Dirty Secret (Cole McGinnis, #2)

Oct 16, 2012 deirdre rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, auto-buy-author

4 stars
great crime/cop story . . .
i have become a bit of a fan of this author and series and cannot wait for the next installment!

i am so glad that i took notes on this book! i was getting lost in all the names and complicated plot. the mathematician in me needed a flow chart and relationship tree to keep things straight. not the fault of the author!! more my OCD reading .... great complex plot that kept me guessing AGAIN!!

what i liked . . .
*AGAIN!!! i did not guess the crimes resolution, serio...more

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Nov 02, 2012 Edina Rose rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: lmao, diversity, mystery

Excellent from beginning to end. Great mystery, really good plot, amazing characters, beautiful romance, lots of humour. It's just perfect.

There is reference to Adrien English from Adrien English Mysteries: Fatal Shadows and A DangerousThing series that warmed me up, seeing as I'm a total AE fan. Cole (the main character) and Bobby (his best friend) are driving through Pasadena. Cole sees a mysteries bookstore named "Cloak and Dagger" and Bobby says the guys who runs it is very hot and it may be...more

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Oct 27, 2012 Susan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Another 3.5 stars...

First half of this book was a mix of snooze-fest and utter confusion. I was getting bored of the storyline moving so slowly and the barrage of Korean-named characters was confusing…even for me! Truly, how likely is it that every single Korean man Cole comes in contact with is gay and every single person in his seemingly small world gets shot at and killed? (And PS: not all Koreans sleep with their cousins as this series may suggest! Ha!)

BUT, the book took a turn when the auth...more

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Nov 01, 2012 Helyce rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m-contemporary, reviewed-for-smexybooks, romantic-suspense

Previously posted here: http://smexybooks.com/2012/10/review-...

Cole and Jae Min have just settled into a somewhat comfortable exploration of their new relationship when Cole gets hired by Scarlet to try and find out what really happened to Park Dae-Hoon nearly 20 years ago when a Korean men’s club was raided. Dae-Hoon was a good friend of Scarlet and though they were both at the club that night, no one knows what became of him as he was never seen again. Now, with his son David getting married...more Previously posted here: http://smexybooks.com/2012/10/review-...

Cole and Jae Min have just settled into a somewhat comfortable exploration of their new relationship when Cole gets hired by Scarlet to try and find out what really happened to Park Dae-Hoon nearly 20 years ago when a Korean men’s club was raided. Dae-Hoon was a good friend of Scarlet and though they were both at the club that night, no one knows what became of him as he was never seen again. Now, with his son David getting married his other son, Shin-Cho, wants to find out what really happened that night.

As soon as Cole is on the case, though, bullets start flying and innocent people are dying. The rich Korean families do not want any of their secrets revealed. Being gay is fine, as long as it’s behind closed doors and doesn’t touch the family’s reputation. Get caught and you risk being shunned by your family; a risk that is too much for some. It’s all about business and money and one’s happiness does not figure into that equation. But once Cole starts, he can’t give up and he continues to research even when his own life is put at risk. As he gets closer, the stakes get higher and as more facts are revealed he’s able to put the pieces together to some very surprising results.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Dirty Kiss, so I was thrilled to be able to read this sequel. Cole and Jae-Min meet in book one, but Jae-Min, who is Korean, struggles with being openly gay. There is too much at risk for him. He does not want to lose his family, so he hides it-something Cole has a lot of trouble with. Cole is openly gay and he’s already lost his dad and step mom because of it. But living a lie is not something Cole can do, so he’s moved on. For Jae Min, though, he’s willing to step back a little and try and understand exactly what Jae Min is going through. He’s too special and he cares too much for him.

This story picks up right at the point where Jae Min and Cole are comfortably exploring their relationship. Jae Min is still very cautious and isn’t into PDAs and Cole is trying to be supportive. We learn so much more about both Cole and Jae Min in this story and we get a lot of information with respect to the Korean culture and their family and business infrastructure. It’s a uniquely woven mixture where the line between business and family is so fine, it’s very difficult to discern at times.

Unfortunately, the Korean culture is not the only one with the closed views on homosexuality. Cole McGinnis who is part Japanese does not have a relationship with his father and his step mother since he came out. In an extremely difficult to read while at the same time being an impossibly touching scene, the author plays out a horrific family get together at Cole’s brother’s house where Cole has to once again hear ugliness from not only his dad and step mother, but from his much younger half sister who at only 5 clearly has heard just exactly what her father has said about her half brother. While completely disturbing and hurtful, it really put into perspective exactly what these young men go through when personal choices do not mix with familial obligations. This poignant scene was incredibly well done.

I was pulled into this story from the get go. The mystery surrounding Dae-Hoon’s disappearance is a big part of the story of course, but it kind of runs in the background as we meet many characters from Scarlet and Dae-Hoon’s pasts and get a good feel for what it must have been like 20 years ago; young, in love, but having to hide all the time. There is a lot of bloodshed and innocent people are hurt and some die in the process; all to keep the secret of being gay so as not to bring shame to the family.

While I really enjoyed this story, I have to say that the Korean names of the characters were really difficult to keep straight. So much so, that I found myself paging back a number of times to make sure I understood who was who and what that character’s role was. It did not ruin the story for me, but I admit to being somewhat confused on occasion and feeling a bit lost. I attempted to take notes, but gave up rather quickly and decided it was too difficult as well.

What I really enjoyed was watching the relationship between Jae-Min and Cole develop. In spite of Jae-Min’s continued family worries, the couple moves forward quite a bit in this book and the relationship definitely moves toward a stronger commitment between these two.

While there is quite a bit of blood and gore, there are some incredibly funny moments that break up the heavy subject matter at just the right times. The opening scene alone will have you laughing out loud. Cole’s secretary, Claudia and his friend Bobby bring their own special brand of humor to the story and keep us laughing too.

The mystery is wrapped up while the author leaves us with a clever and well placed cliffhanger to lead us into book 3. I simply can’t wait.
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Oct 18, 2012 Stephanie M. rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, ongoing-series

Wow. I absolutely loved this story. Loved it. This series has moved up into my top 5 favorites.

There are plenty of reviews already breaking down this book so I'll spare you doing the same. What I do want to talk about is Rhys' writing. It's phenomenal. I don't think people truly understand the talent it takes to write a mystery with a romance entwined with it. I believe I've read just about all there is out there in the m/m mystery field (that's worth reading) and Josh Lanyon has been by far the...more Wow. I absolutely loved this story. Loved it. This series has moved up into my top 5 favorites.

There are plenty of reviews already breaking down this book so I'll spare you doing the same. What I do want to talk about is Rhys' writing. It's phenomenal. I don't think people truly understand the talent it takes to write a mystery with a romance entwined with it. I believe I've read just about all there is out there in the m/m mystery field (that's worth reading) and Josh Lanyon has been by far the best I've read and happens to be my favorite author. So I couldn't help but to compare Rhys to him throughout this series. Even though their styles are completely different, their ability to plot out a story, have it unfold slowly, delicately and with care to keep the reader's interest and keep them guessing at who is behind the mystery til the end ALONG with a slow-building, realistic romance between two unlikely people, is second to none (IMO). So imagine my surprise when Bobby and Cole are driving in Pasadena and they mention the Cloak and Dagger book store and how hot the owner is. I squealed with delight!!! It gave me chills because I just reread Adrien English a few days ago for the 3rd time and to have it mentioned in a book that I was comparing it to (and thoroughly enjoying) was the icing on the cake for me.

I also love Cole and Jae's relationship. It is so realistic. It's slow building with no rushed I love you's. They have a lot of problems to overcome, if they can at all, to even have a future. It's depressing to even think them not being able to be together.

Then we have Cole's past that is still being dealt with. (view spoiler)

The ending was a bit of an O.M.G.!!!! Hint, it has nothing to do with Jae and Cole's relationship. I was fully expecting it to be but it wasn't. It certainly has me anxious for the next book, "Dirty Laundry."

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Dec 21, 2012 Aimee rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: gorgeous-covers, favorites, favorite-couples

Dirty Secret has officially cemented this series as my new favorite obsession!

I've always been searching for other good mystery series ever since Adrien English and I think I've finally hit pure gold. Dirty Secret delivers on the action, intrigue, hilarity, an absolutely charming and likable narrator, hot romance (and I cannot emphasize enough HOW hot), and emotional moments that will twist your heart out and possibly make you want to strangle a certain character with your bare hands...evil step...more Dirty Secret has officially cemented this series as my new favorite obsession!

I've always been searching for other good mystery series ever since Adrien English and I think I've finally hit pure gold. Dirty Secret delivers on the action, intrigue, hilarity, an absolutely charming and likable narrator, hot romance (and I cannot emphasize enough HOW hot), and emotional moments that will twist your heart out and possibly make you want to strangle a certain character with your bare hands...evil stepmothers.

Cole has become one of my favorite fictional narrators, alongside Victor Bayne. He is such an appealing character, at first glance a laid-back and funny ex-cop with a knack for getting shot at and getting himself into absurd situations. Underscoring that is a vulnerability lingering from the unexplained deaths of his lover and partner and his estrangement from his entire family besides his brother, who for all his support admits that a small part of him still hates Cole for his homosexuality.

Rhys handled the emotional and family aspect in this book very realistically and powerfully and that's what made this book better than the first one for me.

Cole's predicament with his parents is obviously a foreshadow of the inner struggle and sacrifices that Jae will have to undertake with his own unyielding family. Coming from a strict Asian family myself, I can relate too well to Jae's fear of certain rejection and struggle to balance his own desires with his ingrained sense of responsibility and familial expectations. The tension belying Cole and Jae's relationship over Jae's family is something I will look forward to watching unfold as the series progresses.

Like the first book, the mystery and multiple murders kept me guessing right until the end as to who the perpetrator was. And much like the first book, I felt that the final reveal was slightly disappointing because I had trouble understanding how the motive of the murderer led to so many deaths. (view spoiler). But in the end, it wasn't enough to detract my overall enjoyment and love of this sequel, hence the 5 stars. I loved all of the fully-fleshed out side characters, from the alluring Scarlet (I loved finally being able to see more of Scarlet's mysterious and powerful lover, and I only hope there will be more character interactions with him) to wise-crack and loyal Bobby. Cole and Jae have become a favorite couple and I just can't wait to see what's next in store for them.
Highly recommended. (less)

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Sep 26, 2012 DarienMoya rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-reads, asian-buffet, action-movie-to-the-face, fave-books-of-2012, fave-m-m-characters, interracial-love, my-m-m-lovin, piss-off-books-of-2012, so-i-laugh, m-m-crime-mystery-and-dead-people, pants-off-reviews

~WHEN A SEQUEL KICK-ASSES!!!~

4.5

Thank you Rhys Ford for surpassing my expectations and making me happy. Let’s be frank, sometimes sequels can be a let down and though I was excited out of pants to read Dirty Secret I wasn't anticipating gold. Well folks I got platinum, I never thought I would like this book so much and I enjoyed it a lot more than the first. It was like sitting down to a kick ass episode of Cole McGinnis P.I. Sometimes even the most awesome has faults and so I do have a few thi...more

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Dec 05, 2012 Virginia rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, char-cops-fbi-detectives-agents, char-guys-with-pets, fiction-contemporary, genre-mm, content-great-banter, favorites

Enjoyed this one even more than book 1. Once again, great banter, a good mystery and awesome supporting cast.

The guys are slowly moving ahead with their relationship. The scenes where Jae comforted Cole were so loving. Jae had also been opening up more to Cole as well and it is so clear through Jae's actions where his feelings lie with Cole. As someone who googled the Korean phrases both guys used to discuss their relationship, it's clear they are moving forward (which made this reader very happ...more

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Oct 13, 2012 Cole Riann rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: armchair-reviews, m-m, m-m-contemporary, m-m-diverse, m-m-mystery, m-m-series

Review posted at The Armchair Reader.

4.75 stars

I read this sequel to Dirty Kiss (reviewed here) directly after that book, simply because I really love these characters and I feel very invested in their happiness. As a sequel, this book did everything it needed to rise above Dirty Kiss, both in the mystery and in the continuation of the romance.

Cole and Jae ended the first book on shaky ground but with a solid commitment to give their relationship a try -- at least for the time being. The atmosph...more Review posted at The Armchair Reader.

4.75 stars

I read this sequel to Dirty Kiss (reviewed here) directly after that book, simply because I really love these characters and I feel very invested in their happiness. As a sequel, this book did everything it needed to rise above Dirty Kiss, both in the mystery and in the continuation of the romance.

Cole and Jae ended the first book on shaky ground but with a solid commitment to give their relationship a try -- at least for the time being. The atmosphere of the Korean-American culture in southern California is such that Jae feels as if he'll eventually have to give up Cole and create a family, if he wants to keep his own family. In Dirty Secret, the couple is surrounded by evidence of that decision made by other men, both in their father's generation and their own, and the consequences of it are frightening.

Cole is brought a case by Scarlet, his cross dressing Filipino friend, to help a young man find his father. Park Dae-Hoon was Scarlet's best friend and disappeared from a club in the pre-LA Riot's days. He's been missing a long time now, and his now grown sons are looking to make their own lives. One son is like his father, a gay Korean man entangled with the politics of their demanding society, the other is getting married to the daughter of their father's lover. It is a hopeless mire of family secrets and lies that Cole must wade through, and nothing seems to be what he expects. At the same time his family has shown up and he must put aside his pride and hurt towards his parents if he wants a chance to meet his younger sisters, all while Jae is having problems with his own mother. Their obligations are slowly but surely encroaching upon their relationship, in a race against time until Cole can convince Jae that the shit-storm is worth sticking to his side.

The first book was really an incredibly written novel, and I was at first worried that this sequel might not be able to match it. I should have had some faith. The two things this book really needed were an even better mystery and a real progression in their relationship, both of which happened. The mystery is different from most that I'm used to reading. I found it less along the lines of serial killers and more in line with actual private detective work, and I love seeing Cole in his work. He's such a wonderfully multi-faceted character and where the first book got the history out of the way so that we got to know Cole and Jae well, this book allows them to really shine. Cole really gets a workover in this book when his family crops up and he has to face his father and step-mother. It was a really, really difficult scene to read. I'm usually so scared to read angst, I just don't like it, and it was beautiful how this author could explore such heavy emotion and hurtful things without getting lost in it. Instead, we really understand Cole better because of the way that pain is excised and also Jae for the way he handles it. This book shows them really working as a team, for the first time, and that gave me hope for their relationship. Where the first book explored their passion for one another, this one showed their commitment and deeper connections, something they'll need with the teaser we're left with in the end about the next book (and it is a DOOZY).

The only complaint I might have is how much like superheroes these characters seem, especially Cole. There is only so many times you can be shot at, or even shot without dying! It became absurd at one point near the end, and maybe that is because I read both books back to back and there are so many (cumulative) bullets flying by that point, all the characters should have been dead. It's like the OK Corral in Cole's front yard, seriously! If I had my way, I wouldn't necessarily want the near death experiences to end, or even lessen, but I would enjoy a little more diversity than just flying bullets. A few more creative scenarios would be fun to read about ;)

I love these books. Rhys Ford has become one of my new favorite authors and I won't be able to rest until I read any book she releases. She's incredibly talented and I'm really excited to see where both this series goes in the future and where her writing goes in the future. It would be interesting to read a different genre of romance from this author. Everyone should read this series, though you may want to do a quick search about how to read Korean names first! It would help you to have any trick in hand to keep them all separate and not slow down your reading.(less)

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Nov 07, 2012 Angela rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, read-in-2012, romantic-suspense, reviewed-for-fiction-vixen

Review posted at http://fictionvixen.com/review-dirty-...

I think I’ve struck gold with this series. The first book in the Cole McGinnis Mystery series by Rhys Ford, Dirty Kiss, sat overlooked and unloved on my TBR shelf for a long time. This happens sometimes to me, I’ll buy a book because I’ve heard such wonderful things about it and as soon as something shiny and new, or just recently published, comes along I read that one first. Then when I finally do get to reading something from my TBR list...more Review posted at http://fictionvixen.com/review-dirty-...

I think I’ve struck gold with this series. The first book in the Cole McGinnis Mystery series by Rhys Ford, Dirty Kiss, sat overlooked and unloved on my TBR shelf for a long time. This happens sometimes to me, I’ll buy a book because I’ve heard such wonderful things about it and as soon as something shiny and new, or just recently published, comes along I read that one first. Then when I finally do get to reading something from my TBR list I find a treasure. Something that I think to myself…”why the hell did I wait so long to read this one?” I picked this book to review because of the fact that I’ve had the first book in the series sitting and waiting on me, I thought I could read both of these stories back to back. Thank goodness, this turned out to be a delightful surprise.

This series has the funniest opening scenes of any series I’ve read in a while. When the story opens Cole is sitting in the parking lot on a freebie stake-out outside a sex shop. You’ll never guess what happens next… When he gets home he is visited by Scarlett, his Filipino cross-dressing friend who asks him to take a job looking into the disappearance of a man who was once her best friend and her lover’s nephew. Park Dae Hoon disappeared during a raid on a Korean bath house ten years earlier and no one seems to know what happened to him. He has two sons, one who is getting married shortly and the other who is gay like his father and has had quite a few difficulties of his own because of it. When Cole starts to investigate he realizes that Park Dae Hoon had a blackmail scheme going in which he was taking money in exchange for keeping the secrets of other Korean gay men in town. The deeper he delves into Park Dae Hoon he realizes his disappearing could mean murder and the suspect list is long. Cole soon becomes a target and he has no idea who is after him, only that there are casualties all around him.

This isn’t your usual romantic suspense, but then it’s not your usual m/m love story either. This series delves deep into the Korean culture and how they deal with homosexuality. These men are simply not permitted to be gay, when they come out they are completely abolished from their families like they never existed. It’s very sad. There is this entire subculture where they buy into sex clubs for the purpose of having relations with other men, but it seems like if they marry and carry on with the family line by having children then those activities are overlooked. But they never actually get to be who they are for fear of losing everything they have. Cole is a gay man who went through telling his family he was gay when he was younger and he lost his father and the only mother he’s ever known because of it, but he still has his brother and his brother’s wife. He didn’t completely lose his family, just he close minded ones. Jae’s story is different. He’s very worried about being himself and being open with his relationship with Cole. At the end of book one they had a happy for now ending, with Jae agreeing to still seeing each other, but hesitantly. He doesn’t want his mother to find out he is gay since he is also supporting her and his siblings and he worries how they will get by if he is outed.

Jae and Cole’s relationship moved forward quite a bit in Dirty Secret. Cole is so unapologetic about being who he is, and has surrounded himself with people who are either gay themselves or accept him for who he is. He is also getting over the tragic shooting death of his lover, so he and Jae start out both carrying baggage into the relationship. I keep worrying that Jae will break his heart eventually. Can Cole really ever get him to get over how he feels about outing himself to his family? This an entire culture that Cole is battling to gain the commitment of his lover. As much as I enjoy their smoking hot sexy scenes, and when I say smoking hot I mean SMOKING HOT, I also like seeing the banter between the two of them, and the trust and love starting to develop. At the end of this book I think they are in a place where the HEA is possible for them. Cole goes through some very intense, personal confrontations with his family and Jae handles him in a very adept, caring way.

There is a truly well told mystery in this plot line. I think Cole gets away a little too much for someone who seems to be the target all the time, but I adore him. He has great dialogue and makes me laugh. I was surprised at the ending, and really didn’t have a clue until the very end. The only thing I would say is the Korean names confused me a bit, and amount of Korean gay men that Cole meets seems a little much. I don’t think you have to read them together, Dirty Secret can be read as a stand alone, but I would say that you won’t get to see how much their relationship has grown unless you read book one first. The teaser at the end of the book left me greatly anticipating the next installment. I can’t wait until I get to visit with Cole and Jae again.

Favorite Quote:

“Suppose I run to you, and you’re not there?”

“I’ll be there, babe.” I promised. “You have to have faith in someone. I know it’s fucking hard. And if I let you down, then you have my express permission to kick my damned ass, because it would be the stupidest thing I’ve ever done in my life. Hell, it’s probably the biggest scary thing in the whole damed world after someone’s kicked in your teeth, but have faith in me. Let me… love you. Please just let me love you.”

Rating: A

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Oct 18, 2012 clear skies rated it 3 of 5 stars

My mistake was to read the wrong book first, however to be honest you could read this as a standalone as well. I didn't feel lost except yes the relationship aspect, but the story stood well on its own. Cole is hired to find out about a man and during his investigation there are a lot of twists and turns. I won't get into the actual plot because whilst it was detailed to the extreme, it was both very simple an to be honest ended on a wimpy note.

I gave this book a '3' because it is well written...more

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Oct 03, 2012 Maya rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: hearts

Dirty Secret by Rhys Ford
A Cole McGinnis Mystery, Book 2
4.5 Stars
Reviewed for www.heartsonfirereviews.com

It is not often that I read a sequel to a book that I thought was just 'okay' and like it better than the original book but, in this case, that is exactly what happened.

This book opens a couple of months following where the first book left off. Cole and Jae-Min are making a go of it despite the restrictions that Jae places on the relationship by being deeply closeted. Cole isn’t thrilled abo...more Dirty Secret by Rhys Ford
A Cole McGinnis Mystery, Book 2
4.5 Stars
Reviewed for www.heartsonfirereviews.com

It is not often that I read a sequel to a book that I thought was just 'okay' and like it better than the original book but, in this case, that is exactly what happened.

This book opens a couple of months following where the first book left off. Cole and Jae-Min are making a go of it despite the restrictions that Jae places on the relationship by being deeply closeted. Cole isn’t thrilled about it but he does understand the reasons for it especially after being recently submerged in the Korean culture. If Jae comes out to his family it will bring great shame upon them all and he will then be ‘dead’ to his entire family. After the heartbreak Cole suffered when he came out to his family, he is letting Jae do things at his own pace.

Cole is hired by his friend Scarlet to find a man, Park Dae-Hoon, who has been missing for 20 years. Scarlet was friends with Dae-Hoon and now Dae-Hoon’s son has come to Scarlet for help finding out what truly happened to his father all of those years ago. Unfortunately, as Cole starts digging into this case, blackmail, police corruption and murder are revealed and some of the answers will hurt people Cole loves. There are lies upon lies for Cole to wade through along with an intricate web of Korean culture that seems to get more confusing and intermingled as information is revealed. As the secrets start to come out, the bullets start to fly and the dead bodies are piling up. Even those close to Cole are getting hurt as he continues to dig for the truth but Cole is not going to let go until he has the answers he needs.

The time spent with Cole’s family was enough to break my heart. It is bigotry and prejudice at its worst and it was painful to read. For me, it did drive home the knowledge that sometimes you just have to cut people out of your life like a cancer and, as I have been told, sometimes it’s the family that you choose that will be your salvation. I am so happy for Cole that in Jae, Scarlet, Bobby, Mike and Claudia he finally has the family that he deserves.

There is a huge influx of new characters in this installment and I have to admit that I had some trouble keeping track of all of the Korean names. It became difficult for me to discern who was doing what. The mystery of Dae-Hoon was resolved well but the revelation of the identity of the mysterious person shooting everyone was a bit blah to me. The one thing that still bothers me since reading the first book is that we still don’t know why Cole’s police partner shot him, killed Rick and then killed himself. I still want to know why and I know that Cole does too.

After the HFN ending in the first book, I am very pleased with the progression, albeit a slow one, of Cole and Jae’s relationship. Even though Jae can’t say the words, you can still feel the love they share and they are still burning up the sheets. I can still see more pain in their future but I can also glimpse the possibility of a HEA. The book ends with a great lead in for the next book in this series and I can’t wait to read it.(less)

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Oct 21, 2012 Aimee rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery-crime, series, favorites, tear-jerkers, asian-mcs, humor, made-for-me, favorite-couples

Dirty Secret has officially cemented this series as my new favorite obsession!

I've always been searching for other good mystery series ever since Adrien English and I think I've finally hit pure gold. Dirty Secret delivers on the action, intrigue, hilarity, an absolutely charming and likable narrator, hot romance (and I cannot emphasize enough HOW hot), and emotional moments that will twist your heart out and possibly make you want to strangle a certain character with your bare hands...evil ste...more Dirty Secret has officially cemented this series as my new favorite obsession!

I've always been searching for other good mystery series ever since Adrien English and I think I've finally hit pure gold. Dirty Secret delivers on the action, intrigue, hilarity, an absolutely charming and likable narrator, hot romance (and I cannot emphasize enough HOW hot), and emotional moments that will twist your heart out and possibly make you want to strangle a certain character with your bare hands...evil stepmothers.

Cole has become one of my favorite fictional narrators, alongside Victor Bayne. He is such an appealing character, at first glance a laid-back and funny ex-cop with a knack for getting shot at and getting himself into absurd situations. Underscoring that is a vulnerability lingering from the unexplained deaths of his lover and partner and his estrangement from his entire family besides his brother, who for all his support admits that a small part of him still hates Cole for his homosexuality. (view spoiler)

Rhys handled the emotional and family aspect in this book very realistically and powerfully and that's what made this book even better than the first one for me.

Cole's predicament with his parents is obviously a foreshadow of the inner struggle and sacrifices that Jae will have to undertake with his own unyielding family. Coming from a strict Asian family myself, I can relate too well to Jae's fear of certain rejection and struggle to balance his own desires with his ingrained sense of responsibility and familial expectations. The tension belying Cole and Jae's relationship over Jae's family is something I will look forward to watching unfold as the series progresses.

Like the first book, the mystery and multiple murders kept me guessing right until the end as to who the perpetrator was. And much like the first book, I felt that the final reveal was slightly disappointing because I had trouble understanding how the motive of the murderer led to so many deaths. (view spoiler). But in the end, it wasn't enough to detract my overall enjoyment and love of this sequel, hence the 5 stars. I loved all of the fully-fleshed out side characters, from the alluring Scarlet (I loved finally being able to see more of Scarlet's mysterious and powerful lover, and I only hope there will be more character interactions with him) to wise-crack and loyal Bobby. Cole and Jae have become a favorite couple and I just can't wait to see what's next in store for them.
Highly recommended.(less)

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Oct 10, 2012 Heather C rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m, pdoc, contemporary-romance, ebook, read-2012, series, mystery

Gah! This sequel was awesome!!!

What I loved:

Cole His snark still cracks me up! He had me laughing A LOT. But my favorite is how protective he is of Jae; its very obvious that Jae is his world. (view spoiler)

Jae-Min He breaks my heart; I just want to give him a hug. And its also very obvious that Cole is his world, too. I love the tenderness between them. I thought it was a little sappy in the first book, but...more

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Oct 16, 2012 jules0623 rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ex-or-current-military, artists-writers-creative-types, blackmail-bribery, asshat-friends-relatives, character-death, child-abuse-present-implied-past, cops-firemen-paramedics, kids-or-animals, drugs, domestic-abuse, established-couple, exes-that-are-not-awesome, fabulous-friends-relatives, falsely-accused, homophobia, illness-or-injury-strikes, in-the-closet, relationship-m-m, men-with-money, private-dick, series, criminals-or-jail-birds, suicide-self-harm, violence-or-torture

Evil, evil ending!

I'm having trouble warming to Jae. I'm not sure why. Perhaps it's because I really adore Cole and am worried Jae will break his heart in the end?

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Oct 04, 2012 whitney rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

So good! I'm going to let it soak in before I write a review.

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Mar 31, 2013 Jaya rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: good, series, slashreaders

SlashReaders: I picked up these two books after finishing off Rhys Ford's other novel 'Sinners Gin' and enjoying it. I was not disappointed by 'Dirty Kiss' or 'Dirty Secret'. Both novels were good and significantly different enough from the other to hold my attention. I like the fact that each character, is different enough to be their own person.

What struck me the most about the two books in this series was the cross cultural, issues. Not knowing a lot about Korean culture, I understood where C...more

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Jun 15, 2013 Alex Akira rated it 5 of 5 stars

Wisecracking ex-cop turned PI, Cole McGinnis, is back, and smarter than ever in this action-packed sequel to Dirty Kiss. I loved every minute of this riveting multi-layered story; it still leaves me a bit breathless as I think of its broad scope and hidden depths. First, I’ll say that unless you are Korean, or a K-pop/K-drama lover, remember to take it slow when reading the names of the many Korean characters that grace the pages of this story. Rhys Ford has done an excellent job of making each...more Wisecracking ex-cop turned PI, Cole McGinnis, is back, and smarter than ever in this action-packed sequel to Dirty Kiss. I loved every minute of this riveting multi-layered story; it still leaves me a bit breathless as I think of its broad scope and hidden depths. First, I’ll say that unless you are Korean, or a K-pop/K-drama lover, remember to take it slow when reading the names of the many Korean characters that grace the pages of this story. Rhys Ford has done an excellent job of making each name distinctive, but recognizing who is who enriches the unfolding of this dramatic exotic mystery. That said, well, let’s get it on.

Still taking on a variety of dubious cases, including some that serve as favors for his close friend Bobby, Cole is now living with his somewhat closeted Korean lover, Jae-Min. The two men have adopted a “the-less-said-the-better” approach regarding their relationship, but neither can deny the palpable heat between them. Despite the aggressive sex, Cole, still unable to read certain of his beautiful lovers’ expressions, fears that he will lose Jae at any moment. He’s utilizing the “I’m here for you if you need me—whenever you need me,” method to win Jae’s trust, despite his desire to simply tie Jae-Min to his bed and never let him go. Jae-min on the other hand, is struggling to fulfill both his familial obligation and his growing need for Cole, without burdening either. His emotional outlets: wild, feral sex with Cole and risky escapades into the ghettos of the city to pursue his art photography.

Although his previous investigation into the world of Korean transplants left Cole with the prize of Jae-Min, when the PI is approached to look into the twenty-year disappearance of a Korean male, he is less than thrilled. He reluctantly agrees because the request comes from Scarlet, the beautiful ladyboy who is partly responsible for the gift of Jae’s presence in his life; Scarlet served as fairy godmother to the men’s fragile relationship in the first book.

Solving a mystery that has only cold leads is near impossible, but enlisting the aid of his usual team, Claudia, Bobby, and brother Mike, Cole gamely begins to investigate. What follows is a wonderful relentless gumshoe-style mystery…with teeth. Cole finds himself battered by intrigue, gunshots, and seemingly senseless deaths, as whoever wants the past to remain hidden manages to stay one step ahead of him at every turn. Multiple storylines kept me guessing and reading ever faster, trying to figure out the culprit. Blackmail schemes, confessions from drunken Koreans, a chilling visit from a Korean chaebol matriarch, a horrific family dinner, and a wedding reception gone wrong, are only some of the unusual, yet action-packed adventures Cole experiences in his dogged chase to gain some ground in a case that is more than what it seems.

New supporting players add additional spice to an already sizzling tale. I, myself was particularly intrigued by William Grey, a silver-haired, buff ex-cop who makes a fleeting, but impactful impression. Characters from the first novel return, fleshed out with vibrant details that add charisma to the captivating world of the Cole McGinnis series.

I cannot go on without thanking the author for the lovely pace of the romance between Cole and Jae-Min. The heartfelt moments of tenderness glimpsed between the steamy passages of sex were exquisite, contributing to the raw, realistic blossoming of their hard won love. The story holds much more enchantment than I can possibly reveal in this review, but I will say this: For me, the story was like a delicious, fat slice of my favorite cake, but the mysterious ending? That was definitely an unexpected and mouthwatering cherry on its top; I cannot wait to read the third book.

Thank you, Rhys Ford, for another salt of the earth, smart-ass mystery. “Witty, Gritty, Smoking hot pleasure!”(less)

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Apr 22, 2013 Pete W rated it 4 of 5 stars

I Like this one better than the first one. Thanks to no small part on the account that I did not see any use of *my sex* in the book.

The main mystery, the collateral damages, the outcomes, were all engaging, interesting, and painfully biting like the first book. I liked how Cole began unravel the old hurts and begin anew despite how uncertain Jae would receive it. I liked how Jae began to believed that Cole will always be there, if not to prevent his fall, then he will be there to help picked up...more

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Apr 06, 2013 ReadingAgent rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Ah! Mr. Ford just keeps sucking me further and further into the lives of Cole and Jae. And I couldn't be happier about it. I am totally invested in these two guys. There is something so strong yet vulnerable about them. I love that they are so complex, that they have so many layers. The more I read, the more I want to know.
All of the secondary characters play a vital role. They're not just there as filler or decoration. I love them all, but Bobby is becoming a fast favorite.
The pacing of the sto...more

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Nov 11, 2012 Top 2 Bottom Reviews Interviews and More rated it 4 of 5 stars

http://top2bottomreviews.wordpress.com/

Cole McGinnis is an ex-cop who has become a private investigator. Kim Jae-Min is Cole’s boyfriend and a photographer who comes from a traditional Korean background where being gay means the family won’t even acknowledge your existence.

Cole is hired by Scarlet, an old friend, to find out what happened to Park Dae-Hoon, a young Korean gay man who disappeared from a club back in 1994. He left two young sons behind and they really want to know if he is dead or...more

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Oct 18, 2012 Suzhang rated it 5 of 5 stars

So I've always avoided Korean dramas. For those not in the know, Korean dramas are like Spanish telenovelas. Soap operas on steroids, crack, and Oxycontin. My mother is Chinese. She watches Korean dramas. My Japanese, Taiwanese, mainland Chinese friends all watch Korean dramas. (They come subtitled, you know. Because it's not all one language...) I stay away, mostly because I don't want to join the horde of wide-eyed, screen-glued folk who can't get enough of the emotional rollercoaster. Now Rhy...more
So I've always avoided Korean dramas. For those not in the know, Korean dramas are like Spanish telenovelas. Soap operas on steroids, crack, and Oxycontin. My mother is Chinese. She watches Korean dramas. My Japanese, Taiwanese, mainland Chinese friends all watch Korean dramas. (They come subtitled, you know. Because it's not all one language...) I stay away, mostly because I don't want to join the horde of wide-eyed, screen-glued folk who can't get enough of the emotional rollercoaster. Now Rhys Ford has ported them to western book form and tricked me into the audience.

I don't mind that much.

As the sequel to [[ASIN:1615819584 Dirty Kiss]], Dirty Secret picks up on Cole and Jae's troubled relationship. Ford delves into the nuances of Asian culture, not just making ethnic character appearances and throwing in a few Korean words to simulate exoticism. To be honest, I don't know a lot about Korean-specific culture, but as an Asian-American, the stance on homosexuality, familial obligations, and "saving face" ring very true. Our protagonist Cole hails from a staunchly American cultural background. He is both an excellent bridge and filter into understanding the difficulties of being homosexual and Asian. It's not that he comes off "all-knowing" and "culturally sensitive." He struggles to understand what holds Jae back and how individual choice affects an entire clan. The fact he doesn't get it straight off gives the reader a chance to think it over as well.

The mystery in this one takes a backseat to the character's relationship and familial issues. Cole's estranged parents, Jae's backstabbing family, and certain other characters take center stage. A plethora of personal issues usually bogs down the story, but in this case they added a lot of depth. I laughed. I cried. I denied crying and went to eat some chocolate because obviously I was out of my mind. Or something.

Male/male romance isn't my thing. But this story isn't just about romance, manly chests, and hawt sexxings. It's a good story with memorable characters and a good sense of humor. (less)

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Oct 06, 2012 Michele Fogal rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It's about...

Book 2 in the Cole McGinnis Mysteries series, but I would say a solid stand alone book for anyone who didn't read Dirty Kiss and wants to jump in here. Both books are M/M Romances (man falls for man) and Action Adventure Mysteries.

Lots of interesting glimpses into the Korean culture in America and how the old traditions and powerful families still control many peoples lives and futures.

The Author...
I had the delicious pleasure of getting to interview Rhys Ford just as this book was...more It's about...

Book 2 in the Cole McGinnis Mysteries series, but I would say a solid stand alone book for anyone who didn't read Dirty Kiss and wants to jump in here. Both books are M/M Romances (man falls for man) and Action Adventure Mysteries.

Lots of interesting glimpses into the Korean culture in America and how the old traditions and powerful families still control many peoples lives and futures.

The Author...
I had the delicious pleasure of getting to interview Rhys Ford just as this book was launching! It was super exciting for me as an author myself and a wonderful juicy conversation on love, hot boys, LGBT writing, creative process and lots more. It's here if you have the chance to peak:
http://michelefogal.com/blog/author-i...

What I loved...
I love a good romance and this book DEFINITELY fits the bill! Super hot love story, great sexy-time, hard cultural struggles that drive the characters apart, and burning love, devotion, passion and tenderness that pulls them together.

The action and mystery were well paced and moved the story forward well, but for this reader, they provide an interesting back drop to what I really care about - the characters and their story. With both the plot and the romance twined together, the result was a book that I couldn't put down. Even at 2am (ouch)!

I loved that it wasn't just a simple "given" that the lovers were going to last together, and that we get to experience their fears for the future. So many love stories focus only on the hook up and sexual tension of a budding romance and then once the couple has consumated the relationship, it's as if they are now going to live "happily ever after." I think anyone who has ever been in love knows what a silly cop out that is. These guys have to fight to stay together.

I also love that we get to see each of the main characters intimately, not just physically naked, but emotionally stripped down and raw. Getting to see them share these vulnerable moments with each other and experience the tenderness and nurturing that these strapping young men have to offer is truly hotter and more satisfying than the sex scenes. Ok maybe not. The sex scenes were really hot!

I love that not all the gay male characters are nice people. Some are dumb shallow losers. Some are clinical players who prey on younger men. Some are driven to do terrible things by the situation they find themselves in and the dirty secrets they are keeping so carefully from the strict world around them. But there are also gay characters that are tough-talking ex-cops, kind-hearted intellectuals, proud fathers, and devoted sons. I love the rainbow of characters here. It take the gay element as it is to me, a factor - an element - that some deal with better than others. Some are strong enough to be who they are openly, and some are in situations where it's just not as simple as being strong. A lovely complexity that's hard to portray well in the small space inside 2 book covers.

PS There's a hidden Dr Who reference in there that tickled me pink! Like an Easter egg!(less)

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Nov 17, 2012 ttg rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, reviews

Sequel to Dirty Kiss, Dirty Secret continues the (mis)adventures of Private Investigator Cole who once again finds himself drawn into a crazy Korean drama of mysteries, secrets, and murder. Fortunately for Cole, his prickly love interest and sometimes translator Jae is still sticking things out with him, even though Jae's fears of coming out to his traditional Korean family hangs over their relationship like a storm on the horizon.

Like the first book, Dirty Secret is also a great mystery-romance...more Sequel to Dirty Kiss, Dirty Secret continues the (mis)adventures of Private Investigator Cole who once again finds himself drawn into a crazy Korean drama of mysteries, secrets, and murder. Fortunately for Cole, his prickly love interest and sometimes translator Jae is still sticking things out with him, even though Jae's fears of coming out to his traditional Korean family hangs over their relationship like a storm on the horizon.

Like the first book, Dirty Secret is also a great mystery-romance with a twisting story, lots of excitement, and a yummy relationship that fills in the spaces between the gun shots from shadowy corners and the glares from disapproving family members. Cole and Jae's chemistry and back-and-forth is delicious with its mix of quiet comforting warmth and unbridled heat that seems to burst out between them whenever they find a moment alone. Their scenes together always shine, from low-key on the couch eating take-out to the sexy time that they grasp at like parched men stumbling upon an oasis.

Cole's first-person narrative is still a joy to read, and the author has a gift of sliding in details that punch up the scene while still reading smooth and clean. My main difficulty was that there are a lot of characters (and suspects) and at times I had to sit back and think really hard about who just got referenced and how they relate to the story.

I was a little spooked to start this since I heard there was a cliffhanger, but as someone who HATES cliffhangers, I can attest the ending is a solid HFN as well as has an added twist that will most likely get explored in the next book. But you shouldn't be gnashing your teeth over it. (I'm a huge gnasher over unfinished endings, and I could definitely live with this while waiting for the next in the series.)

If you liked Dirty Kiss, you will probably really enjoy this, and if you haven't read Dirty Kiss yet, I recommend that highly if you're looking for a mystery-romance with great characters and a nice (and sexy) love story. As for me, I think Ford just hit my auto-buy list.(less)

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Feb 25, 2013 Cindi rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: series, 2013, m-m, on-blog

4.75 Stars

This is a wonderful continuation of Cole and Jae’s story. Each man is still dealing with their own issues. Jae, the knowledge that he will have to leave Cole someday to fulfill his family obligations. Cole, who is still dealing with the murder of his partner years before. Throw in an investigation involving the disappearance of a man almost two decades earlier, people who are out to kill Cole and end up hurting others in the process, complicated families (on both sides) and it makes fo...more

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Oct 07, 2012 Bea rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: male-male, arc, closeted, cop, first-person, photographer, suspense, favorites, goodreads-review, blogpost

**** Note that this author did give me a copy of the book for review. But as always it does not change how I rate a book. :) ******

This book picks up immediately after the end of Dirty Kiss. The protagonists are Cole Kenjiro McGinnis (former cop and currently a Private Investigator) and Kim Jae-Min (cousin to the suicide victim he investigates in book 1). Now a couple in the second book, their relationship remains closeted to Jae’s family and acquaintances. Cole takes an investigation job from S...more

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Nov 05, 2012 Amy *Sussudio* rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: police-military-fbi

4.5 stars. Loved the story only one complaint. The Korean names get jumbled in my head. There was Cho and Choi, it just seemed the Korean names all 'looked' the same and if I didn't pay super duper attention then I was re-reading what I just read. Sometimes even going back to make sure I had the right person/name.
Otherwise Rhys Ford is becoming one of my favorite m/m romance mystery writers.

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Dec 20, 2012 Reggie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: adventure-cops

Great story! Great Characters! Would be improved if had a diagram of the different relationships of the characters and families in the story. I couldn't keep track of the people and relationship dynamics and I am too lazy to make my own chart.

ETA: Glossary available here at author's blog- http://rhysford.files.wordpress.com/2...

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Nov 02, 2012 Nikyta rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: a-sweet-cute-read, all-time-favs, bubbles-safe, closet-cases, contemporary, cliff-hanger, cops-fbi-etc, artists, dreamspinner-press, existing-relationships, grieving, in-sickness-and-in-health, injury-recovery, m-m, mystery, series-serial, stayed-up-all-night-to-read, suspense, ebook-and-pbhc, published-on-amazon

Wow! I enjoyed the first book, Dirty Kiss, but I loved this one so much more! It's left me speechless, to be honest.

I felt like Cole and Jae grew so much closer in this one. Their relationship is intense and deep and so touching it makes me want to cry sometimes. They obviously love each other so much but their circumstances stop them from taking that final step into full blown life partners. It's heartbreaking. Cole's still the snarky man I fell in love with and Jae is still the caring, but so...more

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Oct 25, 2012 Gianthogweed rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, m-m, mystery, novel-novella, series

Four stars on trust because the problem of how the mystery has been addressed is once again present, but the overall plot is very nice.
The case is not resolved by Cole: The facts just happen and he is swept away by them until the resolution of the mystery but, unlike the first book, there is nothing irritating in the story; the "Koreans&gay" issue is dealt more specifically; and Cole's narrative voice is very fun and engrossing.
And, what is not to be underestimated, this series has some am...more

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Dirty Secret (Cole McGinnis #2)

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