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Undercover Sins

by Hayley B. James (Goodreads Author)

3.82 of 5 stars 3.82 · rating details · 298 ratings · 50 reviews

Police officer Gabriel Carter refuses to walk away from an assignment without seeing it through. So when he goes into deep cover as a male prostitute named Ty, he intends to do everything in his power to see his case to an arrest. He seduces his mark, Demetrius Prado, the second most powerful man in Las Vegas and a human trafficker, but the man is nothing like he expected....more

ebook, 300 pages

Published March 7th 2011 by Dreamspinner Press (first published March 6th 2011)

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Among the Living by Jordan Castillo Price

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Apr 02, 2012 Jay rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mm-romance, mm-uniform

What to say about this book. I have to wonder if it wasn't the theme of human trafficking that cause some of my angst. I am glad I stuck with it.

I will stay away from the plot for the most part so as not to give anything away. You should be as tortured as I was reading this.

There are a ton of plot twists that keep you guessing all the way to the end. The main characters, Demetrius and Ty, are terrific together. How they managed to see through their individual facades to the person below is amaz...more

3 likes · like · see review

Mar 30, 2011 Feliz rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: cops-detectives, m-m, jw

I found the plot idea appealing — an undercover cop reluctantly falling in love with the target of his investigation is a fascinating premise with loads of heavy conflicts both internal and external waiting to happen.

Some of the characterizations were pretty good, first and foremost Demetrius. He’s like those Russian Matryoshka dolls, layer upon layer of different personalities and backstories. His character is to act out of character, make erratic moves and decisions, irrational and growingly...more I found the plot idea appealing — an undercover cop reluctantly falling in love with the target of his investigation is a fascinating premise with loads of heavy conflicts both internal and external waiting to happen.

Some of the characterizations were pretty good, first and foremost Demetrius. He’s like those Russian Matryoshka dolls, layer upon layer of different personalities and backstories. His character is to act out of character, make erratic moves and decisions, irrational and growingly conflicted. I found his inner disunity nicely done and comprehensible, although I couldn’t make myself like him. There was Lee, Demetrius’s cool and inshakeable bodyguard, and Lesley, Ty’s protective Sergeant, which were both well- drawn, likeable characters.

I had problems with Ty/ Gabriel. From the very beginning, I couldn’t help stumbling upon inconsistencies that kept pulling me out of the story flow with wait, what? — moments. If there had been only a few, I could have just shrugged them off since this is fiction, after all, but it happened again and again, adding up to a serious bother.

The fact that Ty’s supposed to be deep undercover, but obviously has broken cover early on to a fellow rent-boy, Jackson, and Ty’s contact officer meets with him in front of Ty’s pimp who’s obviously also in the know — seemed to me terribly bad police work. Demetrius, who is supposed to be a powerful kind of Mafia don in human trafficking, confronts Ty about stalking him and using a fake ID, and still Ty doesn’t fear unmasking when Demetrius hires him?

The worst character was Arden. Admittedly Arden is The Villain, and he’s described as feared and hated, one who has no qualms putting a bullet between the eyes of everyone who steps into his way. Yet, Arden plays petty games, pouts if something doesn’t go according to his whims and doesn’t have himself under control. If he did so being merely the Don’s son, fine, but he’s supposed to be a big player himself and leading his own branch of business.

What actually bothered me most with the writing in itself was the fact that time and again, inconsistencies were actually addressed, only to be wiped away as “that’s just the way it is”. It felt like the author noticed them, but didn’t feel like polishing them in order to clear them up. I couldn’t help feel cheated.

With this story, the reader is drawn into a world which is supposed to be realistic, but reminds more of an urban fantasy setting which sometimes seems rather artificial. Nearly everything between Demetrius and his adversary, Arden, is about sex, and pretty soon about sex with Ty. This leads to some rather disturbing sex scenes outside the main pairing, some of which were non-con, precariously close to rape.

Also, there were the so-called pets, kind of like sex slaves of either gender, who read like something right out of a not very realistic BDSM master/slave fantasy. While pets weren’t mentioned in the beginning, they later seemed to be a required accessory for every bigwig and wannabe in the world of human traffickers. I must admit that I wouldn’t know, since I don’t have in-depth knowledge about human trafficking. But for this, I had to seriously suspend disbelief.

I didn’t hate this book at all, I “only” had to many issues too really enjoy it. Despite my reservations, I’d give a tentative recommendation. As I said above, it’s a very ambitious book with a challenging setting, dealing with equally daring topics, and I can very well fathom how people might overlook a lot of weaknesses for the emotional, unusual romance. Those who really hate over-explanation, repetitive telling and unlikeliness that pushes disbelief might rather want to wait for this author’s next offer.

Read the full review at reviewsbyjessewave.com(less)

4 likes · like · see review

Mar 14, 2011 Ingrid rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m

This book has more plot turns than the Alp d'Huez. I thought Ty a bit naive at times, well maybe not naive but a bit too soft/ squeamish. He is a cop, worked and lived in LV all his life, surely he has toughened up more?
All in all not a bad read. One niggle: no use of lube

2 likes · like · see review

Jul 27, 2012 Beck rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mm, rent-boys, crime-drama, contemporary

This was an incredible book. Not only was it amazingly sexy, but it stood up as a really good crime drama too. This will be a book I re-read. It is so rare to find a book of this calibre in the romance genre. This book felt a bit like a Lee Child book with the amount of twists, turns & convoluted plot.

Highly recommended for lovers of good crime drama but this isn't a light fluffy romance or straight erotica. There is a story to get your teeth into with this one.

4 likes · like · see review

Aug 24, 2012 Ayanna rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed, lul-wut, hahahaha-no

Ehh...Not bad, I guess, but still...

It just doesn't seem really realistic to me. The characterization just seemed...incredibly off. And the entire thing just seems like a weird parallel universe (would anyone really pay with a thousand dollar bill?). And the prose is just stiff enough that the inconsistencies and weirdness in the characterization really stands out.

This seems like a not-as-good version of Mexican Heat to me, especially the random revelation thing towards the end-ish.

(view spoil ...more Ehh...Not bad, I guess, but still...

It just doesn't seem really realistic to me. The characterization just seemed...incredibly off. And the entire thing just seems like a weird parallel universe (would anyone really pay with a thousand dollar bill?). And the prose is just stiff enough that the inconsistencies and weirdness in the characterization really stands out.

This seems like a not-as-good version of Mexican Heat to me, especially the random revelation thing towards the end-ish.

(view spoiler)

There doesn't seem to be any drama. It's rather dry. Heck, even the sex seemed dry to me.
I also kept getting the feeling that the author couldn't quite decide whether this was a parallel universe or not. I mean, of course all fiction is to some extent an alternate universe, but I feel like this one was a bit... more... The way they talked about the pets made it seem like a matter-of-fact part of life in general and not just in the little underworld whatever thing they got going on.

The lampshading of psychological issues from the sting op didn't do anything for me. There was nothing to really back it up; it felt like whatever psychoses the characters might have had were already in place well before the mission started. It also made it benignly melodramatic, and I didn't even think that would be possible.

It was...boring. I think about half way through, I had to fight the strong urge to ditch it and reread Mexican Heat again.(less)

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Jul 19, 2012 Elisa Ramblings added it

Usually when there are hustlers in a romance, the mood of the story is pretty much on the line of Pretty Woman, with a knight in shining armor coming to rescue the little cinderfella. That is not the case of Undercover Sins. Ty is not a “cinderfella” waiting for Prince Charming, he is an undercover cop who is posing as a rent boy/escort to frame human trafficker Demetrius; and while I say “posing”, I don’t mean that he is faking his role of hustler, Ty is really exchanging sex with money, he has...more

1 like · like · see review

May 31, 2012 piranha rated it 1 of 5 stars

nothing here worked for me. and no, it wasn't the rape/non-con; that sort of thing actually fit. generally, the undercover behaviour by all except perhaps lee was ludicrous, the characters didn't stay in character (except maybe demetrios, whose character was that he was allegedly unpredictable, *snrk*), the plot had holes large enough for the iceberg that sank the titanic to cruise through smoothly, and i didn't buy the "love" story. i disliked ty almost from the start because he didn't at all s...more

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Apr 18, 2012 Karina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites-m-m

These two may have well moved into my favourites. I don't know HOW the author did it, but she was able to construct something so complex, believable and not at the same time that me as the reader really couldn't differentiate what was real. As I saw Ty falling deeper and deeper for Dem I knew what they had was real but the deception between them may have. Actually, it created a rift that couldn't be fixed even after the case was done.

The things that were supposed to be gritty (human trafficking)...more

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Sep 04, 2011 Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: erotic, contemporary, anal-play-sex, m-m, suspense-mystery, voyeurism

Originally posted at: http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/201...

These people “are nothing but produce. You wouldn’t cry for lettuce, would you?”

You won't find a cop show on Prime Time TV as hot as Undercover Sins, where lust was a normal human behavior; human trafficking, OCD and germs all play into this high action plot. There is nothing that falls into place like you expect. I found it extremely hard to put the book down. Being my first true suspense story I was always waiting to see what was ar...more Originally posted at: http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/201...

These people “are nothing but produce. You wouldn’t cry for lettuce, would you?”

You won't find a cop show on Prime Time TV as hot as Undercover Sins, where lust was a normal human behavior; human trafficking, OCD and germs all play into this high action plot. There is nothing that falls into place like you expect. I found it extremely hard to put the book down. Being my first true suspense story I was always waiting to see what was around the next corner. I can understand now why so many people enjoy this type of genre and could become hooked myself if they are all like this book.

I must confess that I took this book to review without any idea what it was about. I could have checked out the blurb or excerpt but I wanted to go in blind and let the excitement build as the author meant it to. For the first few chapters I was confused as to how the book could be classified as an erotic romance and wondered how Ms. James was going to add that thing called love into the plot. I mean it’s hard to see romance with an undercover cop acting as a male prostitute to bring down a human trafficking organization, only to end up as a pet to a monster.

“The trafficking business was disgusting, but to stop a monster”, you become one. This was how many cops look at life undercover. Ty (Gabriel Carter) was willing to do anything to bring down Demetrius Pardo, all he needed was for Demetrius to take him home for a night. From there the story was like nothing I had expected and I didn’t know who the good guys were and who the bad guys were. Violence and death makes Demetrius and Lee, his body guard, seem like a horrible excuses for humans. I was not sure if Demetrius was a horrible jerk but I do know I have no nails left to bite after reading this story. The whole time I kept wondering just who the hell he was and if Ty/Gabriel would be the same cop after going undercover.

The plot was a deadly cat and mouse game with many players, where being so deep undercover could cause a slip in sanity, and this only added more depth to the story. I was torn between wanting to savor the suspense forever, and wanting to reach the end to see if the tale ended happily. This book kept me on my toes and until the end. I was not sure which of the characters I liked and which ones I didn’t. Nothing seemed to happen as I thought it would.

This book is definitely full of good and bad perversion, lots of anxiety, and an unbelievable ending that made me anxious to find more books by Ms. James.

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Jun 28, 2011 Michele Montgomery rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I have to tell you, that this story here kept me busy turning the pages to the point that I put off anything else I should have gotten done because I could not wait to see what Hayley would put me through next. When a story has the ability to do that to me, then I’m a happy camper.

Ms. James took me on a journey into the lives of three men and I fell so infatuated with them that I’m sad it had to end. But as they say, all good things must come to an end. This read does require you to pay attentio...more I have to tell you, that this story here kept me busy turning the pages to the point that I put off anything else I should have gotten done because I could not wait to see what Hayley would put me through next. When a story has the ability to do that to me, then I’m a happy camper.

Ms. James took me on a journey into the lives of three men and I fell so infatuated with them that I’m sad it had to end. But as they say, all good things must come to an end. This read does require you to pay attention, it requires you to focus on the story line, and it demands you to study the characters habits, traits, and background because it’s easy to get lost if you don’t. This is not a fast read by any means, and if you’re like me, it’ll have the ability to take you out of the real world and into the author’s with a snap of her fingers.

The characters she created are simply amazing. Ty, who is really officer Gabriel Carter goes deep undercover to expose and destroy a chain of human trafficking rings led out by a man in Chicago. I’m not very familiar with sting operations, or what department heads what out, or who goes undercover to the extent this man did, so I can’t say if the story followed protocol but whatever. I mean this IS fiction, so why do real life in a fiction story? Lets stir things up a bit, right? Anyway, this officer goes undercover and he is after a man who goes by the name Demetrius Prado, so he, in order to make an arrest on the man, plays a young prostitute who calls himself Ty. And let me tell you, this cop goes deep undercover to do this job. In alleyways on his knees, or in cars or hotel rooms, he played his role to perfection and kept doing it until his mark of choice noticed him. When Demetrius did, well the undercover cop ended up in deep technical troubles and they were so bad, his life was in danger with every breath he took. When the blurb states: “It’s a case of mistaken identities and layer after layer of trumped-up cover stories, and Gabriel is sure there’s no way he’ll ever be able to trust Demetrius with his life… much less with his heart.” It wasn’t meant as a suggestive joke, it was being serious. This is why I stated you must pay attention to the characters every tiny detail, as well as the plot line. The publisher wasn’t lying when they said this in the blurb. Lie after lie indeed. I’m pretty sure this happens in the everyday life of these kinds of people portrayed here in the story.

Now, when Ms. James writes the sex in this story? WOW. She really let loose with it. And the scenes were so intense because I could feel the characters feelings for one another, no matter how hard Gabriel tried to deny them. I absolutely fell in love with Demetrius and his demeanor. The one thing I would ask is this: If you decide to read this story, remember…everyone has a role and if they don’t play right, people end could end up dead. I felt like the author did a wonderful job leading up to the big explosion, she tied up all ends very neatly, and she made me cry, too. I really enjoyed this story and I truly hope she is considering a sequel at some point. Also, if you’re squeamish about the absence of condoms and lube, then please, don’t let that judge the quality of the story. Remember it is fiction.
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Mar 08, 2011 Ami rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: mm-romance-or-erotica

When it comes to undercover m/m story, the best that I have read is Laura Baumbach and Josh Lanyon's Mexican Heat. The summary in this one, makes me feel intrigued to read it.

Unfortunately, I don't feel as satisfied. The back and forth secret that Demetrius gives to Ty annoys me after I reach about 1/2 of the book. It's a little bit hard for me to believe that Demetrius falls in love with Ty, with the way he treats Ty (including making him participate in a pet game, where Ty is being fuc*ed by a...more

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Mar 01, 2012 Maki2011 rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. 登場人物がみんなゴージャス。
最初Leeが相手かと思った。
PetGameが出てきたときは戸惑ったけれど、リアルPetShopがでてきたときはもう完全に話に飲まれたわー。
ビバ！ペット！

仕事とはいえここまでするのはどうなのー？といった疑問も一応は取り上げられているので、？？？の状態にはならずに楽しめたほうかしら。

しかし、Demが提案を持ちかけて、自分の正体を明かしたときは
よし！きた！ラブラブランデブーキューブ！！
と超萌えたのに、その後のTyの反応があまりにふらふらしていて、うーんとなってしまった。
疑っているのなら疑った態度で突き通せばいいのに、信じているような言動をとる。
そしてその言動が何も考えていないようにしか見えない。
Demの告白が真実だった場合、Tyの言動は足を引っ張るものでしかない。
疑うのは勝手だけれども、真実だったときのことも考えろ！
3ヶ月も潜入捜査をしていてそれくらいわからんのか！と、がおりたくなる。
最初にTyのプロフェッショナルぶりに感心しただけに、対応がいささか子供っぽい。
そんな印象だったなあ。

そして後半というかほぼ終わりで、病院までは切ない感じで超好みだったのに、ラストが割...more

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May 13, 2011 Mel Bradley rated it 5 of 5 stars

An undercover officer spends three months as a rent boy, just to get close to his biggest enemy – a human trafficker. He won’t walk away from an assignment, especially one that means so much to him but soon he realizes that he could be in too deep. He enjoyed sex with his target more than he could forgive himself for – was he playing a role, or being played?

A very surprising and fast-paced read with so many unexpected twists and turns. I couldn’t put this down as the relationship between Demetri...more

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Aug 11, 2012 Silverlake rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really really like the intense emotions showed in the book.

but i have to say the book is confusing at different parts of the plot. Just when you thought the lead is really who he is, BAM! turns out he isn't, and a lot of other problems just came up along with it.( like with the ending, i still don't get if Evan is really Evan or if he's really the CI...)

A lot of emotions are played in this book, and it will keep you engaged throughout the whole novel, i like all the leads in there, including T...more

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Jul 31, 2012 Fehu rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: special-agents, snarky-characters, sex-industry, dub-con-non-con, criminal-organisations

I'm not sure how to rate this one. Demetrius was something, my head was spinning from guessing if he is telling the truth or not, he was always changing his behaviour. His attitude towards Ty was changing as well and there is character development and I could see how he grew to care for Ty.
Ty, well he had me guessing if an officer could be so incompetent, because he fell for his query and why the hell did his superior not just pulled him out. I mean don't they check if their guy is crossing the...more

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Apr 16, 2011 Top 2 Bottom Reviews Interviews and More rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. 4.5 stars

I have to tell you, that this story here kept me busy turning the pages to the point that I put off anything else I should have gotten done because I could not wait to see what Hayley would put me through next. When a story has the ability to do that to me, then I’m a happy camper.

Ms. James took me on a journey into the lives of three men and I fell so infatuated with them that I’m sad it had to end. But as they say, all good things must come to an end. This read does require you to pay...more 4.5 stars

I have to tell you, that this story here kept me busy turning the pages to the point that I put off anything else I should have gotten done because I could not wait to see what Hayley would put me through next. When a story has the ability to do that to me, then I’m a happy camper.

Ms. James took me on a journey into the lives of three men and I fell so infatuated with them that I’m sad it had to end. But as they say, all good things must come to an end. This read does require you to pay attention, it requires you to focus on the story line, and it demands you to study the characters habits, traits, and background because it’s easy to get lost if you don’t. This is not a fast read by any means, and if you’re like me, it’ll have the ability to take you out of the real world and into the author’s with a snap of her fingers.

The characters she created are simply amazing. Ty, who is really officer Gabriel Carter goes deep undercover to expose and destroy a chain of human trafficking rings led out by a man in Chicago. I’m not very familiar with sting operations, or what department heads what out, or who goes undercover to the extent this man did, so I can’t say if the story followed protocol but whatever. I mean this IS fiction, so why do real life in a fiction story? Lets stir things up a bit, right? Anyway, this officer goes undercover and he is after a man who goes by the name Demetrius Prado, so he, in order to make an arrest on the man, plays a young prostitute who calls himself Ty. And let me tell you, this cop goes deep undercover to do this job. In alleyways on his knees, or in cars or hotel rooms, he played his role to perfection and kept doing it until his mark of choice noticed him. When Demetrius did, well the undercover cop ended up in deep technical troubles and they were so bad, his life was in danger with every breath he took. When the blurb states: “It’s a case of mistaken identities and layer after layer of trumped-up cover stories, and Gabriel is sure there’s no way he’ll ever be able to trust Demetrius with his life… much less with his heart.” It wasn’t meant as a suggestive joke, it was being serious. This is why I stated you must pay attention to the characters every tiny detail, as well as the plot line. The publisher wasn’t lying when they said this in the blurb. Lie after lie indeed. I’m pretty sure this happens in the everyday life of these kinds of people portrayed here in the story.

Now, when Ms. James writes the sex in this story? WOW. She really let loose with it. And the scenes were so intense because I could feel the characters feelings for one another, no matter how hard Gabriel tried to deny them. I absolutely fell in love with Demetrius and his demeanor. The one thing I would ask is this: If you decide to read this story, remember…everyone has a role and if they don’t play right, people end could end up dead. I felt like the author did a wonderful job leading up to the big explosion, she tied up all ends very neatly, and she made me cry, too. I really enjoyed this story and I truly hope she is considering a sequel at some point. Also, if you’re squeamish about the absence of condoms and lube, then please, don’t let that judge the quality of the story. Remember it is fiction.
(less)

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Mar 17, 2011 ElaineY rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: mm, romantic-suspense, cops-sherrifs-p-i-and-firemen

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Just too unrealistic, both Demetrius and Ty do not behave true to their characters. Even though after the Big Reveal, I'm supposed to understand why Demetrius doesn't behave like Las Vegas' No. 2 criminal who trafficks humans for the vice trade, I didn't. Instead, I was left wondering how he ever survived if he was such a softie.

Unlike Ami, I wasn't put off by Demetrius allowing Ty (his 'pet' for the night) to be fucked by Arden's pet. This incident, I thought, was in keeping with the nasty, dan...more

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Apr 28, 2013 Barbara rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, my-favorites, favorites

Simply one of the best M/M books I've ever read.
The characters are perfectly developed and I bet you will remember Demtrius for a long time.
The story is dark and violent but yet so captivating.
Highly recommended!

1 like · like · see review

Jan 31, 2013 Plainbrownwrapper rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: mm

I'm torn in different directions about this book. On the one hand, it's got an intriguing setup that could be just perfect for developing angst and drama galore. On the other hand, the writing itself is often painfully bad.

Here's just a tiny example of some painfully stilted dialog. This is coming from a barely legal whore --

"You do hate it," Jackson nodded. "I have thought so, but you had never let it show. You‘re always smiling and flirting with clients. You‘re a pro at concealing disgust and...more

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Apr 13, 2011 Lori K rated it 2 of 5 stars

This book had potential that it just didn't live up to. The plot was so convoluted and turned around on itself so many times that I just lost interest. It didn't give you enough time to grow attached to the main characters before it changed them up again. Also, I sometimes I got the impression that english is not the author's first language. The writing was stilted at times which pulled me out of the story.

On a positive note, there wasn't lube and condoms all over the place, which is something I...more

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May 18, 2013 Danyele Johnson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: binge-books, a-good-listen

My reaction throughout the book:

description

I was kept in a constant state of skepticism. I didn't know who's who, who's not. Is Demetrius really bad, is Ty/Gabriel really good? Is there a right or wrong when your quest is for the ultimate good, for the betterment for the whole? (Look to the above image for my answer)

All in a all I was ripping through the pages, to get to the bottom of this. Fellow goodreads users, this was a good read :)

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Nov 19, 2011 Sungrave rated it 1 of 5 stars Recommends it for: those who think books don't have to make sense

Shelves: hard-to-believe

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

1 like · like · see review

Feb 28, 2013 Kelly Maybedog Hawkins rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: what-thank-you-officer, what-male-protagonist, how-ebook, what-glbtq, where-own, what-thriller-suspense, what-m-m-read

This book is brutal. It’s disturbing, and at times, difficult to read. There is a ton of violence, and although most is done off page, the reality is there in every action. It’s believable and it made me think about the things that have to be done by undercover officers in order to survive. This is not a pretty story. The undercover situation is human trafficking, one of the sickest and most disturbing criminal activities I can think of. You all know how much I love danger and death-defiance and...more This book is brutal. It’s disturbing, and at times, difficult to read. There is a ton of violence, and although most is done off page, the reality is there in every action. It’s believable and it made me think about the things that have to be done by undercover officers in order to survive. This is not a pretty story. The undercover situation is human trafficking, one of the sickest and most disturbing criminal activities I can think of. You all know how much I love danger and death-defiance and don’t mind violence. But that’s all action thriller type stuff. This is a different kind of violence and it made me ill.

The pacing was good, though, and most of the situations felt fairly realistic to me. The book definitely wasn’t predictable. The romance happened as slowly as it could, given the timeline of the book, and it mostly worked, although I did have some issues with why Ty was at all emotionally attracted to Demetrius. There were points at which he willingly had sex with the man when it would have made more sense for him to run screaming.

The writing was fine, although there was a weird reluctance to use contractions, usually in awkward places. I was absorbed in the story, though, torn between not wanting to put it down and needing a break from how awful the situations were. I really liked Ty, and I liked that he wasn’t one-dimensional. He sometimes said or did things where I wanted to shake him and ask, “Are you trying to get yourself killed?” But Ty was a good person with a big heart and I ached for him many times.

Frequently Demetrius says or implies that Ty is just as bad as he is for what he’s had to do. No way is selling your body as bad as the stuff Demetrius does. At one point, I really began hating Demetrius for this and allowing Ty to feel so much guilt. Typically, Ty takes on himself most of what goes wrong between them. He acknowledges he has low self-esteem, but Demetrius never sees or acknowledges that he has treated Ty like shit.

There were at least two dubious sex scenes and both bothered me for different reasons: (view spoiler)

Demetrius lies about himself throughout most of the book, even when it’s not really necessary. Some of those times are just to make conflict. Near the end, (view spoiler)

I’m torn with the rating for this. My enjoyment was around a 3 at most but the quality of the story and writing was much higher.
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Oct 20, 2012 Nile Princess rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m-romance, violence, ruthless-businessman, reviewed, undercover-cops, law-enforcement, greek

Right, so I still have 68 pages left and, God help me, I DO want to know how this ends, but this book has been an exercise in torture and I need a break. Between the plot holes big enough to sail an ocean liner through, the inane, childish and repetitive conversations (seriously, I just read a paragraph that I swore I'd already read three times), the weird dialogue (WHAT is with the whole 'humans' reference??) and the storyline that at times make zero sense, I just want to beat the characters' h...more

2 likes · like · see review

Nov 30, 2012 Tʀɪsʜᴀ Hᴀʀʀɪɴɢᴛᴏɴ rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: cops-pis-bodyguards, angst, loved, enemies-to-lovers, criminal-crime, hot-hot-hot

Aww, I'm not sure if I want to laugh or cry at this book.

Now before I start this review, I must warn you that this book deals with a strong issue (Human Trafficking) and some might not like this book. It is definitely not for everyone.

Undercover Sins is the first Hayley B. James book I have read and it will not be my last. It was a very good read and I had a somewhat good time reading it. I loved the romance in this book and was happy with the couple. I could not really say it was a book you c...more

1 like · like · see review

May 23, 2013 Amanda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebooks-i-own, cops-hitmen-military-pi, illegal-drugs-weapons-etc, rent-boy-galore, crazy-killer-on-the-loose, enemies-to-lovers, growly-alpha-males, abuse-of-some-sort, favorites, guilty-pleasure, happy-happy-happy-ever-after, hot-as-hell, im-a-ball-of-rage, kindle-mm-read, lendle-loaned, mind-fuck, this-really-should-be-longer, worth-buying-one-two-or-five-copies

4 stars

This was my first book by Hayley B. James and it won't be my last. Anything with cops or crime bosses or anything of the sort is right down my alley.

I really enjoyed this. I loved the twists and turns and never really knowing who anyone was until the end and even then I still wasn't sure. I loved the back and forth between Ty and Demetrius. There was no instalove here! Nice change. It was interesting to see all the different sides to each character and how much they change from start to e...more

3 likes · like · see review

Apr 04, 2013 Gjbates rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, m_m, law-enforcement, romance-suspense

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Mar 26, 2012 Denise rated it 3 of 5 stars

2.5 stars. This book was dark and the subject matter is harsh. I've read books where the plot revolved around human trafficking and they still allowed me to enjoy the story. This had one too many plot turns for me. Who is he? Evan or Dem?? I don't understand how love could result from the circumstances of being a pet and one who was abused at that. If you are looking for a well-written undercover m/m story, check out Mexican Heat by Josh Lanyon and Laura B.

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Jul 04, 2012 Vona Logan rated it 5 of 5 stars

Hayley, I loved this book the first time I read it and have done so more than once after. These two characters fight their attraction and ultimate love for one another. My heart ached with Ty when things went all wrong and he almost broke under the pressure of his guilt. Demetrius - you love and hate him throughout and the plot always left me wondering what the hell was gonna happen next. One of more all time favorites!

1 like · like · see review

Mar 25, 2011 Chris rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, gay, ebook, romantic-suspense, done

Trainwreck. This m/m romantic suspense about an undercover cop working as a rentboy in order to get close to one of the honchos in a human trafficking ring was extremely convoluted. The plot had as many holes as loops, no one behaved consistently or believably, and I never came to care what happened to the main characters. Be warned that there's noncon and a complete absence of lube.

9 likes · like · see review

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About Hayley B. James

Hayley B. James grew up living in her fantasies but never writing any down, but after she found M/M slash online she wanted to form her incoherent daydreams into something others could read and enjoy.

On holidays she can be seen taking gifts to the fire and sheriff departments by her house. Hayley is fascinated by law enforcement but is happy working inside of a small office and writing during her...more

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