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Firsts and Forever #1
Way Off Plan
Jamie Nolan is a young cop on his first undercover assignment, sent to investigate Dmitri Teplov, a suspected major player in the Russian mafia. Jamie knows better than to get involved with the gorgeous nightclub owner. But right from the start, the spark of attraction between the two of them is undeniable.
Everything about Dmitri is just so unexpected. He’s sweet and shy, and has a nerdy side that Jamie finds irresistible. Can this man really be a criminal?
No matter if Dmitri is guilty or innocent, Jamie’s big Irish Catholic family of cops and his police captain are never going to accept this relationship. Dmitri’s dangerous and manipulative gangster uncle is also none too thrilled that these two are together, and wants Jamie out of the picture. On top of that, Jamie’s still reeling from a recent breakup, and Dmitri is unavailable anyway. Isn’t he?
No way should this thing between them be happening. Getting involved with Dmitri Teplov was never part of the plan. But sometimes, the best plan is the one you make up as you go along.
This book is an erotic gay romance. It contains explicit language, a touch of kink, and lots of steamy sex between two hot guys. FOR ADULT READERS ONLY. Word count: 79,310 (less)
Everything about Dmitri is just so unexpected. He’s sweet and shy, and has a nerdy side that Jamie finds irresistible. Can this man really be a criminal?
No matter if Dmitri is guilty or innocent, Jamie’s big Irish Catholic family of cops and his police captain are never going to accept this relationship. Dmitri’s dangerous and manipulative gangster uncle is also none too thrilled that these two are together, and wants Jamie out of the picture. On top of that, Jamie’s still reeling from a recent breakup, and Dmitri is unavailable anyway. Isn’t he?
No way should this thing between them be happening. Getting involved with Dmitri Teplov was never part of the plan. But sometimes, the best plan is the one you make up as you go along.
This book is an erotic gay romance. It contains explicit language, a touch of kink, and lots of steamy sex between two hot guys. FOR ADULT READERS ONLY. Word count: 79,310 (less)
346 pages, ebook
First published December 19, 2012
202 people are currently reading
1320 people want to read
About the author
Alexa Land
57 books787 followersIndependent MM romance author. For more information, please visit Alexa's blog: http://alexalandwrites.blogspot.com/
Please note: the author does not check messages on this site. The best way to contact them is through Facebook.
Please note: the author does not check messages on this site. The best way to contact them is through Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 253 reviews
January 3, 2015
This is not a romance novel about gay men. This is a book about lesbians.
Meet Jamie Nolan: Worst undercover cop in the history of undercover cops since 50, 000 B.C. Someone in cop school forgot to teach him that
and within five minutes of finding out he's about to infiltrate the local Russian mafia, he tells his best friend about it. What, you might be tempted to ask, happened to secrecy?
Good question.
It's a good thing his fag hag is too obsessed about a husband obsessed about ducks to give a shit about blowing Jamie's cover, which is why Jamie's job proceeded as plan. Not five minutes into entering the club he's supposed to be undercover in, however, his identity is discovered.
See? Worst undercover cop ever. If this was anything but a ridiculously fluffy romance novel, he would have ended up dead and sealed in some butcher's waste vat.
But no, instead, the world's fastest relationship develops between him and Love Interest #1 Dmitri, aka Mafia boss, aka kink device, aka the world's pussiest Mafia boss ever.
Back to the lesbian thing.
Meet Dmitri Teplov : Russian mafia boss by day, secret woman by night.
Dmitri is such a pussy I find it hard to believe nobody's overthrown him yet. He doesn't kill anybody, he doesn't threaten anyone, he doesn't care about his business, he pimps no drugs, he pimps no woman... And deep down inside he's secretly a nerd who loves WoW and wears glasses and retainers and strange pajamas. He's like a male variation of a female conceived by a fangirl, which is good, because this makes him the perfect match for Jamie.
Picture this: they cry like PMSing women, they get emotional about everything, they discuss their feels like an episode of ANTM, and they go from zero to moving in and getting married and I-love-you in about 3 seconds flat. Every now and then there's even
Shit, I've met lesbians butcher than this (sorry, lesbians). In fact, I take it back - I think it's insulting to associate women with this.
Then there's the rest of it: 60% of the plot is someone trying to convince someone of something:
- J convinces D that D is not a criminal douchebag
- D trying to convince himself he's not a criminal douchebag.
- J convincing his family that D is not a criminal douchebag.
- D bribing a couple of kids with an app so that they won't think he's a criminal douchebag
And so on and so forth. By the time any actual plot appeared (one so ridiculously fanfic-y I hesitate to call it a real plot) I've lost my interest in the midst of all the cotton-candy romancing and mentions of ducks and Spongebob on pajamas that I just didn't care anymore.
Bottomline: Read this if you have money to spare, and you're looking for a book to laugh at.
Meet Jamie Nolan: Worst undercover cop in the history of undercover cops since 50, 000 B.C. Someone in cop school forgot to teach him that
and within five minutes of finding out he's about to infiltrate the local Russian mafia, he tells his best friend about it. What, you might be tempted to ask, happened to secrecy?
Good question.
It's a good thing his fag hag is too obsessed about a husband obsessed about ducks to give a shit about blowing Jamie's cover, which is why Jamie's job proceeded as plan. Not five minutes into entering the club he's supposed to be undercover in, however, his identity is discovered.
See? Worst undercover cop ever. If this was anything but a ridiculously fluffy romance novel, he would have ended up dead and sealed in some butcher's waste vat.
But no, instead, the world's fastest relationship develops between him and Love Interest #1 Dmitri, aka Mafia boss, aka kink device, aka the world's pussiest Mafia boss ever.
Back to the lesbian thing.
Meet Dmitri Teplov : Russian mafia boss by day, secret woman by night.
Dmitri is such a pussy I find it hard to believe nobody's overthrown him yet. He doesn't kill anybody, he doesn't threaten anyone, he doesn't care about his business, he pimps no drugs, he pimps no woman... And deep down inside he's secretly a nerd who loves WoW and wears glasses and retainers and strange pajamas. He's like a male variation of a female conceived by a fangirl, which is good, because this makes him the perfect match for Jamie.
Picture this: they cry like PMSing women, they get emotional about everything, they discuss their feels like an episode of ANTM, and they go from zero to moving in and getting married and I-love-you in about 3 seconds flat. Every now and then there's even
Shit, I've met lesbians butcher than this (sorry, lesbians). In fact, I take it back - I think it's insulting to associate women with this.
Then there's the rest of it: 60% of the plot is someone trying to convince someone of something:
- J convinces D that D is not a criminal douchebag
- D trying to convince himself he's not a criminal douchebag.
- J convincing his family that D is not a criminal douchebag.
- D bribing a couple of kids with an app so that they won't think he's a criminal douchebag
And so on and so forth. By the time any actual plot appeared (one so ridiculously fanfic-y I hesitate to call it a real plot) I've lost my interest in the midst of all the cotton-candy romancing and mentions of ducks and Spongebob on pajamas that I just didn't care anymore.
Bottomline: Read this if you have money to spare, and you're looking for a book to laugh at.
May 16, 2014
*BIG Price drop to $0.99 at Amazon US, 5/16/14!*
**3.5 stars**
I went back and forth between 3 and 4 stars with this one. It is so ridiculously schmaltzy that it is kind of amazing, but I had to check myself and think about my enjoyment of this book as a whole, which is decidedly in the "like" zone.
So, this book has one of my all-time favorite tropes --->VIRGINS<--- (score!!). That was major bonus points for this book. I have a good sense of Alexa Land's books by now, I think. She writes a lot of first-timer books (love you for that!) and they are certainly of the lovey-dovey variety. Lots of insta-love, lots of affection... gush-tastic! This book was no exception. Dmitri had to be the cuddliest, most softy-wafty mob boss in the history of the world (psst, this book has NO basis in reality!). I mean, he is all puppies and babies, folks. But the chemistry with Jamie was nice and a little part of me just melted at the two of them together. The cop and the mob boss... it was just adorable and a great, low drama read.
I wish this book felt more real, though. I could have used Dmitri being harder, more authentic. I wanted to see more of the dichotomy of his front as a tough boss with his inner softy. Instead, I got mostly softy... okay, positively melty.
All in all, a sweet read from an author that I like.
**3.5 stars**
I went back and forth between 3 and 4 stars with this one. It is so ridiculously schmaltzy that it is kind of amazing, but I had to check myself and think about my enjoyment of this book as a whole, which is decidedly in the "like" zone.
So, this book has one of my all-time favorite tropes --->VIRGINS<--- (score!!). That was major bonus points for this book. I have a good sense of Alexa Land's books by now, I think. She writes a lot of first-timer books (love you for that!) and they are certainly of the lovey-dovey variety. Lots of insta-love, lots of affection... gush-tastic! This book was no exception. Dmitri had to be the cuddliest, most softy-wafty mob boss in the history of the world (psst, this book has NO basis in reality!). I mean, he is all puppies and babies, folks. But the chemistry with Jamie was nice and a little part of me just melted at the two of them together. The cop and the mob boss... it was just adorable and a great, low drama read.
I wish this book felt more real, though. I could have used Dmitri being harder, more authentic. I wanted to see more of the dichotomy of his front as a tough boss with his inner softy. Instead, I got mostly softy... okay, positively melty.
All in all, a sweet read from an author that I like.
January 3, 2021
These two guys fall in love quicker than me at the Cheesecake Factory. I mean, I at least give the appearance of contemplating which cheesecake I will choose so the cheesecakes that aren't banana cream pie think there is a chance for them. Plus, I like to keep banana cream pie on its toes. Don't be getting all cocky, cheesecake-pie. You are (theoretically) replaceable.
Yeah, sorry dude. We aren't fooling anyone.
So here we have the worst undercover cop known to mankind trying to infiltrate the Russian mob by cozying up to the mob boss. Lucky for him this mob boss is a NICE guy. I mean, sure he has a bunch of toadies who bring him scores of blond-haired gay men that get the privilege of getting to take turns sitting next to him in hopes of being able to have sex with the guy, but he's nice! He's even too nice to tell 90% of them that he's not interested so he has his bouncers throw them out of the VIP lounge if they don't meet his one-night-stand standards. He's too nice to do that himself! He doesn't want to hurt their feelings! That's what lackeys are for! He's just spreading his wealth by employing a bunch ofpimps assistants.
Luckily, our undercover cop who got a job only because his dad is a cop is special! So special that ourfuckboy nice-guy mob boss falls in love with him immediately. I mean, it's ugly. He's chasing the bad-cop to the parking lot and offering a blow-job to try and land this guy. Good plan! That always works!
We don't need to see the ring right now. Please wash your hands first.
Now that they are fully in love they need to convince everyone else in the police force that nice-guy mob boss is a nice guy. Maybe he should have given them all blow jobs too. He must be good at it. Just sayin' it couldn't hurt.
So, it's basically a love story that develops in no time at all for reasons. If you go into it knowing that, you never know, you might like it. If not, maybe a mob-boss blow job will convince you. I know just the guy to do it.
Yeah, sorry dude. We aren't fooling anyone.
So here we have the worst undercover cop known to mankind trying to infiltrate the Russian mob by cozying up to the mob boss. Lucky for him this mob boss is a NICE guy. I mean, sure he has a bunch of toadies who bring him scores of blond-haired gay men that get the privilege of getting to take turns sitting next to him in hopes of being able to have sex with the guy, but he's nice! He's even too nice to tell 90% of them that he's not interested so he has his bouncers throw them out of the VIP lounge if they don't meet his one-night-stand standards. He's too nice to do that himself! He doesn't want to hurt their feelings! That's what lackeys are for! He's just spreading his wealth by employing a bunch of
Luckily, our undercover cop who got a job only because his dad is a cop is special! So special that our
We don't need to see the ring right now. Please wash your hands first.
Now that they are fully in love they need to convince everyone else in the police force that nice-guy mob boss is a nice guy. Maybe he should have given them all blow jobs too. He must be good at it. Just sayin' it couldn't hurt.
So, it's basically a love story that develops in no time at all for reasons. If you go into it knowing that, you never know, you might like it. If not, maybe a mob-boss blow job will convince you. I know just the guy to do it.
March 6, 2016
This book was ridiculous.
We have a gay cop, Jamie, who's on his first undercover assignment and hours before he's supposed to start this assignment he's telling his best friend all about it. What part of undercover did he not understand ?? He's supposed to go undercover in this club and try to get the scoop on the owner (who's this hot shot maffiaboss) and the dealings that go on within this club. His identity is exposed within a minute after he gives his ID for scanning....So he goes undercover with his own ID ????
He meets the owner of the club, Dmitri, who he knows is a maffiaboss. They hit it off right away and there is a blowjob scene in the parkinglot.....way to go undercover cop !!!
After a day together Jamie decides to tell Dmitri, who he really is, because he is already falling in love, and doesn't want to lie to him. Ofcourse Dmitri already knows....because of the ID. He's proud of Jamie for being honest with him and as a result they have sex.
Jamie decides to tell his boss about his affair with the maffia boss, because he wants to be honest and he's so in love. He's a bit heartbroken however, because Dmitri told him he's about to be married to a woman 10 months from now. Jamie feels bad about this, but he doesn't want to stop seeing Dmitri because he loves him and wants to spend as much time with him untill then.
The sugar was really dripping in this one !!
I really like books with a big bad maffiaboss in it, but that's not what this was. Dmitri was a far cry from a big bad alpha man. He was a insecure, toughy feely geek. He didn't want to be in the maffia, but he was blackmailed by his evil uncle. This was a part of the plot. The uncle ofcourse wants him to marry his daughter (no bloodrelations), so ofcourse he's not happy about Jamie.
Damn this book was so sweet, I think they said "I love you" on every single page, along with the word "baby". It was ott, ridiculous, unrealistic and the insta-love was sky high.
Still, it was excactly what I needed right now. These insta-lovy, ridiculous books are like crack to me....sometimes they are just what a need, especially after reading two heavy books. Also...it made me laugh, which is always a good thing :)
Think I'm gonna read Dante's story next ;)
3 stars from me !!
October 23, 2015
3.5 stars
Alexa Land has the ability to write a romance book about a cop and a Russian mafia boss and make it pure fluff.
Jamie: I have to tell Dmitri I’m a cop. I am deceiving him.
Jamie: Dmitri, I am a cop.
Dmitri: Okay, let’s have sex.
Dmitri: I love you.
Jamie: I love you.
Dmitri: Let’s have more sex.
Jamie: We need to stop your uncle.
Dmitri: Yes, let’s make a plan.
--- fluffy violence---
Jamie: Let’s get married.
Insert: HEA
Put on your suspension of disbelief pants and go for it!
Alexa Land has the ability to write a romance book about a cop and a Russian mafia boss and make it pure fluff.
Jamie: I have to tell Dmitri I’m a cop. I am deceiving him.
Jamie: Dmitri, I am a cop.
Dmitri: Okay, let’s have sex.
Dmitri: I love you.
Jamie: I love you.
Dmitri: Let’s have more sex.
Jamie: We need to stop your uncle.
Dmitri: Yes, let’s make a plan.
--- fluffy violence---
Jamie: Let’s get married.
Insert: HEA
Put on your suspension of disbelief pants and go for it!
January 16, 2015
3.5 stars.
As long as you don't mind, insta-love and an fairly unbelievable plot where cop Jamie and mobster Dmitri fall in love and work to bring down a Russian mob crime family, this is a cute, sweet, funny and enjoyable read with likable characters. Looking forward to Dante and Charlie's story.
As long as you don't mind, insta-love and an fairly unbelievable plot where cop Jamie and mobster Dmitri fall in love and work to bring down a Russian mob crime family, this is a cute, sweet, funny and enjoyable read with likable characters. Looking forward to Dante and Charlie's story.
March 17, 2017
I am having such great luck with books lately. What a great start to this series. This book is about Dmitri and Jamie. The way they met was not the most ideal of circumstances. They both knew pretty quickly that the other was something special. I loved that even though their lives were on opposite sides of the spectrum that neither one of them was willing to give up what they had. They fought to be together. With a great cast of secondary characters, I can't wait to continue this series. I wasn't so sure I was going to want Charlie's book when we were first introduced to him but now I'm so excited to see him get his HEA. And it being with Dante Dambruso, yes please!!
February 20, 2017
3.5 stars
Whelp. The romance was corny as all fuck and Dmitri is without a doubt the cuddliest gangster ever but.....it was also funny, sweet and surprisingly? Pretty fucking hot. Cuz VIRGIN butt secks cherry popping, spanking, and needy bottom butt secks. I'm sensing a theme here. I'm a book slut. Cuz that is totally my shit. So *ahem* apparently I can ignore insta-love and corny romance for hot, virgin sex. Even though I had to suspend belief pretty hard on the whole gangster angle, the MC's were incredibly fleshed out and likable despite being corn dogs as well as horn dogs (no complaints here, hehe). But the side characters was where this book really shined for me. The women in this book were pretty fucking bad ass and hilarious instead of being vicious harpies or whiny bitches which seems to be a theme in some MM books. I loved them. I even ended up liking the asshole ex. And the banter is great, too. I literally laughed out loud a few times.
I'll definitely continue with the series because I was entertained and a bit impressed. Even though I had quite a few eye rolling moments...I laughed, I got a bit squishy, and I may have even awwwww'd a bit. Just a little.
Whelp. The romance was corny as all fuck and Dmitri is without a doubt the cuddliest gangster ever but.....it was also funny, sweet and surprisingly? Pretty fucking hot. Cuz VIRGIN butt secks cherry popping, spanking, and needy bottom butt secks. I'm sensing a theme here. I'm a book slut. Cuz that is totally my shit. So *ahem* apparently I can ignore insta-love and corny romance for hot, virgin sex. Even though I had to suspend belief pretty hard on the whole gangster angle, the MC's were incredibly fleshed out and likable despite being corn dogs as well as horn dogs (no complaints here, hehe). But the side characters was where this book really shined for me. The women in this book were pretty fucking bad ass and hilarious instead of being vicious harpies or whiny bitches which seems to be a theme in some MM books. I loved them. I even ended up liking the asshole ex. And the banter is great, too. I literally laughed out loud a few times.
I'll definitely continue with the series because I was entertained and a bit impressed. Even though I had quite a few eye rolling moments...I laughed, I got a bit squishy, and I may have even awwwww'd a bit. Just a little.
Read
September 18, 2019DNF at 44%
This is so NOT how I love my mafia books to be! It's so lovey-dovey and insta everything to the point that my suspension of disbelief got broken. I don't mind sweet and happy, but in this instance it's taken turn to wildly unbelievable and extremely sappy, and even the steamy part is not exciting. My book slump continues. *sigh*
This is so NOT how I love my mafia books to be! It's so lovey-dovey and insta everything to the point that my suspension of disbelief got broken. I don't mind sweet and happy, but in this instance it's taken turn to wildly unbelievable and extremely sappy, and even the steamy part is not exciting. My book slump continues. *sigh*
December 25, 2012
All right, this M/M romance is about as plausible as a pink duck with gold-tipped feathers taking on an army of slimey green orcs straight from The Lord of the Rings armed with kalashnikovs.
It is that far-fetched.
That said it is hugely entertaining.
First it is not short and the price is currently not too high: it might seem tight fisted of me to say that but nobody is exactly swimming in gold these days (except for bankers and the above mentioned pink duckie) therefore the price of a book plays a role.
I got this as a freebie on Am., by the way, but who is keeping count?
Second it is well written. Perhaps Ms Land is not (yet?) entirely able to give each of the many side characters his distinctive voice and she might be willing to work on that but even right now writing is quick, tight, to the point and well edited: there are no typos or grammar mistakes.
Jamie and Dmitri are really likeable. Characterization, like everything else, is a bit on the light side in this novel, but light does not mean silly. They are consistent, invariably loveable and affectionate and they feel nearly real and very alive. They fall in love really too fast but this is romance and it can be tolerated.
Side characters are many, well outlined if not always as well exploited as one could wish.
The plot is at the same time weak to a fault and the novel's main asset. It is an asset because it is very tight, fast paced, always interesting with the due amount of lines dedicated to not entirely badly written sex scenes, to romance and even to a modicum of action. It is weak because there is no way on earth mobsters are going to be that nice. Ms Land deftly skirts the problem here, but she is going to need to face it head on in the second instalment, the one about Charlie and Dante. She will have to find some way and it will be hard: mafia is an horrific criminal organization and it is quite difficult to switch off that awareness, even in a romance.
As a side but relevant note, the author manages to make her lovers two fairly believable gay males who actually switch roles in bed. As a gay male I have a real fetish for this kind of solution and I really hope that things will NOT be different about Charlie and especially Dante... What Dmitri tells about him towards the end of this book had me worrying a bit...
It is that far-fetched.
That said it is hugely entertaining.
First it is not short and the price is currently not too high: it might seem tight fisted of me to say that but nobody is exactly swimming in gold these days (except for bankers and the above mentioned pink duckie) therefore the price of a book plays a role.
I got this as a freebie on Am., by the way, but who is keeping count?
Second it is well written. Perhaps Ms Land is not (yet?) entirely able to give each of the many side characters his distinctive voice and she might be willing to work on that but even right now writing is quick, tight, to the point and well edited: there are no typos or grammar mistakes.
Jamie and Dmitri are really likeable. Characterization, like everything else, is a bit on the light side in this novel, but light does not mean silly. They are consistent, invariably loveable and affectionate and they feel nearly real and very alive. They fall in love really too fast but this is romance and it can be tolerated.
Side characters are many, well outlined if not always as well exploited as one could wish.
The plot is at the same time weak to a fault and the novel's main asset. It is an asset because it is very tight, fast paced, always interesting with the due amount of lines dedicated to not entirely badly written sex scenes, to romance and even to a modicum of action. It is weak because there is no way on earth mobsters are going to be that nice. Ms Land deftly skirts the problem here, but she is going to need to face it head on in the second instalment, the one about Charlie and Dante. She will have to find some way and it will be hard: mafia is an horrific criminal organization and it is quite difficult to switch off that awareness, even in a romance.
As a side but relevant note, the author manages to make her lovers two fairly believable gay males who actually switch roles in bed. As a gay male I have a real fetish for this kind of solution and I really hope that things will NOT be different about Charlie and especially Dante... What Dmitri tells about him towards the end of this book had me worrying a bit...
March 27, 2016
If you can wear the suspend disbelief glasses for this one, it was all kinds of cute and sweet. Hot smexy times too. The plot and insta-love was totally unbelievable, but I have to say, for me, it worked here. I found it very similar to Cardeno C's type of suspend your disbelief story-telling. I enjoyed it.
June 10, 2013
The characters in this book were not what I expected and I mean that in a good way. I shied away at first because of the whole Russian Mafia description, but I'm so glad I got over it. I wasn't sure how the author could work the mafia into a romance novel and still keep the character likable and sympathetic. She managed it though and the story line worked. It may not be super realistic, but I already live reality, I've got that covered. I want to escape when I read and this was the perfect book for that.
Jamie and Dmitri are just great together. The book is funny, it's got action and it's got super hot erotic scenes. It's a perfect beach read just in time for summer.
I liked that Jamie and Dmitri weren't cookie cutter characters either. As I learned more about them throughout the story I was continuously impressed with how the author gave them depth and personality. The dialog amongst all the players was witty and fresh. And it was nice to read a full length novel in this genre that wasn't completely weighed down with angst.
I've already read All In as well and liked it just as much. I didn't think I'd be able to like Charlie after his role in Way Off Plan, but read All In, you'll be glad you did.
Anxiously awaiting the next installment of this series!!
Jamie and Dmitri are just great together. The book is funny, it's got action and it's got super hot erotic scenes. It's a perfect beach read just in time for summer.
I liked that Jamie and Dmitri weren't cookie cutter characters either. As I learned more about them throughout the story I was continuously impressed with how the author gave them depth and personality. The dialog amongst all the players was witty and fresh. And it was nice to read a full length novel in this genre that wasn't completely weighed down with angst.
I've already read All In as well and liked it just as much. I didn't think I'd be able to like Charlie after his role in Way Off Plan, but read All In, you'll be glad you did.
Anxiously awaiting the next installment of this series!!
February 1, 2014
So I didn't know I'd be reading about 15 year old girls haha
But seriously, this was just painful to get through. I did finish reading this, but I felt like Jamie was literally a 15 year old with his inner thoughts and POV, and that there was no way in hell that Dmitri could ever be a member of the mafia, even by name only. Also? Jamie is the worst cop ever, I don't even know how he got to BE a cop, let alone go undercover. How do you go undercover but use your real name and actual drivers license and also tell your BFF all about it?
Basically, there was NO realism in this book, and there was some major insta-love on top of that. I can handle, and even enjoy, insta-love when it's vampires/werewolves/something supernatural that can give a somewhat valid reason for it, but I'm not a huge fan of it when it's set in real life fiction. And this was just TOO MUCH.
You can say "sure it's unrealistic but it's just fiction" but there are plenty of fictional m/m romances with cops and/or mob bosses that are realistic, gritty, sexy as hell, and pack a punch. This was NOT it.
But seriously, this was just painful to get through. I did finish reading this, but I felt like Jamie was literally a 15 year old with his inner thoughts and POV, and that there was no way in hell that Dmitri could ever be a member of the mafia, even by name only. Also? Jamie is the worst cop ever, I don't even know how he got to BE a cop, let alone go undercover. How do you go undercover but use your real name and actual drivers license and also tell your BFF all about it?
Basically, there was NO realism in this book, and there was some major insta-love on top of that. I can handle, and even enjoy, insta-love when it's vampires/werewolves/something supernatural that can give a somewhat valid reason for it, but I'm not a huge fan of it when it's set in real life fiction. And this was just TOO MUCH.
You can say "sure it's unrealistic but it's just fiction" but there are plenty of fictional m/m romances with cops and/or mob bosses that are realistic, gritty, sexy as hell, and pack a punch. This was NOT it.
January 30, 2013
Loved it. Warning, this is insta-love and if you don't like that do not read this. Also a lot of sappy scenes so be warned!
March 6, 2016
It takes a really strong writer to make me not only overlook characters falling in love too quickly, but totally believe it. Alexa Land just joined the ranks of a select few authors that can make me believe in this total insta-love romance.
Twenty-three year old Jamie Nolan is given his first undercover assignment investigating twenty-six year old night club owner, and suspected mafia boss, Dmitri Teplov. From their first interactions it's love at first sight for both men.
VIRGIN ALERT!
I loved the characters and the supporting cast, especially loving how well the women are portrayed in the story. Sure, the plot's way OTT and the insta-love is crazy fast, but I enjoyed every minute of it. Especially the smoking hot super sexy sex scenes. Rowr!
Bottom Line: Great, lovable characters, wonderful humor, and hot sexy times. I giggled, I eye-rolled, I sighed and I enjoyed. Recommended!
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
Twenty-three year old Jamie Nolan is given his first undercover assignment investigating twenty-six year old night club owner, and suspected mafia boss, Dmitri Teplov. From their first interactions it's love at first sight for both men.
VIRGIN ALERT!
I loved the characters and the supporting cast, especially loving how well the women are portrayed in the story. Sure, the plot's way OTT and the insta-love is crazy fast, but I enjoyed every minute of it. Especially the smoking hot super sexy sex scenes. Rowr!
Bottom Line: Great, lovable characters, wonderful humor, and hot sexy times. I giggled, I eye-rolled, I sighed and I enjoyed. Recommended!
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
January 24, 2013
Nicely written, decent length, likeable characters but about as believable as Tom Cruise taking on the role of Jack Reacher ( sorry still can't get that to work in my head, however good the reviews are! )The problem is this just doesn't work as a cop/ mafia story. Neither Jamie nor Dmitri are convincing in the roles they portray. There is nothing cop like about Jamie and Dmitri is far too nice to be a mafia boss, he even charms kids and the family dog! They fall in love instantly, there are too many contrivances, very little conflict related to their contradictory romance and everything gets resolved and wrapped up, far too easily. This could have been a ballsy gritty romantic drama but I felt she wimped out and went more towards the usual formulaic romance that's two a penny in this genre at the moment. Shame because it does have its moments, just not in the right way.
August 14, 2014
*** 3.5 Star-cross'd Stars ***
This book was one giant cheesy insta-lovefest with an entirely improbable plot and a laughable conclusion and yet... I didn't care in the least. I was totally in the mood for cheese, and I ended up grinning like an idiot through most of it. :D
This book was one giant cheesy insta-lovefest with an entirely improbable plot and a laughable conclusion and yet... I didn't care in the least. I was totally in the mood for cheese, and I ended up grinning like an idiot through most of it. :D
August 5, 2014
I'm just gonna go with all the ★'s on this one. I had moments where I thought maybe I wouldn't go all in but then, well, then I just realized it was good, I loved it and it deserved all the ★'s. For sure a suspend belief instalove story but really, what is wrong with that?
Read.
Read.
dnf
October 13, 2016DNF al 25% Es todo tan absurdo que es imposible tomárselo en serio.
October 29, 2013
This was painful for me to get through. I really wanted to like this story because it had some cute moments.
Cop vs Robber isn't normally one of my favourite themes for romances because I have certain expectations which are very rarely met. Among them is the expectation that the inevitable conflict of interest should addressed with some degree of realism.
There is NO realism at all in this book.
None. Nada. ZIP.
Okay fine. I enjoy the silly comedic romances too. So, I changed my reception to the book. See it as a comedic book. Something silly and fluffy. Suspend belief for the duration of this book. I can do this!
...no, I can't. I really can't.
It's incredibly silly. Head to desk, wtf is this, ultra silly. So, Jamie. Remember him? The GUY protagonist? I swear he's been pumped full of estrogen pills because he's busy giggling and displaying every stereotypical heroine characteristic that I have often despised in those cheap M/F novels that I used to read a lot.
I'm amazed that Jamie doesn't synchronise menstruation cycles with his girl friends. He has this Rah-rah Sisterhood relationship going with his best friend and Dante's cousin and pretty much every female side character that he comes across.
I wouldn't have had this extremely annoyed reaction to this book if it had been shorter. There wasn't any good reason that I can see that would justify this book being 300+ pages long. I was bored shortly after meeting Dante's cousin.
As a funny story, it has some merit but whatever shine it had was tarnished the moment it dragged on and on and on and oh, god, why can't it end already?
In terms of writing, it's alright.
However!
I do not appreciate the sledgehammer approach to trying to convince the reader that Dante is a nice, innately good guy who is just a victim of his circumstances and that we should all love Dante and take him home for comfort and TLC. And save him from the big, bad Russian Mafia meanie-heads.
That was utterly clumsy writing and I didn't appreciate the repetitive manner in which it kept being pointed out.
I stopped reading a lot of M/F books for a reason. The heroines in those books would do things that piss me the hell off, it would bother me so much how stupidly the heroine was acting that I would just rage all day about it. But still, those books would be popular with a large demographic. So obviously, those characteristics don't bother most readers.
This book just wasn't for me. It reminds me too much of the m/f book types that I dislike.
Cop vs Robber isn't normally one of my favourite themes for romances because I have certain expectations which are very rarely met. Among them is the expectation that the inevitable conflict of interest should addressed with some degree of realism.
There is NO realism at all in this book.
None. Nada. ZIP.
Okay fine. I enjoy the silly comedic romances too. So, I changed my reception to the book. See it as a comedic book. Something silly and fluffy. Suspend belief for the duration of this book. I can do this!
...no, I can't. I really can't.
It's incredibly silly. Head to desk, wtf is this, ultra silly. So, Jamie. Remember him? The GUY protagonist? I swear he's been pumped full of estrogen pills because he's busy giggling and displaying every stereotypical heroine characteristic that I have often despised in those cheap M/F novels that I used to read a lot.
I'm amazed that Jamie doesn't synchronise menstruation cycles with his girl friends. He has this Rah-rah Sisterhood relationship going with his best friend and Dante's cousin and pretty much every female side character that he comes across.
I wouldn't have had this extremely annoyed reaction to this book if it had been shorter. There wasn't any good reason that I can see that would justify this book being 300+ pages long. I was bored shortly after meeting Dante's cousin.
As a funny story, it has some merit but whatever shine it had was tarnished the moment it dragged on and on and on and oh, god, why can't it end already?
In terms of writing, it's alright.
However!
I do not appreciate the sledgehammer approach to trying to convince the reader that Dante is a nice, innately good guy who is just a victim of his circumstances and that we should all love Dante and take him home for comfort and TLC. And save him from the big, bad Russian Mafia meanie-heads.
That was utterly clumsy writing and I didn't appreciate the repetitive manner in which it kept being pointed out.
I stopped reading a lot of M/F books for a reason. The heroines in those books would do things that piss me the hell off, it would bother me so much how stupidly the heroine was acting that I would just rage all day about it. But still, those books would be popular with a large demographic. So obviously, those characteristics don't bother most readers.
This book just wasn't for me. It reminds me too much of the m/f book types that I dislike.
August 14, 2015
“It’s not part of the plan. It’s important that I keep my distance.”
“So, what exactly are you doing now, here with me?”
“Going way, way off plan...”
You and me both.
I am a sucker. Yeah, this is total insta-love at it's finest but you know what? I don't care. I loved Jamie and Dmitri. I loved their families and I loved the OTT story line of a really green and quite frankly, horrible cop falling for a mobster and saving the world. Well, at least saving their world and their future of being together.
The guys were fun, my goodness they were hot and even though they just met, they communicate better than some other couples I have read. They were a pleasure to read, to see them grow - don't look at me that way, there can be personal growth and character development in a two week relationship dammit - and to see them at the end.
The end... Charlie and Dante? Of course I am going to read his book. Poor Charlie is an ass but he is so messed up, he needs to be manhandled by a mobster. Yup. He does.
January 7, 2016
3.5 stars rounded up Funny at time and very unbelievable story but yea Awww so stinking cute! Who doesn't love a gay cop with an awesome BFF and a Russian mob guy!
i-give-up
January 26, 2014This was just too unbelievable for me. I could not finish it.
July 20, 2015
Did I read the same book as everyone else? Implausible plot and inconsistent characters. Teenage girls are less sappy than these two, and I'm being unfair to the teenagers. Definitely not for me.
November 7, 2014
I am so easy. Stick a sweet, vulnerable MC or two in a story and as long as it isn't full of irritating melodrama or over the top angst, I will read that story even with an unlikely plot and instalove. Schmaltzy? Yes. Did I roll my eyes several times? Yes. But I liked it anyway. *smh*
Like I said...easy.
Side notes:
Oral sex is "actual sex"
I don't mind baby as an endearment, but, at times, it's use was excessive here.
Never, ever let young children leave the kitchen with sugar coated jelly filled donuts.
Like I said...easy.
Side notes:
Oral sex is "actual sex"
I don't mind baby as an endearment, but, at times, it's use was excessive here.
Never, ever let young children leave the kitchen with sugar coated jelly filled donuts.
January 1, 2013
Dang I loved this book! Aww I loved Jamie and Dmitri together so so sweet. This book just worked for me and whew they were hot together too:-)So so glad there's another book coming out in the series. Sometimes it can suck when it's an authors first book and you love it because it's the only one:-) I will look for other books by an author real fast if I loved a book of theirs:-) Great read and I couldn't put it down. This is my first finished book of 2013:-)Happy New Year!!
August 30, 2015
I you plan on reading this, then you need to :
1. Leave any kind of common sense at the door
2. Forget about anything you think you know about the Mafia (especially if gleaned from The Godfather etc)
3. Believe in love at first sight
You've done all that ? Then you'll enjoy this.
1. Leave any kind of common sense at the door
2. Forget about anything you think you know about the Mafia (especially if gleaned from The Godfather etc)
3. Believe in love at first sight
You've done all that ? Then you'll enjoy this.
September 4, 2015
Russian mobsters, Italian mafiosi, good American cops, a wagon and a half of strong and funny and likable female characters, kids and pups... Everlasting love between a bad Russian and a good American. Sounds familiar?
Avril Ashton, meet Mary Calmes.
The first 40% is a great read. A (hot) undercover cop Jamie meets a (hot) Russian mobster Dmitri. They fall in love the same day. The rest ishistory sex, food, family and friends. Did I mention sex? At least for the next 30%.
The story picks up in the last 20% or so, where both MCs surface from under the sheets, blankets and layers of cum to figure out how to get rid of The Big Bad Russian Uncle, who is, in fact, in charge and true control of the whole Russian operation.
The book is very sweet and fun and humours and actually a great read, except for I was seriously contemplating adding an AU tag to it.
A couple of pet peeves:
Where is Dima's money? He is a son of a great Russian Mobster family. I am asking you again, Why was the boy left dirt poor after his parents died? Where was the rest of the boy's family? Why did he have to bring his 5(!) sisters on his own at the age of 19?
Why does Jamie keep calling Dima Dmitri? Can you imagine someone calling their partner their full name in the throws of passion? Honestly, most people can't put two syllables together while at it, and here we have a full-blown formal version of a name "Benjamin!" "Alexander!" "Christopher!" "Montgomery!", you get the picture, I hope. Obvisly (and I mean - OBVISLY) someone didn't do their homework, and I suspect I know who that is :D
"Оборот" means Revolution or, simply, a Turn-around. Pronounced as o-bo-rot.
All in all, a cute fun quick read. Too much sex, tho. 3 stars.
Moving onto book two.
Avril Ashton, meet Mary Calmes.
The first 40% is a great read. A (hot) undercover cop Jamie meets a (hot) Russian mobster Dmitri. They fall in love the same day. The rest is
The story picks up in the last 20% or so, where both MCs surface from under the sheets, blankets and layers of cum to figure out how to get rid of The Big Bad Russian Uncle, who is, in fact, in charge and true control of the whole Russian operation.
The book is very sweet and fun and humours and actually a great read, except for I was seriously contemplating adding an AU tag to it.
A couple of pet peeves:
Where is Dima's money? He is a son of a great Russian Mobster family. I am asking you again, Why was the boy left dirt poor after his parents died? Where was the rest of the boy's family? Why did he have to bring his 5(!) sisters on his own at the age of 19?
Why does Jamie keep calling Dima Dmitri? Can you imagine someone calling their partner their full name in the throws of passion? Honestly, most people can't put two syllables together while at it, and here we have a full-blown formal version of a name "Benjamin!" "Alexander!" "Christopher!" "Montgomery!", you get the picture, I hope. Obvisly (and I mean - OBVISLY) someone didn't do their homework, and I suspect I know who that is :D
"Оборот" means Revolution or, simply, a Turn-around. Pronounced as o-bo-rot.
All in all, a cute fun quick read. Too much sex, tho. 3 stars.
Moving onto book two.
August 26, 2013
This book is so hard to rate and review. The plot was slightly ridiculous and the characters behaved in completely out of character ways, but somehow, I ended up enjoying it anyway.
Jamie was the most hopeless cop, and Dimitri was nothing like a member of a mob family, but the truth of it is, I fell for them.
The insta-love was another fault, it happened just way too fast, but again, it didn't stop me from ending up enjoying this.
But, enough rambling. I can say that I will be reading the next book in this series, as Alexa Land has a nice way of writing sweet romance with a fair amount of steam with a little tiny bit of kink on the side, and at times that is exactly what I feel like.
Jamie was the most hopeless cop, and Dimitri was nothing like a member of a mob family, but the truth of it is, I fell for them.
The insta-love was another fault, it happened just way too fast, but again, it didn't stop me from ending up enjoying this.
But, enough rambling. I can say that I will be reading the next book in this series, as Alexa Land has a nice way of writing sweet romance with a fair amount of steam with a little tiny bit of kink on the side, and at times that is exactly what I feel like.
July 9, 2017
OK yes the implausibilities are a bit astounding. Jamie isn’t cop list. Dimitri isn’t mafia like. But they are so cute together! The action was great, very much sweet. I liked the edge to Dimitri’s bedroom pieces -- lots of room for fun in that. The secondary female MC’s were great and I cannot wait to read Charlie’s story!
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