What Works for Us

By: Colette Davison

Narrated by: Dan Calley

Length: 6 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's Summary

An elf costume, a pair of lacy knickers, and a Christmas charity auction might make Sam’s Christmas wish come true.

When sweet barista, Sam, agrees to be a "slave" in a Christmas charity auction, he’s thrilled to be bought by the man he’s had a crush on for the last three months.

Theodore is everything Sam is looking for in a man: older, authoritative, and caring. Unfortunately, Sam isn’t the most forward person when it comes to telling men he likes them. Wearing a sexy costume allows him to be a much flirtier version of himself, but can a naughty elf tempt Theodore into bed?

As their relationship intensifies, Sam finds something in Theodore he didn’t realize he needed: a man he wants to call his Daddy.

But Theodore isn’t out of the closet, and whilst Sam is happy existing in a bubble in the run up to Christmas, he knows that can’t last forever.

Can Sam risk giving his heart to a Daddy who might not ever be able to hold his hand in public, let alone commit to him?

What Works For Us is a Christmas-ish romance with an age-gap relationship, lacy underwear, role-play, Daddy kink, a smidge of hurt/comfort, and a guaranteed happy ending.

©2019 Colette Davison (P)2020 Colette Davison

A steamy daddy kink hurt/comfort!

This was a sweet contemporary age gap, opposites attract novella. When Sam agrees to ve a slave at the Christmas charity auction, he doesn't expect to be bought by the very man he's been pining after. A man who fulfills everyone of his fantasies. This was a steamy daddy kink, hurt /comfort romance with a dash of holiday cheer. Dan Calley did a fairly good audio delivery as well.

This Works Wonderfully!

What Works for Us MMy Thoughts and Review: When a sweet elf gets auctioned off at a charity to his morning crush from the coffee shop where he serves as a barista, he thinks maybe all his Christmas dreams might just come true. However, can that really be the case when there is such a big age difference in them? Worst of all, can they make it to a HEA when one of them is so deep in the closet he looks like E.T. hiding among all the stuffed animals? “What Works for Us,” is on the more serious shelf of Davison’s library. At least the audio version is, and that has a lot to do with the stylistic narration of Dan Calley. I first heard Calley in “A Boy Made of Sunshine,” also authored by Davison. Calley’s style in ABMS was lighter and airier, leaning more towards the rom-com spectrum while this audiobook painted a more serious picture, at least for me. The hurt/ comfort theme played a role in that too. However, the characters themselves crafted by Davison and her muse were so multilayered you had to listen intently, or you might miss one of the unveilings of each MC’s character evolution as the story developed and the characters’ most sincere forms were revealed. I loved how the adage, “absence makes the heart grow fonder” came to mind each time Daddy Theodore was away from his boy, Sam. In the end, I think it may have been the thing that made each man realize, they were perfect the way they were, and their life as a couple “worked perfectly for them.” The Story: 4.00 🌟🌟🌟🌟 The Narration: 3.50 🌟🌟🌟. ✨ Overall: 3.75 🌟🌟🌟. ✨ I received a complimentary audio copy of this book from Gay Book Promotions to read and review. 🎄📚🎄

Charming Holiday Romance, Dan Calley is Marvelous!

I’m completely charmed! Sweet, sexy, and delightfully dirty, Colette Davison’s What Works For Us is a marvelous holiday treat. Each admiring the other from afar, both Sam and Theodore have their reasons for not moving forward in pursuing a relationship. Through alternating points of view, we get their stories... and the way these two men blossom over the course of the novel is beautifully done. Theodore Farrell is firmly in the closet. Between his severely homophobic upbringing, and fears of ‘what will people think’, sadly he has given up on any dreams for a future with any love and romance in it. Shy and a little insecure on the outside, the passionate daydreams lurking in Sam’s fantasies will make your toes curl! When he dons a sexy maid uniform and plays the part of the naughty elf, Sam becomes a confident and demanding lover. And role playing with Theodore uncovers needs Sam never knew he had. The attraction between the men is overwhelming. While assuming the role of the strict and stern Mr. Farrell allows Theodore to indulge in his wildest fantasies. And punishing that naughty elf leads to some seriously smoking hot sex! Magic happens as Theodore and Sam explore their most hidden desires. Sam’s self-confidence grows, and he begins to take more control over his life. The end result is a successful and driven young man. Theodore’s journey is much more intense. His homophobic parents ingrained a level of shame that is hard to overcome, and the reprieve Theodore gains through the role play gives him a taste of what could be. Theodore begins the battle of finding his real self, and claiming a life he never dreamed he could have. What Works For Us is fantastic in audio, and kudos to Dan Calley who delivers an absolutely marvelous performance. This narrator has amazing skill with accents, and gives each character a distinct voice which suits their personality. The romantic exchanges between Sam and Theodore are electric, and Mr. Calley’s smoky, sexy voice unquestionably enhances the erotica. Just hearing him croon “Daddy”, oh hell that’s hot! The way Colette Davison develops the relationship between Sam and Theodore through their role play is truly lovely. There are some spectacular BDSM scenes in this kinky gem, propelling What Works For Us to the top of my holiday re-listen list.

A sweet age gap romance

I loved that this was going to be an age gap. I love age gaps, especially big ones. I think an author that can pull off a more than ten-year gap without making it creepy is talented. I adored Sam. He knew what he wanted and had no problem Theodore was older. When Theodore bought Sam at the Christmas auction he thought maybe he wanted him too. Theodore is very in the closet and tries to ignore his want for Sam, not only because of his being closeted but Sam is so much younger than he is. The two men had so much to get through to get to a relationship. this wasn't the sweet fluffy, the man buys a man at the auction they fall in love and in a relationship book. There was so much more. There was more to Sam and more to Theodore. There were fun friends and a supportive brother. Plus some pretty hot sex. This is such a fun, sexy holiday book.

Sweet and entertaining

It’s not often that I listen to audiobooks but a book with Dan Calley as narrator I will not pass. Again he did a wonderful job. Alternating between characters and genders was clear done. I felt the lightness and also the more emotional parts. It’s a joy to listen to this narrator. Content of story: Every morning barista Sam serves him a latte macchiato to go and this man is always with his nose in his screen. He is much older than Sam, who has a crush on him like forever. Through a Christmas charity auction Sam gets the opportunity to meet his crush Theodore properly, they developed some kind of relationship. Searching for the right dynamic it seems Daddy and boy are what they are looking for. Only, Theodore isn’t out and it seems he will never get there. Theodore is insecure, that’s kind of endearing to watch. Together they were lovely. The whole story was kind of sweet and certainly entertaining. Sorry to say the terminology Daddy Dom didn’t do it for me. That’s not how I felt it. I think this story could do without the whole Daddy/boy part, for me it wasn’t convincing. When I look behind that, there is still a sweet story to tell, with hurt/comfort, age-gap, role-play, and some nice lace, and a hea! Overall a nicely written and slightly developed story, it was entertaining with two lovable characters.

solid 3.5 stars

I enjoyed the story, but it was a lot heavier than I was expecting. The beginning was good, but about two-thirds of the way through it started to feel as though it was just rushing to the conclusion. Dan Calley did a reasonable job with what he had to work with, but the characters were a little flat and I felt it came through in the narration.

Pass

I should have read more reviews. This book seemed to be, like someone else reviewed, very concentrated on kinky fetish stuff and less on the people. And not a lot personality in either MC. The story felt rushed and forced, while it had potential it didn’t get there. Very disappointed. And while I love Dan Calley, I didn’t feel this book suited him. And I’ll probably never listen to it again.

When the elf comes down off the shelf

I’ll start with narration. I’m a huge Dan Calley fan and every time I see he’s narrating something, I get super excited. So I leapt at the chance to review this book and I wasn’t disappointed. I’m not a huge Christmas fan, but the right book can put me in the holiday spirit and this was that book. Sam has a huge crush on the man who comes in his coffee shop every day and who orders the same drink every day and who doesn’t notice him…every day. Heck, he doesn’t even know if the man is gay, but the man is ringing all of Sam’s bells. When his co-worker coerces him into volunteering at a slave auction, Sam is reluctant but it’s for a good cause. Theodore has noticed Sam. And has done his level best to ignore the much-younger barista. Afterall, homosexuality is a sin and even though his parents are dead, that doesn’t stop him from hearing their voices in his head. Their banishment of a beloved uncle has always resonated in his mind, and he just can’t get past the old religious claptrap that tells him he’s a bad person for being attracted to men. So what happens when he shows up at the slave auction and his wet dream is up for auction? Well he bids of course. And spends a ton of money to secure someone to clean his already spotless house. Sam is going to take advantage. He shows up in the most audacious elf costume and prances around, hoping to catch Theodore’s attention. And he does. Spectacularly. One night isn’t enough but Theodore is obsessed about what his co-workers and neighbors will think and Sam doesn’t want to be in anyone’s closet. So despite the naughty elf persona, he finds he can’t stay. Theodore realizes he’s going to have to change if he’s going to win Sam back. Because he can’t be a true Daddy without his boy. I have to say I enjoyed this book. It had a few little BDSM-light scenes, plenty of sexy times, and some real moments of introspection for both characters. So light at times and a little darker at others. But it’s a romance and I got my happy ending. I’m so glad I listened to the audio. Oh, and I loved Prince the kitty.

Sweet holiday story!

Sam has been crushing on the older man that visits the coffee store he works at for a long time. When he finally has the chance to start exploring their mutual attraction, Sam jumps in with both feet. Theodore is in the closet, though, and while Sam understands his reasons for not coming out, Sam also realizes that whatever there is between them can't really grow if Theodore isn't willing to be out and proud with him. I really liked Sam, he was sweet and earnest and naughty. I liked Theodore, most of the time, but he really got on my nerves sometimes and I wanted to shake some sense into him. I liked Sam and Theodore together they had chemistry and fit well together despite their age difference.  Dan Calley is an amazing narrator and I love his rumbly voice, perhaps it was a tad too gruff for Sam, but he definitely nailed Theodore for me.  If you like sweet books with some kink exploration and light angst, and a fantastic performance, this audiobook fits the bill perfectly.

The audiobook was even better!

I liked this book a lot when I read just about a year ago but the audiobook increased my enjoyment of the story. Dan Calley did a great job, as usual, with his performance. He did great voices for the two MC's as well as the various supporting characters. Sometimes audiobooks don't affect my emotions as much as reading the book but Dan made me feel everything as I listened to his wonderful voice. This story has a lot of great tropes going on: age-gap, role playing, Daddy/Boy kink and lacy underwear and boy did things heat up when Sam and Mr. Farrell (aka Theodore/Latte Macchiato) get together. They find out how much they both like role playing which eventually evolves into a Daddy/Boy relationship. A copy of this audiobook was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author. ***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***

Funny, sweet and so endearing

🌟🌟🌟🌟 4.5 stars 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Heat Level: 4 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 4.5 I love an English accent 😍 I found this story and these characters so endearing!! This story lifted my mood and gave me all the feels! I loved both Sam and Theodore. While they each have their flaws, troubles, and desires, Colette balanced all their nuances perfectly! I felt for troubled and closeted Theodore and his internalized homophobia. Colette took care to address this and slowly brought Theo out of his shell and allowed him to challenge his upbringing and eventually find peace in himself. Sam was just adorable! He had moments of sass that was just adorable but his soft and shy nature was what endeared him to me. I loved that he tried to take the lead and put himself out there even though he was scared and it when against his submissive desires but it balanced so well with Theo's needs and allowed for intimacy and their unique connection to flourish. While set at Christmas, I would happily dive into this story at any time of year! If you'd like a book with a little kink and a lot of feels then look no further! I loved it!

Lovely holiday romance with daddy kink

This book is one of my favorite from Colette and the audio version was so good too! I loved listening to this story, the narrator did great job with this book. Theodore and Sam's voice were lovely, it gave me all the feels. Sam is such a great character and those costumes and how innocent he is. So cute story while hot at times. Love the romance and the daddy kink. Perfectly written story with great audio. The slave auction was fun and Sam in elf costume is the cutest and hottest ever. And cleaning in those outfit WOW - so hot!!! Sam and Theodore's relationship was amazing, I really loved reading about these two cutiepie. And the daddy kink was the cherry on top! So so good, I have no words! This book was the cutest and daddiest christmas story ever, I want just re-read it and read it again and again. LOVED Theodore and Sam! Highly recommend this book!

OMG absolutely loved this book and the audio

Dan Calley does an amazing job of this book, the different voices, plus he makes my knees weak. Lol I read this book back in March before lock down No1, and now I'm listening to it during Lockdown No2, just what I needed light hearted, funny, with a little daddy kink. If your like me and like full on kink, thast not this book, but if you fancy something lighter, happy but with some kink, you'll love this. From serving Lattes to a gorgeous man, Christmas, Elves, Age Gap, panties Daddy kink, slave autioning in a good way, what more can you ask for, would recommend to everyone. What Works for Us By: Colette Davison Narrated by: Dan Calley Length: 6 hrs and 4 mins ❤❤❤❤❤ Overall 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 Narration 📚📚📚📚📚 Story Read at 1.15 speed on Audible