This book hit so many buttons absolutely perfectly. I loved the exploration of kink and their dynamic and it was done in a way that was very fresh and lovely and I look forward to the next book

First thing I am gonna say, do not read this book out of order. If you do this won't be the book for you. Cause the author assumes you know the world, you know the characters, and you know semi about the plot established in the first book.
To Have and To Hold is the second book in the Enchanting Encounters series by author Tamryn Eradani. To be honest I loved the first book so much this book was a huge letdown.

Kyle and Aiden had a lot of sex in this book. Not a lot of plot but hey it is okay. They have a three-month trial now a BDSM contract. There were so many holes for me in their relationship. Neither one of them come off in a good light. They are pretty flawed, and not in a likable way. I would read more in this series because I want the chemistry and love from the first book to come back. This one is good does advance their relationship, and moves them forward. However, if you are like me and adored the first book this one is going to be a letdown. Just a totally different tone to it.

I only recently discovered the LGBTQIA Erotic Romance genre, and I'm hooked. If you agree that love between two men is sexy and sweet and vulnerable then this book is one you don't want to miss.

Really enjoyed this follow up to To Seek and to Find and loved that we got to know Aidan and Kyle better, The more I read, the more I fell in love with the story and them. Looking forward to reading To Love and to Cherish. - Full review to come.

2.5 stars

Sooooo apparently this was an erotica.... I can't say I was happy to realise that. I skipped the majority of the sex scenes, which took place after every other page. It got old fast, repetitive and, franctly, tiring. I wanted some character developement, some relationship connection outside of sex, some more depth to the personalities.

I haven't read the first book in the series and even though I wasn't lost and could follow the plot, I don't think this should be read as a standalone.

The idea that a sub would make eveything he could to keep his Dom's attention and extent their time together was intriguing and it was what made me want to read the book in the first place. In the end, though, the relationship dynamic was a little weird. I appreciated that the sub wasn't always pliant and just following along to the Dom's wants but pushed back, demanting to get what he wanted and he was even the aggressor at times. This is also what confused me about them, though. Aidan, the Dom, at times seemed lost about how to handle Kyle, his sub.

The scenes where either both or just Kyle were at the club and were interacting with their friends and acquaintances were some of the most interesting in the book. Sadly, there weren't a lot of them, but I loved what little we got to see. I wish there were more of them, but there's still time as the series isn't over.

I think the cover was a very nice touch. The handcuffs play a very important role in Kyle's life and, by extension, in the plot too. It's a design that cleverly catches the theme of the book.



*An ARC of this book was kindly provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. *

I received an advance copy of this book, and I feel so conflicted because I loved the first book in this series so much. But this one left me feeling like I was not the intended audience for this book. It is listed as erotica, though, and there is definitely that.

Kyle and Aiden are established first in To Seek and To Find. There was a clear plot, in which Kyle found something he liked in Aiden, and took steps to try to catch his eye.

In this book, there isn't even that much plot holding things together. These two characters have lengthened their scene partner to a three month trial. They certainly try a lot of things in that time, but there isn't a clear indication of what Aiden is thinking might happen beyond that. Mostly because Kyle never asks, and Aiden never starts the conversation.

I also found the character of Kyle difficult to like, which was especially hard given how much I identified with him in the last book. Here, he seems pushy, very obviously prioritising what he wants above what Aiden wants to give. He offers service at times, but never before asking whether it's a service that Aiden would like. This would be fine, if Aiden ever took him up on it.

The story gives us cues to see that what is on the page is deliberate, however. Kyle comments to another friend at the club that the two of them are just two guys, rather than in a dynamic, at various points. At another time, Kyle observes that every time they see each other, they have amazing sex, or talk about having just had amazing sex.

I love the first book of this series, To Seek and to Find, because it's BDSM erotica that is grounded in reality. Members of the club Enchanting Encounters form a loving community of kinksters and I was so happy to rejoin them.

Just as in book one we follow Kyle and Aidan, who have decided that their two week-old relationship deserves a three month extension. They're still figuring out what they like, visiting each other's apartments for the first time, and passing muster with best friends and neighbors.

I really like the BDSM itself. The meaning Kyle's cuffs take on, conversations in the club, a rope bondage scene with Kyle's neighbor - I'm here for all of it. Some are carryovers from and callbacks to the first book and I like how the narrative thread isn't being dropped. People at the club, in particular, are being fleshed out and I hope they'll get their own stories going forward.

The sex is sweet and scenes varied, but there's precious little plot holding them together. I'm glad there's no Big Misunderstanding, but I wanted a bit more there there. New chapters often start with a jump in time and change of place that left me at sea. And some things just didn't make sense - Aidan lives in a duplex supplied by his employer but the neighbors have free run of his kitchen for reasons I can't discern.

If you don't like the third person present you may be put off but it doesn't bother me. Despite the more objective standpoint, though, we never get deep into Aidan's head. I didn't mind it for the first book - a touch of mystery! room to grow! - but I'm having a hard time connecting to our Dom hero without it.

All in all a decent if slightly slumpy second book in the series. That being said there's a teaser for book three and I like the direction Eradani is headed.

I felt almost as Kyle... denied to... hear them say the L word... it was there, but not in reach...
It was hard to experience.. The anticipation was just killing... all those feelings!

Excellent story in all the possible ways... excellent written, excellent bdsm, excellent buildup, excellent personalities, excellent surroundings, excellent developed, excellent delaying, excellent conversations, excellent amount of depth, details and all those wonderful emotions.

It’s that kind of story I never want it to end, I’m happy there is a next one waiting!

So yes I loved it, like I love ALL Tamryn Eradani’s books. This is part two of a series