Maxwell Cunningham is a daddy who’s spent far too many years without a boy to call his own. It’s a part of his past he was sure he’d buried long ago. While in town for business, he ventures into Bottoms Up and sets eyes on a sassy, stubborn bartender whose flair and poorly hidden struggles call to him on a level he can’t ignore.Krew Cruwys may be a spitfire, but he is not a boy. No way. No how. … how. Not gonna happen. It’s not his kink. Besides, Krew prefers to be free. To explore men and sex on his own terms—which doesn’t include commitments or emotions. Period.
When a hookup gone wrong leaves Krew in the concerned hands of the sexy silver stud he’d been snubbing all night, things get complicated.
Maxwell feels a pull he hasn’t felt in over ten years, but Krew is unequivocally decided that he doesn’t want a daddy.
Or love.
Or a relationship.
But what could it hurt to play a role for a night? It’s only words. It’s just a game. It doesn’t mean anything…
…until, maybe, it does.
This is not exactly a Daddy/boy kink book, although, it does play in that direction at times. Any hint at a Dom/sub lifestyle is very mild
more
Krew’s HEA (an audio review)
Phobia: an extreme or irrational fear or an aversion to something
Philophobia – the fear of falling in love or forming attachments of any sort
I have thoroughly enjoyed Nicky James Trials of Fear series, and so was especially anxious to pick up this book. I loved Krew – especially in book 2. His affection and caring for Rory – who feared sunlight – was touching. Well, they were, uh, special boddiesbuddies on occasion, and Krew trusted Rory to watch his beloved cat. But then Rory met Adrian and those salad days of no-strings-attached sex came to an end. Adrian and Rory don’t share.
Krew continued undaunted. He works in a gay bar as a server so he’s got his pick. But never more than one or two nights, and always at the other guy’s place. Wouldn’t want the guy getting feelings. Krew runs from feelings like crazy.
I remembered the scene in a previous book where he ran away from an older man and hid in the back of the bar. Of course this book gave me the opportunity to see Krew’s side of the story. Man, he ran from Max? I’d be running toward such a fabulous man.
Max has a bit of a tragic backstory which I won’t get into, but he’s been alone for a long time and not really looking. Then he sets eyes on Krew and his world tilts. He rescues Krew, and takes on an almost father-like figure. A daddy. But Krew’s not into that shit. He doesn’t need a minder. He doesn’t need a daddy. He needs a good hard you know what and then he can move on.
Except Max seems to be the one man he can’t forget, and when Max moves to town for an extended period of time, Krew has a decision to make – hold out or indulge? And if he indulges, what about all those pesky emotions? There’s also the massive age gap. Twenty-eight years is nothing to sneeze at. It means Krew is often on uneven ground, but perhaps that’s where he needs to be?
Krew is, of course, damaged. I LOVE damaged heroes and Nicky does damaged like no one’s business. I cheered for Krew, especially when he confronted his demons. I was angry for the people in his life who’d hurt him. I’ve faced other cruelties in my life, and I think that made Krew even more empathetic to me.
But the love of a good man… Max is persistent. Max is patient. Max is willing to wait for Krew to get his head out of his butt. And Krew eventually does and I got my sparkly happy ending.
I can’t rave about a Trials of Fear book without gushing over Adam Gold. His narration for this series (for all the Nicky James books he does) is brilliant. I loved his super deep voice for Max and that Krew was light but not flighty. He completely nailed this book, and I can’t recommend it enough.
Audio review 4.5 stars
It took me a few chapters to get into the story of bartender and older businessman Max but I soon became invested in their lives.
I enjoyed the was their relationship grew and evolved. Their story was well paced and had great flow.
This story had a bit of everything. There was joy and fun but also sadness and angst.
I especially enjoyed the narration. The voices for Krew and Max seemed spot on to me.
I’m reviewing the audio edition. Even though this story ends on a positive note I was heartbroken most of the way through. Krew is such a brazen personality on the outside while being totally unconfident inside. He is snarky and his attitude is fun. His childhood is totally heartbreaking. And even though Max has declared he is not going to get into another relationship his attraction to Krew seems almost instant. Krew falls into a relationship with Max before he realizes it and it is from there these two really entertained me. I love the Thanksgiving dinner. I enjoyed Krew’s constant whining to Rory. I enjoyed his examining his feelings and actions. I love the bunny pj’s. This story is fun and sad and was made so real by the narration of Adam Gold who did a fantastic job of timbre and pitch to create totally unique characterizations.
Krew and Max are swoonworthy! The patience and acceptance Max shows Krew is EVERYTHING and their relationship is goals in how to be yourself – unapologetically. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey of uncovering who Krew was behind the bravado and Max may be the most perfect man in existence.
Oh Krew… you were so much more than I had anticipated and had so much more going on than I had imagined. And Maxwell… you sweet, devoted and strong man, taking care of our boy in a way he didn’t even know he needed.
NJ has me with every word she writes. Her books connect with me and are so deeply moving in a way that I can’t even express. Her words transcend orientation, race, sex and abilities. The depths that she forces her readers to explore is so outstanding, you are a changed person after reading her books.
Thank you for giving us Krew. His spunk and bravado had me laughing and his emotional vulnerability had me sobbing. He will forever be one of my favorite Trials of Fear men.
It’s no secret that Nicky James is one of, if not, my favourite author.
We met Krew in Shades of Darkness (book 2 in the Trial of Fear series) where he stole our hearts with his sassiness.
When I heard that Nicky James was writing this companion book, I was over the moon.
In Fearless, Krew is paired beautifully with the very sexy silver fox Max.
It’s been too long since Max has had someone to care for but as soon as he sees Krew, he knows what Krew needs.
Krew has a type.. and it’s definitely not a daddy-type.
This book is not your typical daddy kink book… Krew would not allow it!!
This book is a beautifully written May/Dec book with a bit of “boy” element introduced.
Mrs James is known as a slow-burn author, but of course, Krew dictated the speed of this book, and boy did he ever. This story is filled with humour (thank you Krew), sassiness, emotion, heartbreak (of course, we’re talking about Nicky James here) and lots and lots of love.
I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy from the author and have read it twice before release day… it is that good!!!
Mrs James has assured us that there is more to come in this series, and I for one, can’t wait for the next installment.
**Although this is the 4th book in the series, it can be read as a standalone**
Oh Krew, just love him to pieces!!!
Once again, Nicky James has rocked my hurt/comfort loving world. This is seriously THE BEST series and I’m so glad I’ve had the opportunity to read it.
Krew was magnificent. I love his story. I love what a princess he is and his excitement over all things Disney. I love his bunny jammies.
Max was exactly the perfect person for Krew. All of his happiness came from Krew, which is just awesome. He was magnanimous and unwavering and so hopeful.
Exquisite writing, beautiful story, charming characters, it was everything.
Ever since I read about Krew in the second book in the Trails of Fear series and I was inlove. He is this sassy bartender with a heart of gold and just full of life. He became that secondary character that you just can’t help but love, and now, we finally get his story.
Krew was as fabulous as always in this book. He has a good job and great friends but Krew doesn’t do relationships. Enter Max.
Krew catches his eye and he wants to know more about him. But Krew won’t give the silver fox the time of day. We follow along and discover all Krew’s fears and Max is there to help him through it. Even if Krew didn’t know he needed it. I love, love, love this author’s writing style, where she captures your attention from the beginning of the book till the end. There is some very mild Daddy Kink, but it’s not a Daddy Kink per se. It was the elements but not fully. Krew and Max was everything I hoped for and more.
I recently started dipping my toes into Nicky James’ writing. Fearless seemed like a good choice to continue on my journey. Angst but not grab the tissue box level.
First, what this book is not. Max is dominant and into Daddy kink. Krew is sassy, fierce, and Daddy kink isn’t his jam. Most D/S writers blow past the more submissive partner’s desires. The dom knows best. He is pushing his subs boundaries, blah, blah, blah. By the end of the book the submissive person has a different job, dresses totally different, and has lost 20 IQ points. Thank any/all powers that be because Nicky James didn’t go down that rabbit hole.
Max is caring, loving, and protective. He also realizes that his kink isn’t everyone else’s. Krew calls him daddy in the beginning to push his buttons and has a problem with intimacy. He is into wham, bam, no names, and no repeats. Max works long and hard to win his trust and to have him use his name. Krew calling him Max is more important than the daddy title.
Krew is damaged from his childhood. Over the course of the book, he struggles with trusting Max and has to reach the point where he really wants to control his past for himself and for Max.
Second, what this book is. It is good solid writing. It flows easily, and the reader falls in and looses themselves in the lives of the characters. The characters are fully formed, and their emotions become almost tangible.
Krew is like this tiny hissing kitten ready to take on the world. Look close and you see that he is this frightened little ball of fluff. Like Max, the reader wants to rescue him from himself and his worthless family.
Max is patient, kind, and falls rather quickly for Krew. With the love and stability he offers Krew, you can’t hold that against him.
I admit, the whole daddy kink isn’t really up my alley. But I adore this series and Krew has always been shiny, delightful secondary character, so I’m very happy he got his own book. This book wasn’t quite as angsty or tortured as the others in the series, but Krew does have his own demons to battle on his way to HEA. I would have loved to learn more about what made Max tick, but that is a small complaint. Very glad I read this book!