Review of Jared’s Evolution (Jared & Kieran #1) by Riley Hart

by Riley Hart

 5 stars

He wants to dominate me…to discipline me. He wants me to call him Daddy…

I’ve always taken care of myself—worked hard to become king of the courtroom and excel in the cutthroat business of winning cases. I’m fierce…brutal…confident. I’m a lie. Underneath my armor, I’m drowning, losing myself under the weight of life. At thirty-three years old, I should be able to handle the pressure.

My neighbor Kieran sees past my spotless suits and manufactured control to the real Jared. The one who secretly craves being dominated, to serve, and to give up control—not just in the bedroom, but in every aspect of my personal life.

I can’t want this…but I do… When I’m under Kieran’s command—spanked, rewarded and caged—I’m free. With Kieran’s care and guidance, my mind is unburdened as my body soars to new heights, and Kieran becomes what we both need him to be: Daddy.

It’s a journey of dominance and submission—of rules, schedules, security and discipline. He opens my world, teaches me, changes me…but he doesn’t let me in. It’s temporary, Daddy tells me, and I’d be wise to remember that, so I don’t get hurt.

Let’s be honest – BDSM is not our kink, and we tend to stay away for that genre.  But with all the hype around Jared’s Evolution by Riley Hart we couldn’t resist, and so glad we didn’t – this book is one of her best and a winner winner winner!

So much we loved:

-        -  BDSM world: This book opened us up to a fascinating world.  The Daddy/Boy kink features heavily in Jared’s Evolution and as Jared learns about this world so do we.  We the reader feel like we are a passenger on his discovery, and it is a fascinating look at someone struggling with what society deems outside the norm.

-      -    Wonderfully crafted:  Jared’s book is a beautifully written book, it flows and is so easy to fall into the pages.  Riley Hart has created 2 characters that are so skillfully developed, we fell in love.  There is a natural progression to Jared’s Evolution that sucked us in as readers, and although BDSM can be a jarring genre, this story has a delicate feel to it, and we wrestle with everything Jared is feeling.

-          Characters:  We said a lot about this already but, we fell in love with Jared.  He is such an opposite person; strong and successful by day, and a lost soul at night.  When he struggles with fully accepting himself and the Daddy lifestyle; our heart broke for him.

-      -    Spicy Chemistry:  There is a simmering chemistry between Jared and Kieran, it is right below the surface, and is so hot.  This isn’t a romance in a traditional sense, but that doesn’t take away from the bubbling heat between these men.

What we didn’t like:

-       -   The end:  Yes, that it ended.  Seriously we need the next book. We are so fascinated by Jared and Kieran, and are so excited by this new series by Riley Hart.  

Jared’s Evolution absolutely blew us away – we enjoyed Riley Hart’s writing so much!  We loved Jared accepting what he needs and Kieran being the person to stand up and give it to him.  But all we can say is WHEN DOES THE NEXT BOOK COME OUT!!!!!

Review of Owning It by Riley Hart and Devon McCormack

 Review of Owning It by Riley Hart and Devon McCormack

5 stars

Just out of an eighteen-year marriage, the last thing Jackson expects the first time he visits a gay bar is for a sexy, drunk, twenty-six-year-old twink to mistakenly climb into his Jeep. The twink part he’s good with, the drunk part…not so much. As far as Jackson’s concerned, the boy should come with a warning label. But Derek is not as flighty as Jackson thought…he’s actually pretty incredible. Getting to know the wild, funny man is a breath of fresh air. And when Derek calls him Daddy? Christ, he never thought something like that would feel so right.

Derek has serious daddy issues, and his name is Jackson. He’s stubborn and controlling…and ever since Derek woke up in the silver fox’s condo, he can’t get Jackson out of his mind. Maybe because no matter how many times he throws himself at him, Jackson doesn’t take the bait. And maybe because Jackson is the one person who sees him for who he really is. But Derek loves a challenge, and he’s eager to rock Jackson’s world.

Jackson isn’t interested in a meaningless hookup. He wants the real Derek, not just the sassy jokester everyone else sees. But it’s not easy for Derek to open up. He feels much safer guarding his heart. And Jackson needs to figure out the balance between living for himself and the mountain of responsibilities weighing him down. Derek and Jackson must find the common ground between hookup and commitment—if they can’t own their issues and work together to overcome their faults, they could smother the flame between them that’s just beginning to ignite.

So happy to finally read this book – Derek is a favouite character in the Metropolis series, and this book delivers his happy ending and SO much more.   We will start by saying that reading the description we weren’t overly excited for Derek’s story, and some Daddy kink, boy were we wrong, this is smoking hot, sweet, sexy and the best of the Metropolis series. 

Owning It is the 3^rd installment in the Metropolis Series, based around an apartment complex.  Derek is considered a twink, a go-to-fun guy, the life of the party, flirty and fun, and he plays his charter well.  After a drunken night of fun he stumbles in KJackson’s car thinking he is the Uber driver.  Jackson is newly divorced with a teenage son, and finally allowing himself to live his life for himself, and in walks hurricane Derek. 

Sign, this book is pure magic.  We love that Derek isn’t just a hook up to Jackson.  Derek struggles with letting everyone see his real self, and Jackson sees through his fun flirty exterior and wants to see the man underneath.  Derek needs someone to fight for him, to nurture him, someone he can lean on and Jack son is that.  Jackson really wants Derek to see his worth, and it creates this slow burn romance those notches up the sexual tension.  Let’s talk Daddy kink, woohooo, it is smoking hot.  Actually, this is our first Daddy kink book (say that 3 times fast!) , and there is something so sexy about Derek and Daddy Jackson, the heat literally melts the pages.  We thought it might be a little weird, but it fits Derek and Jackson, and only adds to the book.

Riley Hart and Devon McCormack are a formidable writing team, their voices blend seamlessly, and they weave a story that feels like every word moves the story along.  There is no unnecessary angst, ill-communication, or the usual pitfalls couples fall into.  Building through the Metropolis series, it is fun to revisit our favourite couples, but really excited about some of the new men being introduced. 

Owning It is a fun, flirty read that is one of our favourites this year.  If the Metropolis series keeps going this way we can’t wait to read the next books!