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Dante's Infernal #1
Taming Dante
Keeping up the rock star image ain’t easy, but someone’s gotta show these fakers how it’s done.
Hotel-room-trashing tantrums?
Check.
Daddy issues galore?
Check.
Glitz, glamour and general debauchery?
I wrote the f**king book.
I’m a textbook bad boy rockstar cliche, and I’ve never claimed to be anything else.
Hell, I own it.
At least, I did, until he came along: Mr. Self-Righteous who acts more like a priest than a drummer. Now he’s my bodyguard and the guy in charge of making sure I don’t OD before the tour ends.
Oh, right. I also have a crazy stalker who’s been obsessed with me since I was a kid. So that’s fun.
It doesn’t take long to figure out Cash is more of a danger than any freak with a shrine of me in his closet, and he’s way harder to shake. He’s managed to convince our band manager (AKA, the crappiest father ever) that he’s the only one who can protect me from my stalker and my own vices.
Cash thinks I’m stuck with him while he forces me to get clean, but what starts out as a Daddy/boy roleplay meant to freak him out turns into so much more than a game.
For the first time ever, I don’t know who’s going to win, but I’m not going down without a fight.
-
My new job is a nightmare.
The name of that nightmare? Dante Jung, lead singer of the world-famous band Dante’s Infernal, living trainwreck, and all-around brat.
His manager hired me to be the new drummer for Dante’s Infernal--since the singer has run everyone else off--and his undercover bodyguard.
The only problem is, I’m pretty sure Dante is more of a threat to himself than even his obsessed stalker. He drinks hard, parties harder, and he’s never turned down a lovesick groupie.
And there are a lot of those.
Dante is a brash, selfish, narcissistic douchebag. And he’s also a brilliant, devoted and passionate musician who can be unexpectedly vulnerable at times.
When he asks me to be his “Daddy” for the month we’re stuck together, I’m shocked, but not for the reasons he thinks.
Taming Dante is going to be one hell of a challenge, but he will break before I ever back down, no matter how undisciplined he is now.
He doesn’t know what he’s in for, but he’s about to learn.
Hotel-room-trashing tantrums?
Check.
Daddy issues galore?
Check.
Glitz, glamour and general debauchery?
I wrote the f**king book.
I’m a textbook bad boy rockstar cliche, and I’ve never claimed to be anything else.
Hell, I own it.
At least, I did, until he came along: Mr. Self-Righteous who acts more like a priest than a drummer. Now he’s my bodyguard and the guy in charge of making sure I don’t OD before the tour ends.
Oh, right. I also have a crazy stalker who’s been obsessed with me since I was a kid. So that’s fun.
It doesn’t take long to figure out Cash is more of a danger than any freak with a shrine of me in his closet, and he’s way harder to shake. He’s managed to convince our band manager (AKA, the crappiest father ever) that he’s the only one who can protect me from my stalker and my own vices.
Cash thinks I’m stuck with him while he forces me to get clean, but what starts out as a Daddy/boy roleplay meant to freak him out turns into so much more than a game.
For the first time ever, I don’t know who’s going to win, but I’m not going down without a fight.
-
My new job is a nightmare.
The name of that nightmare? Dante Jung, lead singer of the world-famous band Dante’s Infernal, living trainwreck, and all-around brat.
His manager hired me to be the new drummer for Dante’s Infernal--since the singer has run everyone else off--and his undercover bodyguard.
The only problem is, I’m pretty sure Dante is more of a threat to himself than even his obsessed stalker. He drinks hard, parties harder, and he’s never turned down a lovesick groupie.
And there are a lot of those.
Dante is a brash, selfish, narcissistic douchebag. And he’s also a brilliant, devoted and passionate musician who can be unexpectedly vulnerable at times.
When he asks me to be his “Daddy” for the month we’re stuck together, I’m shocked, but not for the reasons he thinks.
Taming Dante is going to be one hell of a challenge, but he will break before I ever back down, no matter how undisciplined he is now.
He doesn’t know what he’s in for, but he’s about to learn.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 28, 2020
159 people are currently reading
722 people want to read
About the author
Joel Abernathy
47 books1,257 followersJoel Abernathy, also writing as L.C. Davis, is a trans author of MM romance. He enjoys writing dark and emotional romance about men loving men in all genres.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews
May 20, 2021
Audio - 5 ++++ Stars
Story - 4 Stars
Story - 4 Stars
September 29, 2020
This is my first time reading Joel Abernathy's work. From the first pages I could tell that I would like the story. Engaging writing style, emotional intensity and well written characters supported by a simple yet well paced plot made this book so good for me. Dante was so unlikable in the beginning, but I knew there was more to him than just his self destructive behavior and good looks sprinkled with glimpses of brilliance hiding behind haze of addiction. Cash was not a typical alpha male but a combination of stern authority figure and marshmallow center full of responsibility and weakness for vulnerable shy men.
The Daddy/Boy aspect of their relationship came about in an unconventional unexpected way but was seamlessly incorporated into the story. The relationship was organic and well written. I loved how they went from fighting like cats and dogs to sweet affection and passion. I loved their insecure and vulnerable moments, how they supported each other.
Other characters added the level of at times intensity and at other times hilarity. The stalker situation was good, I liked how the author presented the problem. My only regret at the end was that it was largely glossed over and the why and who the stalker was was never explained. I was a bit miffed. I liked how both men were in the end - content and settled with a promise of a happy future, broken fences on the mend and in good health. Most enjoyable angsty AF story of self discovery and finding love in the world of glitz and rock-n-roll. I can't wait to see what the author has in store for Dante's Infernal next. Copy received for my honest and unbiased review.
P.S. This was enemies to lovers, somewhat close proximity, Daddy/boy romance. It heavily featured addictions, the detox and initial fight to stay clean. Every author apart from facts gives their own spin, and I think the author did it justice.
The Daddy/Boy aspect of their relationship came about in an unconventional unexpected way but was seamlessly incorporated into the story. The relationship was organic and well written. I loved how they went from fighting like cats and dogs to sweet affection and passion. I loved their insecure and vulnerable moments, how they supported each other.
Other characters added the level of at times intensity and at other times hilarity. The stalker situation was good, I liked how the author presented the problem. My only regret at the end was that it was largely glossed over and the why and who the stalker was was never explained. I was a bit miffed. I liked how both men were in the end - content and settled with a promise of a happy future, broken fences on the mend and in good health. Most enjoyable angsty AF story of self discovery and finding love in the world of glitz and rock-n-roll. I can't wait to see what the author has in store for Dante's Infernal next. Copy received for my honest and unbiased review.
P.S. This was enemies to lovers, somewhat close proximity, Daddy/boy romance. It heavily featured addictions, the detox and initial fight to stay clean. Every author apart from facts gives their own spin, and I think the author did it justice.
October 5, 2020
3.5 stars
I liked this. Even though there were a few things that bothered me, I still ended up enjoying this.
Dante is the lead singer of Dante’s Infernal. He is addicted to practically everything except heroin. He is an asshole and doesn’t care who he hurts.
When the band get a new drummer, Dante thinks he will just leave since that’s what they all do. Except, the manager of the band, Dante’s father, paid this guy to not only be the drummer, but also to look after Dante and make sure he doesn’t kill himself.
Cash isn’t sure he want’s this job, but it pays so well he can put his sister through college. Except Dante is not easy to protect.
But Dante isn’t only one sniff away from an overdose, he also has a stalker….
Now I love a good hurt/comfort story, and this one did not disappoint in that regard. But there were a few things that could have been handled better.
The sex. They never used condoms and didn’t once mention STDs or anything like that. Total fail, book. Safe sex is important.
The stalker. If you’re going to give me a stalker villain, then at least let him have some page time. Here I never even felt the threat, because he was only mentioned a couple of times before something happened. And even then, with the big showdown he was
Dante’s addiction. His addiction played a huge role in the beginning of the book. And then we he gets clean, he does it without any therapy, and he is suddenly fine. I know if someone is addicted for as long as Dante and has practically grown up with it, someone is not fine after a month of being ‘locked up’ and without being taught any other coping mechanisms. That part was extremely unrealistic.
I was also thinking that Dante had a lot of making up to do to a lot of people when I saw what a complete asshole he was in the first half of the book. But once he gets clean, he doesn’t even make amends with people, he simply acts like nothing was ever wrong.
If you give me an asshole MC, at least make him redeem himself.
The daddy kink. I thought it was a bit lackluster overall. Dante challenges Cash to become his daddy and they both find out they are pretty good at it. But besides a few daddy/boy moments this didn't feel like a daddy/boy relationship. I need more then just someone screaming'daddy' during sex.
Now that sounds like I didn’t enjoy this at all, but I did. There was definitely something there. I do think this book could have been even better if some things were handled more realistically.
I liked this. Even though there were a few things that bothered me, I still ended up enjoying this.
Dante is the lead singer of Dante’s Infernal. He is addicted to practically everything except heroin. He is an asshole and doesn’t care who he hurts.
When the band get a new drummer, Dante thinks he will just leave since that’s what they all do. Except, the manager of the band, Dante’s father, paid this guy to not only be the drummer, but also to look after Dante and make sure he doesn’t kill himself.
Cash isn’t sure he want’s this job, but it pays so well he can put his sister through college. Except Dante is not easy to protect.
But Dante isn’t only one sniff away from an overdose, he also has a stalker….
Now I love a good hurt/comfort story, and this one did not disappoint in that regard. But there were a few things that could have been handled better.
The sex. They never used condoms and didn’t once mention STDs or anything like that. Total fail, book. Safe sex is important.
The stalker. If you’re going to give me a stalker villain, then at least let him have some page time. Here I never even felt the threat, because he was only mentioned a couple of times before something happened. And even then, with the big showdown he was
Dante’s addiction. His addiction played a huge role in the beginning of the book. And then we he gets clean, he does it without any therapy, and he is suddenly fine. I know if someone is addicted for as long as Dante and has practically grown up with it, someone is not fine after a month of being ‘locked up’ and without being taught any other coping mechanisms. That part was extremely unrealistic.
I was also thinking that Dante had a lot of making up to do to a lot of people when I saw what a complete asshole he was in the first half of the book. But once he gets clean, he doesn’t even make amends with people, he simply acts like nothing was ever wrong.
If you give me an asshole MC, at least make him redeem himself.
The daddy kink. I thought it was a bit lackluster overall. Dante challenges Cash to become his daddy and they both find out they are pretty good at it. But besides a few daddy/boy moments this didn't feel like a daddy/boy relationship. I need more then just someone screaming'daddy' during sex.
Now that sounds like I didn’t enjoy this at all, but I did. There was definitely something there. I do think this book could have been even better if some things were handled more realistically.
November 7, 2020
3.5 stars Dante was in show business from when he was five. Now he’s a famous lead singer of his band Dante's Infernal with the world at his feet. He has a stalker and it seems it’s a serious threat.
Drank and crack are daily business for Dante. The chance he’ll reach the famous
twenty-seven status is real.
Cash can fill the empty drummer spot of Dante’s band, not only as a drummer but also as a bodyguard. Finding Dante passed out by drank and drugs he tells Dante’s dad slash manager he’ll help him. One month, only the two of them in an apartment, to detox.
What follows is a month of insight, Daddy boy dynamic and eventually even more.
Cash is protective and has only eyes for Dante’s well being.
After a life of being lived by others and especially by his cold father, Dante can believe someone can choose him, only him.
Let’s not forget the stalker!!
A quite turmoiled story, especially in the beginning, there was sweetness, a little angst, some delicious discipline.
Dante as a boy was lovely only at first I had trouble. For me it was such a big turnaround it didn’t fit the picture I had who he was before, that was pure my expectation.
Overall a steady paced, varied, entertaining story.
Drank and crack are daily business for Dante. The chance he’ll reach the famous
twenty-seven status is real.
Cash can fill the empty drummer spot of Dante’s band, not only as a drummer but also as a bodyguard. Finding Dante passed out by drank and drugs he tells Dante’s dad slash manager he’ll help him. One month, only the two of them in an apartment, to detox.
What follows is a month of insight, Daddy boy dynamic and eventually even more.
Cash is protective and has only eyes for Dante’s well being.
After a life of being lived by others and especially by his cold father, Dante can believe someone can choose him, only him.
Let’s not forget the stalker!!
A quite turmoiled story, especially in the beginning, there was sweetness, a little angst, some delicious discipline.
Dante as a boy was lovely only at first I had trouble. For me it was such a big turnaround it didn’t fit the picture I had who he was before, that was pure my expectation.
Overall a steady paced, varied, entertaining story.
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July 14, 2023
MM Romance
Rockstar Daddy Kink
2.5 Stars ⭐️
Audiobook Narrators Iggy Toma & Cooper North: 3.5 Stars ⭐️
This was included with my Audible subscription, thankfully. Iggy Toma did a fabulous job as always but I didn’t care for Cooper North much. He voices bodyguard, Cash, who is also a drummer and his voice fit that kind of take no shit daddy character but he also spoke very matter of fact and I just didn’t feel enough. Then because I didn’t feel enough, I found it hard to get into their romance although I think I would have struggled anyways. Saying that though, this was an easy listen and I was never bored. I can’t do an in depth review on this because it’s been over a week, my memory is hazy and I had to look up the bodyguard’s name FFS but I’ll try to explain why I have mixed feelings.
The best way I can explain this book is #FreeBritney but with daddy kink because Dante is a rockstar who is being controlled by his evil manager father who is only interested in making a ton of money off him. Dante hates this but is under a conservatorship and can’t escape. Sound familiar? Dante deals with this by getting fucked up on drugs/alcohol and fucking everyone but his behavior is turning his band mates against him and the drummer quits. Enter Cash, a drummer who also moonlights as a bodyguard which is useful because Dante also has a stalker! Cash refuses to work with Dante in his current state and takes him on a month long detox of sorts where their relationship evolves into daddy/boy with some mild age play.
While I didn’t mind the age play daddy kink, the whole thing came about in a weird way and because Cooper North didn’t convey much emotion I just could not see the connection between these two. Once they return to tour, there were too many subplots happening and none of them were very interesting. What annoyed me the most was that the shitty manager father does a 180* near the end of the book and it’s suddenly happy families. Dante should have taken a note from Britney and cut ties with him because he was really an insensitive prick for most of this book and just because of one event, Dante is over everything? What? The stalker plot line could have been so much more but shit happens and then it’s glossed over. I wanted to know the stalker’s backstory, the how and why and all that because that was probably the most interesting part of the book but it just fizzled.
This is another one of those books I most likely would have DNF’d had I not been listening to the audiobook. Iggy Toma has become one of my favorites and his narration is what kept me from DNFing especially because he brought the emotion to Cash’s voice through Dante’s POV that I was missing from Cash’s own POV due to Cooper. That sentence is weird but I can’t think of how else to word it 😂😂 As for this series, I would actually love to read the next book because Chaz and the other band mate had a relationship of sorts but unfortunately it’s puppy play hence the “collaring” and I just can’t get into all that.
Rockstar Daddy Kink
2.5 Stars ⭐️
Audiobook Narrators Iggy Toma & Cooper North: 3.5 Stars ⭐️
This was included with my Audible subscription, thankfully. Iggy Toma did a fabulous job as always but I didn’t care for Cooper North much. He voices bodyguard, Cash, who is also a drummer and his voice fit that kind of take no shit daddy character but he also spoke very matter of fact and I just didn’t feel enough. Then because I didn’t feel enough, I found it hard to get into their romance although I think I would have struggled anyways. Saying that though, this was an easy listen and I was never bored. I can’t do an in depth review on this because it’s been over a week, my memory is hazy and I had to look up the bodyguard’s name FFS but I’ll try to explain why I have mixed feelings.
The best way I can explain this book is #FreeBritney but with daddy kink because Dante is a rockstar who is being controlled by his evil manager father who is only interested in making a ton of money off him. Dante hates this but is under a conservatorship and can’t escape. Sound familiar? Dante deals with this by getting fucked up on drugs/alcohol and fucking everyone but his behavior is turning his band mates against him and the drummer quits. Enter Cash, a drummer who also moonlights as a bodyguard which is useful because Dante also has a stalker! Cash refuses to work with Dante in his current state and takes him on a month long detox of sorts where their relationship evolves into daddy/boy with some mild age play.
While I didn’t mind the age play daddy kink, the whole thing came about in a weird way and because Cooper North didn’t convey much emotion I just could not see the connection between these two. Once they return to tour, there were too many subplots happening and none of them were very interesting. What annoyed me the most was that the shitty manager father does a 180* near the end of the book and it’s suddenly happy families. Dante should have taken a note from Britney and cut ties with him because he was really an insensitive prick for most of this book and just because of one event, Dante is over everything? What? The stalker plot line could have been so much more but shit happens and then it’s glossed over. I wanted to know the stalker’s backstory, the how and why and all that because that was probably the most interesting part of the book but it just fizzled.
This is another one of those books I most likely would have DNF’d had I not been listening to the audiobook. Iggy Toma has become one of my favorites and his narration is what kept me from DNFing especially because he brought the emotion to Cash’s voice through Dante’s POV that I was missing from Cash’s own POV due to Cooper. That sentence is weird but I can’t think of how else to word it 😂😂 As for this series, I would actually love to read the next book because Chaz and the other band mate had a relationship of sorts but unfortunately it’s puppy play hence the “collaring” and I just can’t get into all that.
October 10, 2020
3.5 stars
This was a really cute Daddy/little story, with a crazy rockstar and a guy who was hired to protect him.
“Dante was kind of like if Kurt Cobain and Lady Gaga had a love child, and the love child grew up to be addicted to amphetamines, and was maybe possessed by a low-level demon or two.”
Dante is out of control and we get plenty of evidence of that in the beginning. After a particularly bad OD, Cash comes up with the idea of locking himself in a condo with Dante for a month to rehab him. And that’s when the Daddy/little kink comes in.
While it was super cute, I found the change from rockstar on drugs who will fuck anything that moves to boy in footed PJs with a sippy cup to be abrupt and hard to believe. I rolled with it, but it definitely made me pause and wonder what the hell just happened.
That being said, they were adorable, the sex was hot, the stalker story added interest, and I loved the secondary characters. I’m excited to read Chaz and Raphael’s book next.
This was a really cute Daddy/little story, with a crazy rockstar and a guy who was hired to protect him.
“Dante was kind of like if Kurt Cobain and Lady Gaga had a love child, and the love child grew up to be addicted to amphetamines, and was maybe possessed by a low-level demon or two.”
Dante is out of control and we get plenty of evidence of that in the beginning. After a particularly bad OD, Cash comes up with the idea of locking himself in a condo with Dante for a month to rehab him. And that’s when the Daddy/little kink comes in.
While it was super cute, I found the change from rockstar on drugs who will fuck anything that moves to boy in footed PJs with a sippy cup to be abrupt and hard to believe. I rolled with it, but it definitely made me pause and wonder what the hell just happened.
That being said, they were adorable, the sex was hot, the stalker story added interest, and I loved the secondary characters. I’m excited to read Chaz and Raphael’s book next.
September 21, 2023
Taming Dante is a solid Rockstar-bodyguard romance. The age-play wasn't for me so that's what stopped me from fully enjoying the read.
Dante's label and management only see him as a commodity, only having value once his bringing in money. So when Dante's antics drives another drummer away, Cash is brought in as a replacement for the band while also acting as a bodyguard for Dante. He's there to make sure Dante's drug infused rampages doesn't affect the tour. On top of that, Dante also has a stalker who appears to be escalating.
Dante and Cash starting off on the wrong foot was inevitable. Dante making it his mission to get a rise out of the stoic man. But as they open up to one another it develops into a romance.
Dante's label and management only see him as a commodity, only having value once his bringing in money. So when Dante's antics drives another drummer away, Cash is brought in as a replacement for the band while also acting as a bodyguard for Dante. He's there to make sure Dante's drug infused rampages doesn't affect the tour. On top of that, Dante also has a stalker who appears to be escalating.
Dante and Cash starting off on the wrong foot was inevitable. Dante making it his mission to get a rise out of the stoic man. But as they open up to one another it develops into a romance.
May 19, 2021
5 stars audio
3.49 stars story
3.49 stars story
May 20, 2022
I definitely wasn't expecting the ABDL thing but that was the most perfectly fitted puzzle piece to this story😌.
This book just single handedly redeemed the rockstar-bodyguard trope for me.
This book just single handedly redeemed the rockstar-bodyguard trope for me.
October 29, 2020
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.75 stars
Taming Dante is the first book in Joel Abernathy’s new Dante’s Infernal series. I enjoyed the style and tone of the story. There is some playfulness here and the writing is good. I also liked the redemption we get for Dante and watching him start the story as a total mess and slowly find his way back to happiness. Abernathy does a nice job really giving us a sense of how rock bottom things are with Dante. He is out of control and no one in his life either cares enough or has enough power to intervene. When Cash comes in, he is the first person to really stand up for Dante and to put him first. There are some nice scenes where we see both men realizing how much they are coming to mean to one another and there is a great, sexy intensity between them that I liked. The stalker story is pretty mild in intensity for most of the story, and is largely backburnered until the end. But things pick up nicely later in the book and there is some excitement that helps round out the story, bringing it away from the focus just on Dante’s recovery and expanding to another level.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
3.75 stars
Taming Dante is the first book in Joel Abernathy’s new Dante’s Infernal series. I enjoyed the style and tone of the story. There is some playfulness here and the writing is good. I also liked the redemption we get for Dante and watching him start the story as a total mess and slowly find his way back to happiness. Abernathy does a nice job really giving us a sense of how rock bottom things are with Dante. He is out of control and no one in his life either cares enough or has enough power to intervene. When Cash comes in, he is the first person to really stand up for Dante and to put him first. There are some nice scenes where we see both men realizing how much they are coming to mean to one another and there is a great, sexy intensity between them that I liked. The stalker story is pretty mild in intensity for most of the story, and is largely backburnered until the end. But things pick up nicely later in the book and there is some excitement that helps round out the story, bringing it away from the focus just on Dante’s recovery and expanding to another level.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
October 3, 2020
~ 4 Stars ~
This story was so cute! I really enjoyed it.
Although there’s a few things in the story that you may consider as tough to read about (drugs/alcohol addiction, bad daddy issues and self harm) the overall feeling wasn’t so angsty as I thought it’ll be.
It was a little bit OTT but what there’s not to like about a cocky rock star who nobody can control and a bodyguard/new band mate, who’re also developing a daddy/boy relationship, a little suspense and a HEA?! 🎉
This story was so cute! I really enjoyed it.
Although there’s a few things in the story that you may consider as tough to read about (drugs/alcohol addiction, bad daddy issues and self harm) the overall feeling wasn’t so angsty as I thought it’ll be.
It was a little bit OTT but what there’s not to like about a cocky rock star who nobody can control and a bodyguard/new band mate, who’re also developing a daddy/boy relationship, a little suspense and a HEA?! 🎉
October 8, 2020
I received an ARC from GRR in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 stars!
I absolutely love Daddy kink, and ever since I read Exhale, I have fallen in love with Joel Abernathy 's writing. This book is a long way from the Flesh and Bone world, but it is no less beautiful. I was sucked in from the very first page and I couldn't put the book down.
The book, though contemporary, has Joel's signature damaged/imperfect heroes... heroes you can't help but love and root for.
What I loved...
1. The Characters...
Dante is the stereotypical spoiled OTT rock star... a diva, addicted to several vices and throws tantrums like confetti. He's known for his promiscuity, anger issues and being the center of the tabloids' world. And he has Daddy issues... because of course he does.
Enter Cash, a veteran and a drummer who is hired by the band manger, not only to be the band drummer, but to keep Dante in line and at least keep him from killing himself. Cash doesn't do anything half-assed, and as such whisks Dante away the first chance he gets, to help him get clean and recover.
The Plot....
There are many tropes working together here. Daddy kink, enemies to lovers, hurt comfort to name a few. They all work together here for the plot to run smoothly... first for Cash to Tame Dante, and for the elusive stalker to be found. I liked the progression of the plot and I liked the way it flowed step by step. Cash was a force to be reckoned with, no matter how quiet he was, and no matter what Dante threw at him.
3. The Romance...
This too flowed smoothly. From enemies to lovers with a Daddy/boy role play in the mix, that turned serious. Feelings shifted slowly but surely and it was beautiful to see Dante regress into his little role and embrace it as time went by. I also loved the fact that Cash did his research, since he wasn't familiar with the lifestyle. He wanted to be the best daddy for Dante and to help him cope and heal.
4. The Heat..
The sex scenes were steamy and hot, with that "please daddy" thrown in as well as the "Good boy". It was hot with a capital H. The roles were reflected perfectly in their scenes where Cash was the nurturer.
5. The HEA...
Loved it! Dante is content, clean, safe and happy and Cash is the reason behind it all.
Slight niggles...
The stalker subplot felt a bit too rushed and was glossed over. I felt it needed a little more focus, especially with how much time and effort the stalker put.
I didn't like the fact that condoms and testing didn't get discussed at all before Dante and Cash got intimate, especially with how irresponsible Dante was before.
All in all, I LOVED THE BOOK and I highly recommend it. I'm definitely going to read the rest, as I'm curious to see what the series will bring.
4.5 stars!
I absolutely love Daddy kink, and ever since I read Exhale, I have fallen in love with Joel Abernathy 's writing. This book is a long way from the Flesh and Bone world, but it is no less beautiful. I was sucked in from the very first page and I couldn't put the book down.
The book, though contemporary, has Joel's signature damaged/imperfect heroes... heroes you can't help but love and root for.
What I loved...
1. The Characters...
Dante is the stereotypical spoiled OTT rock star... a diva, addicted to several vices and throws tantrums like confetti. He's known for his promiscuity, anger issues and being the center of the tabloids' world. And he has Daddy issues... because of course he does.
Enter Cash, a veteran and a drummer who is hired by the band manger, not only to be the band drummer, but to keep Dante in line and at least keep him from killing himself. Cash doesn't do anything half-assed, and as such whisks Dante away the first chance he gets, to help him get clean and recover.
The Plot....
There are many tropes working together here. Daddy kink, enemies to lovers, hurt comfort to name a few. They all work together here for the plot to run smoothly... first for Cash to Tame Dante, and for the elusive stalker to be found. I liked the progression of the plot and I liked the way it flowed step by step. Cash was a force to be reckoned with, no matter how quiet he was, and no matter what Dante threw at him.
3. The Romance...
This too flowed smoothly. From enemies to lovers with a Daddy/boy role play in the mix, that turned serious. Feelings shifted slowly but surely and it was beautiful to see Dante regress into his little role and embrace it as time went by. I also loved the fact that Cash did his research, since he wasn't familiar with the lifestyle. He wanted to be the best daddy for Dante and to help him cope and heal.
4. The Heat..
The sex scenes were steamy and hot, with that "please daddy" thrown in as well as the "Good boy". It was hot with a capital H. The roles were reflected perfectly in their scenes where Cash was the nurturer.
5. The HEA...
Loved it! Dante is content, clean, safe and happy and Cash is the reason behind it all.
Slight niggles...
The stalker subplot felt a bit too rushed and was glossed over. I felt it needed a little more focus, especially with how much time and effort the stalker put.
I didn't like the fact that condoms and testing didn't get discussed at all before Dante and Cash got intimate, especially with how irresponsible Dante was before.
All in all, I LOVED THE BOOK and I highly recommend it. I'm definitely going to read the rest, as I'm curious to see what the series will bring.
May 16, 2022
The greatest worst thing I've ever read - unintentionally hilarious.
September 24, 2023
This was a good book... for most people, who are not me.
DNF at 59%, purely due to my own personal triggers and ptsd.
I knew there was a chance I wouldn't be able to handle it going into it, but it sounded good and the cover was pretty, so I tried.
The point where I stopped had nothing to do with what was happening at that point in the story. I had been triggered badly early on but tried to push through it. Unfortunately, knowing it would no doubt be coming back toward the end of the book, like these things mostly do for added drama, I just couldn't do it.
Don't be put off by me though. Like I said, it was a decent book.
DNF at 59%, purely due to my own personal triggers and ptsd.
I knew there was a chance I wouldn't be able to handle it going into it, but it sounded good and the cover was pretty, so I tried.
The point where I stopped had nothing to do with what was happening at that point in the story. I had been triggered badly early on but tried to push through it. Unfortunately, knowing it would no doubt be coming back toward the end of the book, like these things mostly do for added drama, I just couldn't do it.
Don't be put off by me though. Like I said, it was a decent book.
May 19, 2021
So. No? This was a DNF for me. It started off pretty good: the writing was good, there was some good plot building up, and there was even some good angst set up with the main characters with a that had all the good qualities for hurt/comfort. However, when things got to the daddy kink, I had started to have some concerns,which led to me flat out getting annoyed/slightly pissed off.
Cash seems to know what daddy kink is but doesn't know the ins-and-outs of it, so he does some "reading" - and by reading, I mean he read one book. One. Though apparently it was "very thorough." And then decides to jump right into it. Without talking soft/hard limits, what Dante wants, safewords, and what type of daddy kind Dante wants. He just decides that Dante is a Little, and that's that. He did ask once what age Dante thought he was ... but again, there was no discussion. Dante didn't know, and they didn't try to figure things out. Cash just decided. He also just decided that it'd be a 24/7 thing. Then started talking about rules and punishments ... without discussing things. And there was no mention of safewords.
Also, this began with a joke Dante said when he was going through withdraws, and he didn't feel like he could change his mind without sounding or looking like Cash won ... which in and of itself isn't exactly full consent. But also don't forget that he is there in the first place because he was forced to be there (even if it is for his own good/health).
It was around the time that Cash gave Dante a punishment without talking about ANYTHING that I couldn't do it anymore. Maybe things change. Maybe it's not as bad as it begins ... but that doesn't change the fact that there is some dubious consent going on, to me at least. Maybe I'm being too harsh because I think negotiation is a big deal that needs to be done before anything play is happening. And safewords. Since Dante clearly never has done this type of play before - and neither has Cash! - you'd think they'd want to be safe and talk. But, you know, Cash read that one book, so clearly he knows what he's doing.
I stopped around then, and maybe it gets better. Honestly, I liked the hurt/comfort aspect that it could have been, but disappointingly, it was not what it could have been. However, if things change later on (i.e. discussions are held, safewords are had, and just basic kink discussion is held), please let me know. I had big hopes and am disappointed. I might be too harsh, and if you don't mind the things I have said, you may like it, but I don't know.
Cash seems to know what daddy kink is but doesn't know the ins-and-outs of it, so he does some "reading" - and by reading, I mean he read one book. One. Though apparently it was "very thorough." And then decides to jump right into it. Without talking soft/hard limits, what Dante wants, safewords, and what type of daddy kind Dante wants. He just decides that Dante is a Little, and that's that. He did ask once what age Dante thought he was ... but again, there was no discussion. Dante didn't know, and they didn't try to figure things out. Cash just decided. He also just decided that it'd be a 24/7 thing. Then started talking about rules and punishments ... without discussing things. And there was no mention of safewords.
Also, this began with a joke Dante said when he was going through withdraws, and he didn't feel like he could change his mind without sounding or looking like Cash won ... which in and of itself isn't exactly full consent. But also don't forget that he is there in the first place because he was forced to be there (even if it is for his own good/health).
It was around the time that Cash gave Dante a punishment without talking about ANYTHING that I couldn't do it anymore. Maybe things change. Maybe it's not as bad as it begins ... but that doesn't change the fact that there is some dubious consent going on, to me at least. Maybe I'm being too harsh because I think negotiation is a big deal that needs to be done before anything play is happening. And safewords. Since Dante clearly never has done this type of play before - and neither has Cash! - you'd think they'd want to be safe and talk. But, you know, Cash read that one book, so clearly he knows what he's doing.
I stopped around then, and maybe it gets better. Honestly, I liked the hurt/comfort aspect that it could have been, but disappointingly, it was not what it could have been. However, if things change later on (i.e. discussions are held, safewords are had, and just basic kink discussion is held), please let me know. I had big hopes and am disappointed. I might be too harsh, and if you don't mind the things I have said, you may like it, but I don't know.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2020
Usually Daddy-kink is really not for me, but given Dante's whole personality, it really worked here. I loved all the tender moments between Dante and Cash, the whole month they spent together was just lovely. I even loved how overprotective Cash was. He was just so in tune with what Dante needed - maybe even impossibly so - and he handled him so well, I was melting at times.
There were a number of things that annoyed me, though, so let's go through them, shall we?
- I'm pretty sure filling in as a drummer for a big band with no rehearsal is practically impossible. Correct me if I'm wrong, though.
- Drake's redemption was rushed as all hell. He didn't deserve Dante's compassion, at all.
- There were no safewords, no actual talking about limits. Cash read one (1) book on the subject and he was immediately the best Daddy in the world.
- No condoms, from the get-go. And sometimes no lubrication, either. And it was made pretty clear the Cash was huge. The smell of blood is not sexy in that context, guys. Yikes.
Overall, not a bad read, not by a long shot, but it had little things that pulled me out of the story at times.
There were a number of things that annoyed me, though, so let's go through them, shall we?
- I'm pretty sure filling in as a drummer for a big band with no rehearsal is practically impossible. Correct me if I'm wrong, though.
- Drake's redemption was rushed as all hell. He didn't deserve Dante's compassion, at all.
- There were no safewords, no actual talking about limits. Cash read one (1) book on the subject and he was immediately the best Daddy in the world.
- No condoms, from the get-go. And sometimes no lubrication, either. And it was made pretty clear the Cash was huge. The smell of blood is not sexy in that context, guys. Yikes.
Overall, not a bad read, not by a long shot, but it had little things that pulled me out of the story at times.
June 12, 2022
For the first time in my life, the thing I was hooked on actually wanted me back.
3.5 stars. This was fun; a lot more fun than I'd anticipated, what with it being a rock star romance. I don't dislike those, exactly, but I definitely don't gravitate towards them. But it's also a semi-bodyguard romance with D/s elements, both of which I do really like, so that helped even it out for me. Dante, a temperamental rock star front man with a massive drug addiction and emotional problems the size of a continent finds himself saddled with a new bodyguard/babysitter in the form of the band's newest drummer. Cash takes the assignment out of necessity, and at first he thinks Dante is just as shallow and narcissistic as he wants people to think. But soon they're getting closer than expected, understanding each other more than they'd like.
I had a really good time with this; the romance wasn't as fully developed or as slow as I'd have liked, but I did like the kinda enemies to lovers vibes we got. It didn't feel like insta-love, even though they fell in love in a relatively short period of time. I really like the fact that Cash fell first, even though he's the one to reject Dante's physical overtures. There wasn't as much bodyguarding as I'd have liked, perhaps, but there also wasn't an oversaturation of the rock star stuff, which I appreciated. The forced proximity was A+. The romance alone gets this a solid four stars, but the believability of certain things does bring it down a little, like Dante's pretty speedy (imo) rehab. I also didn't love But it had a good strong romantic and emotional core, so it didn't bother me too much. The side plot with the stalker wasn't phenomenal, but it was fine.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Iggy Toma and Cooper North, and really liked it. I always love the really realistic voices that Toma does, and I don't think I've listened to a lot of North, but this was really good. A solid, sexy romance that maybe didn't wow me with the plot or writing, but still made me smile a lot. I was interested enough in the other bandmates that I'll maybe continue the series.
Content warnings:
He wasn’t my personal villain; he was my Achilles’ heel.
January 26, 2021
Dante es el cantante-compositor de la famosa banda Dante's Infernal, ha cantado y actuado desde que tenia 5 anos y su padre ha sido su manager desde ese momento hasta ahora, pero el no lo soporta, ahoga su vida en alcohol, drogas y sexo, esta descontrolado y ya ha intentado suicidarse mas de una vez, pero su amigo y companero de banda, Rafael, lo ha ayudado y mantenido con vida hasta ahora.
Cash es un baterista de estudio, ex-sargento del ejercito, esta acostumbrado a ser el padre de todos en las bandas en las que ha participado, ha sido "padre" de su hermana pequena desde hace 6 anos. Acepto el trabajo de baterista de Dante's Infernal, ademas de cuidador de Dante, para poder mantenerlo en la linea y haciendo los conciertos como quiere la disquera y su manager. Lo que no se espera es que el manager sea el propio padre de Dante y que este no le preste la atencion que esta pidiendo su hijo a gritos.
Dante y Cash entraran en una relacion de Daddy/Boy con la esperanza de poder mantener a Dante sobrio y actuando, pero ademas deberan mantenerlo a salvo de un acosador que lo quiere desde que tenia 5 anos. Su relacion debera aprender a basarse en la confianza mutua, asi como ambos deberan aprender a dar/recibir amor y apoyo del otro.
La historia es bastante normal, puede ser hasta rosa en algun momento, pero definitivamente muy erotica. En algunos momentos, donde se explica la vida que ha llevado Dante, es bastante dramatico. Lo que no compro es el cambio tan radical del papa de Dante, o que al final no sabemos porque el acosador lo queria muerto.
Pero por lo demas es un libro entretenido para los que les gusta el genero BDSM Daddy/Boy, asi que leere el proximo libro de esta serie.
Cash es un baterista de estudio, ex-sargento del ejercito, esta acostumbrado a ser el padre de todos en las bandas en las que ha participado, ha sido "padre" de su hermana pequena desde hace 6 anos. Acepto el trabajo de baterista de Dante's Infernal, ademas de cuidador de Dante, para poder mantenerlo en la linea y haciendo los conciertos como quiere la disquera y su manager. Lo que no se espera es que el manager sea el propio padre de Dante y que este no le preste la atencion que esta pidiendo su hijo a gritos.
Dante y Cash entraran en una relacion de Daddy/Boy con la esperanza de poder mantener a Dante sobrio y actuando, pero ademas deberan mantenerlo a salvo de un acosador que lo quiere desde que tenia 5 anos. Su relacion debera aprender a basarse en la confianza mutua, asi como ambos deberan aprender a dar/recibir amor y apoyo del otro.
La historia es bastante normal, puede ser hasta rosa en algun momento, pero definitivamente muy erotica. En algunos momentos, donde se explica la vida que ha llevado Dante, es bastante dramatico. Lo que no compro es el cambio tan radical del papa de Dante, o que al final no sabemos porque el acosador lo queria muerto.
Pero por lo demas es un libro entretenido para los que les gusta el genero BDSM Daddy/Boy, asi que leere el proximo libro de esta serie.
September 30, 2020
I loved this book. I don’t usually like rock star stories since they seem somewhat the same but this one, I feel, doesn’t fit the mold. Yes Dante is a brat but when it is stated why it puts a whole different light on why he is out of control. When Cash can’t help himself but feel for the sad rock star things get a lot more intense. I enjoyed the characters. I think the flow of the story is constant and kept my attention. I also appreciate the author taking the time to do the ending correctly. I will be reading more from this author. I was given a free copy from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest opinion.
March 10, 2021
3,5 stars.
Read
February 2, 2023Iba todo relativamente bien hasta que entró por medio el daddy kink, ahí perdió todo interés.
Y como ni era original ni me tenía enganchada lo dejo al 50%.
No estoy yo de humor para perder el tiempo.
Y como ni era original ni me tenía enganchada lo dejo al 50%.
No estoy yo de humor para perder el tiempo.
January 19, 2022
DNF at 50%
Everything was fine and I was getting a Beneath the Stain-vibe I enjoyed. Until they got locked up to detox. and decided to play Daddy.
Then everything became weird and shallow.
I don't believe Dante could survive going cold turkey after drinking nothing but JD for four days, plus a lot of drugs.
Then, as a joke, daddy kink is uttered and Dante just accepts being treated as a toddler? It is a total break with the uncontrolable troubled rockstar who always acts out. His big rebellion was checking e-mail without permission and after that he was a good boy. Nope. Don't believe it.
The third annoyance, and then I stopped reading, was when a spanking turned into penetration without talking about it. I even missed them thinking about sex in the weeks leading up to it. As easily as they became daddy/boy, they became lovers.
O, and an afterthought : Dante's dad was over the top.
Everything was fine and I was getting a Beneath the Stain-vibe I enjoyed. Until they got locked up to detox. and decided to play Daddy.
Then everything became weird and shallow.
I don't believe Dante could survive going cold turkey after drinking nothing but JD for four days, plus a lot of drugs.
Then, as a joke, daddy kink is uttered and Dante just accepts being treated as a toddler? It is a total break with the uncontrolable troubled rockstar who always acts out. His big rebellion was checking e-mail without permission and after that he was a good boy. Nope. Don't believe it.
The third annoyance, and then I stopped reading, was when a spanking turned into penetration without talking about it. I even missed them thinking about sex in the weeks leading up to it. As easily as they became daddy/boy, they became lovers.
O, and an afterthought : Dante's dad was over the top.
April 1, 2021
Really loved the Daddy/Boy relationship in this book. Didn't like Dante all that much to begin with but just knew he'd been treated like crap or he wouldn't act out the way he did. Cash is hired to be the drummer but more importantly to help Dante not kill himself. Dante's dad was an ass but his bandmates were great considering. Very entertaining read. Will read more from this author for sure.
September 1, 2022
This had the worst characters I've ever read and I wanted everyone who wasn't Chaz or Rafael to die already. I was almost disappointed when Drake didn't die after he got shot
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2022
3⭐️
Me gustó la historia, me entretuvo bastante. Aunque tengo que decirlo: siento que la historia abarcó más temas de las que debería haber abarcado.
Me explico:
Los personajes de la novela están bien. No los más profundos que he tenido la dicha de leer, pero sin dudas no planos. La relación entre los chicos de la banda y la pareja principal estuvo bien. Los diálogos también. El romance, aunque haya sentido que el proceso de enamorarse haya sido un poco apresurado, también estuvo bien para mi. Y todo eso del Little/Daddy estuvo malditamente caliente, aunque no haya sido tan bien explorado y explicado como en Power Play de Cara Dee.
Y si la historia hubiese sido solo eso, hubiese estado bien.
Porque jodidamente no entendí por qué el autor se molestó en poner el plot del acosador en la historia si no lo iba a explorar. ¿Quién era el acosador? ¿Cómo conoció a Dante? ¿Por qué se obsesionó con Dante? ¿Murió al final? ¿Por qué fue a la cárcel? ¿Por qué quería matarlo si ni siquiera intentó acercarse a hablar con Dante? Son preguntas que nunca obtendrán respuestas, al menos no las tuvieron en este libro.
Y lo del padre: solo diré que no soy fan de las redenciones milagrosas y espontáneas. Las odio, de hecho.
En fin, a pesar de todo disfruté de la lectura. La leí por completo en un domingo agradablemente perezoso. Y obviamente voy a seguir leyendo todo del autor. Una nueva obsesión mía, junto con Alessandra Hazard, Anyta Sunday y Cara Dee.
Me gustó la historia, me entretuvo bastante. Aunque tengo que decirlo: siento que la historia abarcó más temas de las que debería haber abarcado.
Me explico:
Los personajes de la novela están bien. No los más profundos que he tenido la dicha de leer, pero sin dudas no planos. La relación entre los chicos de la banda y la pareja principal estuvo bien. Los diálogos también. El romance, aunque haya sentido que el proceso de enamorarse haya sido un poco apresurado, también estuvo bien para mi. Y todo eso del Little/Daddy estuvo malditamente caliente, aunque no haya sido tan bien explorado y explicado como en Power Play de Cara Dee.
Y si la historia hubiese sido solo eso, hubiese estado bien.
Porque jodidamente no entendí por qué el autor se molestó en poner el plot del acosador en la historia si no lo iba a explorar. ¿Quién era el acosador? ¿Cómo conoció a Dante? ¿Por qué se obsesionó con Dante? ¿Murió al final? ¿Por qué fue a la cárcel? ¿Por qué quería matarlo si ni siquiera intentó acercarse a hablar con Dante? Son preguntas que nunca obtendrán respuestas, al menos no las tuvieron en este libro.
Y lo del padre: solo diré que no soy fan de las redenciones milagrosas y espontáneas. Las odio, de hecho.
En fin, a pesar de todo disfruté de la lectura. La leí por completo en un domingo agradablemente perezoso. Y obviamente voy a seguir leyendo todo del autor. Una nueva obsesión mía, junto con Alessandra Hazard, Anyta Sunday y Cara Dee.
September 30, 2020
❤❤🔥A great start to the book as Dante flips out of control at a band member at the last minute before a jig. As soon as l started reading this book I was hooked cause seriously Dante is a totally a brat. This included a great little twist. I loved the tough love scenes where Cash gets one-up-in-front of Dante. But poor Dante is acting out and hiding what his emotions are. A great book which I loved. The ending has dramatics which lead to an HEA.
• bare-backing (no health talks) hot sexy scenes
• plenty of fire between the MCs
- Daddy kink play
Dante was a singer of Dantes Infernal band and yah he love his party drugs a little too much. A storker was the least of his troubles as the band gets a replacement drummer.
Cash 34 yrs was a career of 17 yrs sister when receives a call for a interview for a band.
• bare-backing (no health talks) hot sexy scenes
• plenty of fire between the MCs
- Daddy kink play
Dante was a singer of Dantes Infernal band and yah he love his party drugs a little too much. A storker was the least of his troubles as the band gets a replacement drummer.
Cash 34 yrs was a career of 17 yrs sister when receives a call for a interview for a band.
August 31, 2025
Was this a masterpiece? No absolutely not. Was it a 5 star book? Yes absolutely. Bratty rockstar and daddy drummer/bodyguard? Say lessssssss. It was so hot, even when it wasn’t hot, it was. The story was good enough that I didn’t feel like it was spice driven, and I really had a great time with it. It was light and easy to read and fairly fluffy. I love a good mystery layered into a book as well. This book just had me from the start honestly. My only complaint is I REALLY wanted to see more interaction between Bonnie and Dante AS WELL AS some conversation about safe sex between Cash and Dante. Those were the only two things I did not enjoy. This book however, now has me on a daddy kick. BRB while I read all of the daddy kink/bdsm books 🫶🏻
June 30, 2021
I picked up this audiobook because I liked the narrators, Cooper North and Iggy Toma. I was not disappointed. They both had a good performance and added a dash of personality to the characters.
The story was a good read that played up on the bad boy rockstar needs a guiding hand trope. l am not particularly fond of the daddy/boy kink so I didn't quite feel the connection between the characters as strongly as I could have if the story had taken a different path. I think I needed a little stronger background laid out in order to be able to relate to Cash and Dante's dynamic.
If you do appreciate bad boy rockstars with daddy issues, I definitely recommend this audiobook.
The story was a good read that played up on the bad boy rockstar needs a guiding hand trope. l am not particularly fond of the daddy/boy kink so I didn't quite feel the connection between the characters as strongly as I could have if the story had taken a different path. I think I needed a little stronger background laid out in order to be able to relate to Cash and Dante's dynamic.
If you do appreciate bad boy rockstars with daddy issues, I definitely recommend this audiobook.
March 30, 2025
My third audible plus book in a row and I can’t decide if this was actually good or if the narration was just that superb.
I’d never have picked it if I’d read the blurb bc it does say “daddy/boy” which isn’t a theme I normally seek out…but that’s only for like one month while they are in forced proximity in like one chapter, so was pretty “lite” compared to in some other books I’ve read.
But it also has: rockstar/bodyguard, stalker, drug withdrawal, band drama, a bomb threat, and a brief adultnapping, so I was highly entertained 😂
I’d never have picked it if I’d read the blurb bc it does say “daddy/boy” which isn’t a theme I normally seek out…but that’s only for like one month while they are in forced proximity in like one chapter, so was pretty “lite” compared to in some other books I’ve read.
But it also has: rockstar/bodyguard, stalker, drug withdrawal, band drama, a bomb threat, and a brief adultnapping, so I was highly entertained 😂
August 18, 2025
DNF @ 57%
Okay, listen I don't actually DNF books often. Usually I'm able to somehow push through to find some redeeming qualities in whatever I'm reading. I liked Daddy kink, but I can rarely handle it when it's paired with age play. Like when a character stays in the "little space" during sex that, to me, just feels very wrong. I'm not kink shaming, you do you, but I just couldn't go further with this book. Also the writing was so bleak even that didn't hold my attention
Okay, listen I don't actually DNF books often. Usually I'm able to somehow push through to find some redeeming qualities in whatever I'm reading. I liked Daddy kink, but I can rarely handle it when it's paired with age play. Like when a character stays in the "little space" during sex that, to me, just feels very wrong. I'm not kink shaming, you do you, but I just couldn't go further with this book. Also the writing was so bleak even that didn't hold my attention
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