An elf costume, a pair of lacy knickers, and a Christmas charity auction might make Sam’s Christmas wish come true.When sweet barista, Sam, agrees to be a ‘slave’ in a Christmas charity auction, he’s thrilled to be bought by the man he’s had a crush on for the last three months.Theodore is everything Sam is looking for in a man: older, authoritative, and caring. Unfortunately, Sam isn’t the most … the most forward person when it comes to telling men he likes them. Wearing a sexy costume allows him to be a much flirtier version of himself, but can a naughty elf tempt Theodore into bed?As their relationship intensifies, Sam finds something in Theodore he didn’t realise he needed: a man he wants to call his Daddy.But Theodore isn’t out of the closet, and whilst Sam is happy existing in a bubble in the run up to Christmas, he knows that can’t last forever.Can Sam risk giving his heart to a Daddy who might not ever be able to hold his hand in public, let alone commit to him?What Works For Us is a Christmas-ish romance with an age-gap relationship, lacy underwear, role-play, Daddy kink, a smidge of hurt/comfort, and a guaranteed happy ending.
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Hot and slightly kinky!
What Works for Us is a really hot, slightly kinky story and I really enjoyed reading it. Theodore is a deeply closeted older man. Due to his strict upbringing, he has intense feelings of shame about being gay and has no desire to come out.
Sam is a college student working as a barista in a coffee shop that Theodore visits every morning. Sam likes older men and longs for “Latte Macchiato” (aka Theodore) to notice him. He is thrilled when Theodore wins him as a slave for a day in a charity auction.
This story has a lot of great tropes going on: age-gap, role playing, Daddy/Boy kink and lacy underwear and boy did things heat up when Sam and Mr. Farrell (aka Theodore/Latte Macchiato) get together. They find out how much they both like role playing which eventually evolves into a Daddy/Boy relationship.
Sam is such a sweet character and he really loves being Mr. Farrell’s boy. He’s not thrilled that they have to keep their relationship a secret but figures he can live with it for a while. His family has always been accepting of his orientation but he’s not sure how they’ll react to him dating a much older man.
The story had a twist that I didn’t see coming but really enjoyed. The Daddy/Boy trope isn’t my favorite, but I’ve read more of it lately and have come to appreciate its appeal. If the tropes in this story are your jam then you should really like What Works for Us.
A copy of this book was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***
Sam and Theodore
Every morning he serves him a latte macchiato to go and this man is always with his nose on his screen. He is much older than Sam, who has a crush like forever.
After the opportunity to meet with Theodore, they developed some kind of relationship.
Searching for the right dynamic it seems Daddy and boy is what they are looking for.
Only, Theodore isn’t out and it seems he will never.
Theodore is insecure, that’s kind of endearing to watch. Together they were lovely.
The whole story was kind of sweet and certainly entertaining.
Sorry to say the terminology Daddy Dom didn’t do it for me. That’s not how it works for me.
I think this story could do without the whole Daddy boy part, it wasn’t convincing.
When I look behind that, there is still a sweet story to tell, with hurt/comfort, age-gap, role-play and some nice lace, and a hea!
Overall a nicely written, slightly developed, entertaining story.
Just like every book I’ve read by Colette Davison, was an emotional rollercoaster, taking me on beautiful spins,from dizzying highs followed by heart aching sudden lows.
I absolutely loved Sam and Theodore. Sam is out and pround,while Theodore is not. The complete opposite,in fact,because he’s constantly consumed by his desires battling the shame for having them. And sadly, that’s why each encounter between Sam and Theodore takes them from soaring pleasure to plummeting to self loathing, from the highs of extasy to the saddening depths of anguish.
Heartbreaking to witness,but also sweet and hot. Because they go from cute and clumsy to passionate and scorching chemistry. Every time they get together is an opportunity for new discoveries, about each other and themselves.
is an amazing story. I loved very moment of kinky hotness or sweet tenderness, every page full of misery or brimming with happiness. Sam and Theodore are the sweetest and most endearing characters,and they brought me so much joy.
You just have to call it out for Sam, this guy is funny, sassy, braver then I’ll ever be and completely adorable. He manages to get Theodor’s attention and fall in love in a way that is soo uniquely them.
When the elf comes down off the shelf (an audio review)
I’ll start with narration. I’m a huge Dan Calley fan and every time I see he’s narrating something, I get super excited. So I leapt at the chance to review this book and I wasn’t disappointed.
I’m not a huge Christmas fan, but the right book can put me in the holiday spirit and this was that book. Sam has a huge crush on the man who comes in his coffee shop every day and who orders the same drink every day and who doesn’t notice him…every day. Heck, he doesn’t even know if the man is gay, but the man is ringing all of Sam’s bells. When his co-worker coerces him into volunteering at a slave auction, Sam is reluctant but it’s for a good cause.
Theodore has noticed Sam. And has done his level best to ignore the much-younger barista. Afterall, homosexuality is a sin and even though his parents are dead, that doesn’t stop him from hearing their voices in his head. Their banishment of a beloved uncle has always resonated in his mind, and he just can’t get past the old religious claptrap that tells him he’s a bad person for being attracted to men.
So what happens when he shows up at the slave auction and his wet dream is up for auction? Well he bids of course. And spends a ton of money to secure someone to clean his already spotless house.
Sam is going to take advantage. He shows up in the most audacious elf costume and prances around, hoping to catch Theodore’s attention. And he does. Spectacularly. One night isn’t enough but Theodore is obsessed about what his co-workers and neighbors will think and Sam doesn’t want to be in anyone’s closet. So despite the naughty elf persona, he finds he can’t stay.
Theodore realizes he’s going to have to change if he’s going to win Sam back. Because he can’t be a true Daddy without his boy.
I have to say I enjoyed this book. It had a few little BDSM-light scenes, plenty of sexy times, and some real moments of introspection for both characters. So light at times and a little darker at others. But it’s a romance and I got my happy ending. I’m so glad I listened to the audio.
Oh, and I loved Prince the kitty.
I loved that this was going to be an age gap. I love age gaps, especially big ones. I think an author that can pull off a more than ten-year gap without making it creepy is talented.
I adored Sam. He knew what he wanted and had no problem Theodore was older. When Theodore bought Sam at the Christmas auction he thought maybe he wanted him too. Theodore is very in the closet and tries to ignore his want for Sam, not only because of his being closeted but Sam is so much younger than he is.
The two men had so much to get through to get to a relationship.
this wasn’t the sweet fluffy, the man buys a man at the auction they fall in love and in a relationship book. There was so much more. There was more to Sam and more to Theodore. There were fun friends and a supportive brother. Plus some pretty hot sex.
This is such a fun, sexy holiday book.
OMG, Absolutely loved this book and audio.
Dan Calley does an amazing job of this book, the different voices, plus he makes my knees weak. Lol
I red this book back in March before lock down No1, and now I’m listening to it during Lockdown No2, just what I needed light hearted, funny, with a little daddy kink.
If your like me and like full on kink, thast not this book, but if you fancy something lighter, happy but with some kink, you’ll love this.
From serving Lattes to a gorgeous man, Christmas, Elves, Age gap, Daddy kink, slave autioning in a good way, what more can you ask for, would recommend to everyone.
What Works for Us
By: Colette Davison
Narrated by: Dan Calley
Length: 6 hrs and 4 mins
Overall
Narration
Story
Read at 1.15 speed on Audible
4.5 stars
Heat Level: 4
Funny, sweet and so endearing (& that’s just the first few chapters!)
I found this story and these characters so endearing!! This story lifted my mood and gave me all the feels! I loved both Sam and Theodore. While they each have their flaws, troubles, and desires, Colette balanced all their nuances perfectly!
I felt for troubled and closeted Theodore and his internalized homophobia. Colette took care to address this and slowly brought Theo out of his shell and allowed him to challenge his upbringing and eventually find peace in himself.
Sam was just adorable! He had moments of sass that was just adorable but his soft and shy nature was what endeared him to me. I loved that he tried to take the lead and put himself out there even though he was scared and it when against his submissive desires but it balanced so well with Theo’s needs and allowed for intimacy and their unique connection to flourish.
While set at Christmas, I would happily dive into this story at any time of year! If you’d like a book with a little kink and a lot of feels then look no further! I loved it!
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This is a great Christmas story. These characters are made for each other. Theodore is an older guy who goes to the same coffee shop every day to get a look at the sweet, shy barista. Sam is a sweet twink, who looks more innocent than he really is. Every time he sees the older man he’s giddy and weak in the knees. Theodore is so far in the closet, he’s never even seen a door. It takes Sam becoming a naughty elf to show Theodore the light of a different life. I enjoyed this story so much. It’s fun and naughty with a happy ending. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!!!!
What I Think: I loved this tale! Having some of my favorite things like age gap, size gap, and sweet kink with characters that are just so sweet and lovable made the tale irresistible. I especially love these tales in which one partner is trying to resist or put up a fight because it’s so much sweeter when they fall (also because I have absolutely no chill and go for what I want like a cavewoman).
I laughed as Theodore tried to control himself, bandying words like being responsible, adult, honorable, etc about while Sam just reels him in without even meaning to just by being his adorably daring self. Their coming together is made even more erotic as they discover new things for the first time, making the difference in age almost forgettable.
Sam is the sweetest baby boy ever yet with so much strength and maturity for someone so young. Theodore is so tender and loving which is quite a contrast as his history has been anything but filled with tenderness.
It also shows a different type of subspace, the type of subspace that a Mummy or Daddy, Lady or Gentleman type of Domme can give to the right kind of sub, opening up even more possibilities in my mind (the last bits of my innocence are fluttering in the wind of knowledge).
The tenderness in the erotica left me breathless so many times and it was further intensified by the times when the Authoress would lay one or the other character bare and vulnerable, inviting affection and tenderness that made me protective over them both. As Sam pours healing into Theodore, he in turn pours care and tenderness into Sam, filling him up heart, body and soul, tightening the bonds between them regardless of the length of time they spend together.
I scolded myself for never reading this Authoress before as her use of kink as both tether and escape is simply too sweet. I guess I should have known that Theodore’s view of himself would make me want to burn something. It’s one thing being raised in a world that hates every and anything that dares to be different. It’s another thing when you’re being fed all that hate in the safety of your home. And just when they find their perfect frequency, reality comes crashing down.
By the last few chapters, I couldn’t say which of them is braver because they both showed such courage in taking the steps that could help them build a life together. I was so gutted on love and comfort that a hangover was inevitable.
Verdict? An erotic, comfort tale keeper that proves it’s never too late to learn, to change and to love.
What Works For Us by Colette Davison is a standalone contemporary m/m romance with an age gap, daddy kink twist, role playing fun and an out-for-you theme.
Theodore and Sam are great characters who were sweet but also sexy together. Theodore had a lot of baggage to unload but Sam. Gave him a reason to set himself free and embrace what could be. The story has drama, angst, emotion, and romance. I truly enjoyed every page.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
Thank you for the ARC read, I voluntarily give this book an honest review. As a favor to Abigail, Sam reluctantly agreed to part of charity auction. Once he was won his dream was half way true to form that his favourite customer of the Common Ground cafe was the highest bidder.
Theodore wasn’t out by any means thanks to his upbringing, he only had meaningless hookups but the young man had called to some hidden part when he came dressed as a naughty elf dress with knickers and all. How far was Theodore willing to reveal of his true self in the world. Willing or not was he going to close the chance of happiness just to stay living as he was? Struggling to come to grips with self doubts and long term family verbal abuse. Is Sam the boy he has been hopeful for? Is Theodore willing to be his Daddy? This was a sweet moving story, I just loved Sam and Theodore kinky sides.
Sam, agrees to be a ‘slave’ in a Christmas charity auction and he’s is bought by Theodore, the man he’s had a crush on for months. The two of them have amazing chemistry and seem to be perfect for each other. But Theodore isn’t out of the closet and Sam doesn’t know for how long he can be his secret.
This was one of the sweetest Christmas love stories! Sam and Theodore were really well written and realistic. They had to fight for their happily ever after. Theodore especially evolved so much as a person and I loved how the author handled his character. I enjoyed this story so very much! It was fun and steamy and so heartwarming!
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.