The youngest of five, Quinn is known throughout Savannah as the Rutledge oops baby and an inveterate party boy — but his wham, bam, thank you, ma’am philosophy covers a deep well of loneliness. Architect Ellis Ashford has shunted his daddy kink off onto a “savior complex” for years. Can they resist the magnetic pull between them, despite their age difference? Or will the Greek chorus of Savannah … Savannah gossip tear them apart?
Part of the interconnected Southern Seduction and Low Country Lovers universe, this spin-off series stands alone.
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I received an ARC copy of this book from the author for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Warning, while I try my best to make sure there are no spoilers in my review, there is always a chance that something any review says could count as a spoiler for you. If you want to just know my overall opinion on the book, and the if I recommend it, please skip to my Overall and Would I Recommend It section.
I have several friends who are very into same sex romances and I will say I have read some good ones, but they tend to be a hit or miss for me, and that could 100% be because of the ones I have tried. I must say, with how fast the hot and heavy scenes came on, I thought this one would be a miss, but it quickly took me by surprise in a very good way. There were quite a few things in this book that I have never experienced, however, I found that I could develop deeper emotional connections with the characters thanks to how things were presented during these scenes.
Let’s start out with the blunt part of this. One of the things I have had a hard time with when it comes to m/m romance is the hotter scenes. In the other books I have picked up with this, the heat level just never really got turned up for me. I Wish I Were Special was a whole different story. I found the steamy heat level in this one to really be cranked up. I loved how the story got more into the characters heads and how those scenes showed stimulation of the mind as well as the body in ways that were subtle yet effective. I loved how this revealed so many vulnerabilities, strengths, and needs the characters had that went beyond the bedroom and played more into the characters’ everyday lives.
I really liked Quinn. One thing that really stood out to me right from the start was how precise he is. Quinn doesn’t do a thing without it having a deeper purpose both to add to the persona he hides behind and how he copes. His past experiences might not be as harsh as other characters I have read about, but honestly that just made it more relatable. My heart bled for Quinn at times and how his past plays into how he acts and thinks. I can see how some people might think that he acts a little off, but the kind of trauma he has experienced would absolutely shift his personality and audited in the way it did. The amount of research and heart put into his character was beautiful.
Quinn also has a longing that has been simmering just under the surface for a long time, a longing he knows how to cover up and does so well. He is also quite rebellious in a very intriguing way, and I loved how that played into the story. The way that his needs bubble up at times and how he tries so hard to hide it while still clearly crying out for someone to help him really got to me and opened up all the feels. His craving for his and Ellis’s particular kink was juicy and also played in really well with his character.
Ellis was a really perfect match for Quinn. All he wants is to help heal and love Quinn, but along the way he discovers some things about himself and his own needs as well. I really liked how he helped Quinn overcome the situations he is in and how he brings out a side of Quinn that was being painfully hidden. Ellis has some painful aspects to his past as well that he needs to be healed from, and whether or not Quinn realized it to start with, he is the perfect man for that job. Honestly, Ellis was also an extremely steamy character to read.
I will say, this is for sure an erotica and there are elements of dominance play, but the growth in this book was really gripping. Not only did both characters grow as individuals, but their relationship developed in a way that was beautiful.
This story at its core was about healing, and while some may find it odd that sex can be involved with that, there are times when it actually is very much part of healing. I really liked that this author did not shy away from the dom/sub need that both characters clearly had, and allowed the physical aspect of healing to intermix with the mental. This form of healing gave both characters amazing growth and allowed me to develop a sense of deep connection.
Overall:
I wish I were Special was a wonderful M/M romance that really pulled me in. I loved the way in which each character brings out sides
Would I Recommend It:
This book does have elements of submissive dominant play, so if that makes you uncomfortable than no, but if you are comfortable with that than yes, I think this is an enjoyable book any M/M romance lover will enjoy.
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Let me know what you thought about this book, or let me know what you’re most excited to read about in it.
As always, happy reading.
Absolutely could not put this book down. I loved all the steamy scenes and the daddy/boy relationship however this book has a lot of heart. Quin is a special character who has been hurt a lot and feels he has no worth and Ellis is very much in his ways and has his ideals. This story stole my heart and made me fall in love with these two men. I sat on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happens with them.
A very beautiful story. Really sweet and touching and steamy. I loved every single word!
Ellis and Quinn are hot together, and overall I enjoyed the book, but I found it to be just ok. I am not a fan of the writing style, so that kind of put me off the story initially. And this needs another pass through by an editor. Lots of misused words and basic grammar mistakes. Plus some excess stuff that could be cut out and make the book more pleasant to read.
I don’t often complain about this, but there was just way too much sex and not enough actual growth between the couple. Most of their time not having sex is summed up and rushed. I will say that they make a lot of mistakes and learn from them, but it never felt like they truly talked through things like adults. It was always a sort of compromise or reaction to a mistake (or perceived mistake). I feel like we never really got to know the characters beyond what we initially learn and can infer.
I really didn’t like the side characters, but I think that’s more a personal preference.
I probably won’t read anymore by this author unless someone strongly recommends it. I’m definitely not excited about the second book in this series. No spoilers, but it does not seem to be a natural next step in this couple’s relationship. Almost like the trope in the book is popular, so the author is forcing it onto this couple.
I never felt like reading this book was a chore, but it wasn’t especially exciting nor did it make me want to read it all in one sitting.
I say give this book a read because you may enjoy it more than me. It just didn’t do it for me. The dirty talk is really hot, which I love, but it sadly wasn’t enough to make me like the book more.
Wow! A perfect combination of MCs with the perfect surroundings! I did not expect the book to have this much charm! All the Southern comfort, bratty Boy and just a Daddy for him. Brilliant
Quinn needs someone to help him fix himself. He needs someone to fix him. He needs someone like Ellis, who will Daddy him and take care of him the way Quinn doesn’t, won’t, take care of himself. The question is, will Quinn ever let Ellis into his life enough that Ellis can actually accomplish that. Or will Quinn continue to just act the brat on the surface, or actually let Ellis tell him that Quinn’s good enough, deserves to be taken care of the way his family never took care of him, never valued him?
Let’s start with the things I liked about this story: A) Quinn and Ellis. I didn’t get a lot of them beneath the surface, not a lot of character development, until the end, but what little I did get of them, I liked them both. B) The steamy scenes. At first, I liked them because they were pretty hot, and had a purpose (Ellis’ way of teaching Quinn). But…and there’s a big but, they became too plentiful, repetitive, and overwhelmed the story.
Now let’s go with what I didn’t like: A) Everything else – the writing, the lack of much character development, the shallowness of it all.
I absolutely cannot stand it when a story is told in third person present tense. It sounds and feels weird and awkward, and is not an effective way for me to relate to the story and/or the characters.
As I said before, at first I liked the sex scenes. But after awhile it became clear this story relied on them too much, instead of developing the story, they were the story. Too much sex is almost as bad as not enough, or closed door sex. It was obvious that Quinn and Ellis were attracted to each other. I get it already! No need for it every other scene.
And finally, I just could not for the life of me, connect to this story. I liked what little of Quinn and Ellis I got below their outer surface, but that’s about it for what I liked. Everything else just did not work for me.
Will I read another story by this author? Probably not, especially if I read an excerpt and find it’s told in third person present tense.
3.5 stars First, the concept is awesome, second (I have to be critical) I wish it was much shorter, with less repetitive parts, for me those parts were way too much.
I made my point, now I’ll concentrate on the story. A smoothly written piece! It was delicious!
Quinn, nineteen years old, is one big brat, picking up guys, every weekend a different one, a fast hot fuck and throw them out afterward. He acts like a headless guy, just like they want and expects him to be. He is much more than that. Deep down, there sits a deeply hurt neglected boy. A broken part no one will ever witness.
Then he meets Ellis, older than Quinn, who has a certain authority over him.
What started as a tease, calling Ellis Daddy, soon is the reality. Quinn never knew for certain he needed this and he can’t believe it’s true, it’s nice as long as it lasts.
Ellis has his hands full with Quinn. The progress to connect and go forward is slow. Ellis is afraid he’ll be left alone as all his boys did.
They are delicious vocal, all the right ‘dirty’ words at the right time (besides the repetitive).
There is a lot of sexual activity. I would have appreciated some variation. The actions were hot done. The author has a lot of potentials to work with this theme. If this story had been shorter and more varied it could have had more stars because in big lines it was hot af, nice detailed, hurt/comfort well done, with flawed vulnerable personalities, smoothly written and with a good plot.
I loved it to see the guys from previous stories!
clue what awaited me. I had to push through the first couple chapters not realizing that this was part of a series and some of the characters had been introduced in previous books. Once I got past the opening I was able to get into the story and it didn’t matter that I hadn’t read the other books. I was able to enjoy the story on its own. I found this book well written and intriguing. I would recommend it to anyone who likes DD / lb story’s
Arc copy provided courtesy of Julia McBryant.
All reviews are voluntary and my honest opinion.
Ellis is refined and strict, which I’m sure will be fully necessitated by Quinn’s unruly nature and self loathing. Ellis can be a snob, but it’s in an arrogantly competent sugar daddy way. He also has hangups about his interest in younger men because his mother is overly judgmental.
Quinn is all barbs and sharp edges over wounded vulnerability. His bratty attitude is mostly a wall to keep others from hurting him.
The men have good compatibility, they’ve both been hurt by their families.
No spoilers, but it’s good to see Quinn’s friends and family accept Ellis in the end.
I’ve read so many insta-love books, and it’s very hit or miss. With the amount of people who’ve hurt Quinn, his walls came down very quickly. While I liked the characters together, I found myself wanting them to spend more time learning about each other and fleshing out the relationship.
4/5
Tags: Daddy Kink
Isn’t funny how people perceive themselves when having spent a lifetime feeling as if their standing on the outside looking in? When Ellis met Quinn he found exactly what he had been searching for a boy of his own but this broken boy was going to take every bit of his knowledge and patients to allow them to work though through their pain to develop a relationship that will grow into the love and trust they both need. For Quinn it might be the first time that he will finially find the love and life he craves. What a very enjoyable well written fast reading tale about how with a little work, time and a whole lot of love to give two very special people can build a relationship to last forever.
I Wish I Were Special by Julia McBryant is the sixth book in the Southern Seduction series and it a contemporary m/m romance with a nice taste of Daddy Kink to it. Quinn and Ellis’s story is filled with the tantalizing treats of spanking and edging that spice it up but there is also the romance of it… the real connection these two men forge. Theres drama here too… the memories of neglect and abuse, addictions and destructive behavior, and the reality of living in a gossip loving small town. This story grabbed my attention and held it with the well written characters and the interesting plot. Definitely satisfying read.