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Destination Daddies
Living in Zin
Tricked into a wine country vacation with his best friend and his enemy. In walks a virgin, and their love triangle is about to implode.
Maverick Jones has been secretly in love with his best friend almost since the day they met. But Beau is married to Dakota. Who has history with Mav.
Accepting Beau's invitation to visit sounds like a recipe for disaster.
But Mav never could refuse Beau anything. Not even when he finds out Beau lured him there for a singles retreat, hoping to help him find love.
When a shy virgin walks into their midst, and all four of them wind up in bed, it becomes harder for everyone to keep their secrets.
And for Mav, opening his heart could mean losing everything.
Living in Zin is part of the Destination Daddies multi-author series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but there are so many destinations and Daddies to discover, why not grab them all?
Maverick Jones has been secretly in love with his best friend almost since the day they met. But Beau is married to Dakota. Who has history with Mav.
Accepting Beau's invitation to visit sounds like a recipe for disaster.
But Mav never could refuse Beau anything. Not even when he finds out Beau lured him there for a singles retreat, hoping to help him find love.
When a shy virgin walks into their midst, and all four of them wind up in bed, it becomes harder for everyone to keep their secrets.
And for Mav, opening his heart could mean losing everything.
Living in Zin is part of the Destination Daddies multi-author series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but there are so many destinations and Daddies to discover, why not grab them all?
307 pages, ebook
First published July 29, 2021
203 people are currently reading
383 people want to read
About the author
G.R. Lyons
70 books257 followersG.R. Lyons stumbled into writing as a form of trauma recovery when traditional therapy wasn't working.
Then the story ideas just kept on coming.
Pulling from a vivid imagination as well as real-life experience as a trans man, a sexual assault survivor, and a person living with mental illness, Lyons has written multiple, interconnected series set within his fictional world of the Shifting Isles.
When not writing, Lyons can be found belly dancing around the house, studying anarcho-capitalist philosophy, buried in his never-ending TBR pile, or working out at the local CrossFit gym.
Then the story ideas just kept on coming.
Pulling from a vivid imagination as well as real-life experience as a trans man, a sexual assault survivor, and a person living with mental illness, Lyons has written multiple, interconnected series set within his fictional world of the Shifting Isles.
When not writing, Lyons can be found belly dancing around the house, studying anarcho-capitalist philosophy, buried in his never-ending TBR pile, or working out at the local CrossFit gym.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
July 30, 2021
I’m editing my review to add that I think this needs a trigger warning for trans readers. I think Dakota’s actions may trigger some readers.
I'm honestly on the fence about this review and this book.
I enjoyed the concept of this book, minus the dishonesty of Dakota and Mav, and I love the entire concept of this series. This book was good, but there are some things that make me cringe.
My biggest issue with this book is that Dakota basically fetishizes Ryder (who is trans) during the entire story. He wants to message Ryder on the app because Beau is bi and he wants to see Beau with Ryder. He wants Beau to teach him how to go down on Ryder and that is basically a running theme through the book. Yes, Dakota has sweet moments with Ryder when he realizes what's happening to Ryder at certain times, but it still feels like Dakota views Ryder as a toy to fulfill a kink and not a partner for a relationship. Dakota is my least favorite character not only because of the issues with Ryder, but also because he spent 2 decades (the timeline is another issue all on it's own) basically lying to his husband.
Another issue for me is that Beau and Dakota's relationship didn't really feel like a Daddy/boy relationship. Other than their titles, there just wasn't anything either did to really convey their dynamic.
I think not expanding on Ryder being a middle or little was a missed opportunity. I honestly wish the come to Jesus moment happened at 50 or 60% rather than the very end of the book.
If I didn't feel ick at Dakota and his expectations of Ryder, I would have rated this one a bit higher. I just can't get past the feeling that Ryder is more of a toy than a person.
*I received an ARC, but all thoughts and feelings are my own.*
I'm honestly on the fence about this review and this book.
I enjoyed the concept of this book, minus the dishonesty of Dakota and Mav, and I love the entire concept of this series. This book was good, but there are some things that make me cringe.
My biggest issue with this book is that Dakota basically fetishizes Ryder (who is trans) during the entire story. He wants to message Ryder on the app because Beau is bi and he wants to see Beau with Ryder. He wants Beau to teach him how to go down on Ryder and that is basically a running theme through the book. Yes, Dakota has sweet moments with Ryder when he realizes what's happening to Ryder at certain times, but it still feels like Dakota views Ryder as a toy to fulfill a kink and not a partner for a relationship. Dakota is my least favorite character not only because of the issues with Ryder, but also because he spent 2 decades (the timeline is another issue all on it's own) basically lying to his husband.
Another issue for me is that Beau and Dakota's relationship didn't really feel like a Daddy/boy relationship. Other than their titles, there just wasn't anything either did to really convey their dynamic.
I think not expanding on Ryder being a middle or little was a missed opportunity. I honestly wish the come to Jesus moment happened at 50 or 60% rather than the very end of the book.
If I didn't feel ick at Dakota and his expectations of Ryder, I would have rated this one a bit higher. I just can't get past the feeling that Ryder is more of a toy than a person.
*I received an ARC, but all thoughts and feelings are my own.*
August 3, 2021
This series has been a big disappointment for me so far. Living in Zin is about a love triangle combined with a fourth part.
Mav is secretly in love with Beau but also has a past with Dakota.
Beau is oblivious but unhappy in a monogamous relationship.
Dakota hat his secrets with Mav and is married to Dakota.
And then along comes Ryan. Ryan is a virgin and transgender. Suddenly and out of nothing they are having fun all the four of them. Then there ist the big blowout, where Beau finds out, that he is been lied to for IDK how many years, but he overcomes it on the next page and then everyone is happy.
This kind of storytelling is exhausting. There are too many dramas, too many tropes and this book lacks of dynamic.
Mav is secretly in love with Beau but also has a past with Dakota.
Beau is oblivious but unhappy in a monogamous relationship.
Dakota hat his secrets with Mav and is married to Dakota.
And then along comes Ryan. Ryan is a virgin and transgender. Suddenly and out of nothing they are having fun all the four of them. Then there ist the big blowout, where Beau finds out, that he is been lied to for IDK how many years, but he overcomes it on the next page and then everyone is happy.
This kind of storytelling is exhausting. There are too many dramas, too many tropes and this book lacks of dynamic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2023
When I'd started this, I'd every intention to read it slowly. But here I am, awake till late night to complete it. Took 6 & a half hour, but here I am!
Absolutely loved Dakota, Beau, Mav & Ryder. The angst & steam was good!! This was a new to me author & definitely will read more! I'm so glad I gave this story a chance after downloading this on-sale!
I read the book on 2 April, but finally 5 April completed the bonus too. And oh an I glad to get more time with them!
Absolutely loved Dakota, Beau, Mav & Ryder. The angst & steam was good!! This was a new to me author & definitely will read more! I'm so glad I gave this story a chance after downloading this on-sale!
I read the book on 2 April, but finally 5 April completed the bonus too. And oh an I glad to get more time with them!
August 9, 2021
Oof. I knew I shouldn't have read this one when in the freaking book description it used virginity as a trope, but the obsessive part of my brain made me read it because it's part of the series.
This book could've been good, but it's actually pretty rough. There's constant fetishizing of the trans character, zero communication, no character building, and just a lot of badly written sex. I feel like this sounds harsh but damn, I just couldn't with this one.
There's also a lot for aphobia and comments about sex being the most important thing and how the virgin character thought they were broken and "missing a piece of their humanity" because they had a low sex drive during his transition.
The trans character, Ryder, is constantly fetishized by the established couple, Beau and Dakota. Literally they call him the trans boy for the first half and Dakota is obsessed with watching Beau go down on Ryder since Beau would like it because he's bisexual. I tried to give this book some grace since it's written by a trans author, but jesus the fact that gender is written down to genitals made me uncomfortable and a penis does not make a man and a vagina is not the main character of a woman. Like what the fuck. I was also put off by the lack of prep and communication before sex. Ryder is a virgin and his first sexual experience is a foursome with no prep and it was amazing? I think not. There's not way that's realistic.
There's some way more eloquent reviews of this book that detail every issue, but this is a hard pass for me.
It just felt like the author put all of their energy into writing Ryder but didn't give any of the other characters any sort of development. Hell I don't even think there's a description of what Beau looks like at any point in this book. Then there is the comments made by one of the MCs about how people who self-publish are lazy and how books are better in print etc and even though that is challenged a little bit at the end it was just too much. This is a kitchen sink book where the author wanted to put so much stuff into it that none of it got developed properly. It could have been so good, but in reality it fell extremely flat. It fell extremely flat.
Rep: bisexual MC, bisexual MC, gay MC, gay trans autistic MC, poly relationship, kink
This book could've been good, but it's actually pretty rough. There's constant fetishizing of the trans character, zero communication, no character building, and just a lot of badly written sex. I feel like this sounds harsh but damn, I just couldn't with this one.
There's also a lot for aphobia and comments about sex being the most important thing and how the virgin character thought they were broken and "missing a piece of their humanity" because they had a low sex drive during his transition.
The trans character, Ryder, is constantly fetishized by the established couple, Beau and Dakota. Literally they call him the trans boy for the first half and Dakota is obsessed with watching Beau go down on Ryder since Beau would like it because he's bisexual. I tried to give this book some grace since it's written by a trans author, but jesus the fact that gender is written down to genitals made me uncomfortable and a penis does not make a man and a vagina is not the main character of a woman. Like what the fuck. I was also put off by the lack of prep and communication before sex. Ryder is a virgin and his first sexual experience is a foursome with no prep and it was amazing? I think not. There's not way that's realistic.
There's some way more eloquent reviews of this book that detail every issue, but this is a hard pass for me.
It just felt like the author put all of their energy into writing Ryder but didn't give any of the other characters any sort of development. Hell I don't even think there's a description of what Beau looks like at any point in this book. Then there is the comments made by one of the MCs about how people who self-publish are lazy and how books are better in print etc and even though that is challenged a little bit at the end it was just too much. This is a kitchen sink book where the author wanted to put so much stuff into it that none of it got developed properly. It could have been so good, but in reality it fell extremely flat. It fell extremely flat.
Rep: bisexual MC, bisexual MC, gay MC, gay trans autistic MC, poly relationship, kink
August 23, 2021
This one was exhausting. I wanted to DNF so many times but I kept at it. Love triangle with an addition and a confession.
I liked Mav and Ryder, I would’ve preferred if they’d ended up together and leave the other two. Their relationship was sweet boy and soft daddy. It was cute and maybe if they’d been left alone, Mav might’ve been able to move on.
I didn’t think much of Beau. He was oblivious to Mav’s feelings, even though they’d shared so much and instead of cutting the connection, Beau clung to their friendship not letting Mav move on.
I hated Dakota. The sole character that ruined the book for me. He was a pushy cactus. His reaction to Ryder on the app made the poor guy feel like a novelty. There were some moments he was protective of him, but it felt fake. He stole Beau away for revenge and sabotaged the moments between Ryder and Mav in what felt like a if I can’t have him no one will.
The flip out felt over the top and the confession was glossed over and then happy end. I did like the ending, not so much that it was all four of them, but the relationship between Mav and Ryder. They were what kept me interested, the other two I could’ve done without.
I liked Mav and Ryder, I would’ve preferred if they’d ended up together and leave the other two. Their relationship was sweet boy and soft daddy. It was cute and maybe if they’d been left alone, Mav might’ve been able to move on.
I didn’t think much of Beau. He was oblivious to Mav’s feelings, even though they’d shared so much and instead of cutting the connection, Beau clung to their friendship not letting Mav move on.
I hated Dakota. The sole character that ruined the book for me. He was a pushy cactus. His reaction to Ryder on the app made the poor guy feel like a novelty. There were some moments he was protective of him, but it felt fake. He stole Beau away for revenge and sabotaged the moments between Ryder and Mav in what felt like a if I can’t have him no one will.
The flip out felt over the top and the confession was glossed over and then happy end. I did like the ending, not so much that it was all four of them, but the relationship between Mav and Ryder. They were what kept me interested, the other two I could’ve done without.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2021
I was given a free arc copy from the author and the GRR arc team for review.
I'll start by saying that one of the main characters has some form of Autism and I think that that particular aspect was very well written and seemed accurate to me though I have no knowledge on the subject. I'll also say that the second half was better than the first half. I really liked how everything turned out in the end. Also, the second half was really steamy. I only would have rated the first half 1 star at best. So even though the second half was better I can't rate the book higher than 3 stars.
The problem is I almost didn't make it to the 2nd half. I had to put the book down many times and forced myself to keep reading and I almost gave up entirely at the halfway point. I'm all for throuples or more, so I didn't have a problem with that. It was everything else that went wrong during that first 50%.
There were too many secrets and lies and scheming going on out of jealousy and pettiness. It seemed to me that everyone was on a different mission and wanted different things. I like plural marriages where everyone communicates and is honest and want the same things. In that first half I questioned why they are even trying to force something that doesn't work. It was very awkward.
I especially didn't like how Dakota acted this entire period of time. Both to his husband and to Mav. Considering he wouldn't communicate or give a reason why it made him very unlikable.
Even though in the end I liked how it turned out, personally this would have been a much better book had the author got rid of Dakota and just had Mav, Beau and Ryder meet cause I did love the instant connection that Ryder and Mav seemed to have and the best friend bond that Mav and Beau had. I just think Dakota was always in the way and ruined things for the most part. Also, what he did to Mav and Beau really boggles my mind how anyone could do that and how they could forgive him for it. Especially keeping it all a secret for so long.
What I disliked the most though was the way Dakota talked about Ryder. First as just a "play thing" like he wasn't even a person. Then in terms of his transitioning. The things said were very trans ignorant and even transphobic. Like saying his husband should be interested in Ryder cause he's bi and Ryder has girl parts. Constantly referring to female parts and female acts that Dakota wanted to see. It ticked me off so I can't imagine how a trans person reading this would feel. It seemed like he was just fetishizing trans and treating Ryder like some experiment with no regards to his feelings. I was shocked to read on the back cover that the author is trans. That just blew my mind with how offensive I found some of the things said. I just don't get it.
I'll start by saying that one of the main characters has some form of Autism and I think that that particular aspect was very well written and seemed accurate to me though I have no knowledge on the subject. I'll also say that the second half was better than the first half. I really liked how everything turned out in the end. Also, the second half was really steamy. I only would have rated the first half 1 star at best. So even though the second half was better I can't rate the book higher than 3 stars.
The problem is I almost didn't make it to the 2nd half. I had to put the book down many times and forced myself to keep reading and I almost gave up entirely at the halfway point. I'm all for throuples or more, so I didn't have a problem with that. It was everything else that went wrong during that first 50%.
There were too many secrets and lies and scheming going on out of jealousy and pettiness. It seemed to me that everyone was on a different mission and wanted different things. I like plural marriages where everyone communicates and is honest and want the same things. In that first half I questioned why they are even trying to force something that doesn't work. It was very awkward.
I especially didn't like how Dakota acted this entire period of time. Both to his husband and to Mav. Considering he wouldn't communicate or give a reason why it made him very unlikable.
Even though in the end I liked how it turned out, personally this would have been a much better book had the author got rid of Dakota and just had Mav, Beau and Ryder meet cause I did love the instant connection that Ryder and Mav seemed to have and the best friend bond that Mav and Beau had. I just think Dakota was always in the way and ruined things for the most part. Also, what he did to Mav and Beau really boggles my mind how anyone could do that and how they could forgive him for it. Especially keeping it all a secret for so long.
What I disliked the most though was the way Dakota talked about Ryder. First as just a "play thing" like he wasn't even a person. Then in terms of his transitioning. The things said were very trans ignorant and even transphobic. Like saying his husband should be interested in Ryder cause he's bi and Ryder has girl parts. Constantly referring to female parts and female acts that Dakota wanted to see. It ticked me off so I can't imagine how a trans person reading this would feel. It seemed like he was just fetishizing trans and treating Ryder like some experiment with no regards to his feelings. I was shocked to read on the back cover that the author is trans. That just blew my mind with how offensive I found some of the things said. I just don't get it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 24, 2021
This book was BEYOND frustrating. In any relationship, communication is key. And in this book , NOBODY COMMUNICATED. Seriously.
Dakota kept something major from his husband, the person he committed his life to, and would throw fits if Beau tried to get him to talk. He was always a massive asshole to Mav. He also made Ryder quite uncomfortable at times, and tried to push a couple situations which was just not okay. Dakota came across quite manipulative actually.
Beau didn't feel like a Daddy. He came across as quite dismissive. He was NEVER firm with Dakota and just let him do whatever he wanted and would bend to his will.
Mav was pushing away his best and only friend because he was in love with him for decades.
Ryder was the only good thing about this book. However, in only his second time he tried DP? Nah honey. Plus, he didn't have any pain during that experience (first time anal as well), only pleasure. Double nah. Not realistic. Ryder was also the quiet soul who sometimes just wants to be held, and I wanted to see those quiet moments of comfort. There was very little of it. Just pages of sex, then oh we cuddled until Ry couldn't take anymore. Like no, don't skip those parts! Give me the sweet cuddly moments.
I did want to see a bit more into their future, like did Ryder actually get any testing done to see if he was on the spectrum, for how long did they keep his apartment for the times he needed to be alone, did they add onto their home at Zin to include a room just for Ryder for this reason, did Beau ever grow a spine when it came to Dakota ect.
I dunno. This was a slog to get through and I slammed my head through several walls because it was so damn frustrating.
Dakota kept something major from his husband, the person he committed his life to, and would throw fits if Beau tried to get him to talk. He was always a massive asshole to Mav. He also made Ryder quite uncomfortable at times, and tried to push a couple situations which was just not okay. Dakota came across quite manipulative actually.
Beau didn't feel like a Daddy. He came across as quite dismissive. He was NEVER firm with Dakota and just let him do whatever he wanted and would bend to his will.
Mav was pushing away his best and only friend because he was in love with him for decades.
Ryder was the only good thing about this book. However, in only his second time he tried DP? Nah honey. Plus, he didn't have any pain during that experience (first time anal as well), only pleasure. Double nah. Not realistic. Ryder was also the quiet soul who sometimes just wants to be held, and I wanted to see those quiet moments of comfort. There was very little of it. Just pages of sex, then oh we cuddled until Ry couldn't take anymore. Like no, don't skip those parts! Give me the sweet cuddly moments.
I did want to see a bit more into their future, like did Ryder actually get any testing done to see if he was on the spectrum, for how long did they keep his apartment for the times he needed to be alone, did they add onto their home at Zin to include a room just for Ryder for this reason, did Beau ever grow a spine when it came to Dakota ect.
I dunno. This was a slog to get through and I slammed my head through several walls because it was so damn frustrating.
July 29, 2021
This was well-written, had some great characters, had steamy scenes, and had a good plot. In some MMMM books the men blend together, but that’s definitely not the case here. They are all very different and realistic characters.
So why three stars? I just didn’t care for the main conflict in the story. Basically Mav has been in love with Beau for twenty years, and Beau has been married to Dakota for the past few years. However, it’s clear from almost the first page that Dakota and Mav have some type of history, and Beau has NO CLUE (the reader also doesn’t know all the details for quite some time). It just really annoyed me. This is a romance, and both the marriage and the friendship were really flawed to me because they were obviously lying to (or at least withholding information) from this man they both claimed to love. And it wasn’t for the his own good. Beau never gave any indication he would’ve been mad to discover they had a history. It just seemed very childish, and I felt angry at the characters over it.
Ryder in particular was an innocent, lovable character, and I’m left sort of thinking both he and Beau deserve better. Mav and Dakota get their stuff together by the end, but I was just soured by their early withholding of information. It was like a dark cloud over most of the book for me.
So why three stars? I just didn’t care for the main conflict in the story. Basically Mav has been in love with Beau for twenty years, and Beau has been married to Dakota for the past few years. However, it’s clear from almost the first page that Dakota and Mav have some type of history, and Beau has NO CLUE (the reader also doesn’t know all the details for quite some time). It just really annoyed me. This is a romance, and both the marriage and the friendship were really flawed to me because they were obviously lying to (or at least withholding information) from this man they both claimed to love. And it wasn’t for the his own good. Beau never gave any indication he would’ve been mad to discover they had a history. It just seemed very childish, and I felt angry at the characters over it.
Ryder in particular was an innocent, lovable character, and I’m left sort of thinking both he and Beau deserve better. Mav and Dakota get their stuff together by the end, but I was just soured by their early withholding of information. It was like a dark cloud over most of the book for me.
dnf
April 18, 2024DNF @ 10% I wasn't liking the characters (Maverick was a shitty friend), and then I got to the part where they talked about the trans character, and it put me off enough to not want to continue. Should have checked the reviews before starting this one.
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August 18, 2021As a cis white woman, it is not my right to police the trans space. That being said, this book used terms and treated the trans character in ways that made me very uncomfortable. The author's bio states that he is trans, which makes me even more uncomfortable with my feelings on this book. I just couldn't read this book without feeling I was being put into a place I didn't want to be. I stopped reading.
And yes, sometimes that is the point. Protests makes people uncomfortable. Maybe that was the author's point and reason for doing this. I can't say. All I can say is that I had to dnf this book, and I felt compelled to share my experiences and feelings.
And yes, sometimes that is the point. Protests makes people uncomfortable. Maybe that was the author's point and reason for doing this. I can't say. All I can say is that I had to dnf this book, and I felt compelled to share my experiences and feelings.
June 20, 2022
Sometimes, I like to take a walk on the wild side. This one was wild. Daddy kink of the MM variety isn’t my go to! But it was recommended and I went for it. I love wine and MMMM sounds like heaven.
I don’t have the life experience to say what a transman would and wouldn’t do. I think the author knows what they are talking about so they must know.
Maverick and Beau are best friends and never told each other that they had feelings. Beau married his boy Dakota. Then along comes bunny loving Ryder.
Urghhhhh, it just wasn’t my kink. Boys who love furry bunnies. It was a tad too weird. But fair play to you if you like daddy kink.
I don’t have the life experience to say what a transman would and wouldn’t do. I think the author knows what they are talking about so they must know.
Maverick and Beau are best friends and never told each other that they had feelings. Beau married his boy Dakota. Then along comes bunny loving Ryder.
Urghhhhh, it just wasn’t my kink. Boys who love furry bunnies. It was a tad too weird. But fair play to you if you like daddy kink.
January 4, 2025
A completed puzzle
These four are so sweet and just fit together perfectly (when they get out of their own way).
I loved going back to the being and seeing the original foursome come together with sweet Ryder as their key. So much sweetness and sexiness. Loved it!
These four are so sweet and just fit together perfectly (when they get out of their own way).
I loved going back to the being and seeing the original foursome come together with sweet Ryder as their key. So much sweetness and sexiness. Loved it!
July 24, 2021
Living in Zin is the third book in the Destination Daddies series by multiple authors. Living in Zin is written by G.R. Lyons. This was my first MMMM book and I really liked their. Living in Zin is the story of husbands Dakota and Beau, Beau's best friend Maverick and Ryder. I really liked their story. I didn't really like Dakota in the beginning but that changed when I got to know and understand him better. This book was sweet, sexy, hot, full of feels and very well written.
August 2, 2021
Oh, God… I am in two minds about this book. On the one hand, it was great. On the other, there was a massive issue that I could not get past. And that was the fetishization of one of the main characters.
The blurb makes mention of Ryder being trans, and it is both a huge part of the book and a very minor part in the strangest way possible.
So, let’s start from the start.
Beau and Dakota are a happily married couple with a Daddy/boy vibe (but not really). Beau’s best friend Mav is secretly in love with him. Mav and Dakota hate each other (except they don’t, they love each other). And then there’s Ryder, a shy trans boy who meets the other three at an event for Daddies/boys at Beau and Dakota’s B&B.
BUT Beau and Dakota have already clocked to Ryder after trolling dating apps for a third, for some fun. Cause that’s what they do. No issue with that. But (and I’m using that word a lot), when they find Ryder, part (most) of what attracts Dakota to him is that he’s trans and almost immediately in his pitch to Beau says ‘We've never had a trans guy before.’ Which then continues with Dakota wanting to watch Beau go down on Ryder. Now, these are two things that run through the entire book. Because Beau (and Mav, but to a lesser extent in this situation) is bi, Dakota seems to think that it’s almost the best of both worlds for his husband. It’s like there’s the idea that even though Ryder is trans and therefore a guy, that doesn’t matter because he still has female parts, and that’s the attraction. And it’s awful to read. Because the entire time Dakota treats Ryder like a sex toy for Beau to use. And yet at the same time, he’s incredibly kind when it’s revealed that Ryder is autistic. It’s incredibly confusing, but the fetishization of Ryder is honestly the saddest part of this book. Especially because it seems like the whole reason this character is trans is for Dakota’s pleasure. And what makes it worse is that the author is a trans man. Like, how could you not see that this is problematic behaviour?
Honestly, I’m so confused over what rating to give this book. Because there were great parts to it (the characters being so kind to Ryder and wanting to learn more about him and how to help when he’s revealed to be autistic), some that made no sense (why Mav and Dakota hid their past when Beau was such a great guy and really didn’t deserve that, or why Beau and Mav’s relationship was never really able to develop), and some truly terrible parts (see above rant).
All in all?
Will I read this again? No way.
Would I recommend this book? Nope
So, in the end, I suppose it gets 2 stars. I didn’t hate it, I read the whole thing, but its problems are massive. It was okay.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book.
The blurb makes mention of Ryder being trans, and it is both a huge part of the book and a very minor part in the strangest way possible.
So, let’s start from the start.
Beau and Dakota are a happily married couple with a Daddy/boy vibe (but not really). Beau’s best friend Mav is secretly in love with him. Mav and Dakota hate each other (except they don’t, they love each other). And then there’s Ryder, a shy trans boy who meets the other three at an event for Daddies/boys at Beau and Dakota’s B&B.
BUT Beau and Dakota have already clocked to Ryder after trolling dating apps for a third, for some fun. Cause that’s what they do. No issue with that. But (and I’m using that word a lot), when they find Ryder, part (most) of what attracts Dakota to him is that he’s trans and almost immediately in his pitch to Beau says ‘We've never had a trans guy before.’ Which then continues with Dakota wanting to watch Beau go down on Ryder. Now, these are two things that run through the entire book. Because Beau (and Mav, but to a lesser extent in this situation) is bi, Dakota seems to think that it’s almost the best of both worlds for his husband. It’s like there’s the idea that even though Ryder is trans and therefore a guy, that doesn’t matter because he still has female parts, and that’s the attraction. And it’s awful to read. Because the entire time Dakota treats Ryder like a sex toy for Beau to use. And yet at the same time, he’s incredibly kind when it’s revealed that Ryder is autistic. It’s incredibly confusing, but the fetishization of Ryder is honestly the saddest part of this book. Especially because it seems like the whole reason this character is trans is for Dakota’s pleasure. And what makes it worse is that the author is a trans man. Like, how could you not see that this is problematic behaviour?
Honestly, I’m so confused over what rating to give this book. Because there were great parts to it (the characters being so kind to Ryder and wanting to learn more about him and how to help when he’s revealed to be autistic), some that made no sense (why Mav and Dakota hid their past when Beau was such a great guy and really didn’t deserve that, or why Beau and Mav’s relationship was never really able to develop), and some truly terrible parts (see above rant).
All in all?
Will I read this again? No way.
Would I recommend this book? Nope
So, in the end, I suppose it gets 2 stars. I didn’t hate it, I read the whole thing, but its problems are massive. It was okay.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book.
April 8, 2023
1.5/5 Stars
I really wanted to like this book. But I couldn’t fathom even reading the entire book. It was such a close DNF for me but i just decided to skim through.
Dakota: absolutely has no personality outside of being a little bitch. i mean, literally anytime he says something it’s ending with “dakota whined”. like does he ever say *anything* that’s not him whining or begging? and the constant use of daddy? I understand that’s the whole kink of the book, but damn. Never want to hear the word again in my life.
Mav: I love you boo, but communication. That’s it.
Beau: I love a good French accent and vocabulary, but the constant use of merde, oui, and a few other choice words we’re getting annoying. And the casual light flirting with Mav and not realizing what the Dakota and Mav situation was, was just frustrating.
Ryder: “Ni-night bunnies”? “Bunny, bunny, bunny, bunny”. Good god these guys are supposed to be in their 30’s??? I’m sorry but this just felt like trying to make his character kiddish and fetishizing childlike behavior. And I love to see trans representation, but him being trans was just an entire fetishization. Dakota literally says in the book somewhere that he never wanted to share a woman with Beau but a trans man could be interesting… Just doesn’t sit right with me.
I haven’t read any books that are MMMM without a female in the group, but this ménage act was just unfolding awfully. It felt like Beau, Mav, and Dakota were all realizing they loved each other, but, “oh yeah ryders our glue.” After a few days? Unlikely.
I really wanted to like this book. But I couldn’t fathom even reading the entire book. It was such a close DNF for me but i just decided to skim through.
Dakota: absolutely has no personality outside of being a little bitch. i mean, literally anytime he says something it’s ending with “dakota whined”. like does he ever say *anything* that’s not him whining or begging? and the constant use of daddy? I understand that’s the whole kink of the book, but damn. Never want to hear the word again in my life.
Mav: I love you boo, but communication. That’s it.
Beau: I love a good French accent and vocabulary, but the constant use of merde, oui, and a few other choice words we’re getting annoying. And the casual light flirting with Mav and not realizing what the Dakota and Mav situation was, was just frustrating.
Ryder: “Ni-night bunnies”? “Bunny, bunny, bunny, bunny”. Good god these guys are supposed to be in their 30’s??? I’m sorry but this just felt like trying to make his character kiddish and fetishizing childlike behavior. And I love to see trans representation, but him being trans was just an entire fetishization. Dakota literally says in the book somewhere that he never wanted to share a woman with Beau but a trans man could be interesting… Just doesn’t sit right with me.
I haven’t read any books that are MMMM without a female in the group, but this ménage act was just unfolding awfully. It felt like Beau, Mav, and Dakota were all realizing they loved each other, but, “oh yeah ryders our glue.” After a few days? Unlikely.
December 3, 2021
This was fine and I enjoyed it. The four men did seem to belong together but it took a long time for them to work that out and then seemed to adapt to the new dynamic extremely quickly and without any problems.
I would have liked more details on their day-to-day lives, not just the bedroom.
It seemed kink-light, which I am ok with, just surprised. They kept referring to their different 'Daddy styles' but I didn't actually see any of their daddying. In fact, the most in control and proactive character was Dakota. Actually, Dakota looked after the other boy far, far more than either of the daddies ever did. Ironically, since he was actually the most caring character in the book, I still didn't like Dakota much.
I feel like their emotional backstories weren't played out in their present except for effect, although I really liked the fact that the character with autism was believable and his partners were understanding of his needs, instead of him miraculously 'overcoming' it through love.
I would have liked more details on their day-to-day lives, not just the bedroom.
It seemed kink-light, which I am ok with, just surprised. They kept referring to their different 'Daddy styles' but I didn't actually see any of their daddying. In fact, the most in control and proactive character was Dakota. Actually, Dakota looked after the other boy far, far more than either of the daddies ever did. Ironically, since he was actually the most caring character in the book, I still didn't like Dakota much.
I feel like their emotional backstories weren't played out in their present except for effect, although I really liked the fact that the character with autism was believable and his partners were understanding of his needs, instead of him miraculously 'overcoming' it through love.
August 12, 2021
I'm perplex about this story.
I was impatient to read something about a trans ftm character and I feel like I 've been robbed of the pleasure of it.
Because the trans MC seems to be just like a sort of accessory for a really twisted story full of lies, prejudices, cowardice and unspoken words.
I don't know if I should abandon the reading or going on, because of the sense of unease.
At this point, 70 % of my reading I just can't stand Dakota . Who is not a brat but a selfish and mean character.
Thanks to an aha moment, everything clicked into the right place, with the right emotions, to lead to an HEA.
Nice story however, even if it was rushed at the end after so many lengths.
I was impatient to read something about a trans ftm character and I feel like I 've been robbed of the pleasure of it.
Because the trans MC seems to be just like a sort of accessory for a really twisted story full of lies, prejudices, cowardice and unspoken words.
I don't know if I should abandon the reading or going on, because of the sense of unease.
At this point, 70 % of my reading I just can't stand Dakota . Who is not a brat but a selfish and mean character.
Thanks to an aha moment, everything clicked into the right place, with the right emotions, to lead to an HEA.
Nice story however, even if it was rushed at the end after so many lengths.
September 21, 2021
What the freak did I just read?
I have never disliked all the mcs in a book until now. Which is not really fair since these characters were not fleshed out at all.
We have the super Virgin, able to sex 3 men with no issues. Then we have 3 of the most oblivious people to have been created. These guys were unbelievably stupid. Best friends for 17 years but you didn't know that the guy you married was in a relationship with your friend?
I'm not touching the trans rep here but it was weird that he wasn't just a man, but always a trans man.
I'm peeved that I did not get the mmmm I was so looking forward to.
I have never disliked all the mcs in a book until now. Which is not really fair since these characters were not fleshed out at all.
We have the super Virgin, able to sex 3 men with no issues. Then we have 3 of the most oblivious people to have been created. These guys were unbelievably stupid. Best friends for 17 years but you didn't know that the guy you married was in a relationship with your friend?
I'm not touching the trans rep here but it was weird that he wasn't just a man, but always a trans man.
I'm peeved that I did not get the mmmm I was so looking forward to.
August 1, 2021
I usually love G. R. Lyons, but I don't know how to feel about this one. Mac, Beau, and Dakota are three men who already know each other and have their secrets between them, while Ryder is new to the group. The story itself was good, but Dakota was just so unlikable. I think that's what hurt the story for me. I couldn't get past my dislike for Dakota. Overall it was actually a good book, but one head character was enough to make me not love it.
October 26, 2022
is it so hard to talk?
If Dakota had just communicated with Beau this book could have been a novella. Beau asks over and over what his problem with Mav is and he both refuses and is a jerk. Why Dakota I wanted to like you so much more. And Mav is a massive jerk. I can’t believe how he acted with the phone call.
Ryder was great and I loved seeing him get more comfortable around everyone.
If Dakota had just communicated with Beau this book could have been a novella. Beau asks over and over what his problem with Mav is and he both refuses and is a jerk. Why Dakota I wanted to like you so much more. And Mav is a massive jerk. I can’t believe how he acted with the phone call.
Ryder was great and I loved seeing him get more comfortable around everyone.
August 28, 2021
This beautifully complex tale made me feel on many levels and I adored watching the dynamic between the four men evolve and play out through engaging story and sublime emotions told on the page. It's brilliantly written and told with care and consideration. Just a wonderful story and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
September 7, 2021
Other reviewers have mentioned the (many) issues at play but I just have to add - never have I read a book where the characters “gasped” so much. I doubt a page didn’t have a gasp and sometimes 4-5 times per page.
June 9, 2022
I so do not like Dakota 1) he is fetishising trans people 2) he ist hostile towards mav for no reason 3) he knew mav was in love with beau for most of his life so he drives to beau to tell him about Mavs feeling and ends up marrying him because he was charmed by beau ??? Shitty person
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2021
I really wanted to like this book, but I really disliked Dakota. I love to read MMM+ books but this did not work for me.
I think it was well written and that many others will love it!
I think it was well written and that many others will love it!
June 21, 2023
Two of the four MCs have a years long conflict that they kept from the main MC and it is resolved in a page with zero conflict or conversation. i mean not even a hiccup.
August 14, 2024
Trans Rep Could Be Better
As a trans guy into Daddy kink, I was excited about the concepts found in this book. But it was a struggle to finish it from the start, and I actually had to put it down and walk away about halfway through.
I will be fully transparent in saying that a good portion of my struggle reading this book came down to the writing itself, but that my opinion is biased as someone who has come to enjoy 1st person stories more than 2nd and 3rd when it comes to the romance genre. I much prefer getting my world building information directly from the character’s perspective rather than from an omniscient one, as 1st person often gives the author much better boundaries from which to describe their surroundings, situation, etc. while 3rd person doesn’t have those same limitations, which often leads to random bits and bobs being added in when they aren’t necessary to the story or the characters.
Then we get to the kink: the first scene between Beau and Dakota confused me greatly, as it’s described prior to the experience that Dakota hasn’t been interested in playing for weeks - ever since Beau brought up Mac coming to visit. So for him to suddenly shoot out of bed, randomly bring up how they haven’t played with a third, and then all of the sudden be interested in a spur-of-the-moment scene? That’s incredibly dangerous representation of kink that fell on Beau as the Daddy for not speaking with Dakota about his expectations/needs PRIOR to this. Like… Beau should have brought up the change in their dynamic right when it first happened in the weeks prior to the story beginning, not just express his frustration about the lack of sex to the readers before jumping head first into a scene at the first chance he got.
Third (and most important) is the trans representation. ‘Transsexual’ is a term that shouldn’t be used. Period point blank. Dakota and Beau talking about wanting to play with Ryder’s anatomy before actually speaking to him felt gross and a little fetishistic - as was Dakota’s comment about how they haven’t played with a trans guy before. I had hoped that this undercurrent would’ve gotten better as the story went on, but unfortunately it really didn’t. I’m not saying that it’s impossible for trans guys to enjoy their partners touching their female anatomy, but for there to be such a HEAVY focus on it just slid home that the author couldn’t get past the fact that Ryder was trans. It reads very similarly to bi/gay-awakening books that spend 70% of the book focused on how freaked out the character is about their feelings for a boy. There was way to much focus on how Ryder is different from his partners and not nearly enough focus on his actual likes & interests.
Overall: not my favorite story. I’m giving it 2 stars simply because I can acknowledge that 1. I didn’t finish the book so there’s a possibility it got better by the end and 2. My opinion is my own and based on my own experiences and preferences
As a trans guy into Daddy kink, I was excited about the concepts found in this book. But it was a struggle to finish it from the start, and I actually had to put it down and walk away about halfway through.
I will be fully transparent in saying that a good portion of my struggle reading this book came down to the writing itself, but that my opinion is biased as someone who has come to enjoy 1st person stories more than 2nd and 3rd when it comes to the romance genre. I much prefer getting my world building information directly from the character’s perspective rather than from an omniscient one, as 1st person often gives the author much better boundaries from which to describe their surroundings, situation, etc. while 3rd person doesn’t have those same limitations, which often leads to random bits and bobs being added in when they aren’t necessary to the story or the characters.
Then we get to the kink: the first scene between Beau and Dakota confused me greatly, as it’s described prior to the experience that Dakota hasn’t been interested in playing for weeks - ever since Beau brought up Mac coming to visit. So for him to suddenly shoot out of bed, randomly bring up how they haven’t played with a third, and then all of the sudden be interested in a spur-of-the-moment scene? That’s incredibly dangerous representation of kink that fell on Beau as the Daddy for not speaking with Dakota about his expectations/needs PRIOR to this. Like… Beau should have brought up the change in their dynamic right when it first happened in the weeks prior to the story beginning, not just express his frustration about the lack of sex to the readers before jumping head first into a scene at the first chance he got.
Third (and most important) is the trans representation. ‘Transsexual’ is a term that shouldn’t be used. Period point blank. Dakota and Beau talking about wanting to play with Ryder’s anatomy before actually speaking to him felt gross and a little fetishistic - as was Dakota’s comment about how they haven’t played with a trans guy before. I had hoped that this undercurrent would’ve gotten better as the story went on, but unfortunately it really didn’t. I’m not saying that it’s impossible for trans guys to enjoy their partners touching their female anatomy, but for there to be such a HEAVY focus on it just slid home that the author couldn’t get past the fact that Ryder was trans. It reads very similarly to bi/gay-awakening books that spend 70% of the book focused on how freaked out the character is about their feelings for a boy. There was way to much focus on how Ryder is different from his partners and not nearly enough focus on his actual likes & interests.
Overall: not my favorite story. I’m giving it 2 stars simply because I can acknowledge that 1. I didn’t finish the book so there’s a possibility it got better by the end and 2. My opinion is my own and based on my own experiences and preferences
August 2, 2021
This book starts out very confusing at first with four male main characters. It took me a few chapters to figure out exactly what was happening. Mav and Beau went to college together and were best friends. Mav fell in love with Beau but never had the courage to share his feelings because he knows they are both Daddies. Mav has problems trusting people and keeps his affairs to one night stands until he meets a Little boy named Dakota. They share several nights and Mav is a caring Daddy when Dakota lost his sister. Dakota is upset because he loves Mav but Mav only loves Beau. Mav had an interview for his dream job and leaves Dakota behind so angry Dakota goes to confront Beau only to fall in love with him. Dakota and Beau ended up getting married leaving Mav feeling betrayed by Dakota and isolated from his friend. Neither Dakota or Mav have shared their past relationship with Beau.
It is now several years later and Beau has finally convinced Mav to spend a week at the B&B he and Dakota run. Mav doesn't know it but there is a cuff'd weekend for Daddies and Little boys during his stay. Beau and Dakota's relationship has its ups and dows since they are hiding big secrets from each other. Dakota is hiding his feelings and past with Mav while Beau is hiding the fact he wants a permanent third in their relationship. Dakota finds a perfect playmate for them to share on Cuff'd, a trans Little boy named Ryder. When Ryder comes to the B&B for the Cuff'd weekend, sparks fly. Somehow he becomes the glue that connects the three other men who love each other but aren't the best at sharing it.
I really liked the characters in this story once I was able to figure out exactly what was going on. Ryder is a special boy who is coping with autism as well as he can in new stressful situations. The happy ending is well deserved. I received a copy of this story and this is my honest review.
It is now several years later and Beau has finally convinced Mav to spend a week at the B&B he and Dakota run. Mav doesn't know it but there is a cuff'd weekend for Daddies and Little boys during his stay. Beau and Dakota's relationship has its ups and dows since they are hiding big secrets from each other. Dakota is hiding his feelings and past with Mav while Beau is hiding the fact he wants a permanent third in their relationship. Dakota finds a perfect playmate for them to share on Cuff'd, a trans Little boy named Ryder. When Ryder comes to the B&B for the Cuff'd weekend, sparks fly. Somehow he becomes the glue that connects the three other men who love each other but aren't the best at sharing it.
I really liked the characters in this story once I was able to figure out exactly what was going on. Ryder is a special boy who is coping with autism as well as he can in new stressful situations. The happy ending is well deserved. I received a copy of this story and this is my honest review.
February 16, 2024
Wow, what a surprise! I've had this on my eReader for a couple of years, I think I picked it up for free or maybe for a song, based on a recommendation going around Romance Twitter at the time.
The graphic and multi-partner intimacy takes center stage, but this is very much a romance novel. The main (?- there are four people involved in the relationship, but Mav stood out to me as the primary character) is in love with a person who he has convinced himself he can't have-- it hardly seems like the star-crossed Romeo&Juliet scenario he thinks it is, but the inflated drama is very genre-standard. :) Also in perfect romance tradition, hard (ahem) feelings from misunderstandings and copious lack of communication abound and are the cause of most of the tension between and among the characters.
I was surprised by how sweet the relationships are. The story is not a paper-thin veneer over a smutty book: the deep feelings are convincingly expressed and feel genuine.
I can say that I've never understood the whole "call me daddy" thing, particularly in or from a hetero perspective. The daddy-boy dynamic isn't explained per se in the book, and readers who already have some understanding of this may get more out of the book. I don't know whether this is in keeping with how the dynamic is used in the larger gay community, but the story sets it up essentially as a binary, with one partner having certain traits and filling certain roles (both sexually and in the larger relationship) while the other partner complements those.
Some (or, maybe a fair bit) of the dialogue seemed unrealistic to me, but I've never been in a 4-person same-sex relationship.
One of the characters is FTM trans, as is the author; this character is also autistic, and the support and understanding he receives from the other characters is awesome.
The graphic and multi-partner intimacy takes center stage, but this is very much a romance novel. The main (?- there are four people involved in the relationship, but Mav stood out to me as the primary character) is in love with a person who he has convinced himself he can't have-- it hardly seems like the star-crossed Romeo&Juliet scenario he thinks it is, but the inflated drama is very genre-standard. :) Also in perfect romance tradition, hard (ahem) feelings from misunderstandings and copious lack of communication abound and are the cause of most of the tension between and among the characters.
I was surprised by how sweet the relationships are. The story is not a paper-thin veneer over a smutty book: the deep feelings are convincingly expressed and feel genuine.
I can say that I've never understood the whole "call me daddy" thing, particularly in or from a hetero perspective. The daddy-boy dynamic isn't explained per se in the book, and readers who already have some understanding of this may get more out of the book. I don't know whether this is in keeping with how the dynamic is used in the larger gay community, but the story sets it up essentially as a binary, with one partner having certain traits and filling certain roles (both sexually and in the larger relationship) while the other partner complements those.
Some (or, maybe a fair bit) of the dialogue seemed unrealistic to me, but I've never been in a 4-person same-sex relationship.
One of the characters is FTM trans, as is the author; this character is also autistic, and the support and understanding he receives from the other characters is awesome.
August 2, 2021
This felt a bit like a kitchen sink book, in which the author had a million ideas to include in this book and therefore did so (plus the kitchen sink). On the one hand, all of these concepts and characters merged into a lovely, dynamic story with a delightfully nontraditional happily ever after. On the other, Lyons could have also taken a handful of the concepts they played with here and created an equally compelling and intimate love story.
Don’t get me wrong – it’s not that I’m averse to anything Lyons included. I particularly appreciated the representation of a character on the autism spectrum, especially since Ryder’s autism and transgender status had nothing to do with the other but were equally important components of his identity. I thoroughly enjoyed the separate and distinct ways that he connected with Mav, Beau, and Dakota. However, I don’t necessarily agree that those three particular characters would never have found their happiness together without Ryder.
Lyons also created a fascinating, intricate history between Mav, Beau, and Dakota that is revealed slowly throughout the book. The interplay between them is always entertaining, especially considering the reader knows or can predict some secrets, but not quite all of them. The conclusion is lovely and heartwarming, though the dark moment is equally wrenching for everyone when they are in the midst of it.
Even though I have some criticisms about this book, I’d still love a sneak peek into the future lives of these characters to see how they are enjoying their happily ever.
Don’t get me wrong – it’s not that I’m averse to anything Lyons included. I particularly appreciated the representation of a character on the autism spectrum, especially since Ryder’s autism and transgender status had nothing to do with the other but were equally important components of his identity. I thoroughly enjoyed the separate and distinct ways that he connected with Mav, Beau, and Dakota. However, I don’t necessarily agree that those three particular characters would never have found their happiness together without Ryder.
Lyons also created a fascinating, intricate history between Mav, Beau, and Dakota that is revealed slowly throughout the book. The interplay between them is always entertaining, especially considering the reader knows or can predict some secrets, but not quite all of them. The conclusion is lovely and heartwarming, though the dark moment is equally wrenching for everyone when they are in the midst of it.
Even though I have some criticisms about this book, I’d still love a sneak peek into the future lives of these characters to see how they are enjoying their happily ever.
August 2, 2021
This is an MMMM romance, and three of the four characters kind of have the “it’s complicated” thing going already: Beau and Dakota are married. Beau’s best friend Mal has been in love with him for years. Mav and Dakota have history. When young, inexperienced Ryder gets pulled into their somewhat fraught dynamic, it has the potential to change everything— for good or bad. I cannot say enough about how much I liked Ryder: there’s a sweetness and charm to his character that’s really engaging. I had more complicated feelings about the other characters, particularly Dakota, who might have compelling motivations for some of the things he does, but nevertheless, sometimes does them in ways he really shouldn’t. It was occasionally uncomfortable, too, the way he seems to fetishize Ryder for being trans: it does seem, as another reviewer pointed out, that at least initially to Dakota he’s as much a toy as a person. On the other hand, there are other times when Dakota shows a lovely degree of sweetness and care with Ryder, and the relationships between all 4 definitely evolve and deepen over the course of the story. Overall, I appreciated the complexity of the dynamics the author was able to pull together here, and while I didn’t always like all the characters all the time, I always understood where they were coming from, and that kind of relatability is, I think, an achievement all its own.
*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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