Review: Before You Break by K.C. Wells & Parker Williams (Secrets #1)


Note: This ARC was provided by the publisher via Signal Boost Promotions in exchange for an honest review.

Before You Break is the first novel in Secrets, the new BDSM-themed series from the writing duo of K.C. Wells and Parker Williams, which also happens to be a spin-off of their highly popular and much touted Collars and Cuffs series. For the record, I have yet to read the original series, though I did check out the blurbs for all those books so I have a tiny bit of an idea as to what they were about--as if the series title hadn't already clued me in, ha! However, it's safe to say that you can enjoy this brand new series starter without having any prior reading experience or knowledge of the original books--at least that's how I felt while and after reading Before You Break.

Wayne Dwyer and Ellis Mann are partners and friends, working together as Firearms Specialist police officers in London, but Wayne can't help but wonder if, after six years, the job is getting to Ellis. He wants to be able to help his friend loosen up and let go of all that obvious anxiety and the best way Wayne knows how is through the BDSM lifestyle he's been a part of for years as a Dom and does so through a new club, Secrets. But Ellis is straight and while Wayne thinks BDSM may shock Ellis, he certainly doesn't want to scare his friend away, not when too much is at stake. However, it could well be Wayne who ends up surprised once he learns the secrets Ellis has been keeping.

I've enjoyed K.C. Wells's writing in the past, but I haven't had the pleasure with Parker Williams's, so this is my first taste of his writing. Now, I don't know how Williams is as a solo author, but goodness, he alongside Wells are a force to be reckoned with. Their writing is crisp and on-point while remaining emotive and thought-provoking. I admit that when it comes to huge umbrella that is the romance genre, BDSM-themed stories aren't at the top of my list. I've enjoyed quite a few, but some have been a miss, making it too much about the kink and the sex. Wells and Williams, however, know what the hell they're doing and had me enjoying their new novel from the beginning.

It would be easy to label Wayne and Ellis's story as friends-to-lovers, but that would be over simplifying what happens to and between them. They trust each other as friends and partners, but engaging in a BDSM relationship required a different level of trust and I liked reading about how these two men figured out how to handle this new layer to what already existed. Their story struck the right balance between heart and heat, just like Wayne showed Ellis with pleasure and pain and how letting go doesn't necessarily mean being out of control. I'm curious to see whose story will be next in this new series and about the original series as well. Before You Break garners five stars. ♥

Date Read: 14 June 2017

Learn more about K.C. Wells and Parker Williams.

Purchase Before You Break on Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo.

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