Review: Unfettered by Kate Hawthorne

This book is connected to the Room for Love series by the same author (and connects with E.M. Lindsey’s On the Market series) but can easily be read as a stand-alone. However, I am glad that I have the full context of Beau’s relationship with his brothers for the few scenes that involve them. Beau is nothing like the five half-brothers he discovers as an adult, yet at the same time, he’s more similar to them than he knows. (It will never happen, but I’d love to be a fly on the wall if these six brothers ever had a frank discussion about their relationship dynamics with their partners.)

I was hesitant to read this book based on the indication in the back-cover text that Beau is a student of college professor Heath. However, Beau is in his mid-20s instead of fresh out of high school, and the two characters meet before realizing they will be together in a classroom. Both elements make a big difference in how the characters relate to each other, especially since Beau is the dominant partner in the relationship rather than Heath.

Speaking of, there is a high element of BDSM kink in this book that might not be for all readers. Heath is up-front about his concerns after his experience with a previous partner, and I loved how caring and considerate Beau is about their developing dynamic with that knowledge in place.

Books that make me scare a cat always get bonus points. In this case, I yelled out loud at a particular twisty moment that creates conflict between the characters (causing a cat dozing on my feet to sprint from the room). This revelation creates powerful emotional drama between the heroes and includes the perfect amount of angst for a deliciously happy ending. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to starting another series by this author.

Rating: 5 (out of 5) stars. Cross-posted to Amazon and Goodreads.

Published by J.L. Gribble

Author, Editor, Worldbuilder

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