Series: Kink Files
Volume: 2/?Publisher: A.G. Carothers
Genre/s: BDSM Contemporary MM Romance
Length: 26 000
Read in: English
Review copy format: epub
Rate:✮✮✮✮✮✮
Abel and Darius met for the first time six months earlier in Darius' cafe and although they have been clearly interested in each other since then, they haven't taken their acquaintance to the next level. However, Darius decides to finally change that. In order to get to know his crush better, he checks out a club Abel goes to once a month. That's how Darius learns about the hidden, kinky side of his man. When he finally asks Abel on a date, he also discovers his own so far unknown interests.
"Tread" is the second installment of "Kink Files" series by A.G. Carothers, which started with "The Kiss". Just like in the case of the first novel, also this time A.G. Carothers approaches the topics of kinks seriously, thoughtfully and with simplicity, thanks to which the presented story has irresistible charm and class. We see it from the very beginning as the subject of discovering something new, which in fact is and probably has always been part of you, appears in the novella. In this case, I really loved the way Darius approaches the themes of D/s dynamics and BDSM practices. The openness of his mind, the desire to explore the subject and to study it is something that I consider completely natural. The whole secret of this character lies in the most important thing, so in the subject of his studies and the approach to it that I've mentioned. So the thing that I really like about the novella is not Darius' thirst for knowledge, but the fact that he sees this particular field of knowledge as something entirely normal.
What I think is the biggest advantage of "Tread" is Abel himself. He is not a common hero type, so he is certainly unique and one of a kind, especially if we take into consideration the literature with D/s, BDSM motifs. Let's start with the fact that Abel is a person who carries the baggage of germophobia, certain obsessive behaviors and attachment to routine. So he is someone that many people would describe as burdensome, because in a sense he forces others to behave in a way that is unusual to them. And yet in his heart Abel is a Submissive who needs a protector and at the same time a Dom who will be able to accept him fully and thus adapt to Abel's rules. Let's be honest, even as a normal partner many people would considered Abel a challenge. So how much more challenging would it be for a Dom, who would like to make Abel his Submissive, to accept him and his rules. As you can see, A.G. Carothers touches a problem that is rare in this kind of stories and presents it in such a natural way that the reader is simply delighted.
Another thing that I really want to mention when reviewing this novella is the wonderfully built relationship between the characters. "Tread" is not really a story that focuses on chemistry between Abel and Darius, which makes the air around them heavy with body's sexual needs. It's a story about something much deeper, something spiritual, mental. A.G. Carothers doesn't build the characters' relationship only when they are together and interact directly, but creates and strengthens the feelings that are born between Darius and Abel also at times when they are alone, far from each other, when they don't have any contact with each other. In this case, it is very important that in "Tread" the reader really feels this bond between the characters regardless of where and in whose company they are. I'm really impressed because such a clearly visible image of the elusive, psychological or even spiritual bond is not easy to show in a book, and A.G. Carothers really manage to do it.
In summary, "Tread" is a wonderful and really worth reading novella, which puts the psychological needs of a person above the bodily ones and shows that the path to happiness and fulfillment leads through acceptance and willingness to change. So I really encourage you to accompany those amazing, lovable characters on their unique journey to find themselves and their happily ever after.
Headcanon: When they open new cafes in the city, Darius always takes Abel on a date there. In fact, it's all about getting to know the competition.
Fanfiction idea: Darius has an exceptionally bad day, so Abel does his best to make him feel better. Not everything comes out as planned, but he is so cute that he manages to achieve the goal.
AU idea: Abel and Darius meet on a cooking course. Abel got the course as a gift from his best friend, while Darius signed up for it to improve his culinary skills. During classes they start competing with each other to such an extent that the teacher decides to organize a competition at the end of the course.
Here's some more about:
Book Title: Tread: Kink Files 2
Author: A.G. Carothers
Cover Artist: Amai Designs
Trope/s: Daddy Kink, Age Gap, Boot Worship
Themes: New to BDSM, Overcoming Fears, Taking Chances
Heat Rating: 3 flames
Release Date: April 20, 2020
It is book 2 in the series, but can be read as a standalone.
Darius could tread on my body, but he'd never trample my heart.
Blurb
Blurb
Abel Kensington the Fifth, aka TheFifthAbel – Accountant, Germaphobe, Service Submissive turned Daddy Dom, and resigned to being alone.
Mired in his routines that keep the worst of his fears and obsessive behaviors at bay, Abel has given up finding someone who will look past his sanitized bubble. Little does he know that someone is watching him and has a plan to slip into his world and take care of him for a change.
Darius MacLeod aka JuicyDare – Coffee House Owner, Scottish Transplant, New Daddy Dom, and finding love is the last thing on his mind.
While his roots are still firmly in his homeland, Darius has started a new life in his father’s hometown. When a seemingly shy and prim older man starts frequenting his café, Darius’ interest is piqued and his instincts kick in. Wanting to get past the barrier that Abel has erected, Darius dives feet first into a whole new world he knows little about.
Abel and Darius will both need to find sure footing on this new path before them as Abel gets back to his submissive roots and Darius explores a new but natural lifestyle.
Attention: This book contains depictions of dominance, submission, boot worship, trampling, and adults in footie pajamas
Mired in his routines that keep the worst of his fears and obsessive behaviors at bay, Abel has given up finding someone who will look past his sanitized bubble. Little does he know that someone is watching him and has a plan to slip into his world and take care of him for a change.
Darius MacLeod aka JuicyDare – Coffee House Owner, Scottish Transplant, New Daddy Dom, and finding love is the last thing on his mind.
While his roots are still firmly in his homeland, Darius has started a new life in his father’s hometown. When a seemingly shy and prim older man starts frequenting his café, Darius’ interest is piqued and his instincts kick in. Wanting to get past the barrier that Abel has erected, Darius dives feet first into a whole new world he knows little about.
Abel and Darius will both need to find sure footing on this new path before them as Abel gets back to his submissive roots and Darius explores a new but natural lifestyle.
Attention: This book contains depictions of dominance, submission, boot worship, trampling, and adults in footie pajamas
Excerpt
From Darius POV:
About a month after Abel started coming to the café, he said something to my day manager, Santos, which had intrigued me and really spurred my desire to know him better.
He had come in, as usual. I’d watched his lithe body as he set up his area and then move to the counter. He tugged on the sleeves of his shirt to straighten them—like always. That day he had worn a hunter-green button down. It was always a solid color with all the buttons done, even the top one, but no tie. He always kept his black hair short on the sides with a little bit of length on the top. I suspected that if he let it grow, it would curl a little. It looked thick and soft. I often wondered what it would feel like between my fingers.
I had watched from just inside the kitchen as his hazel eyes roamed the menu board on the wall behind the counter. He had scrunched his freckle-splattered nose in the most adorable way as he thought.
Santos placed a plate with his usual carrot and zucchini muffin in front of him on the counter and started inputting his order into the computer. Abel had registered the movement and focused on him.
“One muffin, a latte, and a Grasslands Juice. That’ll be fourteen thirty-six, as usual, Mr. K.”
Abel had looked down his nose at Santos and arched a thick but sculpted eyebrow. “It’s admirable that you remember what I have ordered the last five times I have visited this establishment, but it is rude to assume.”
Santos had opened his mouth and closed it, which was good because Abel wasn’t done.
“I appreciate your wanting to be efficient, but what if today I want a banana nut muffin instead?”
“Do you want a banana nut muffin instead, Mr. K?”
“Abel, please. And, no, I do not, but that’s beside the point. It is not good service to anticipate what I may want. It is, on the other hand, good service to know how I like it or want it done when I tell you what I want or need. For instance, Darius always remembers how I like my sandwich made. He’s very thoughtful.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. K—I mean, Abel, sir. I’ll remember that. What may I get you this morning?”
Abel had tugged on his sleeves again. I had a feeling that was more of a compulsion than anything else. A nervous habit maybe?
“I’ll have a carrot and zucchini muffin, a latte, and a Grasslands Juice.”
I had to stifle my laughter as I went about making his juice..
About the Author
A.G. Carothers is actually a dragon very cleverly disguised as a human. They are a non-binary author of LGBTQIA Romance and Urban Fantasy, who enjoys writing original and entertaining stories. They are very excited to share the worlds they've created with you.
A.G. currently lives in Tennessee with their platonic life partner, who is not a dragon. They yearn to live back in Europe and will some day. In their spare time they are addicted to losing themselves in the lovely worlds created by other authors
A.G. is committed to writing the stories they see in their head without restrictions. Love is blind and doesn't see gender, race, or sexuality.
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