Endings and Beginnings

Collars and Cuffs, Book 8

By: K.C. Wells, Parker Williams

Narrated by: Joel Leslie

Length: 12 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's Summary

In all his relationships, Darren Fielding never found the level of intimacy he witnessed between Thomas Williams and his sub, Peter, the day of Peter's "rebirth". Not only that, he never realized such intimacy was possible. For two years, Thomas's business card has been burning a hole in his wallet. When Darren's lover moves on, maybe it's finally time to see where that card takes him.

Collars & Cuffs' new barman, JJ Taylor, is really conflicted right now. He went to the club with a very specific purpose, already convinced of what he'd find there. Except it's not what he expected at all. He certainly didn't anticipate finding himself drawn to the new wannabe dom. Nor could he have guessed the direction that attraction would lead him.

Old love, new love, vows, pain, rage, moving in, moving on....The members of Collars & Cuffs face an event that touches some of them deeply, but it will only reinforce what they already know: together they are stronger, and some bonds cannot be broken.

©2016 K.C. Wells, Parker Williams (P)2016 Dreamspinner Press

Bittersweet

I feel like I have been part of the club. I don't know if this is the end of the series or not, but it seems everyone has grown up and out. I love them all so much. the way their lives have gone is so wonderful through all the struggles. really nice job writing the different perspectives.

Breathtaking!!

What made the experience of listening to Endings and Beginnings the most enjoyable?

For me, the connection to the characters and the way the narrator manages to allow us to feel as if each individual is speaking.

Who was your favorite character and why?

JJ is my favorite character. It seems that he has so much to overcome and push through in order to be the sub he is meant to be.

Which scene was your favorite?

When JJ goes to see his mom even though he is scared, sad, and heartbroken; priceless.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Definitely.

Any additional comments?

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.I started listening to the book knowing who the narrator was and having the book to follow along. I love the series. The audio version and Joel Leslie brings a new level to this book. The depth provided to the characters is amazing. You can automatically recognize change in character by tone of voice and mood. JJ and Darren's story is a memorable one. When JJ goes to see his mom even though he is scared, sad, and heartbroken; priceless. Then by working in the club JJ realized the great group of people around him. On top of all of the focus between JJ and Darren you wrap in the other characters from previous books allowing a reconnection and its if Joel as a narrator keeps us connected to each individual.

Class Act!

I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. I've got to start by saying I have never read anything by this author and had no prior knowledge of the series. I started listening to the book with Joel Leslie's narration and immediately I thought "what's going on here?". Being used to listen to books narrated in an American accent and also having previously listened to Joel narrating a book from one of my favourite authors I thought I knew what to expect. Well I never!
To give some context, I am a Portuguese national that has lived in the U.K. for 15 years so I'm as fluent in English as Portuguese. I am also quite tunned in to the different regional accents we get in the uk. Mr Leslie did such a great job with this book that I had to stop listening to do a bit of google stalking and find out how does he manage to capture so well not just the general middle and upper class accent but also that of the working class. I mean, I can pick them out and distinguish but I couldn't attempt to try them out myself. Having found my answer to this little puzzle (you can do your own googling if you want to find out) I started forgetting about what I expected to hear and concentrate on the story. I found myself really invested in all the characters and following the stories of the different couples. I particularly loved this book because you get so many happy endings, although now I am very curious to find out how it all started and I may have to read the series from the beginning.
I thought I had my favourite male narrator all picked out but Joel just came in and dethroned the previous. I have a feeling he will stay up there for a long time because what I listened to isn't just narration, it's pure high class acting.

A Wonderful Edition to a Great Series

What made the experience of listening to Endings and Beginnings the most enjoyable?

In addition to meeting the two main characters and watching their relationship grow it was wonderful having characters from the earlier books checking in throughout, seeing the developments and changes in their lives. In addition, the reading was wonderful. I've come to expect only the bests from Joel Leslie, but this book had a huge cast of characters and he did an awesome job. I could always tell who was talking by the timbre of his voice, even before a name was given.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I like J.J., how he started out and how he developed. He started out with a particular view of the club and then (in a very organic progression) changed his view, which helped changed his view of not only his life but himself.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Peter was talking with the reporter. Initially he was frightened but then he stood up for himself. He didn't let the man get over on him. I was very proud of him. He'd been through so much but was able to get past it.

If you could rename Endings and Beginnings, what would you call it?

It would have to be something about friendship, because that's such a huge part of these stories.. Friends Forever, Friends Through Thick and Thin, something like that.

What a beautiful ending!!!!

What did you love best about Endings and Beginnings?

I loved how along with JJ and Darren's story we were able to see what all of the other wonderful characters were up to! I leave this series knowing every beautiful man had his happy ending!

Any additional comments?

Joel Leslie rocked this narration. There were so many characters and he differentiated each and every one of the beautifully! I could listen to him all day!

Wow great story

Would you consider the audio edition of Endings and Beginnings to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the book. But I loved the audio version

What was one of the most memorable moments of Endings and Beginnings?

When JJ goes to his moms. He is so scared, heartbroken, sad and afraid. He ends up telling her everything he had been doing, starting with thinking his dad was just a misled guy, that BDSM was what was wrong. How after he had worked at the club and got to know the people there he realized what a good group of people they were and how even he was exploring a dom/sub relationship. His mom didn't judge or turn him away she just asked if he was happy.

What does Joel Leslie bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Joel did an absolutely amazing job with the voices! You always know who was talking just by the voice. The personality and mood of each character was reflected in his narration. It has given me a whole new perspective on his range as a narrator and will look for more books he has done.

Who was the most memorable character of Endings and Beginnings and why?

JJ I the most memorable character as the story follows him mostly. He starts out very reserved and shy and by the end he has learned to love and trust.

Any additional comments?

Although this story is about JJ and Darren, it also shows what other couples from previous stories are faring. Ben and Scott's wedding, Thomas and Peter's growth, and Eli and Jared's branching off to their own club. It keeps everything well rounded and interactive.

Beautiful!

Oh man, the audiobook with Joel Leslie is SO AMAZING! This series is full of lifelike characters, intense emotions, and scenarios that are unique and enthralling. Add in the amazing accents, inflections and attention to details that Joel Leslie brings to the audiobook and you have a beautiful story brought to life and overflowing with goodness. Although this story introduces a new couple, it continues the stories in the series, with a death, a wedding, a bunch of new life changes for many of the couples we’ve met in previous books. Can’t say more or I’ll spoil it for you!

A Great Ending to a wonderful series

Endings & Beginnings by K.C. Wells & Parker Williams This audiobook was given to me in exchange to an honest review. I really enjoyed this audiobook. The story gave you updates on all the subs and Doms throughout the series and also gave an intro to a new series. Nick J Russo was great as the narrator, his performance was spot on with the characters. I am sad to say goodbye to all Of them but happy to revisit anytime I need a lot of love.

Wonderful Story & Narration🎧 Fantastic Series!

I have been loving this series and was sad that this would be the last book, but K.C. Wells gives it an epic ending. She also gives her readers something to look forward and I will quote a line, “This might be the ending of one story, but I promise you, it’s the beginning of another.” As a latecomer to her books this line excites me, sure I may or may not be taking it out of context but I am thinking that line held a double meaning, yes she is brilliant that way. Like all of the earlier books in the series “Endings and Beginnings” features another coupling in Collars and Cuffs, a BDSM club that is so much more than just a club, it is a community. In addition to this being Darren Fielding and JJ Taylor’s story, there are storylines and updates for some of the couples from the earlier books. Darren Fielding is the hair dresser Thomas used for Peter in their story, Thomas had invited him to check out the club, being a Dom interested him so he finally went to check out the club. JJ Taylor a bartender at the club for four months, he took the job with an ulterior motive but it does not pan out as planned. There was an instant attraction between him and Darren, so he agreed to go out on a date with him. I thought these two were perfect together and for each other. I loved how this story plays out and how K.C. Wells brings everything full circle and then some with JJ and who he is. The story is beautifully plotted and there is never a dull moment, there is plenty of drama, a touch of angst, loads of heartfelt and emotional moments, as well has hot romance. Thank you for this fabulous book and series, I loved the characters and their storylines.

I listened to the Audible edition, Joel Leslie is a fabulous narrator and voice artist. He brings these characters to life, gives each their own unique voice making it easy to follow along and who is who. He does an awesome job portraying the characters, making each one his own and playing the role with perfection. You could hear how much heart he puts into his work as he captures the characters emotions and projects them into his performance. He is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another fabulous listen🎧

Fantastic listen. Heartwarming end to great series

I thought it was great to have a story about a couple where both partners are newbies to the BDSM scene and learn together. Darren has been interested in the D/s lifestyle for a while, but JJ started out with a decidedly more negative view of BDSM, and his feelings have only recently changed. JJ joined Collars & Cuffs as a barman for reasons of his own and didn’t expect to be so intrigued by what he learns. I loved reading about his changed perspective, and it was very moving to see him grow closer to the submissives of the club, Peter especially. JJ has difficulty trusting people, which causes him to hide or try to handle stuff on his own when he’d be better off reaching out for help. JJ grows a lot throughout the story, both on his own strength and with the help of Darren. Some of JJ’s pain is self-inflicted in a way, as he pushed away his mom, for understandable reasons, but then hung on to his anger a bit too long. JJ’s mom is unexpected but lovely, and I really liked what she brought to the story. What also made me love this story is that we get to reconnect with old favorites and see how the other couples from previous books in this series are doing. It’s bittersweet, but I was glad we got to see all of them living their HEA and still being happy and being there for each other when things get rough. Everyone gets a little time in the spotlight, but my favorite storylines, apart from the main one revolving around Darren & JJ, were those for Pietro and Miles, who take an important step forward in their relationship, and of course, Jarrod and Eli. They account for one of the new beginnings referenced in the title and pave the way for the Secrets series.

Narration: Joel Leslie is a masterful narrator, and he did a superb job with his performance of this story. There are so many characters to keep track of, each with their own distinct voice and accent, and he manages to bring them all to life in the best way and makes it seem effortless. I very much enjoyed listening to his narration and loved the emotion he brought to it.

Final book in the Collars & Cuffs series

If you could sum up Endings and Beginnings in three words, what would they be?

Beautiful, Emotional, Moving

What other book might you compare Endings and Beginnings to, and why?

Any of the Collars & Cuffs books as the characters crop up throughout the series. They are all beautifully written an I really felt the characters personalities came through.

Which character – as performed by Joel Leslie – was your favourite?

Jared was my favourite character but the others were not far behind him.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There was more than one moment in this book, when Peter stood up to the slimy reporter, When Darren went to get JJ & they confessed how they felt about each other, and then the ending when the subs were saying goodbye to Eli & Jared.

Any additional comments?

A fantastic series which had me captivated from the first book, my only gripe is that the series has come to an end.

5* book and narration

Such a perfect finish to the series. The title says it all, story lines threading through the series are concluded and a wonderful new beginning for Darren and JJ. Peter also has his own 're birth' its a beautiful part of the story.
Joel Leslie's narration is masterful, so many different characters to give voice to. Wonderful to listen to.