What do you think?
Rate this book
Tyler Jamison #1
Somebody to Love
Chicago homicide detective Tyler Jamison has accepted that fact that he was born defective. Women just don't do it for him, and he can't contemplate any other option. So, loneliness it is.
Ian Alexander has met the man of his dreams, but the guy's in complete denial of his sexuality. Ian's not giving up on Tyler, though. Tyler's a domineering, controlling force of nature... just what Ian has always craved in his bed.
When a serial killer sets his sights on Ian, Tyler will do anything to protect the much younger man. For the first time in his life, Tyler has experienced desire, and it's for another man. How much will it take for him to become the man he was meant to be?
Ian Alexander has met the man of his dreams, but the guy's in complete denial of his sexuality. Ian's not giving up on Tyler, though. Tyler's a domineering, controlling force of nature... just what Ian has always craved in his bed.
When a serial killer sets his sights on Ian, Tyler will do anything to protect the much younger man. For the first time in his life, Tyler has experienced desire, and it's for another man. How much will it take for him to become the man he was meant to be?
388 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 20, 2019
About the author
April Wilson
42 books989 followersI write about alpha protectors who fall in love hard and unconditionally, through the good and the bad. My characters are strong, sexy, and slightly damaged... because no one is perfect. All of my novels have happy-ever-after endings. What else would you expect from a die-hard romantic? I'm the author of the McIntyre Security Bodyguard Series of contemporary romance novels.
I live in Ohio with my daughter and more than a few dogs and cats. When I'm not writing, I'm reading romance novels and watching movies with happy endings. I'd love to hear from you! You can e-mail me at aprilwilsonwrites@outlook.com. Or, visit my website: aprilwilsonauthor.com.
Thanks!
I live in Ohio with my daughter and more than a few dogs and cats. When I'm not writing, I'm reading romance novels and watching movies with happy endings. I'd love to hear from you! You can e-mail me at aprilwilsonwrites@outlook.com. Or, visit my website: aprilwilsonauthor.com.
Thanks!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 384 reviews
July 18, 2020
Time of death 50%
This has to be one of the worst mysteries i have ever read. If you are going to write about a serial killer mystery, then freaking do research and write about a serial killer mystery. Damn. It was bad, really bad. The mystery was solved at 40%, just like that. 😖 Ugh.
The MCs were okay, until they weren't, i am not even going to bother. 🤧
And yeah. It's me not, the book. Blah.. Blah.. Blah.
This has to be one of the worst mysteries i have ever read. If you are going to write about a serial killer mystery, then freaking do research and write about a serial killer mystery. Damn. It was bad, really bad. The mystery was solved at 40%, just like that. 😖 Ugh.
The MCs were okay, until they weren't, i am not even going to bother. 🤧
And yeah. It's me not, the book. Blah.. Blah.. Blah.
June 14, 2021
This was a very enjoyable read. I did have some niggles, but overall I liked it more than I initially thought I would.
I really liked Tyler and Ian as main characters. I liked that there was more to their story than the blurb lets on.
When I picked this up I didn't know that Tyler appeared in some of this author's previous books and, although I didn't have any problems following this story, I kind of wish I'd known more about Tyler before starting this.
*******
Re-read 7/2020
Re-read 6/2021 - listened to the audiobook
I really liked Tyler and Ian as main characters. I liked that there was more to their story than the blurb lets on.
When I picked this up I didn't know that Tyler appeared in some of this author's previous books and, although I didn't have any problems following this story, I kind of wish I'd known more about Tyler before starting this.
*******
Re-read 7/2020
Re-read 6/2021 - listened to the audiobook
September 5, 2020
Audio… Blisstastic!!! Best of the best!! There are not enough stars to rate JF Harding and Jack DuPont’s performances!
Story 4.25 Stars
If not for the audio, the story would have been 3 to 3.5 stars and probably wouldn’t have made it to my favorites shelf. But the narrator performances jacked up my level of enjoyment.
The crime/drama part of the story was simplistic and not full of suspense and grit. It’s fairly predictable, and quickly solved. The focus then shifts completely to the MCs and the push/pull that is their relationship. It didn’t frustrate me too much though. Overall, I did like their relationship development. The issue I had was with Tyler’s reason’s for denying his sexuality. I felt it was too much and overdone. I also felt that Ian’s character changed as the story went on. He went from confident and pushy to insecure and sappy. Yeah, I get that he had a very rough start in life, but it felt like the author used that as an excuse to change Ian. It just didn’t feel natural to me.
When the push/pull ends, Tyler and Ian do enter the lovey/dovey stage, and the sex is hawt AF. Some of the romantic gestures were too mushy for my taste, but I didn’t hate it.
I'm ready for book two...in audio format...with JF Harding and Jack Dupont.
I highly recommend the audio to get best emotional effect of this story.
Story 4.25 Stars
If not for the audio, the story would have been 3 to 3.5 stars and probably wouldn’t have made it to my favorites shelf. But the narrator performances jacked up my level of enjoyment.
The crime/drama part of the story was simplistic and not full of suspense and grit. It’s fairly predictable, and quickly solved. The focus then shifts completely to the MCs and the push/pull that is their relationship. It didn’t frustrate me too much though. Overall, I did like their relationship development. The issue I had was with Tyler’s reason’s for denying his sexuality. I felt it was too much and overdone. I also felt that Ian’s character changed as the story went on. He went from confident and pushy to insecure and sappy. Yeah, I get that he had a very rough start in life, but it felt like the author used that as an excuse to change Ian. It just didn’t feel natural to me.
When the push/pull ends, Tyler and Ian do enter the lovey/dovey stage, and the sex is hawt AF. Some of the romantic gestures were too mushy for my taste, but I didn’t hate it.
I'm ready for book two...in audio format...with JF Harding and Jack Dupont.
I highly recommend the audio to get best emotional effect of this story.
December 21, 2019
I’m sorry to say I absolutely don’t feel the same way about the book as the other people who reviewed it. I’ve read about 25% but it felt too ‘played’. If your friend is murdered and you found the body, would you constantly think the detective is hot, you want to kiss him and have sex with him, jerk off. And though I’ve read other detective mm books and there was relationship development and sexual tension and stuff, this felt like the detective was an amateur. The detective also knows he’s gay, but for his reasons chooses not to think about it/asks on it, this doesn’t mean he’s ignorant. And what detective would a) don’t follow up on the man who dated the murdered guy prior the murder and b) would allow a civilian to meet this potential killer even if it’s ‘the only way’ and with no back up. So after those 25% I looked up the reviews and thought it was very strange there was only one giving less than 5 stars and decided to stop reading and review my opinion. But, maybe other peope don’t mind and like the story.
June 14, 2021
3.5✨
This is my lesson for being judgy about other people who don't DNF
a book, even if it sucks. Because they know, what I don't, 'there is always hope for improvement in the plot'.😊
Me-
From page 0-15~ oh!! we have a deeply closeted, 44-year-old virgin detective(Tyler) and a super-rich, out and proud gay guy(Ian).😊
From 30-100~ Okay so a serial killer (mind you a stupid one!!!) is on a mission to kill gay guys and I am so not surprised that our MC is the target.😌
From page 100-150~ At one point, Ian's bodyguard says "if this was a horror movie, You’d get killed because of your stupidity.”
Yeah, true because I have seen people who are targeted by killers, acting this dumb only in horror movies.🤭🤭
From page 150-180~ Good, Tyler coming out of the closet now is the time to celebrate the loss of V- card.🤩🤩
From page180-220~ Oh!! hell, suddenly Ian's father remembers he has an emotionally vulnerable son.🤔
From 220 onwards ~ Now what is left to happen that will take 80 pages.,😏😏
*But surprisingly my 1.5✨is dedicated to this part.😌
This is my lesson for being judgy about other people who don't DNF
a book, even if it sucks. Because they know, what I don't, 'there is always hope for improvement in the plot'.😊
Me-
From page 0-15~ oh!! we have a deeply closeted, 44-year-old virgin detective(Tyler) and a super-rich, out and proud gay guy(Ian).😊
From 30-100~ Okay so a serial killer (mind you a stupid one!!!) is on a mission to kill gay guys and I am so not surprised that our MC is the target.😌
From page 100-150~ At one point, Ian's bodyguard says "if this was a horror movie, You’d get killed because of your stupidity.”
Yeah, true because I have seen people who are targeted by killers, acting this dumb only in horror movies.🤭🤭
From page 150-180~ Good, Tyler coming out of the closet now is the time to celebrate the loss of V- card.🤩🤩
From page180-220~ Oh!! hell, suddenly Ian's father remembers he has an emotionally vulnerable son.🤔
From 220 onwards ~ Now what is left to happen that will take 80 pages.,😏😏
*But surprisingly my 1.5✨is dedicated to this part.😌
Shelved as 'dnf-for-good'
July 19, 202070% DNF
April 22, 2021
It wasn't exactly what I expected. It's okay, but I was expecting something different.
Most of all, I was expecting a lot more mystery. I was really surprised when this plot suddenly ended somewhere around 60% and there are 10 more chapters left. I thought it would all turn out to be a mistake and the killer is still on the loose, or some other thing like that will emerge. But unfortunately nothing like that happened. In my opinion, the author could have thought it up better.
The characters are okay, but I don't always understand their behavior. Sometimes I find them a bit irrational or not in keeping with their character. For example, I just don't understand why Tyler has been suppressing his sexuality all these years. In my opinion, this has never been well explained. We are given some reasons, but it all seems a bit insufficient for such traumatic decisions. Especially that suddenly, after having sex, he realizes that he is definitely gay and immediately decides to announce it to the whole world. It was not entirely reasonable from a psychological point of view.
Ian also turns out to be much more mentally unstable than he initially seems. I think that his problems are slightly underestimated by the author. I'm not sure if Ian is still in therapy, maybe it was mentioned somewhere in the book, but I don't remember. And with problems as big as his, he should definitely work them out with his therapist. Love won't do it all. It's good that Tyler is so understanding, but I don't think Ian is ready for a serious relationship right now.
And what's the deal with all these other characters? Tyler's sister, for example. Do they appear in other books by this author? Because I definitely felt like I should know them from some other books, but of course I didn’t. That was weird.
I was also a bit surprised to discover that this is only the first book in the series. I don't know if I will continue. I'm not sure if I'm that curious about what will happen next with Ian and Tyler. I think I will only read another book if I need it for a specific reading challenge.
Most of all, I was expecting a lot more mystery. I was really surprised when this plot suddenly ended somewhere around 60% and there are 10 more chapters left. I thought it would all turn out to be a mistake and the killer is still on the loose, or some other thing like that will emerge. But unfortunately nothing like that happened. In my opinion, the author could have thought it up better.
The characters are okay, but I don't always understand their behavior. Sometimes I find them a bit irrational or not in keeping with their character. For example, I just don't understand why Tyler has been suppressing his sexuality all these years. In my opinion, this has never been well explained. We are given some reasons, but it all seems a bit insufficient for such traumatic decisions. Especially that suddenly, after having sex, he realizes that he is definitely gay and immediately decides to announce it to the whole world. It was not entirely reasonable from a psychological point of view.
Ian also turns out to be much more mentally unstable than he initially seems. I think that his problems are slightly underestimated by the author. I'm not sure if Ian is still in therapy, maybe it was mentioned somewhere in the book, but I don't remember. And with problems as big as his, he should definitely work them out with his therapist. Love won't do it all. It's good that Tyler is so understanding, but I don't think Ian is ready for a serious relationship right now.
And what's the deal with all these other characters? Tyler's sister, for example. Do they appear in other books by this author? Because I definitely felt like I should know them from some other books, but of course I didn’t. That was weird.
I was also a bit surprised to discover that this is only the first book in the series. I don't know if I will continue. I'm not sure if I'm that curious about what will happen next with Ian and Tyler. I think I will only read another book if I need it for a specific reading challenge.
October 24, 2020
Beautiful reading. One of the things I love about the April books, is the struggle that faces her characters. Talking emotionally. April has a simple and profound way of showing us the evolution of these men and women. Making them so real that you can almost touch them! Once again you cannot leave without loving them, not only to the main characters but also to the secondary ones that are glimpsed with equally exciting stories.
January 23, 2022
I've been holding off on this book for a long time since main characters so far in the closet that they can't even reach Narnia ain't my cup of tea. But this one, had me hooked from the very first page and I couldn't stop reading. I cared so deeply for Tyler and Ian, especially Tyler and I loved seeing him coming out of his shell.
On to the second book in the series.
On to the second book in the series.
February 18, 2021
Oh wow!! What a fantastic read!! It has little of everything, suspense, thrill, angst, sweetness and romance. Super adorable book!!
Read
January 23, 2022DNF @ 25%
July 27, 2020
I can't even get through the first few pages without wincing at errors any editor would have had the author correct. Repetition, repetition! Good lord. If you "edited" this, shame on you.
And those of you who high-starred it, you need to read better English, and then try this one again. Consider it educational.
Atrocious. *move to trash*
And those of you who high-starred it, you need to read better English, and then try this one again. Consider it educational.
Atrocious. *move to trash*
December 23, 2019
Pretty good. Not omg good, but good. The whole serial killer thing was not very riveting tho.
March 3, 2020
DNF @ 23%.
Even if I didn't find Tyler's internalized homophobia and reluctance to even admit he is gay while constantly lusting over a man, and even if I didn't find Ian's priorities a bit mixed up, being busy trying to get into Tyler's pants after finding his friend and neighbour brutally murdered and potentially being on danger himself, and even if it hadn't become obvious that this is a spin off of some other books by the author, I just can't get past the narrative.
The narrative is told in alternating, 1st person, present tense. All three of those aren't my cup of tea, so throw them all together and I definitely will find it hard to swallow. And were it not for the headers of each chapter informing you who's POV it is (always a bad sign) and Tyler's constant inner monologues about how he can't possible be attracted to this incredibly sexy guy, you wouldn't be able to tell who is currently narrating. And I'm of the mindset that if you can't have your two POVs have distinct voices, you shouldn't be writing two POVs.
Even if I didn't find Tyler's internalized homophobia and reluctance to even admit he is gay while constantly lusting over a man, and even if I didn't find Ian's priorities a bit mixed up, being busy trying to get into Tyler's pants after finding his friend and neighbour brutally murdered and potentially being on danger himself, and even if it hadn't become obvious that this is a spin off of some other books by the author, I just can't get past the narrative.
The narrative is told in alternating, 1st person, present tense. All three of those aren't my cup of tea, so throw them all together and I definitely will find it hard to swallow. And were it not for the headers of each chapter informing you who's POV it is (always a bad sign) and Tyler's constant inner monologues about how he can't possible be attracted to this incredibly sexy guy, you wouldn't be able to tell who is currently narrating. And I'm of the mindset that if you can't have your two POVs have distinct voices, you shouldn't be writing two POVs.
November 29, 2021
10% was more than enough, I'd not normally rate without having read/skimmed further but this was THAT bad.
Repetiveness
Inappropriate lusting flirting at the scene of a murdered friend.
Repetiveness
Really odd unexplained self denial, he seems to know he's gay but...
Repetiveness
General immaturity
Repetiveness
Everything is summarised and repeated every three (or less) pages. If it wasn't a murder case I'd think it a children's book.
The compulsory self-love while thinking of the other, scenes were so uncomfortable and wrong feeling that there's no way I could read on.
Repetiveness
Inappropriate lusting flirting at the scene of a murdered friend.
Repetiveness
Really odd unexplained self denial, he seems to know he's gay but...
Repetiveness
General immaturity
Repetiveness
Everything is summarised and repeated every three (or less) pages. If it wasn't a murder case I'd think it a children's book.
The compulsory self-love while thinking of the other, scenes were so uncomfortable and wrong feeling that there's no way I could read on.
December 9, 2021
Murder mystery and Coming out
This book started off as a crime procedural but the second half was more of a contemporary romance. I enjoyed the first half more but I definitely love the growth Tyler and Ian made personally. I love guys who care about their families good opinion. Luckily the family of these men loved them and accepted them wholeheartedly.
The sex scenes weee sexy but I enjoyed the mystery the best
This book started off as a crime procedural but the second half was more of a contemporary romance. I enjoyed the first half more but I definitely love the growth Tyler and Ian made personally. I love guys who care about their families good opinion. Luckily the family of these men loved them and accepted them wholeheartedly.
The sex scenes weee sexy but I enjoyed the mystery the best
August 11, 2022
I listened to this and the narration was 5 stars. I loved both narrators. However, the story was all over the place for me. One minute I loved it. The next minute I wanted to scream. Tyler’s coming out of the closet was especially painful. His one step forward and two steps back was really frustrating. But once he came out you had to love him.
I loved Ian at first, but his insecurities got tiring. He too was all over the place. I don’t plan to read the second book because I won’t enjoy all the angst. I might try some other time. April Wilson is a great writer.
I loved Ian at first, but his insecurities got tiring. He too was all over the place. I don’t plan to read the second book because I won’t enjoy all the angst. I might try some other time. April Wilson is a great writer.
April 4, 2022
***3.5*** the story ***4.5*** for the audio // the rating is mostly for the AB
This came from an Audible sale shopping spree and though I didn't LOVE the story I really enjoyed the audio by Jack Dupont and J. F. Harding. They were perfect.
Don't get me wrong, I liked the story. It's the standard guy who never felt a connection with any woman he dated but at the ripe old age of forty-four meets the yin to his yang.
Tyler Jamison (44) is Chicago police detective and when he's called to the scene of a murder he comes in contact with Ian Alexander (28) a witness and a possible future victim. Ian is openly gay while Tyler has no vocabulary to say what he is or isn't. In other words romance heaven.
I guess my lack of enthusiasm for the story goes like this:
* It reads like a Nora Ephron movie, which I enjoy as much as the next person, but they are smooth, slick things.
* Everyone in Tyler & Ian's life is accepting and affirming, which ... maybe?
* Tyler goes from never even saying the word gay in relation to himself to giving head like a pornstar on the strength of watching some gay porn.
* Ian & Tyler are tireless doubting Thomases in their heads and that can be exhausting.
* Ian's mourning or lack of mourning after a friend is murdered is bit ... off putting? Maybe the insta lust is a way to deal with grief?
* Clearly Tyler was background character in other book(s) by the author and the protagonists of those stories are introduced here. It's not confusing, but there's quite an ensemble.
In any case I'd read/listen to more books in the series.
This came from an Audible sale shopping spree and though I didn't LOVE the story I really enjoyed the audio by Jack Dupont and J. F. Harding. They were perfect.
Don't get me wrong, I liked the story. It's the standard guy who never felt a connection with any woman he dated but at the ripe old age of forty-four meets the yin to his yang.
Tyler Jamison (44) is Chicago police detective and when he's called to the scene of a murder he comes in contact with Ian Alexander (28) a witness and a possible future victim. Ian is openly gay while Tyler has no vocabulary to say what he is or isn't. In other words romance heaven.
I guess my lack of enthusiasm for the story goes like this:
* It reads like a Nora Ephron movie, which I enjoy as much as the next person, but they are smooth, slick things.
* Everyone in Tyler & Ian's life is accepting and affirming, which ... maybe?
* Tyler goes from never even saying the word gay in relation to himself to giving head like a pornstar on the strength of watching some gay porn.
* Ian & Tyler are tireless doubting Thomases in their heads and that can be exhausting.
* Ian's mourning or lack of mourning after a friend is murdered is bit ... off putting? Maybe the insta lust is a way to deal with grief?
* Clearly Tyler was background character in other book(s) by the author and the protagonists of those stories are introduced here. It's not confusing, but there's quite an ensemble.
In any case I'd read/listen to more books in the series.
January 19, 2020
2,50*
I don't really like giving low ratings but yesterday I finished a book that I rated with 3* and I can't really rate this one the same way and I really want to get these things that bothered me about the book off my chest so... read on your own risk, I suppose?
I'm not really that impressed and I had certainly more issues with the book than the things I liked in it. The story sounded interesting and I was definitely curious about the serial killer case and about how would Tyler's and Ian's blossom especially knowing how long Tyler lived a closeted life.
First meeting and Ian knew right away that Tyler was a guy who would be domineering and controlling. And they barely exchanged a few words. Okay... I suppose you might get that kind of a vibe from someone but Ian was so certain with that during the whole time before they even started something together and I didn't really get that impression from Tyler? And the book was written from two povs. There was some control on Tyler's side (considering he's a detective) but I definitely came across with characters who were more domineering and controlling than him.
The serial killer case was... boring. Yeah. We had hardly any glimpse to Tyler's real detective work. I expected a case that would be hard to crack because that's how Tyler explained it at the beginning. Serial killers didn't do killings in haste so they were harder to catch, right? I thought that the author probably came up with "serial killer" idea just to make the story more interesting because the guy obviously wasn't that smart. CCTV camera from his own bar literally pointed at him to be a suspect. First or well at least the two first murders could have been enough to point the direction which should detectives take. Both two victims dated the same guy. There wasn't really the third murder needed for them to realize they should look into Brad Turner and check out CCTV cameras. At least that's what I think.
Ian wanted to play a detective so he purposely flirted with a guy who he thought might have killed his friend and like... another two gay guys. And then he felt sick when the guy was sleezy and weird? I mean what the hell did you even expect?
The killer was caught very early on and we could focus on the pair. But the unnecessary drama! Jesus! Why?! I mean I could get Ian's father being overprotective but then Ian tells him he likes the guy and okay, everything's fine?
Ian's daddy is loaded but Tyler was the one who made sure that Ian had a bodyguard? So yeah, Ian's loaded daddy doesn't make sure his son will have a bodyguard altho there are gay guys being killed in the city but he hires a private investigator to find out who his son sleeps with and then he also threatens the guy because he thinks he sleeps with his son only for money. But the son tells him he likes the guy so he's like "Okay then, but don't come crying to me when he leaves you." And that's it? I really expected the story to switch and focus on Ian's father not accepting their relationship because he hired a private investigator to follow his son and threatened Tyler. But no.
Then the whole drama in the club... Really. I get that Ian's a hot guy and all that but this Brad Turner guy was being investigated for a murder and then found out that his ex killed three guys because he had sex with them but he's not shaken at all. No, he goes into a bar to hit on Ian and suddenly is also violent and then threatens Tyler, the guy who was investigating him for the murders and films it and act like a victim... Just... why. What... why? Why would anyone do that?
Then Tyler's and Ian's relationship... *sigh*... I certainly didn't like how pushy Ian was. The two didn't know each other well at all. They were obviously two complete opposites and to be honest I don't see how they can work well considering how different they are. But okay, maybe they will, who knows. It's up to the author anyway. And then they suddenly want to live together at the end of the book... yeah... I won't check out the sequel for sure. This wasn't a story for me.
I don't really like giving low ratings but yesterday I finished a book that I rated with 3* and I can't really rate this one the same way and I really want to get these things that bothered me about the book off my chest so... read on your own risk, I suppose?
I'm not really that impressed and I had certainly more issues with the book than the things I liked in it. The story sounded interesting and I was definitely curious about the serial killer case and about how would Tyler's and Ian's blossom especially knowing how long Tyler lived a closeted life.
First meeting and Ian knew right away that Tyler was a guy who would be domineering and controlling. And they barely exchanged a few words. Okay... I suppose you might get that kind of a vibe from someone but Ian was so certain with that during the whole time before they even started something together and I didn't really get that impression from Tyler? And the book was written from two povs. There was some control on Tyler's side (considering he's a detective) but I definitely came across with characters who were more domineering and controlling than him.
The serial killer case was... boring. Yeah. We had hardly any glimpse to Tyler's real detective work. I expected a case that would be hard to crack because that's how Tyler explained it at the beginning. Serial killers didn't do killings in haste so they were harder to catch, right? I thought that the author probably came up with "serial killer" idea just to make the story more interesting because the guy obviously wasn't that smart. CCTV camera from his own bar literally pointed at him to be a suspect. First or well at least the two first murders could have been enough to point the direction which should detectives take. Both two victims dated the same guy. There wasn't really the third murder needed for them to realize they should look into Brad Turner and check out CCTV cameras. At least that's what I think.
Ian wanted to play a detective so he purposely flirted with a guy who he thought might have killed his friend and like... another two gay guys. And then he felt sick when the guy was sleezy and weird? I mean what the hell did you even expect?
The killer was caught very early on and we could focus on the pair. But the unnecessary drama! Jesus! Why?! I mean I could get Ian's father being overprotective but then Ian tells him he likes the guy and okay, everything's fine?
Ian's daddy is loaded but Tyler was the one who made sure that Ian had a bodyguard? So yeah, Ian's loaded daddy doesn't make sure his son will have a bodyguard altho there are gay guys being killed in the city but he hires a private investigator to find out who his son sleeps with and then he also threatens the guy because he thinks he sleeps with his son only for money. But the son tells him he likes the guy so he's like "Okay then, but don't come crying to me when he leaves you." And that's it? I really expected the story to switch and focus on Ian's father not accepting their relationship because he hired a private investigator to follow his son and threatened Tyler. But no.
Then the whole drama in the club... Really. I get that Ian's a hot guy and all that but this Brad Turner guy was being investigated for a murder and then found out that his ex killed three guys because he had sex with them but he's not shaken at all. No, he goes into a bar to hit on Ian and suddenly is also violent and then threatens Tyler, the guy who was investigating him for the murders and films it and act like a victim... Just... why. What... why? Why would anyone do that?
Then Tyler's and Ian's relationship... *sigh*... I certainly didn't like how pushy Ian was. The two didn't know each other well at all. They were obviously two complete opposites and to be honest I don't see how they can work well considering how different they are. But okay, maybe they will, who knows. It's up to the author anyway. And then they suddenly want to live together at the end of the book... yeah... I won't check out the sequel for sure. This wasn't a story for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2019
All the feels
All the feels reading….
Living with denial is hard, but suddenly finding out the truth about your sexuality and learning to accept and embrace it, is torture!! And Tyler is just about to find this out!
Tyler – Hard cop, if you’ve read the previous McIntyre books you will know Tyler well. He’s a no nonsense guy, dark and mysterious.
His story is one of self-discovery and acceptance.
We’ve been waiting a long time for Tyler’s story, but this was so worth the wait.
April you have done him proud, this is an amazing read, so much angst, turmoil, heartache, so much love and all the feels.
I love Ian, he is the polar opposite to Tyler. Brining Ian into Tyler’s life really throws him a curve ball.
Even with the ups and downs and all the angst, I loved this book.
April is just fecking awesome.
All the feels reading….
Living with denial is hard, but suddenly finding out the truth about your sexuality and learning to accept and embrace it, is torture!! And Tyler is just about to find this out!
Tyler – Hard cop, if you’ve read the previous McIntyre books you will know Tyler well. He’s a no nonsense guy, dark and mysterious.
His story is one of self-discovery and acceptance.
We’ve been waiting a long time for Tyler’s story, but this was so worth the wait.
April you have done him proud, this is an amazing read, so much angst, turmoil, heartache, so much love and all the feels.
I love Ian, he is the polar opposite to Tyler. Brining Ian into Tyler’s life really throws him a curve ball.
Even with the ups and downs and all the angst, I loved this book.
April is just fecking awesome.
February 20, 2020
This book was all over the place. There was a lot of angst, both MCs were kind of dumb in their own ways, and I felt a weird mix of boredom and annoyance while reading it. I especially didn't like the way Ian It was a weird mix of insta-love and dub-con... which I can be very ok with in the right situation, but this did NOT feel like the right situation. Ultimately I didn't enjoy the plot, I guessed the murderer immediately (though I did appreciate the plot twist), I didn't enjoy the characters, I didn't enjoy the sex... yeah. 2 stars might be generous but since no true sins were committed in my eyes I'll leave it at that.
February 13, 2021
1.5 stars
DNF@ 51%...page 161
This book isn’t for me, it had all the makings of a favorite but didn’t deliver..
The mystery of the killer was finished by 45%.... and I couldn’t deal with Tyler’s constant back and forth.. for being some who is in their 40’s and acting like he is didn’t work for me. Also the fact that Ian knew that there was a killer out there and he could be a target.. what does he do, he goes to the club with no protection and thinks it’s a good idea...
To me these two characters were too immature for my taste, I wish it was different because the premise seemed like a good fit for me.. oh well can’t win them all.
DNF@ 51%...page 161
This book isn’t for me, it had all the makings of a favorite but didn’t deliver..
The mystery of the killer was finished by 45%.... and I couldn’t deal with Tyler’s constant back and forth.. for being some who is in their 40’s and acting like he is didn’t work for me. Also the fact that Ian knew that there was a killer out there and he could be a target.. what does he do, he goes to the club with no protection and thinks it’s a good idea...
To me these two characters were too immature for my taste, I wish it was different because the premise seemed like a good fit for me.. oh well can’t win them all.
August 21, 2022
DNF 61% – I honestly think I read a different book than everyone else. This has such high ratings. The cover is beautiful and the blurb made it sound like something that was right up my alley. Murder mystery? Yes! Age gap? Yes! Sexual awakening? Yes! These are all things I love…when they’re done well.
My biggest complaint in this story is the constant repetition! Brace yourselves, I’m going to give you examples.
▪️I sit up and swing my bare feet to the floor, already reaching for my trousers.
“And Tyler?”
“Yeah?”
“Heads up. The victim was strangled with a garrotte.”
“Shit.” That’s not what I want to hear. It’ll be the third such case in two weeks. Already I’m reaching for my trousers. “I’m on my way.”
▪️I make my daily phone call to my sister, Layla. My sister and I are tight. [could have said “She and I are tight.” to avoid this.]
▪️“Do I need to remind you that three men have been strangled? Murdered?” He tightens his grip enough to make his point.
“Gay men, you mean,” I say hoarsely. He’s not choking me, but his grip is strong enough to make his point.
▪️I start moving on his cock in earnest, my lips dragging along the taut length of him. I grip the base of his cock with one hand, and with my other hand, I reach down and unfasten my jeans, easing my zipper past my own throbbing erection. Frantically, I shove my jeans down, and my briefs, just enough to free my cock. [There are other words for cock.🙄]
▪️he comes in a blistering rush, filling my throat. He freezes, lodged deep in my throat, his cock spasming with each pulsing release. He milks his orgasm, spilling down my throat,
▪️We finish our preparations and carry our food, two wine glasses, and the most expensive bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon I have up to the roof to eat in the greenhouse.
He follows me through the door that leads into the greenhouse. I flip the light switch, turning on a multitude of fairy lights strung overhead, all throughout the greenhouse.
The greenhouse is completely enclosed, attached to the stone exterior of the building and protected from weather. It’s a lush, tropical escape filled with ferns, flowers, and potted trees that loom high overhead providing plenty of privacy.
While I set out our dinner on a round bistro table, Tyler tours the greenhouse. [5 greenhouses in 6 sentences?!?]
▪️Before I can protest, he grabs a blanket off the back of the sofa and lays it on the sofa.
This is where I called it quits. Did no one do any line editing or beta reading and notice how often this author does this? She needs a thesaurus!!! Simple rewording would have fixed so much of this so easily.
My other complaint was the seemingly lack of knowledge of police procedures like search and seizure. A detective would have obtained a copy of the surveillance tapes at the club instead of having to go back to watch it again. This would have given the club owner opportunity to erase footage. Also, someone who is being a discreet bodyguard would never wear a chest holster, which are harder to conceal (especially in a crowded, hot dance club). I’ve had friends who are cops and undercover detectives and they all used shoulder holsters.
There were a lot of other sloppy mistakes like naval instead of navel, alcohol blood level instead of blood alcohol level (it’s called BAC for a reason - blood alcohol content, not alcohol blood content), and many other things.
It boggles my mind how this author has written so many popular books if this is the caliber of her writing. I won’t be reading any other books by this author. Her books have the content I’m interested in, just not the quality of storytelling I’m looking for.
My biggest complaint in this story is the constant repetition! Brace yourselves, I’m going to give you examples.
▪️I sit up and swing my bare feet to the floor, already reaching for my trousers.
“And Tyler?”
“Yeah?”
“Heads up. The victim was strangled with a garrotte.”
“Shit.” That’s not what I want to hear. It’ll be the third such case in two weeks. Already I’m reaching for my trousers. “I’m on my way.”
▪️I make my daily phone call to my sister, Layla. My sister and I are tight. [could have said “She and I are tight.” to avoid this.]
▪️“Do I need to remind you that three men have been strangled? Murdered?” He tightens his grip enough to make his point.
“Gay men, you mean,” I say hoarsely. He’s not choking me, but his grip is strong enough to make his point.
▪️I start moving on his cock in earnest, my lips dragging along the taut length of him. I grip the base of his cock with one hand, and with my other hand, I reach down and unfasten my jeans, easing my zipper past my own throbbing erection. Frantically, I shove my jeans down, and my briefs, just enough to free my cock. [There are other words for cock.🙄]
▪️he comes in a blistering rush, filling my throat. He freezes, lodged deep in my throat, his cock spasming with each pulsing release. He milks his orgasm, spilling down my throat,
▪️We finish our preparations and carry our food, two wine glasses, and the most expensive bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon I have up to the roof to eat in the greenhouse.
He follows me through the door that leads into the greenhouse. I flip the light switch, turning on a multitude of fairy lights strung overhead, all throughout the greenhouse.
The greenhouse is completely enclosed, attached to the stone exterior of the building and protected from weather. It’s a lush, tropical escape filled with ferns, flowers, and potted trees that loom high overhead providing plenty of privacy.
While I set out our dinner on a round bistro table, Tyler tours the greenhouse. [5 greenhouses in 6 sentences?!?]
▪️Before I can protest, he grabs a blanket off the back of the sofa and lays it on the sofa.
This is where I called it quits. Did no one do any line editing or beta reading and notice how often this author does this? She needs a thesaurus!!! Simple rewording would have fixed so much of this so easily.
My other complaint was the seemingly lack of knowledge of police procedures like search and seizure. A detective would have obtained a copy of the surveillance tapes at the club instead of having to go back to watch it again. This would have given the club owner opportunity to erase footage. Also, someone who is being a discreet bodyguard would never wear a chest holster, which are harder to conceal (especially in a crowded, hot dance club). I’ve had friends who are cops and undercover detectives and they all used shoulder holsters.
There were a lot of other sloppy mistakes like naval instead of navel, alcohol blood level instead of blood alcohol level (it’s called BAC for a reason - blood alcohol content, not alcohol blood content), and many other things.
It boggles my mind how this author has written so many popular books if this is the caliber of her writing. I won’t be reading any other books by this author. Her books have the content I’m interested in, just not the quality of storytelling I’m looking for.
Read
January 30, 2024DNF @30%
Not properly researched.
Not properly researched.
January 11, 2020
nope
I am not wasting my time on this DNF @ 20%, I will not waste my time on books I don't like
I am not wasting my time on this DNF @ 20%, I will not waste my time on books I don't like
March 8, 2020
3.5 stars
Shelved as 'dnf'
November 9, 2021***DNF’d @ 13%***
Ok so this was my fastest DNF to date.
This was a little too insta-lusty for my taste (especially considering the plot). Tyler literally sees Ian at a bar at the beginning of the book and INSTANTLY starts feeling flustered, and Ian’s friend is literally murdered in the next chapter and a few pages later he (Ian) starts touching himself to the thought of Tyler, it was all way too fast.
I heard the mystery part of the story wasn’t much of a mystery, and is wrapped up 40% of the way through the story, so i’m just not even going to bother with this.
Ok so this was my fastest DNF to date.
This was a little too insta-lusty for my taste (especially considering the plot). Tyler literally sees Ian at a bar at the beginning of the book and INSTANTLY starts feeling flustered, and Ian’s friend is literally murdered in the next chapter and a few pages later he (Ian) starts touching himself to the thought of Tyler, it was all way too fast.
I heard the mystery part of the story wasn’t much of a mystery, and is wrapped up 40% of the way through the story, so i’m just not even going to bother with this.
March 13, 2021
This gets the stunning rating of "at least I finished it?"
1. There isn't much time spent on the actual crime - very little police work is shown, and it's all solved before 50%. I'd expected the serial killer threat to span the whole book, but it was barely present.
2. Ian is TSTL: he gets told a serial killer is after him, and killed his next-boat-neighbor. What does he do? Give his police patrol the slip and go back to the very club that his late friend was last seen at. Genius. He also decides that he can't let his professional bodyguard get hurt for him, so he leaves the safe spot to go get in the way. He brings a shower curtain rod to a gunfight.
3. Ian was way too pushy on Tyler, it was almost dubcon at points. It's the "you could have said no" phrase that is icky. If it's not yes, it's no! Unless you really mean to write dubcon, in which case carry on, but I don't think that was the intent here and that's what makes it icky.
4. Instalove - Tyler goes from in denial to barely tolerating to moving in with Ian in like five days.
5. There were a lot of characters that clearly came from earlier series, too many of them and it bogged this story down to rehash their stories when they didn't ultimately matter.
Overall, I ended up skimming most of the second half, but I did finish it...
1. There isn't much time spent on the actual crime - very little police work is shown, and it's all solved before 50%. I'd expected the serial killer threat to span the whole book, but it was barely present.
2. Ian is TSTL: he gets told a serial killer is after him, and killed his next-boat-neighbor. What does he do? Give his police patrol the slip and go back to the very club that his late friend was last seen at. Genius. He also decides that he can't let his professional bodyguard get hurt for him, so he leaves the safe spot to go get in the way. He brings a shower curtain rod to a gunfight.
3. Ian was way too pushy on Tyler, it was almost dubcon at points. It's the "you could have said no" phrase that is icky. If it's not yes, it's no! Unless you really mean to write dubcon, in which case carry on, but I don't think that was the intent here and that's what makes it icky.
4. Instalove - Tyler goes from in denial to barely tolerating to moving in with Ian in like five days.
5. There were a lot of characters that clearly came from earlier series, too many of them and it bogged this story down to rehash their stories when they didn't ultimately matter.
Overall, I ended up skimming most of the second half, but I did finish it...
January 14, 2023
Maybe a 2.5 for me? The pacing doesn’t really work for me. The mystery is simple and solved about halfway through. The love interest has a personality change once they are together to provide a source of conflict once the mystery is over.
Some of the writing feels repetitive, with two chapters back-to-back informing us each character feels identically about the other (e.g., wanting to be exclusive, feelings on the quality of the sex, wanting to introduce to family, wanting to move in) and it just doesn’t gel right having each step of the relationship announced in advance as them both being on the exact same page in each of their internal monologues.
Some of the writing feels repetitive, with two chapters back-to-back informing us each character feels identically about the other (e.g., wanting to be exclusive, feelings on the quality of the sex, wanting to introduce to family, wanting to move in) and it just doesn’t gel right having each step of the relationship announced in advance as them both being on the exact same page in each of their internal monologues.
December 31, 2019
I enjoyed the mm love story, but felt that Tyler and Ian lacked depth. There was some action and drama with the murder mystery in the background, but Tyler struggled with his feelings for so long that it was difficult to believe that he just decided that he was okay with it. Ian came off as strong and confident for much of the first half, but then retreated into his insecurities. In addition, I didn't like how their relationship felt built on physical attraction only until the last 10%. April Wilson is hit or miss for me, and though this was one of the better ones, it still had major issues.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 384 reviews