Review: Rule Breaker by Lily Morton

Is it really wrong to want to murder your boss?

Dylan has worked for Gabe for two years. Two long years of sarcastic comments. Two long years of insults, and having to redo the coffee pot four times in the mornings to meet his exacting standards.

Not surprisingly he has devoted a lot of time to increasingly inventive ways to murder Gabe. From stabbing him with a cake fork, to garrotting him with his expensive tie, Dylan has thought of everything.

However, a chance encounter opens his eyes to the attraction that has always lain between them, concealed by the layers of antipathy. There are only two problems - Gabe is still a bastard, and he makes wedding planners look like hardened pessimists.

But what happens when Dylan starts to see the real Gabe? What happens when he starts to fall in love with the warm, wary man that he sees glimpses of as the days pass?

Because Gabe is still the same commitment shy, cold man that he’s always been, or is he? Has Dylan had the same effect on Gabe, and has his solid gold rule of no commitment finally been broken? With his heart taken Dylan desperately needs to know, but will he get hurt trying to find the answers?

From the author of ‘The Summer of Us’ comes another scorchingly hot romantic comedy, showing what happens between two men when rules get broken.

I realized whilst reading this book that this, whatever trope this lone wolf/perennially traveling light/finds their other half is called with a dash of hurt/comfort, is my kryptonite. Every single time it gets me. Nowhere Ranch, First and First, Controlled Burn, the Enlightenment series, Bad Judgment, Rattlesnake and now Rule Breaker. If you can throw in a made family I'm likely to be putty in your hands. I laughed. I got choked up a couple times. I found myself grinning and, most importantly, I didn't want it to end.

Gabe and Dylan are boss and employee. They've worked together for two years and maybe at one point Dylan actually thought he hated Gabe, but all the "hating" was more lip-service to me, so if you're looking for an enemies who become lovers via hate sex this is not that book. What you can count on is witty banter, tension so thick you can cut it with a knife, sexy times and feels.

Now, the sex. It's topnotch with a little orgasm denial, Fleshlight usage, some come play, a touch of begging, rimming, big guy bottoming 🙌🏼 and these two, once they break the push/pull cycle, set the sheets on fire. Often. I was not mad at it, but sex is just one component of their relationship. The romance and the erotica were well balanced, IMO.

Dylan narrates the story of he and Gabe and he is sassy, snarky, witty and generally hilarious. He also has the biggest heart, a heart big enough to make up for the dearth of love in Gabe's past. What impressed me was how well developed Gabe was even though we don't get his perspective until the epilogue. Morton did an incredible job of doling out pieces of the Gabe puzzle so that by the time the Christmas sequence happened, I knew. I do wish I understood that club scene better, though. I'd dance a jig for a short from Gabe's perspective.

Gabe is a grump and an alpha, but it was so hard for me not to like him. It's obvious that most of his curmudgeonly ways are a defense mechanism, because everybody leaves. He just can't handle losing anyone else so he's closed himself off and told himself he's happy inside his beautiful and sterile shell.

The trajectory of their story was predictable in a broad sense but I found it no less compelling for it; it had to happen that way to balance their relationship otherwise Dylan would always question it. So, yes, expect a glorious HEA. At one point I was convinced Morton was trying to kill me, because BIG GUNS. I have a weakness for the possessive and growly ones and Gabe gets about eleventy kabrillion different kinds of possessive and growly once he's committed to Dylan. 😍 It was a sight to behold.

Maybe it did get a little sappy and maybe I thought Gabe's turnabout was quick, but the flip side of that coin is he's in love for the first time in his life. Weren't we all a little punch drunk and heart eyed the first time? So the sap in me threw the cynic in me some shade and told her to STFU and stop interrupting The Feelsfest! But then he played "In Your Eyes" for Dylan and even the cynic was slow clapping while surreptitiously grabbing a tissue for acute onset allergies.

*sniffles*

All the secondary characters play their roles well, even the asstacular Fletcher. *gag* I would welcome a follow up on Jude or Henry. Or both! #greedy

Recommend to hurt/comfort and whatever the hell this devoted singleton to committed boyfriend trope is called and those who like to wallow in the squishy feels.

Also, for all two of you who haven't read it already, here's the link to Gabe's proposal that we sort of got dangled with in the epilogue.

A review copy was provided.

Review: I Do, or Dye Trying (Curl Up and Dye Mysteries #4) by Aimee Nicole Walker

Newly engaged Josh Roman and Gabe Wyatt know the road to happily ever after won’t be easy, but the two men are certain their biggest challenges are in the rearview mirror. However, life in Blissville is never what it seems and all signs point to dangerous curves ahead.

Josh and Gabe refuse to take a detour because everything they've dreamed of is within reach, not even when professional and personal revelations threaten to wreck their plans. It should be the happiest time in their lives, yet neither man can shake the feeling that something sinister waits around the next corner.

Buckle your seatbelts and hang on for the ride because Josh and Gabe are committed to saying “I do” or die trying.

I Do, or Dye Trying is the fourth book in the Curl Up and Dye Mysteries series. These books need to be read in order as the storyline unravels throughout the series. They contain sexually explicit material and are intended for adults 18 and older.

To be honest, this series started out just being an okay read for me.  Yeah, it had charm and the writing was smart but it didn’t really grab me.  There was a bit too much of a lack of communication in the first book and I wanted to wring Josh’s neck more than a few times.  Stubborn man is stubborn!  But, with each subsequent book I became more and more interested.  There was just something about Josh and Gabe that called to me and by the time I reached the third book in the series I was in love and these two men had become one of my most favorite couples of all time.   

Gabriel is a dream.  Big, strong alpha male of a police detective, Gabe is every man’s (and woman’s) fantasy come to life.  Not only is he gruff and protective, he’s also not afraid to show his more sensitive side.  Especially when it comes to loving Josh.

I think one of the things I love most about Josh is that he knows exactly who he is.  He’s campy; he’s flamboyant; he’s a total drama queen and he’s not afraid to flaunt it.  He knows he presents as the stereotypical gay boy.  It’s not a front; it’s just who he is, and if you don’t like it you can keep on walking.  He doesn’t have time for your shenanigans, he’s got enough of his own to deal with.

Put them together and you have the most perfect-for-each-other couple that I’ve ever read about.  They complement each other so well.  You know those couples that seem to know what the other is thinking and can have entire conversations with each other just using their eyes?  That’s Josh and Gabe.  I wouldn’t say that they live in each other’s pockets, they’re too independent for that, but they work together seamlessly.  I’d be quite jealous of their relationship if they were real.

In this final installment, Gabe and Josh have worked out most of their issues and they’re getting married!  Of course, something’s got to come along to put a wrinkle in their happy, right?  I mean, what is their life without someone trying to murder one of them? 

This book focuses more on their relationship than it does the mystery and I find that I don’t mind that at all.  We still got a bit of the whodunit, it was just on the back burner, though the reveal at the end was gasp worthy in my opinion.  The further I got into the series, the less I cared about the mysteries.  I just wanted to read about Josh and Gabe.  I could read many, many more books about them and never get bored.  Ms. Walker sure knows how to write fascinating characters!  For a bit there I wanted to move to their town so I could befriend them.  Then I remembered that they live in Ohio and it’s too danged cold there for this Southern girl.  Plus, they’re, ya know, not real, but whatever.  I still want to know them.

So, it’s with a heavy heart I say good-bye to these fabulous men.  I will miss them so very much.  I recommend this for lovers of romantic suspense, smart writing, witty banter and just feel good stories all around.

P.S.  in case you were wondering, the sex was hot hot HOT!  All kinds of smutty goodness up in here.  Wall sex… table sex… chair sex… stripper pole sex…  Smut lovers will certainly be pleased. 

I know I was.

Review: Will & Patrick Fight their Feelings (Wake Up Married #4) by Leta Blake and Alice Griffiths

Follow Will & Patrick in this fourth installment of the romantic-comedy serial, Wake Up Married, by best-selling author Leta Blake and newcomer Alice Griffiths!

Will and Patrick have embraced adding hot sexy-times to their fake marriage, but as their emotions deepen, they confront whether or not they want to be more than friends-with-benefits. Freshly free of a restrictive relationship, Will’s not ready for more than exploratory fun. And no matter how Patrick feels about Will, his own difficult past has left him wary of love.

The heat is high (and occasionally kinky) in this episode of the Wake Up Married serial, but Will and Patrick struggle to accept their mutual affection, much less confess it. How long will they fight their feelings?

Episode 4 of 6 in the Wake Up Married serial.

“Your mouth is where my dick wants to go to die.”

First things first, could I love Patrick anymore than I do? Probably not. But I didn't think I could last episode either, and then he gets all mushy and says romantic things like that.

This installment is all about Will and Patrick and their growing feelings. The title says is all here. They're fighting it. Fighting hard. Oddly enough, it's Will who can't pull his head out of his ass.

Again, there's so much depth to these guys and things only go deeper. Deeper into their feelings, deeper into their past and their fears, and what they see in their future. For both of them, they still don't see their marriage in their future. Both looking towards, but dreading, their inevitable divorce.

Despite their obliviousness, I certainly felt all the feels. OMGGGGGGG. I want to squish them and then bang their heads together. How can they not see what's in front of their face. How perfect and wonderful they are together. How they bring the best out in each other without even trying. They adore each other and I adore them for it. 

While they're still holding back their feelings, things continue to go forward in the bedroom. Whew. Who knew sweet, lovable Will could be so damn kinky. And Patrick is more than happy to oblige. Sadly enough Will was made to feel like his desires in bed were wrong in his previous relationship. Patrick made sure Will knew his desires were not only OK, but sexy as fuck. They were sexy as fuck together. Hollllllyyyyy shiiiiiiiiiitttttttttttttt.

This serial is only getting better and better as it goes on. Getting to know Will and Patrick's relationship right along side them couldn't be more fun. 

A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Find out more info on Goodreads.
 

Review: Will & Patrick Do the Holidays (Wake Up Married #3) by Leta Blake and Alice Griffiths

Follow Will & Patrick as they do the holidays in this third installment of the romantic-comedy serial, Wake Up Married, by best-selling author Leta Blake and newcomer Alice Griffiths!

A couple’s first holiday season is always a special time. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve are magical when you’re in love. Too bad Will and Patrick’s marriage is a sham and they’re only faking their affection for each other. Or are they?

Sparks fly in this episode of the Wake Up Married serial. Will the sexual tension between Will and Patrick finally explode in a needy night of passion? Or will they continue to deny their feelings?


Episode 3 of 6 in the Wake Up Married serial.

FINALLY! Well, not the finally, but we're getting closer.

It's Will and Patrick's first holiday season together and they spend it like every couple does. With the family.  

I love the dynamic of Will's family. They are far from perfect and don't always agree, but there is love. They're accepting and honest and real.

In this episode the guys are getting closer and closer. They'd never admit this out loud. It's in their actions and their thoughtfulness.  It's in the way they take care of each other and defend each other. This charade is becoming more and more real as time goes on. I can't wait for them to realize they aren't faking it. It's going to be glorious.

Will carries his heart on his sleeve and his emotions written all over his face. I can't even fathom how his ex, Ryan, can treat such a sweet man the way he does. I want to shake Will and tell him to knock it off. His insecurities are getting the best of him.

Patrick is there to pick up the pieces of Will's shredded ego. Lord knows Patrick has enough ego to spread around. Will's friends and family treat him with kid gloves. Not Patrick. While Patrick's methods aren't the most delicate, they seem to do the trick. In his own twisted way he's being there for Will more than anyone else is. 

They might be denying their feelings, but they're done denying their sexual attraction. HOLY HOTNESS. They are gooooooooood together.  

Will & Patrick Do the Holidays is another hilarious, snark-filled, emotional addition to this serial. 

But that's all the time I have, Unicorns. It's off to episode 4 I go!

 A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Find out more info on Goodreads. 

Review: Labyrinth of Stone by T.A. Moore

Ten years ago the Black Rapture transported thousands of people, seemingly at random, from Earth to the strange, inimical world they call the Labyrinth. Will Teller was one of them. Surviving that meant joining an army and becoming better at killing than he's comfortable with. It's enough upheaval for anyone's life. The only problem is, apparently no one told his commanding officer that.

Pride, and heart, stung by abandonment, the icily controlled General Nathan Kearney has decided that Teller can either find the wayward lover, or he can take his place in Nathan's bed. That's pretty good motivation for a straight guy, only thing is - Teller's sexuality seems to have gone a bit Magic-8 Ball on that issue. Suddenly Nathan's starting to look pretty good, and the only question is whether or not Teller wants to be the consolation prize? 

I'm giving the benefit of the doubt and assuming this is going to be a series, or there will be at least a sequel. Because, holy cliffhanger!

Labyrinth of Stone was fast paced, with lots of action and tons of smark.

Ten years ago, these people were mysteriously and randomly transported to a place they call the Labyrinth. They don't know where they are, or why or how they got there. Teller is part of the army that protects the Keep. Kearney and his ex, Colt, started this army to protect the Keep from the threats of the mysterious place they live in. The world they live in is brutal, and everyone is just trying to survive with what they have, which isn't much.

When the story starts, Colt has left.  Kearney isn't quite sure how to deal with his lover up and leaving him. In his version of coping, he has sex with anyone who resembles his ex-lover. But he starts to notice that Teller is hot. He really starts to notice. Teller's not sure how to react to this. Well, his dick knows how to react, just not the rest of him.

I really liked Teller. He was snarky and fun. Even though he's straight, he didn't rule out being with Kearney, instead he kind of went for it.

I'm not sure how I feel about Kearney... he's not at all nice. He was rude, too possessive and not very likeable. He's totally messed up about his ex. He is obviously not over him, but is still way into Teller and not only in a one night stand kind of way.

They had some tension and, being both alpha males, there was fighting along the way. I don't know... I'm not too keen on MC's hitting each other. It really bothers me. I mean, they're on the same side, working together, right? Just because someone is bothering you doesn't mean you get to hit them, no matter who you are, male or female. It's something that I see in M/M romance that I just can't get behind.

Just like any start to a series, there's a lot of world building to muck through. I admit to being confused, but I also think there were quite a few holes. What was with the moss people? And the blood? The reach? I'm not entirely sure. It didn't help that I wasn't invested enough to go back and reread. I was at the point where I just wanted to finish and didn't want to put any more time into trying to figure it all out.

But, there's bound to be some fun love-triangle drama coming! If there's anything I'll read book 2 for, it's the return of Colt and how Teller is going to react. It should be great fun!

I think as the series continues (again, assuming this will be a series), and the world building becomes clearer, it will be an exciting ride.

A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Find out more info on Goodreads!

Review: Resistance by L.M. Turner

Ryan's relationship-phobic, preferring to live his life from one anonymous hook-up to the next. He never remembers a name, and he never goes back for more. But then he meets Jayden, the one-off who won't get out of his head, his life -- or, indeed, his bed.

Ryan remains in a denial, however; he has no place in his life for emotion or feelings, despite how much difficulty he finds in keeping away from the gorgeous, confident Jayden.

It's not until Jayden gets a boyfriend, bringing their non-relationship to a sudden end, that Ryan thinks he might have been feeling something all along. Feeling a lot, actually, but it's too late.

Jayden's happy with his new man, and Ryan shouldn't want to get in the way of that -- but he's selfish, and he's had an epiphany, and maybe the only way to get Jayden back is to reveal more of himself than he knows how to handle. But is it enough for Jayden to take a risk on a man who, by his own admission, has no idea how to love?

This has all all the things I love. ALL THE THINGS I TELL YOU!!

It's basically perfect. I've had it recommended to me at least 3 times and I was "meh & shrug". WHY? Why was I "meh & shrug" when Resistance is all the things?!?

I officially recommend this to everyone because of reasons:

1. Jayden. Ugh, Jayden.  So, Ryan has issues (to say the least) with all his rules about relationships, or the lack-thereof, in his life. Jayden? Jayden doesn't care a whole hell of a lot about Ryan's 'rules'. He knows they have something and he's going for it. I just freaking loved this about him. 

"When Jayden pulls away with a final lingering press of lips, his face remaining so close, Ryan's breathless. 'What are you doing?' he says but he gets the feeling it comes out more like a hoarse mumble.
'It's called sweeping you off your feet.'
Ryan's stomach jolts. 'It's not working.'
'Liar,' says Jayden and kisses him again."

2. Ryan. In all his fuckupedness in the beginning, hell, throughout most of the book, he's really able to make up for it in the end. It did take Jayden having to get another boyfriend for him to finally wake up and see what's right in his face, but once he did he (mostly) made all the right choices and he ended up winning me completely over.

3. Snarky-snark FTW!! *twirls* I'm picky (really picky) about what I consider 'humorous'. What many readers find hilarious, I find myself rolling my eyes. This was effing funny, people. The dialogue was witty and smart and engaging. I basically highlighted the whole thing.

'"You can't just invite yourself to stay in a stranger's house.'
'Dude, I had my tongue in your ass. You're way past being a stranger.'"

and

"'I can't believe this is happening to me.'
'I know, right? Who knew when you left the house today you;d end up meeting the incredible Jayden Cobain? I'd be in shock too.'"

I really could go on and on with all the fun.

4. Oh, the angst! It was angst without feeling like that was the intention because it was also so much fun to read. I'm having myself a grand old time reading about Ryan and Jayden with all their snark and hotness and then BOOM! I'm crying! Wait. What? This type of book isn't supposed to make me cry. I'm supposed to laugh and swoon and maybe melt a little. Well, I did all that, plus felt enough feels to produce a few tears. *dreamy sigh*

5. These boys know how to get it on and they got it on gooooooooood. *bites lip*


6. Back to Jayden. FFS, Resistance wasn't even from his POV and I could feel just how much he really wanted Ryan all to himself. Amongst all of Ryan's self-made drama, Jayden's character and emotions were really able to shine through because of the awesome dialogue and the way the author brilliantly showed the way he felt. *melts* Hell... *quelts*

7.  I could not stop reading. I was just so into Ryan and Jayden's love-drama that didn't quite feel like drama and before I knew it, the book was over. Sad, sad unicorn (<-me). I tried to savor the end, but let's face it, that never works. I kept going until the last swoony, wonderful word. *turns the page looking for more & panics*

So. Yeah. Those are all the reasons and things.

Read it.

Review: Loving Jay by Renae Kaye

One thing Liam Turner knows for sure is that he's not gay—after all, his father makes it very clear he’ll allow no son of his to be gay. And Liam believes it, until a chance meeting with James “Jay” Bell turns Liam’s world upside-down. Jay is vivacious and unabashedly gay—from the tips of his bleached hair to the ends of his polished nails. With a flair for fashion, overreaction, and an inability to cork his verbal diarrhea, Liam believes drama queen Jay must have a screw loose.

An accident as a teenager left Liam with a limp and a fear of driving. He can’t play football anymore either, and that makes him feel like less of a man. But that’s no reason to question his sexuality... unless the accident broke something else inside him. When being with Jay causes Liam’s protective instincts to emerge, Liam starts to believe all he knew in life had been a convenient excuse to stay hidden. From intolerance to confrontations, Liam must learn to overcome his fears—and his father—before he can accept his sexuality and truly love Jay.

I loved everything about this book.  No seriously, every last bit!  It was just so… so… charming.

We first meet Liam at the train station where he’s missed his train and he’s upset, not because he will be late for work but because he won’t be able to see the beautiful blonde he’s been fascinated with for the past few weeks.  Not that he’s gay or anything.  Nope.  Not gay.

    “My dad would kill me, so I can’t be gay.”

It was heartbreaking to read passages like that in this book.  I really felt for Liam and wanted to cuddle him close when he made comments like that.  What he was going through hit close to home.  You see, I recently watched my own child go through the anguish of coming out as transgender.  I watched my sweet baby, whom I love more than my own life start to withdraw from her friends and family.  Her grades started slipping in school and she seemed so depressed that I was afraid she was on the verge of suicide.  It turns out she just felt she was living a lie and was not comfortable in her own skin and she was so afraid of telling me what was going on.  So, I got where Liam was coming from.  I could see echos of my own child’s fear in Liam.  So when he finally came to terms with who he really is I was overjoyed.

    “Then I came to a sudden realization.  I’m so gay.”

What I liked most about this book is that everything seemed so real.  Like reading a story about my neighbor or cousin or friend.  Neither of the MCs had fancy or exciting jobs.  Neither of them were rich, nor were they orphans or savants.  They were just two everyday ordinary people who were in actuality, extraordinary.  Well, maybe just Liam.  Jay is nothing near ordinary.  But he wasn’t over the top either.  I’ve known people in real life who were a bit like Jay.  What Jay has is flair.  He has such a big heart too.  And lets not forget his infinite patience.

I think this may be the first time I truly was able to see and more importantly, understand how hard it can be for someone to come out.  I will never really completely understand what it is like because I am not gay but, due to the exemplary writing in this book I am able to comprehend quite a bit more about what goes on in the mind of a gay man on the verge of a life altering decision such as this.  My heart was breaking for Liam yet at the same time I was cheering him on whenever he reached a new milestone.  I have to say, I fell quite a bit in love with him and I pretty much see him as a hero.  True bravery is recognizing your fears, accepting them and reaching beyond them.  True heroism is being able to be true to yourself, seeing your flaws for what they are and pushing yourself to be the best you can possibly be despite, or sometimes even because of those flaws.  This is Liam.  This is why I love him.

    “You really are a hero, aren’t you?”

Yes, he really, truly is.

Even though I got caught up in all the feels in this book, it still came across as a light, fun read.  The silliness and the snark were a delight to read and both Jay and Liam just charmed the pants right off me.  I had a big, silly grin on my face through most of the book and I kept letting out smoopy sighs as I watched these two on their journey from friends to lovers to partners.  They were perfectly imperfect and I fell in love with both of them, almost from page one.

Renae Kaye, you are on my radar now.  I eagerly await your next work.  You are going to go far, I can see it.  Brava!

Group Review: Heart of a Hero (The Triple Towers #1) by James Cox

Be Warned: m/m sex, rimming, sex toys, spanking, bondage

He made it to paradise on a lie...

Kallen is a hero. He single-handed ended the war. At least, that’s what everyone thinks. The truth is that he was at the right place at the right time. As the hero, he gets a room in the heavenly triple towers and enough mouths on his body to please him every hour of every day.

However, guilt and danger rise when a man starts searching for the truth. When the investigator is this sexy, he may just blow his secret, among other things.

Lorn is furious when the spy among them is named as his dead younger brother. He is determined to find the truth of what happened even if it means destroying the nation’s hero or the man he’s slowly falling for.

In Kallen’s world, bravery will get a person killed, so how exactly is he supposed to prove to Lorn that he has the heart of a hero?

http://www.evernightpublishing.com/heart-of-a-hero-by-james-cox/

Can we take just a brief pause to admire the warning at the beginning of the blurb?

Firstly, we love that the "warning" is at the beginning. It's begging us to read and love ALL the things and boy howdy did we ever! James has been such a great sport tolerating all our shenanigans and he's either a glutton for punishment, or we really aren't all that bad outside the clubhouse. I'm thinking combo platter of both.

When James sent his new book to us I immediately hoarded it, then felt a little guilty (not really) and I told the other Uni's that I had it in my sweaty little hooves, was going to review it and did anybody want it. The response was global, literally and so we pushed back the original review date to have a Unicorn dog pile of love all over Heart of a Hero.

Breann - The Collar Loving Queen of Kinky Slave Boys:

Fast-paced, LOL one-liners, fun and sexxxay. Everything James Cox does best. And, for me, this was the best I’ve read from him.

Kellan is awesome and not your typical hero. Heart of a hero? Maybe in the end, but not so much in the beginning. He was really just looking out for himself and judging by where he came from, I can’t say I blame the guy.

Lorn isn’t going to let Kellan get away with playing the hero. Nuh-uh. But can he do this and ignore how effing sexy Kellan is? Nuh-uh.

They were hot and they were rough. Yes, please! When hands started going for necks you could hear me cheering them on, “Grab it! Hold it! Right there!”

Heart of a Hero is my favorite James Cox so far. There’s a great sci-fi story set in an interesting, futuristic world. But, at the same time, it’s still an erotic romance at heart and doesn’t take itself too seriously. The two were balanced perfectly and I was drawn in by both sub-genres.

Oh, and the mini-cliffy at the end? Gah! *waits not so patiently for book 2*

Sunny - Patron Saint of Obscure Porn Gif Hunting:

One quick peek and my interest was caught right away. This was so entertaining, with an interesting dystopian world, great MCs, and irreverent humor, all mixed with James' signature porny goodness that is very much appreciated at Boy Meets Boy Reviews. There were editing issues, but I didn't let that affect my enjoyment of the story.

For me, the best part of the story was the characters. Kellan *sigh* was sweet, and just a little bit naughty. I wanted to hug him. And maybe spank him. Lorn, the usually disciplined Master Sergeant, was a good match for Kellan, even as he tried, unsuccessfully, to resist the Wastrel.

The world building and the story itself were also good, although Lorn was so easily distracted by Kellan, even with his determination to clear his brother's name, that I couldn't take the mystery part of the story too seriously. I wasn't too disappointed, though, because while I liked the more serious investigation, I also enjoyed the silliness that was mixed in. And then there were some moments that were so touching that I was taken aback. It was like a gift bag full of all kinds of goodies.

One question... When is the next book coming out?!  

Lorix - Princess of Extraneous U's and Epically Hot Birthday Porn:

Fun and hot and sexy and somebody needs to get to work on those flavouring shots, stat. I loved this book, the characters were great, the story fun - in short it was everything you expect from James Cox and more, I’m looking forward to book 2.

A few days after I’ve read it and my dwelling thought? Seriously, scientists need to work on those flavouring shots, there ain’t a man in this world gonna have trouble getting blown if you can make it taste like chocolate. Just sayin’. ;)

Ann - Bun Fetishist and Admitted Sean Cody Boys Stalker:

Oh James, how do I love thee and thine heroes?

SO freakin’ much! This story is exactly why I like reading James’ dystopian and sci-fi stories. There’s interesting world building, mystery, adventure, smarky heroes and the best sexy times in the universe.

I fell in love with Kallen right away, he’s cemented himself as one of my all-time favorite heroes. Or, anti-heroes as the case may be. Lorn is the traditional idea of a hero here, struggling to figure out how to clear his brothers’ name while fighting his attraction to Kallen, the “false hero”. No one can fight the attraction to Kallen, I mean really, who would want to, and the two form a bond that neither have had in their lives before. This is when the story went beyond a fun apocalyptic sexy time romp to a real love story and I really love the two of them together.

The unexpected twist at the end sets up the next story for our heroes and by the end of this one I would absolutely say that Kallen has proven that he has a heart of a hero too. I got goosebumps at the ending. It was awful for them, but was so perfect it’s got me so anxious for the next installment. A highly recommended fun, sexy, sweet and adventurous read.

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So, there you go. Loved and recommended by Unicorns everywhere! In honor of James and given that the Stallion has now really opened himself up to the internet about his inner wants and wishes, I think it's time to post this epic artwork that hangs above the sofa in the clubhouse. Lovingly created by our own Natasha, suitable for framing . . .

A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review

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