Ward story and can't wait to see what comes next in this series.

[Tammy Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maverick is tired of hiding who he truly is and after a satisfying visit across country, he decides to pick up and move to start his life with no regrets. John is straight but had an encounter with Mav when he visited last year that left him hungering for more. When these two men literally bump into each other again, it's apparent that their attraction was not a one time experience. I enjoyed the way the characters navigated their budding relationship. Maverick is gender fluid and the way John accepts and encourages Mav's personal choices is uplifting. John may have family issues that hold him back publicly, but in private, he is extremely caring and a "natural" Daddy to Maverick. There were physical scenes in this book that were new to me but they came across in a loving and consensual way which made them flow with the story. I also loved how feisty Maverick was even though his outward appearance would suggest otherwise. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.

[Coline Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love a romance by Quinn Ward, from the first page to the last they draw me in and it's like I'm right there watching Mav and John's story unfold right in front of me, so good. Although John and Mav met a while ago the spark was already there so when Mav decided to move across the country to find a better place for himself there was always the possibility they could end up together. Now they just have to figure out how to make their  love and life work despite some personal issues they need to work thru and outside the influences they have to deal with.

[Sharing The Book Love (Kelli Maree PA) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mav and John, totally opposite attracts.

This is the start of another great book series set in Annandale by Quinn!

I love that we get to see the kinky back room and whoa the kink in this is certainly something I've not seen but it was written well and fits the story..

Looking forward to see where this series takes us next.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sexy

I DNF’d one of Quinn Ward’s books before but I decided to give this series a try and I really liked it! Had some kink I hadn’t read before, so that was fun. Lol. Some bits of the plot did seem a little unresolved in the end but I enjoyed the relationship.

[Jamie Lee Zonneveld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dressed in Desire is the first book in the Club DeSires serie by Quinn Ward. A great start in a new series. Club DeSires is set in Annandale so while this is the story of John and Maverick we also see old friends. I loved the story of John and Maverick. It was sweet, sexy, hot and very well written. Can't wait for the next book

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcome back to Annandale!!!

As a huge fan of Quinn Ward and the town of Annandale, I was so excited to read the newest series set there. John and Mav are characters I was glad to see get their happy ending.

Their story is a great one, but I felt it was lacking in details for certain things. For instance, baby gay Daddies should have more questions than John did even if he is in his 40’s. It was fantastic to see him encouraging Mav to embrace all of himself, but him seeming to instinctively know almost everything with very little in the way of mess ups or even logistics questions, didn’t feel quite right.

I won’t lie, I was a bit disappointed that we didn’t have more steam to showcase the kinky side of their relationship. It was however, seriously awesome to have the kink that appears in this story given recognition for being something that exists. It certainly isn’t for everyone, but I would absolutely read more stories that contained it. It would have been nice if the hinted at little aspects of Mav had been elaborated on more. There are a few innocuous references to “little” traits that if elaborated on would have given a fuller picture of Mav. Maybe a discussion that had included a conversation about a dream playroom would have been helpful as well. That would have showcased some of John’s preferences and given a better picture of their shared desires.

The code words for determining what kind of day it would be made so much sense and it also made it easy for me to instantly see what kind of headspace Mav would be in for that particular section of the book. Also, Mav calling someone on their crap and putting them in their place is a sight to behold! I had all the pride and warm fuzzies.

The spectrum of the D/b relationship dynamics should show off that not every boy is a little for sure, but also that it’s not unheard of to have little traits or likes without being a little. Then again I’m an absolute fiend when it comes to seeing stereotypes turned on their heads. Like maybe a little that’s a switch or even a Dom in the bedroom, but a sub the rest of the time. Toppy Twinks? Yes please! Maybe Doms with a puppy or kitty play kink, the possibilities are endless.I have never read those dynamics before and Annandale would be a spectacular place to see more atypical things. Hint, hint… 🙊👀

Do not for a second think that my comments in any way indicate I don’t love this story or that it isn’t worth the read. I without a doubt do and it is. I’m just being nitpicky. 😂😂😂

Hopefully in future books we’ll see more action in the themed rooms. They are mentioned by not expounded upon. They sound intriguing and I can only imagine what themes Sam was able to dig up.

If you are a fan of Annandale, then you will enjoy this book. If you’re new to the town but love D/b relationship stories with unconventional kinks, this would be right up your alley.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

**********Contains Spoilers**********

I’ve read all of the Annandale series books but this book didn’t hit as much as the others. I’m not 100% sure why but still a good read. Mav doesn’t feel like he can be his true shelf in his hometown of judgemental a*seholes. He’s gender-fluid but most days he feels fem than masc, he loves wearing pretty outfits and makeup. He’s had enough and decides to move to Annandale where his online friend Sam lives with his partner/d*ddy Theron. Sam and Theron have said that Mav can stay with them until he gets on his feet and there’s also a job for him at Club Desires as well. John’s the gruff straight bouncer at Club Desires, well he’s not as straight as he though after having a steamy encounter with Mav months prior that he’s still thinking about. John’s brother Stephen is the President of the local MC housed on their fathers’ hunting land, John isn’t a patched member but he’s still considered family and he’s currently living in a trailer parked on the same land.

I loved how Mav and John reconnected but because John has never been into men until Mav he gets cold feet but a lot of that has to do with his brother and his MC being homophobic jerks and he doesn’t want for Mav to have to deal with it. I know that John is new to the whole d*ddy thing but he should’ve really spoken to Mav before he didn’t considering Mav could tell something was up. I liked that John found a way for Mav to let him know whether he felt more fem than masc each day without Mav having to spell it out for him so he’d know what to dress Mav in since he loved shopping for Mav and dressing him up. I didn’t really like that after an extremely trying scene that John’s friend Blake or Dr B helped with that Mav’s aftercare was interrupted as Mav’s old roommate/friend Tanner’s boyfriend/d*ddy showed up as Mav had completely ghosted him and Tanner was worried, so he asked Ryan to track Mav down and see if he was alright. I’m looking forward to reading Tanner and Ryan’s story next. I’d recommend this book, series and author to everyone.

[Juniper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genderfluid Maverick (Mav) has never felt safe to express himself in his hometown, so he moves to a new town, and a new job at a kink club that also employs John, the bouncer who, before a brief encounter with Mav that takes place before the novel started, had thought himself straight. The process by which John becomes Mav’s Daddy is the the subject of this novel, and there’s plenty of steam and lots and lots of advice from well-meaning characters to help the story on it’s way. While I really enjoyed the book, I didn’t always know what to make of Mav and John’s relationship. I didn’t love missing their initial hookup, because it also felt like missing part of what drew them together and the foundation for their dynamic. On one hand, they have moments of beautiful sweetness to go along with all the steam, and it’s clear that they care about each other very much. At others, it seems like they’re better at talking to other people about each other than they are at talking amongst themselves. At times, Mav felt less like a coherent person to me and more like a conveniently malleable character— able to be whatever the moment required. I understand that individuals contain multitudes, but sometimes he seems to reverse his personality and desires without rhyme or reason. For example, one of the main incentives for Mav to move somewhere new is to have the freedom to be himself, and to express his feelings through his clothing— but one of the first responsibilities John gives himself as Mav’s Daddy is picking out his clothes for him, and Mav seems delighted by this. I don’t always know how to feel about John and Mav, but overall, it’s an engaging read and clearly part of a larger universe of stories, all about really compelling characters.

*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brianne McCallum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given a free arc copy from the author and the GRR arc team for review.

M/M
Femme
Gender fluid
Daddy/Boy
Straight to GFY or BFY
Moments of "LIttle" play by other side characters and at times MC plays along with little friend. As well as some Daddy Care that some may say borders on age play like dressing

I really enjoyed this book and I loved the couple. They had great chemisty together. Both characters are likeable, Maverick more so IMO. I was sucked in from the start and read this all at once. It kept my interest from cover to cover. There is very little angst and it's on the lower level of heat even though there is some mild kink. I thought it was well written. I would recommend it and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.

The reason I didn't rate it 5 stars is cause John was a little too contradicting for me and it went on too long. I kind of was yelling at my kindle the whole time for him to stand up to his brother. It frustrated me. Not only in keeping his secret but just the way he bossed him around about work too. He would do a lot of talk but then wouldn't follow through. Also, this is the first book in this series but from the start I felt like I was being dropped in the middle of a preexisting world. There is even some names dropped that are apparently from other series. I have yet to read the other series so I missed that and only realized after someone else told me. So I felt as though it might make more sense to someone who has read those other Quinn series. Or maybe it will make sense later in this series when the other characters are explained more but it just felt a little like walking in on the middle of a conversation and you don't know what's going on. For those 2 reasons I'm leaving my rating at a 4. I think maybe a little bit more context explanation would of helped.

[Xanthe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading Maverick and John's story in Dressed in Desire. They are a couple perfectly balanced between sweet and ridiculously hot.
John is amazing in his response to Maverick moving to town after their one time moment the previous year. He's known as the "token straight guy" at work at The Lodge/Club DeSires but with Maverick around, he knows that's not the case. There are things in his life he needs to sort out if he can follow through on being with Maverick but the way he clearly cares for and dotes on the younger man isn't something that needs changing. Maverick is not used to living as his true self, hence moving to Annandale away from the judgy Mcjudgersons he grew up around. Now he can present himself however he wants yet he wasn't expecting to find someone so open to letting him just be, in daily life and in the bedroom.
Once the time is taken to actually talk about what they both want, know and expect from each other, there's no holding back and they make a damn fine couple. It's so lovely how protective and caring all of their friends are from The Lodge/Club DeSires. The others boys and daddies are full of love, advice, and warnings to ensure that the new couple are safe and happy in exploring their new kinks and relationship. Time is taken to ensure that safety, consent and fun is had all of the time. The one sticking point is John's brother but, whilst I thought more was going to come from that part of the storyline, I was definitely impressed with Maverick and his reaction to it all.
I loved reading this book and getting to hear from characters from other books, though it's not necessary to have read those to enjoy this one. I'm looking forward to seeing what room of Desires is explored next.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.

[Emily Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mav and John's romance was full of sweet self-discovery, steamy moments, and adorable bonding between a new Daddy and his sweetheart. I haven't read many books with a genderfluid main character, and I really enjoyed seeing the subtle differences between Mav's masculine and feminine sides. Despite John being new to the kink world and still trying to wrap his head around his own sexuality, I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly he embraced his inner Daddy and attraction to Mav. Sure, the two of them did have a few awkward starts and stops in the beginning, but what warmed my heart was seeing both men communicate with each other honestly and respect each other's boundaries. John had a lot going on in his personal life, but he never hesitated to make Mav feel like the princess, baby boy, or treasured sweetheart that he was. Mav, in turn, had a backbone of steel, and even though he submitted to John in the bedroom I knew I could count on him to speak up if anything was bothering him at all. As their romantic connection grew stronger and they started to get more adventurous in bed, I had a lot of fun seeing how their dynamic shifted into something uniquely Mav and John. Even the external conflict that threatened to derail their new love had no chance of separating these men who were wholly committed to each other.

**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions. 

[K-Me · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mav is a Genderfluid boy just getting ready to get out in the world as who he really is for the first time. He has moved to a new town, but meets up with John, a straight man he had a short onetime experience with last year. John is older, has always been straight and his brother is part of a Biker Club.. so his brain is a bit hesitant at first to get in the relationship with Mav at first, but his heart and body are all in! I do not want to tell you too much as the best part about this book is the Unexpected!!.. the Unexpected Kink! There is some Role Playing too.... but that is all I will reveal!! I will say I loved how John would have Mav tell him who he was feeling to be each day.. he would say" Daddy's Sweetheart", or "Daddy's Princess!!" so adorbs!! then John would dress him for the occasion!! There are definitely a lot of side characters from other series and one of those is actually the couple in the next book.. I have to say that Blake is a big mystery to me.. so I am hoping his get the book after Ryan and Tanner!!! This story is told from both characters POV so you can go through all the experiences with each of them! If you are looking for a Daddy, Boy book more about dressing up, role playing & kink this one is for you!

[Sascia Weyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting start of a new series! A romance of a different kind, with a lot of kink and steam, but also lots of trust and sweet love.
While a lot of characters are introduced in this book, with all of them have their own story to tell, this romance is about two very differing men trying to find towards each other by having to listen very deep inside themselves first.
Written in a comfortable flowing style, the author did an amazing job to let the reader feel with the respective character in a very sympathizing way.
There is a lot of everything coming here together, making the storyline very dense and captivating, keeping the reader deep inside of that whirlpool of emotions: a bit of age gap, crossdressing and gender expressions, coming out, dealing with social acceptance and a lot of kinky desire and explorations.
I really recommend to jump into this firework of diversity in this book and follow the characters how they find their piece of happiness with a few positive twists. Really loved this book, so it is a definite 5 star for me.
I received this book for free but leave a review freely and voluntarily because I really enjoyed reading it and cannot await the next book in this series.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not going to lie. I've been eagerly awaiting this book since it was announced. I love every single book that is based in Annandale and this one was no different. This book is an age gap/bi-awakening which has been my go-to tropes as of late.
One of the storylines in this one made it seem like it was going to be more of an angsty read. There wasn't a lot of angst and that storyline was mostly there to show why John was acting the way he was in the beginning.
The thing I love the most about Quinn's work is she is so inclusive. Most of the time we read about gay/bi/pan. Quinn brings all colors of the Alphabet Mafia into her books. In this one Mav is gender fluid. The code he and John have to figure out who he is everyday is adorable.
John is rough around the edges but is a big ole softy inside. All it takes is one adorable boy to bring it out of him.
Maverick is so strong. He takes no crap from anyone. It is so refreshing to see a boy portrayed that way. In most of the Daddy books I've read, the boy is written as meek and in need of a Daddy. Mav wants one, he absolutely doesn't have to have one.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Raven and Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in a new series connected to the author’s world of the kinky town of Annandale. Desires is the new name for the back room of the original club. John is the guy who guards the door and is tired of being known as the “token straight guy” because he isn’t entirely sure it’s true anymore. He also needs to figure out how to tell his brother that he is actually into guys and that if he has to choose between this new revelation about himself and his brother’s club, his new life will win every time. Maverick has uprooted his entire life and moved across the country to live with Sam and Theron until he can get on his feet again. He is tired of not being true to himself and with his new job at Desires and his new Daddy, he finally feels like he is home. Now he and his Daddy just have to figure out how to make everything work. I loved the mention of old friends from other books and I also really enjoyed watching John and Maverick come together so naturally. This was a good book and I look forward to more. I also need to go catch up on books I missed from the interconnected series!

[Tonje · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first book by this author and I will be reading more books from them.
I enjoyd reading this book. I love Mav and John, Mav in particular. He has such a strong spirit and at the same time so vulnerable. The love, respect and consideration between the two of them is beautiful. I really liked that John owned up to beeing wrong. I also really enjoy reading about a Daddy putting his boy in lace.
I wish I could give the book more stars but, I had a some issues that had me struggeling sometimes. I felt there was a lot I as a reader didn't know about. Both by information beeing held back and especially a lot of history of the people around John and Mav, it felt at times like this was a book further out in a series. This could very well be something that mainly I didn't like. It stopped me connecting as deeply with the story as I wanted to. The drama with and around John's brother ended rather abrubtly and was a bit of an anticlimax.
All in all a very good read. It's sweet, accepting, hot and kinky. I would absolutely would recomend this book.
I might have found my first pet-peeve with the history and stories I felt was there, but wasn't told about😊.

[Tam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gender fluid Maverick decides to up and move across the country where he met an on-line friend who runs a kink club and is a little. He wants the freedom to be himself. Last time he visited he had an "interlude" with a "straight" bouncer at the club. They run into each other again and John is instantly smitten and questioning is straightness. Meanwhile his brother who runs a biker club is pressuring him to avoid the gays because members are talking and wants him to join. John doesn't want to expose Maverick to the rude/crude bikers.

There is a Daddy kink here but not with littles and John takes to a guy in dresses like a whizz and to gay sex as well. John is 42 and Maverick is 25 so age-gap. It was okay, I mean I enjoyed it and if you've read the other books you meet characters from the other series. I am giving it points for a kink I have NEVER seen written before but have heard rumblings on the dark web (not quite) but it's rare. Not sure it's for me, but hey, points for not the same old same old. I just didn't LOVE it. *shrug* not sure why, nothing "wrong" with it. Just didn't connect.

If you like boys in dresses, OFY, Daddies and unusual kinks, you'll enjoy it.

[Flick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet story about two people finding their person.

This was a really lovely read. Mav and John are very different in many ways, but also very similar. Mav’s journey to find somewhere he could be accepted mirrored John’s acceptance of being attracted to a man despite there being issues with him accepting that openly. Because of that, the characters’ path together building a relationship ship was that much sweeter. I particularly liked that even if John occasionally messed up, he did so by accident and tried his hardest to be supportive and loving despite his own confusion/inner conflict. He also accepted Mav for who he was; bearing in mind John’s particular circumstances it would have been plausible that he might have struggled at least in understanding Mav, but instead he was warm and kind and simply let Mav be who he was. I haven’t read the other books (this was my first time with this author) and I did get the feeling that perhaps at times I was missing small things but at no point was I lost, so it can definitely be read as a stand-alone. I’ll definitely be lining up more books by Quinn Ward for my TBR!

[Dionne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maverick was a sweet character. I loved seeing him start to become the person that he had always wanted to be, dressing in genderfluid clothes and wearing makeup depending on how he was feeling that day, and exploring his newfound desire to have a Daddy to take care of him. There were some great secondary characters and I’m hoping that we will eventually get to read Blake’s (John’s friend) story. Though there was some waffling of John’s decision to be with Maverick in the story, it wasn’t dragged out or over the top; it came across as the honest reaction of a man that was trying to figure out his first attraction to a man. There was some exploration of a new to me kink towards the end of the book and though it really wasn’t something that I had read before, the scene with Maverick trying out a new kink with his Daddy was both interesting and hot. All in all it was a great start to a new series and I’m looking forward to reading the next book.

I received a copy of this book for an honest review

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A boy still learning who he is, moves to a new town where he only knows a few people. He moves because on a previous visit, he felt like he'd been able to be accepted for who he really was, rather than just a part of him.

He'd met John on his previous visit, an older man who had always thought he was straight before meeting Mav.

There are other obstacles besides John being in completely new territory and Mav unsure whether to push because he had only just arrived in town and he was thinking it was a bit early to be getting into a relationship.

Mav is a different, more fluid type of boy than I've read before and John becomes a wonderful supportive Daddy, ready and willing to do any thing to keep Mav happy.

There is a definate cross-over in series although you don't need to have read any of the others - although after this book - you want to.

Quinn has a really great writing style that makes you want to get the rest of their books.

I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.

[Sarita Chapdelaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting start to a new series but unfortunately it is only an okay read for me. I really like the characters, especially the couples from the previous series, but I also think it would be very difficult to read this story if you haven't read the books from The Lodge series. I love Maverick as he knows what he wants and he is willing to do whatever it takes to finally be true to himself even if he has to move across the country to do it. John has a lot to learn about himself if he wants to be the Daddy that Maverick deserves and I wish that he had been honest with him from the very beginning. They do have some very sweet moments together as well as some intense scenes and I love how accepting and encouraging John is with Maverick. The ending leaves quite a few unanswered questions as well as introducing new characters that appear to have been around for a while without any real context to where they fit in the story so it felt a bit unfinished to me.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

[Rachwithheadinabook · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5* of a brilliant read.

This is a new series and is about 'the party in the back' side named Club DeSires of The Lodge. Housing have to have read The Lodge series but many of the characters make appearances, so in my personal opinion it is a good idea to read them first.

This first book sees the return of Sam’s friend the gender fluid Mav as he decides to move across country so he can be who he was born to be. John has been going through a bi-awakening since meeting Mav, together they explore fantasies and kinks, some I wasn’t expecting. They discover that all you need is the person who loves all of you.

This is an enjoyable read that is brilliantly written, hopefully this series will explore more kinks as each book is released, the Characters are both old and new are well developed and thought out, having lots of sides to them, ones the readers will I think enjoy getting to know. This like all of the books from this author about the wonderful city of Annandale where everyone is welcome.

[Shannon Mae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Maverick! He’s a spitfire who isn’t afraid to have masc days and femme days, and he’s ready to start embracing life after a move across country. Token straight guy John isn’t so straight, and Mav is absolutely perfect for him. Together, they are an awesome couple.

There was some hot and cold from John, but he fully owned up to it and it was realistic and pretty low angst since it was at the start. Once they go all in, they both go all in. And then there’s the heat level on this one - there are some totally steamy scenes with some interesting experiences thrown in.

My only complaint is how abrupt the end is. There is an epilogue and a definite HEA, but there’s a lot going on that’s not completely dealt with. I’m sure some of it will be handled in future books and the author was setting the stage for them, because we had a whole bunch of secondary characters thrown at us. But I felt John’s family conflict was a major focus in the book, and then everything was tied up in a neat bow in the epilogue, but we really didn’t see how it happened. It was kind of frustrating for his ambivalence about the motorcycle club to be wrapped up so completely without us seeing how it happened.

So I really enjoyed the book- it was hot, sweet, and engaging, but it felt like a Part 1, not a completed story.

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes, new opportunities expose new comfort zone! Maverick, visited Annandale and met Sam who made him immediately feel welcome. For a short period of time, Mav was able to let his secret self out and it was freeing. Me met John and they had a connection. Mav, decided to relocate permanently and Sam invited Mav to stay with him. John, had previously identified as hetero, although he was not a stranger to the kinks. He dwelled on the connection he made with Mav when he visited. He was excited to learn Mav was relocating. He was riddled with self doubt and insecurity, but he was willing to explore new things. Mav and John explore new dynamics and work to get their feet solidly planted. Was John ready to fully embrace his inner Daddy? Mav, understands the genre, is he ready to be a little? There are several couples mentioned in the community, hopfully we will get to hear their origin stories. Interesting story. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.