Zander (Johnson Family Rules, #1) by Carly Marie

Zander (Johnson Family Rules, #1) Reviews

• 
  Susan

  I absolutely LOVED the first half. I thought it was hilarious when Noah turned into a total clutz when Zander was around. And since Noah kept getting himself hurt because of that there was hurt/comfort all around.
  
  But then the second half happened.
  
  I'm a big daddy kink fan, but unfortunately I'm no longer a BDSM fan. Now I totally get that daddy kink falls under BDSM so I guess I have myself to blame for not liking this more.
  
  But I hate contracts, limits, kneeling, and BDSM clubs. I like daddy kink because it mostly focusses on the caring aspect and not necessarily the more traditional side of BDSM.
  
  So that’s why I disliked the second half. Because we suddenly had Zander coming up with a contract, and Noah kneeling at his feet. And doing a scene at a BDSM club is not really my thing. Except when it’s age play, then I can totally handle it.
  
  This is not the book’s fault, but my own, since it’s obvious from the beginning that Zander’s parents own a BDSM club, and his entire family is into BDSM. But I guess I just hoped it would be more caring and nurturing and not so BDSM-y….
• 
  Carol

  Cute, sweet and kinky. Exactly what I'm used to from Carly Marie...and you can add a slow-burn also. Sometimes I really like a slow burn story, but sometimes I really hate the waiting for the characters to get their act together.... This time it almost morphed in the hate category, because I wanted these two guys to realize that they were made for each other and get all the unexplained misunderstanding out of the way. Noah was so cute, but oh so awkward every time he came anywhere near Zander. To make matters worse...Zander was his boss. Zander is the Chief of Police and Noah is the new patrol officer. It was funny, but exactly right...at least for this romance. I waited quite a while but finally saw the crush turn into love. Zander was so good in every way... and a "Daddy" in every sense of the word. He watched out not only for Noah, but also for one of his brothers who was a "little" but didn't have a "Daddy" yet. The brother is a firefighter, and his book is coming up. Can't wait! The family and their friends were really sweet together. Almost all of them work at the club...even Grandma! I can't remember the last time I read a Daddy/Boy kink without age-play being involved. I almost forgot how those work. I really enjoyed this book and the entire, wonderful, warm. lovable Johnson family and all their friends.
• 
  Valerie ❈M/M Romance Junkie❈

  Thoroughly enjoyable. I really enjoyed meeting Zander’s family, but I had to knock off a star for the “new series” info dump about the potential MC for the remaining books. That sort of took time away from the budding relationship with the current MC. Probably just a “me” thing. 🤷🏽‍♀️
• 
  Kaity

  3-3.5 stars
  
  I think that this book was good, but I wanted more of their everyday life. The beginning of the book was great, but then the incident happened with Noah and time slowed to a crawl and their relationship happened over a week… which sometimes felt like it worked and others it didn’t.
  
  But overall I enjoyed this book Bolton Hill did a good job narrating and I wished Larsons book was on audio… he was my favorite side character, you really felt for him.
• 
  Ditte

  Nah, not for me.
  
  For a book that has its opening scene in a kink club and has bdsm and daddy kink, it felt like a weird choice by the author to wait until 50% into the book for the characters to get off together, and 75% until they had full-on sex.
  
  Noah being the clumsiest person in the history of the world got real old real fast. And Zander's entire family (including parents and granma) always hanging out together at his parents' bdsm club, talking verrrrrry openly about all things sex, and having no problem doing scenes while family members were around was just strange.
• 
  Chris

  3.5 for the first in this series - lots of characters coming !
• 
  Jamie

  I couldn't put this book down. I loved Zander and Noah's story.
  
  These two start off on the wrong foot. Although neither one knows that they are. I found myself laughing at these two throughout the majority of the book.
  
  I got my first glimpse of Zander in the At Home series. I'm so glad he got his own book. His family is a hoot and I can't wait to read more about them.
  
  I will say that I wish there was an order to read these since all of these characters seem to cross over in all the series. At the end of this book, I see that Larsen is in the Undisclosed series but yet he's one of Zander's brothers. I'm the type of reader where I need to make sure I'm reading them in order because the characters make more sense that way, regardless if they are "stand-alone" or not. These all seem interconnected.
  
  Either way, I was pleasantly surprised again. I'm not big on the daddy kink, but for some reason, I don't mind it in these books.
• 
  Della On Hiatus Senpai

  Soo ima give. This a nawl boo.
  
  So for the Narrator Bolton Hill... I did like him I found his voice really relaxing actually ..
  
  Until he said the word Daddy...
  
  
  I just felt really uncomfortable for some reason with the Daddy dynamics in this book. There is a difference TO ME between having a Daddy kink bc...I mean HELLO older dudes, Sexy bears are hot!! And bedroom play.
  
  But I only find it sexy in a sexual manner. Once that "Daddy kink" starts to get into MC' real life I kinda get turned off on the book itself which happens in this book.!!
  
  FYI I like the Cover. And I have put some Carly Marie books on my wishlist on Audible!! So I'll be listening to another book sooner or later 🥰🥰
• 
  Janet (iamltr)

  Audiobook Review
  
  I have read every single book by Carly Marie and now I'm working my way through the audio.
  
  I will be the first one to admit that Carly's books kind of need to be read in sort of order just so you know who everyone is. I would love a family/book list of who is who and what book you should read first.
  
  Anyways, in here we have Zander, a Daddy Dom of the stern variety not the diaper kind and Noah, a young sub who is looking for his dream Daddy.
  
  These two first meet each other in Zander's family bdsm club. Though Zander does not remember Noah's face, Noah recognized Zander as the hot daddy from the club on his first day at work as a sheriff's deputy, since Zander also works there.
  
  Every time Noah sees Zander, he gets hurt. Culminating in Noah hitting his head on a St Andrew cross and needing to go to the hospital. These two bond and fall in love while Noah recovers.
  
  While Daddy is used here, it is not a little story, in case anyone was worried. There is a little, but it's not one of the mcs.
  
  This was my first time having Bolton Hill narrate a story and he did a good job. My nitpick has to do with the older 40 year old mc sounding so young and the 25 year old mc sounded older.
  
  
  _____________________________
  
  
  Twas quite a ride
  
  I loved the first part of this book when poor Noah would hurt himself every time Deputy Daddy came around right up until after the concussion. Something happened with the writing but it didn't stop me from enjoying the rest. I do want to read about the rest of this family.
• 
  Amanda

  This is another sweet, steamy book from Carly Marie that I enjoyed thoroughly. Zander and Noah are so much fun.. although poor, poor Noah. I wanted to wrap him in bubble wrap (literally) and protect him from everything that was happening to him with his extreme nervousness around Zander after they met. But wow, they are so perfect for each other! Zander is the perfect Daddy dom for a submissive like Noah, though they had a lot of real-world stuff to work out (hello, boss Daddy). I truly enjoyed the development of their relationship and the way they each fit the other’s needs so beautifully. I also laughed a lot while reading this one.. the snark! Love the banter.
  
  The romance is wonderful, but in addition to that... MAN I am so excited for another family from this author! This family is GREAT. Guys, there is potential for some hilarious moments down the road, too.. trust. And Grams! HA. I cannot wait for the next one!
• 
  Essie

  I really enjoyed the first half, but the second half wasn’t as good. I started to browse the story and was even skipping the sex scenes. I guess I was a bit bored...?
  I mean, when the MC’s are police officers, at least add a few exciting work scenes.
• 
  Szidi ☼

  Cute, sweet and kinky. Exactly what I'm used to from Carly. And add slow-burn too.
  
  Sometimes I love slow burn stories, sometimes I hate... This time I was in the hate category, because it seems I only read slow burns in the last month, and now I'm sick of it.
  But not sick of this story, because I enjoyed despite of it.
  
  Noah was so cute! I loved how awkward he got when Zander was close, it was funny, and exaxtly what I'm looking for in a romance. To see the crush turn into love. And Zander, ahh so good. Daddy all the way. I loved him and his family - can't wait to read more about this crazy family! A BDSM club owned by a family, so good, with the grandma too! Hahaha.
  
  Loved that Colt was there to and helped Zander to take days off to be with his boy. They were really sweet together, Zander and Noah. I can't remember the last time I read a Daddy-kink without age-play, and I almost forgot how those works (LOL), but I really enjoyed reading the book.
  
  Aside from the really, really slow burn, I liked the book. Can't wait for the other books.
• 
  MN Lisa

  I love a good Daddy story and prefer not age play and that is what I got in this book. Zander is the club with is brother (who is a little) and sees a man in the room, while drawn to him, he does not approach or make contact. Noah, wanting to relax before starting his new job on Monday, goes to the club and sees a Daddy and his boy. Attracted to the daddy, he leaves the room without saying anything.
  
  Next week arrives and low and behold, Noah, new deputy, meets Zander, chief deputy, his boss and the Daddy from the club. He gets nervous and through a series of accidents, he embarrasses himself. At the club to try and forget, one final accident sets this romance on high and this ends up being a super sweet Daddy/boy, without age play.
  
  I loved these characters and the secondary characters so much. This is on my re-read list and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
• 
  Natalie

  Sigh
  Okay it's not the book. It's me.
  While this is the first book in the Johnson Family series, it definitely features characters from the Finding Home series and would be better understood after reading at least some of those books. Otherwise the introduction of characters gets a little chaotic.
  
  Characters:
  Zander: Chief Deputy. Dominant who leans towards a Daddy.
  Noah: Deputy. Submissive who leans towards a Boy.
  
  There is no age play involved in this book. Noah is not a Little. He likes the rules and structure that Zander gives him while also enjoying the rewards and punishments that come with his submission to Zander.
  
  The plot: Noah spots Zander in a BDSM club and instantly feels attraction towards him. Zander feels that same attraction but neither acts on it. When Noah starts his new job and finds out the sexy Daddy from the club is his new boss he becomes very accident prone. I think a good word to use here would be Twitterpated. When the accident prone Noah finally falls literally head over heels for Zander and ends up with a concussion, Zander takes it upon himself to nurse the poor Boy back to health.
  
  My opinion: I had read a few books from the other series so I had a clue as to some of the many many characters that were introduced, however, it still felt overwhelming and unnecessary to involve so many extra characters. That aside, I felt almost bored with the story. The plot felt weak. Zander basically kidnaps Noah for like two weeks and everyone is like yeah that's fine. And their boss just gives them time off? In this economy?
  
  Bottom line: fluffy. Cute. Reminds me of a show you put on TV just to hear some noise in the background. There's not a lot of substance BUT I did appreciate that the author made the point that subs and Doms do not come in one shape or size. Subs can be larger than their Dom.
• 
  Anna

  I really like this one and I honestly think it's because I read them out of order. I read Larson's story in the undisclosed series before I read this one and so I kind of already got a glimpse into the Johnson family from that book. I can totally see why people have some complaints about character dumps and just this massive amount of characters that are thrown at you in this book because it's a lot. It wasn't as jarring for me because I knew it was coming based on Larson's book.
  
  I am immensely intrigued by the Johnson family. They are a family of like nine kids and their parents own a BDSM club. Pretty much everyone's kinky and everyone overshares and it is absolutely unfathomable to me to have such an open family. But they're all a little bit wild and they love fiercely and care deeply and I do really enjoy them.
  
  Noah is 100% the star of this book. He is so clutzy around Zander and I found myself cracking up at all of his misadventures. I loved the part where his brain to mouth filter wasn't working and he was just saying everything that he was thinking. The circumstances were not ideal but it was altered in some very funny conversations. I do really like Zander too, but I think Noah kind of carried this book.
  
  This is a daddy/boy kink with impact play. There's no age play for the main characters but there is a secondary character with age play. Noah is gay and Zander is pansexual. Numerous secondary queer characters.
• 
  Smut Librarian

  Carly really knows how to write a brilliant Daddy/boy story and even though this one brings a little more Daddy Dom and a bit of a awkward clutzy boy - it somehow makes it even more sweet!
  The dynamics between the characters are simply perfect and I eagerly flipped every page wanting more and more. Zander and Noah are adorable but also flawed and endearing and the circumstances surrounding them are both fun and engaging.
  I think you would get a little more depth from the story if you had read her Finding Home series so that you can more simply grasp some of the side character dynamics, but it wouldn't be necessary.
  Overall, this is a stunningly sweet story with plenty to enjoy. I'm sure I'll be reading it again soon!
• 
  Samantha Lynn

  Underwhelming
  
  *possible spoilers ahead*
  
  I think the author had a real strong plot idea with this especially regarding BDSM. There was real potential there but the story fell flat in a lot of ways and felt rushed. I think if the writer added a bit more, it could have been a good story.
  
  It’s hard to understand everything happening. You have Noah, who is a Little and is strongly attracted to his boss who is Daddy Dom and gets nervous every time he sees Zander. It’s cute at first but then becomes real boring fast.
  
  You get really overwhelmed trying to understand Zander and his family dynamic and how his entire family owns and runs a BDSM club.
  
  I think this could have been a lot better if the author didn’t rush things and put more depth to the characters.
• 
  DeeNeez

  Noah is a new hire deputy and a total klutz whenever he is near the Daddy of his dreams. Problem? That daddy happens to be his new boss. As much as I enjoyed reading Zander and Noah’s story, I am wanting to read Sheriff Colt and Derek’s or even Nathan’s story next. Yes, I’m reading these books out of order. But thoroughly enjoying the kink.
• 
  Anna

  Hilarious and sweet all at the same time! Must read, although after I finished it, I found out that there are stories before this story! Especially about Colt and Derek, which I had a feeling that they already existed…
• 
  Jenn (not Lily)

  3.75 stars
• 
  America

  DNF 20% a case of "it's me, not the book", because I wanted some age play and not just daddy kink. Maybe later.
• 
  Jesslan Rose

  Zander
  By Carly Marie
  
  I absolutely love this book. Zander and Noah are perfect for each other as Daddy and Boy. I love both of their personalities. Noah's self-talks always bring laughs.
  
  The one character I truly felt for was Zander's brother, Larson. I so wanted him to be the focus of the next book, but alas I shall have to wait as Nathan is instead. Unfortunately Nathan was the one character I didn't connect with at all and he kind of irritated me. 😆
  
  When I began to read this I didn't catch that it was the first of an offshoot series. So unfortunately I'll have to wait for each new book as it comes out. However I will mention that for certain characters in the book (such as Colt and Derek) it was clear I was missing out on a lot because I did not know the background history of their relationship. So I might suggest reading that series first.
  
  The angst level is low. It's almost more of a romcom than a romance. The story is told from both Zander and Noah's POV.
• 
  Tam

  2.5* At first Noah's clumsiness around Zander was kind of cute and funny but it really dragged out and then he ends up with a concussion at Zander's house and again, the relationship just kind of dragged. It was nice that Noah wasn't a typically cute little twink. Zander's family is a bit weird given they are all involved in running a kink club and know what everyone is into, but I suppose that's the deal here. I really just want Larson's story and have been waiting for that for a long time. If this hadn't been quite so slow I probably would have rated it higher.
• 
  Amy Dufera - Amy's MM Romance Reviews

  Zander is a fabulous read. As in, holy crap, I love this Carly Marie story. The first book in the Johnson Family Rules series, I couldn't devour it fast enough.
  
  Zander's family, aka the Johnson family, is awesome and totally not the typical family next door. The family's a large, mixed marriage one who definitely aren't shy about sex. His father and step mother own the BDSM club, his brother is a little, his grandmother the receptionist, and everyone has a story I can't wait to discover.
  
  As for Zander and Noah, well, they first notice one another at the club. But Noah thinks Zander is taken. Next thing they know they are co-workers. Awkward, right? Oh how I adore the clumsiness that follows, as Noah is just so uncomfortable. Simply put, you can see it all play out as if it's a tv comedy where he trips and falls every time he sees Zander.
  
  There's a forced proximity aspect, as an injury results in the men spending time together. Cue the developing feelings and ultimate relationship.
  
  The boss/employee aspect is certainly entertaining, especially as Noah has no idea that others around them are involved in kink. Oh fun!
  
  This is a story with plenty of misunderstandings, but none of them are the annoying ones that are just there to keep them apart. Instead, these misunderstandings tend to add some humor and keeps things interesting.
  
  Zander and Noah are truly fabulous together. Zander is a Daddy and he's wonderful knowing what Noah needs. Their romance is a slow burn, but it's well worth the wait. They are sexually on fire, and Zander is a wonderful Daddy for Noah.
  
  The author explores that there is no one type of submission, domination, little, etc. It wonderfully illustrates that whatever works between consenting adults is fine.
  
  And if you don't enjoy the scenes with Larson, well, simply put, I am sorry. Cause they are beautiful! Simply beautiful! I can't wait for more of Larson.
  
  The writing is amazing, with a perfect flow and a seamless storyline. The world building is everything with this one, and I just can't wait to read more.
  
  Zander is a must read for any fans of Daddy romances or just fantastic romances in general. Carly Marie adds plenty of heart, heat, and humor into this wonderful story. I love the Johnson family and can't wait to get to know the others better.
• 
  Cindi

  Stopping at 67%.
  
  I'm just not feeling it with these guys. The first half or so was okay, I guess, though more silly than anything else with Noah's clumsiness around Zander. And what eventually got them together? Another of Noah's clumsy moments. I honestly felt zero chemistry between Zander and Noah. I simply could not see them together, no matter how much I read of the book.
  
  After about the 50% mark it started really dragging.
  
  There are a TON of characters introduced. It wasn't too hard to keep up with most of them, but I felt like it was too much about secondary characters (who will - I'm guessing - ultimately have their own stories) than the two main characters in this book. I found myself eager to see Larson (one of Zander's brothers) on-page and not so much Noah or Zander because, to be blunt, they bored me to tears. At least Larson had a sweet personality.
  
  I'm going to go out on a limb and assume this series is a spin-off from another one? I felt like I'd been dropped into a world of characters (Colt, Zander's parents, etc.) and stories that I should've already known about. There's lots of talk about Zander's boss and his country singer husband (or boyfriend? I think it said husband) so I'm guessing their story had been told before. Same with a few of the others.
  
  I don't think I've ever read this author before so if the above is the case, I had no way of knowing. I would've held off on starting the series had something been in the blurb about it having characters from other series - characters that play a big part in this one as secondary characters.
  
  Another thing that absolutely drove me crazy... what's with all the books with !!!!!!!!!!!!! all over the place lately? A few can be overlooked, but almost every single conversation? It's distracting. No way would grown men and women be so !!!!!!EXCITED!!!!!! every time they say something.
  
  I may or may not come back to it another day. Right now I'm just not feeling it. When you find yourself skimming over sex scenes it's time to move on. I want to know Larson's story but only his. Nate seemed too uptight and stuffy. I couldn't warm up to him. Seth seemed fun but not enough for me to be eager to see him find love. The others just confused the hell out of me.
  
  
• 
  Mandy

  Noah's world changed when he realised that the gorgeous Daddy Dom he saw at DASH was his new boss. He knows that they should talk but he just keeps hurting himself every time Zander is near to him. Zander is the chief deputy and he knows he needs to keep things professional with the newest deputy but that is hard when he continuously gets hurt and he just wants to make things better. He needs to find the mysterious little he saw in DASH with the tattoo so he can stop obsessing over Noah. An accident has Zander's personal and professional lives collide when he discovers the man from DASH is Noah. Now the overprotective Daddy isn’t going away until he’s sure Noah is okay. Communication goes a long way and if you don't ask for what you want you are not going to get it. If these two men can communicate, Daddy and Boy might just discover that they are exactly what the other has been looking for.
  
  I enjoyed this story with the two strong men who were different in that one was a Daddy and the other was a boy. I loved the mixups that happened and that they added to the story although I did find the constant accidents by Noah to be a bit much towards the end of that phase of the story. I loved their relationship plus the deep love that they developed for each other and the accepting way that the Johnson family were so friendly and helpful. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MM story with a BDSM-like DDLB story with a DDLB dynamic.
• 
  Whitney

  4.5 stars but rounding up because the Johnson family doesn't understand boundaries
  
  Oh how I love Carly Marie. This woman has found the formula to my heart and it lies in the no boundaries ever Johnson family. Who knew my kink was a large family that knows literally everything about each other.
  
  This book was cute and healthy. It wasn't as kinky as some of her other books but there was still a good amount. Noah and Xander were cute. Plus there was the trope of one of the characters is sick or injured at the other to take care of them which is one of my favorite things ever. I love seeing a call back to previous characters from other series. All of her books are deeply interwoven but done in such a way that you can read them all as standalones. I don't know how she does it, let alone keeps up with it all but it's amazing. I realize I'm mostly complimented the author at this point but the book is really good too.
  
  If you like your romance is sweet with both strong family ties and friendships, this is for you. Also, Xander was pretty swoon. I don't know how to fully explain it but he was pretty swoony. What can I say, I have a things for Dom's that are growling and protective.