What do you think?
Rate this book
Criminal Pleasures
When young attorney Brendan Burke opens his first law practice in a new city, he knows things are about to change in his life—though he never expected one of those things to be getting his first serious crush on another man. But when he meets Marcello, a sexy and mysterious stranger working at a restaurant in Providence’s Little Italy, he can’t fight his compulsion to pursue him. But while Marcello is willing to let Brendan into his bedroom, he’s stubbornly elusive about his past and his family. Fixated on discovering the truth, Brendan’s passion for Marcello turns out to be far more dangerous than he ever anticipated.
213 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 26, 2013
24 people are currently reading
709 people want to read
About the author
Darien Cox
26 books345 followersAuthor Darien Cox lives in New England and enjoys using romantic fiction to explore the intensity, insanity, humor, and chaos that accompanies cupid’s arrow.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
September 15, 2014
**Contains some spoilers (okay just one--and are you really surprised? The guy on the cover has a gun.)**
I suffer from some kind of disease, unacknowledged by the medical community, perhaps only familiar to other readers: a wild compulsion to read a recognizably blah book. This compulsion generally occurs after seeing a muscle-bound man with his head cut off on the cover of an MM romance and/or after reading a well-written & especially funny review. Symptoms may last from anywhere between 4 hours to several months – this being entirely dependent on when you finally give-in. This disease is most especially disastrous to your “book budget” (like that actually exists), but is also quite educational.
10 items learned while reading Mr. Cox’s Criminal Pleasures:
1. Looking up the keywords “criminal” & “cox” is a fun way to make yourself giggle like the 14 yr old you know you really are.A. It will also make you wonder if that’s the author's real name or just a convenient nom de plume for an MM romance novelist.
B. Wonder the same thing about author Nina Bangs. (Also Kindle Alexander, but quickly realize it’s best not to go there.)
C. It may occur to you at this point that these authors must have had a much more uncomfortable childhood than you, when you were frequently referred to as “Rosa Rita Refried Beans.”
2. Girls are silly.A.‘Cause getting drunk in front of your boss is an awesome way to get ahead in business. I’m sure it’s suggested in the first chapter of Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead.
B. Girls exist only to inform the reader that said boss and MC looks like an “Egyptian Prince.”
C. Women may also exist to play the role of possible stalker and/or refreshingly open Mom -- “I don’t care if you sleep with a dolphin, as long as you’re happy.” Little does this woman know that that’s actually an option. (Points to the author for mentioning that homosexuality should never be likened to dolphin-lovin’ or its brethren.)
3. This book gives a whole new meaning to “The busboy’s comin’!” – i.e. never trust a hot busboy.A. Even if he has an Italian accent. Or, in this case, especially if he has an Italian accent.
B. “Che cosa stai facendo?” (What are you doing?) is a real panty-dropper. Fap, fap, fap!
C. Busboys can apparently afford 2 bedroom apartments with their own personal room-sized jungle/terrarium in their extra bedroom. With lights like lightning streaking across the ceiling. (Have you seen how much plants cost at a nursery? And how much would that lighting cost? Is this an episode of Friends?)
D. Busboys who like to drop info into conversations, such as “garden spiders trap unsuspecting prey by sucking them in using electrostatic attraction” might just be a serial killer.
4. The MC may be a lawyer, but he’s also a coy 16 yr old.A. “He’d never been touched…down there before.” (Author's italics.) Where, your foot? Did you wash it? If yes, what’re you worrying about? Some toe sucking can be nice. Or are you perhaps referring to your fluttering anus?
B. Wonder why it is every GFY character knows nothing about the prostate. (I’ve read Cosmo, I know about the prostate and personal experience tells me that massaging said prostate will make a fellow come like a geyser. Or at least a cheetah. You know, fast.) The conversation always goes something like this:I. GFY Dude: What’s that tingling feeling in my anuus?C. Referring to other men as “acting like a bitch” or “being bitchy” is totally acceptable adult conversation.
II. Gay Dude (massaging gently): That’s your prostate, baby.
III. Me: LAAME.
5. If you manage to forget that the MC is really, really ridiculously good looking for even a moment, fear not, the author will remind you at least several times a chapter.A. “He might look like some fairy tale prince, but he’d never thought of himself as soft or weak, someone that needed rescuing.”
B. “He was exceptionally good looking. He could find a boyfriend…or girlfriend, easily….”
6. It doesn’t matter if the aforementioned busboy dumps you 3 times like a sack of crap, all the while either saying purposefully mean things, threatening you with physical violence or blaming you for all his problems.A. What matters is that he’s really a cop
B. What matters is that he luurrves you so hard, baby.
C. Getting back together with him 5 minutes after he’s blamed you for his fragile emotional state (as the MC would say: What a pussy!) is completely understandable. So is agreeing to move in with him 8 hours later.
7. The word “flesh” is creepy. Finding a note in your Kindle that says “flesh is creepy” is also creepy.
8. Reading this book & writing this review is a great way to avoid things you actually need to get done, like a review for a book you actually loved. Or, you know, your job.
9. You may need to address your other disease, the one that causes you to gravitate towards any book which features a cop with a half-naked man & a gun on its cover. This cannot possibly be healthy.
10. Reviews can go on too long -- i.e. Aaaand, I'm done.Okay, it’s not quite as bad as I made it sound – I’m having fun with words!—but this was a very meh read for me. I can see why a lot of people may like it, & it may be good for those unfamiliar with MM romance, but I’ve read too many books with similar plots not to want exclaim “ugh.”
December 16, 2013
OMG! I am having such a great run with my picks recently that its even making me roll my eyes when I press the 5 star buttons!!!
I read Darien's Seducing Professor Coyle not long ago and loved it so it wasn't a hardship to dip a toe in another of his/her books (sorry Darien I don't know whether you're a he or she?).
Well I picked another winner, filled to the brim with my favourite sizzling sexual tension, some absolutely awesome love scenes and a brilliant plot full of twists and turns...the sort that I must admit took me by surprise and just enhanced the reading pleasure another notch.
The chemistry between Marcello ( Marc ) and Brendan is palpable and they are nothing short of hot, hot, hot together.
I honestly didn't really want it to finish! The storyline is more the type that you'd see in a 'cop' film, so not so much one that fits into the kitchen sink type drama and I suppose at times it could be classed as a bit far fetched but personally, I once again found myself just accepting the ups and downs, ins and outs and twists and turns , without batting an eyelid, because I was so engrossed in the story. The same way you take stuff for granted when you're watching a movie, you know it probably never really happens like that in real life... but who cares because its just so watchable, and we all want a rest from real life every now and again or why do we read fiction?
Heated, Sexy and sensual to the point of "whoa, pass me the fan," exciting, surprising, gripping, angsty but not overly dramatic, never boring, I was hooked again from the moment Brendan falls in lust with Marcello, in the restaurant where he's working as a busboy, to its phew! that was a roller coaster ride HEA. Moody, gorgeous, bad boy Marc and sexually conflicted, golden boy lawyer, Brendan! Yum. I fell in lust too and as the book progressed ended up head over heels for both these guys! I wouldn't call this GFY really because Brendan has had minor experiences with guys in his past and does wonder if he's Bi but he fights it and for years has lived the straight life so his reaction to Marc blows him away. I loved that friction between them as they can't keep away from each other even though they know they should!
The blurb gives you the bare bones of whats to come but it doesn't tell you what surprises are in store and neither will I .
Find out yourselves and who knows you might be just as entranced as I was... Then again you might not, who knows, because it all boils down to personal connection, and I connected BIG! Time! For me, this one joins a host of awesome books I've just read recently and I'm putting it in my favourite to be definitely read again list straight away. Loved it!
Off to check out more of Darien Cox's books ASAP!
I read Darien's Seducing Professor Coyle not long ago and loved it so it wasn't a hardship to dip a toe in another of his/her books (sorry Darien I don't know whether you're a he or she?).
Well I picked another winner, filled to the brim with my favourite sizzling sexual tension, some absolutely awesome love scenes and a brilliant plot full of twists and turns...the sort that I must admit took me by surprise and just enhanced the reading pleasure another notch.
The chemistry between Marcello ( Marc ) and Brendan is palpable and they are nothing short of hot, hot, hot together.
I honestly didn't really want it to finish! The storyline is more the type that you'd see in a 'cop' film, so not so much one that fits into the kitchen sink type drama and I suppose at times it could be classed as a bit far fetched but personally, I once again found myself just accepting the ups and downs, ins and outs and twists and turns , without batting an eyelid, because I was so engrossed in the story. The same way you take stuff for granted when you're watching a movie, you know it probably never really happens like that in real life... but who cares because its just so watchable, and we all want a rest from real life every now and again or why do we read fiction?
Heated, Sexy and sensual to the point of "whoa, pass me the fan," exciting, surprising, gripping, angsty but not overly dramatic, never boring, I was hooked again from the moment Brendan falls in lust with Marcello, in the restaurant where he's working as a busboy, to its phew! that was a roller coaster ride HEA. Moody, gorgeous, bad boy Marc and sexually conflicted, golden boy lawyer, Brendan! Yum. I fell in lust too and as the book progressed ended up head over heels for both these guys! I wouldn't call this GFY really because Brendan has had minor experiences with guys in his past and does wonder if he's Bi but he fights it and for years has lived the straight life so his reaction to Marc blows him away. I loved that friction between them as they can't keep away from each other even though they know they should!
The blurb gives you the bare bones of whats to come but it doesn't tell you what surprises are in store and neither will I .
Find out yourselves and who knows you might be just as entranced as I was... Then again you might not, who knows, because it all boils down to personal connection, and I connected BIG! Time! For me, this one joins a host of awesome books I've just read recently and I'm putting it in my favourite to be definitely read again list straight away. Loved it!
Off to check out more of Darien Cox's books ASAP!
December 13, 2014
Brendan is a 29 years old lawyer who was all his life under his father thumb, until recently when he moved alone in Providence. He has a new life and he is more than ready to open his law practice. One night, dining with some coworkers in an Italian Restaurant, he spots Marcello who’s a busboy there. He’s attracted with him immediately, even if he knows he’s not gay. But maybe he is bi, right? Right...
Marcello is very mysterious and he is clear for Brendan he hides something. But what? He doesn’t know, but he is about to find out very soon.
If at the beginning the two men have some altercations, where Marc is kind of an asshole, soon both of them are attracted with each other. What comes next is some suspense, some sexy moments and a little drama.
This was an enjoyable enough read. It was a sweet read overall, even if there are some cheesy parts and some scenes that make me roll my eyes. However, it was a cute story. Brendan was a little annoying, acting childish a few times. At times he even acts like a 12 years old little girl. *rolling eyes* Marc was way better than Brendan. I like him more. The chemistry between them is great and the sex scenes are pretty hot.
Overall, a nice read, low in angst and drama.
January 9, 2014
3.5 Stars!
At first I was kind of thinking this was
BUT, then it grew on me and I ended up liking it. It was a cute story....pretty low on angst and drama I would say. Some cheesy parts. But the sexy times were super hot.
Brenden is a lawyer....opening a new branch of his dad's law firm. While out celebrating the opening of his office he meets Marcello, a bus boy at the restaurant.
Marcello was an ass. But apparently a hot ass. Marcello is pretty secretive. He and Brenden spend a hot night together before Marcello kicks him out. Marcello keeps pushing Brenden away despite their attraction towards each other.
Turns out Marcello isn't who we all thought he was....this is where the twist comes in ...things picked up from here for me.
There was some suspense surrounding Marcello which kept things interesting.
I kind of thought Brenden was a bit of a pansy
A few times I wanted to tell him to
He kind of cried a lot.
But then I also thought Marcello over-reacted a few times too and wanted to tell him to just
Overall it was a decent read. I did pretty much read it straight through. If you're a fan of the MM genre and you're looking for something quick and hot I would recommend this one.
At first I was kind of thinking this was
BUT, then it grew on me and I ended up liking it. It was a cute story....pretty low on angst and drama I would say. Some cheesy parts. But the sexy times were super hot.
Brenden is a lawyer....opening a new branch of his dad's law firm. While out celebrating the opening of his office he meets Marcello, a bus boy at the restaurant.
Marcello was an ass. But apparently a hot ass. Marcello is pretty secretive. He and Brenden spend a hot night together before Marcello kicks him out. Marcello keeps pushing Brenden away despite their attraction towards each other.
Turns out Marcello isn't who we all thought he was....this is where the twist comes in ...things picked up from here for me.
There was some suspense surrounding Marcello which kept things interesting.
I kind of thought Brenden was a bit of a pansy
A few times I wanted to tell him to
He kind of cried a lot.
But then I also thought Marcello over-reacted a few times too and wanted to tell him to just
Overall it was a decent read. I did pretty much read it straight through. If you're a fan of the MM genre and you're looking for something quick and hot I would recommend this one.
September 30, 2014
Written December 21, 2013
4 1/2 Stars - Surprisingly good - hot, engaging and exciting - full speed from the beginning to the end.
A newly published contemporary M/M romance that feels quite promising. I've seen some really good reviews and the other day I could not resist the temptation, but used some free credits to download this book. Now is the time, to see if it is up to a good one with a grand romance, excitement, heat and lovely tenderness in the end. ~ Cuddles as always when the very first page should be read...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I'm on vacation so there will be no review this time, but I really liked this story. Recommended if you want to be surprised, to read something both romantic and hot. The guys, Brendan and Marcello, were wonderful and I read out of breath from beginning to end.
I LIKE - ..a lot - romance with some thriller parts.
4 1/2 Stars - Surprisingly good - hot, engaging and exciting - full speed from the beginning to the end.
A newly published contemporary M/M romance that feels quite promising. I've seen some really good reviews and the other day I could not resist the temptation, but used some free credits to download this book. Now is the time, to see if it is up to a good one with a grand romance, excitement, heat and lovely tenderness in the end. ~ Cuddles as always when the very first page should be read...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I'm on vacation so there will be no review this time, but I really liked this story. Recommended if you want to be surprised, to read something both romantic and hot. The guys, Brendan and Marcello, were wonderful and I read out of breath from beginning to end.
I LIKE - ..a lot - romance with some thriller parts.
January 13, 2014
3.5 Sexy Stars
So this book includes some phone sex...
and kissing
and a little of this
And then also some of this...
Of course you need lots of lube too...And lube was definitely mentioned in this book...
Brendan sees Marcello when he is eating a restaurant one night with coworkers. He decides he has the hots for the busboy. He seems him later and asks him out and gets turned down. But then Marcello changes his mind and Brendan is like
Brendan finds out that Marcello has a fiance and is appalled.... Marcello is trying to get married so he can get a green card.
But everything isn't as it seems to appear, which Brendan eventually finds out...
and I totally did not see that coming!
Marc and Brendan have a great relationship until some drama pushes them away from each other.
But Brendan misses Marc so much and decides to fight to get him back.
Of course we finally get our HEA in the end...
So this book includes some phone sex...
and kissing
and a little of this
And then also some of this...
Of course you need lots of lube too...And lube was definitely mentioned in this book...
Brendan sees Marcello when he is eating a restaurant one night with coworkers. He decides he has the hots for the busboy. He seems him later and asks him out and gets turned down. But then Marcello changes his mind and Brendan is like
Brendan finds out that Marcello has a fiance and is appalled.... Marcello is trying to get married so he can get a green card.
But everything isn't as it seems to appear, which Brendan eventually finds out...
and I totally did not see that coming!
Marc and Brendan have a great relationship until some drama pushes them away from each other.
But Brendan misses Marc so much and decides to fight to get him back.
Of course we finally get our HEA in the end...
December 22, 2021
2.5 stars ⭐️ This book surprisingly didn't work for me. I don't know it's because of my mood or what it is.
I think I didn't like both MCs. Marc was a jerk. But he had a reason to act the way he did. Despite that, he didn't start to grow on me. I thought at first, Brendan was such a badass character with his profession(lawyer), but he was so sweet, naive, and acted like a doormat too. I think I expected Brendon to be a Logan. It was my fault.
At least the sex was somewhat hot.
I think I didn't like both MCs. Marc was a jerk. But he had a reason to act the way he did. Despite that, he didn't start to grow on me. I thought at first, Brendan was such a badass character with his profession(lawyer), but he was so sweet, naive, and acted like a doormat too. I think I expected Brendon to be a Logan. It was my fault.
At least the sex was somewhat hot.
May 22, 2015
YES! This is the Darien Cox I have come to love.
The story didn't drag on at all, things kept happening all the time. I totally didn't see the plot twist coming and I love it when the author surprises me this way.
Overall, a great read. Recommended!
December 23, 2013
So.
Criminal pleasures.
Here's a brief summary, with as little spoilers as possible, as I perceived it.
Young lawyer, Brendan, starts his pratice in a new town, when one night he encounters a striking Italian busboy, Marc, who helps him pick up his fork. Literally.
Brendan is incredibly drawn by Marc.
Marc exhibits some assholish behaviour, proceeding with apology for previous behaviour.
But Marc gives off the dangerous vibe.
Until one day..
I'm sorry but that revelation was so awesome.
After that they proceeded in exploring each other.
Getting involved in some
moments.And some pretty intense situations.
The writing was very good, the plot was believable and the characters were very well-developed. Not to mention the chemistry.
In the end, nice dirty talking really hits the spot.
November 3, 2016
It was an enjoyable read. Until the act III, scene 2.
Gina appeared on the stage. With a gun.
And the whole play turned completely upside down.
I rolled my eyes definitely more than once.
But not while Marc and Brendan talked DIRTY. NO NO NO!
It was DELICIOUS!
--If you don't mind reading an easy going sexy suspense novella--
--If you don't care that a fragile single mum can put the fear of God into a well build sexy attorney--
--If you can afford from time to time to apply not too high standards of the dialogues--
--If you don't suffer a lot from a certain lack of rational logic in relationships in your books--
You'll enjoy it.
The dirty talk was the best in the book and I hope to
It is clear- I will read more of Darien Cox.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2014
This was an exciting, awesome read! I loved loved loved it! It was fast paced, sexy, emotionally charged and had twists and turns i totally enjoy. This was the perfect antidote to the bad taste in my mouth the last book left.
Brendan is a lawyer and opening a new branch of his father practice, after a week of hard work getting the office ready he has taken is small staff to dinner to celebrate. Well he spots a busboy that absolutely grabs his attention, he can’t look away or stop thinking about. As Brendan steps out of the restaurant he spots the busboy (Marcello) grabbing a smoke and decides to talk to him. Well after some discussion (Marc was rather rude in my opinion), Brendan ends up following him to his apartment. So the adventure and the romance begins.
I am not going to give anything away and while the plot is not original, I found the story captivating and i could not stop reading it. I skipped lunch because I didn’t want to stop reading this book. The sex scenes were hot, steamy and I could feel the chemistry between these two. I like the way the GFY issue was handled, I found it quite believable. This was also a story where the MC’s had sex right away, and while i wished they had waited it definitely fit into the story. What saved me having any real issue with it was the way the author handled the story after their initial meeting. I believed Brendan’s feelings and fascination with Marcello. I grew to love these two guys, they definitely made their way into my heart and i suspect they will stay there for some time to come.
This the first book for me by this new author and I will not be my last. 5 happy stars!
Brendan is a lawyer and opening a new branch of his father practice, after a week of hard work getting the office ready he has taken is small staff to dinner to celebrate. Well he spots a busboy that absolutely grabs his attention, he can’t look away or stop thinking about. As Brendan steps out of the restaurant he spots the busboy (Marcello) grabbing a smoke and decides to talk to him. Well after some discussion (Marc was rather rude in my opinion), Brendan ends up following him to his apartment. So the adventure and the romance begins.
I am not going to give anything away and while the plot is not original, I found the story captivating and i could not stop reading it. I skipped lunch because I didn’t want to stop reading this book. The sex scenes were hot, steamy and I could feel the chemistry between these two. I like the way the GFY issue was handled, I found it quite believable. This was also a story where the MC’s had sex right away, and while i wished they had waited it definitely fit into the story. What saved me having any real issue with it was the way the author handled the story after their initial meeting. I believed Brendan’s feelings and fascination with Marcello. I grew to love these two guys, they definitely made their way into my heart and i suspect they will stay there for some time to come.
This the first book for me by this new author and I will not be my last. 5 happy stars!
December 29, 2013
Brendan Burke opens his law practice in Providence and meets Marcello, a sexy and mysterious stranger working at a restaurant. He can’t fight the attraction to him but discovers soon that Marcello isn’t the man Brendan thought he was. What happens next turns out to be the beginning of a dangerous, deadly game…
Criminal Pleasures is definitely a winner and not the last Darien Cox book I’ve read. It's heart warming, brain melting, fast paced, and sexy as hell. The chemistry between Brendan and Marc just drips off the pages. The guys are wonderful together, from the the beginning to the end.
The book is is a well written read and I recommend it wholeheartedly to anyone who likes a hot romance wrapped up in an entertaining mystery plot. Now off to check out more of Darien’s books. :)
December 17, 2013
Well, this is a fine howdy do. No, seriously, it is. Darien Cox to a nice story with a couple of small conflicts for this couple to overcome and spun it into a fast-paced, sexy story that I really wanted more of. That is definitely how you want to leave a reader; answering all the questions but wanting more from these two main characters. Loved, loved, loved her main characters. Sexy guys with really hot love scenes. Congrats to you, Darien Cox. Highly Recommended!
December 28, 2021
3.5 stars
The beginning was awesome, I loved rude asshole confusing Marcello and smitten Branden. Loved the Di Pietro family, and all the quirky Providence characters.
But about half way through, I got a little bored. I enjoyed Marc and Branden together and was really happy with the HEA but it was less exciting and fun than the first half.
The beginning was awesome, I loved rude asshole confusing Marcello and smitten Branden. Loved the Di Pietro family, and all the quirky Providence characters.
But about half way through, I got a little bored. I enjoyed Marc and Branden together and was really happy with the HEA but it was less exciting and fun than the first half.
September 6, 2016
I liked it, but I did get tired of them telling each other how gorgeous they were, how strong they were, how perfect their asses were. Also, some of it was a little too angsty/melodramatic for me.
Side note:
I liked Brendan's mom :)
Baby alert for Ami
Side note:
I liked Brendan's mom :)
Baby alert for Ami
January 7, 2014
Brendan and Marc - what a couple...
Not exactly a healthy relationsip if you ask me.
I think they will continue to make each others lifes difficult because the make-up sex got too addictive. I can`t say I liked them very much - Marc gave Brendan two major brush-offs. The first was comprehensible, the second was an invitation to a well placed kick where it really hurts. Good thing Brendan was such a doormat - with damaged goods there wouldn`t have been another round of sweaty make-up sex with lots of porn studio pre-perform what-I-will-do-to-you dirty talk - Colby Keller to Anthony Romero..."I want to stick my tongue up your ass" - Yep, just like that.
That worked one-two times and then it got tedious.
Too much sex, contradictive and weak characters (which grown man breaks down sobbing because daddy`s not coming?), a weak plot that could have been so much more. I skimmed the last 20 pages to get it over with...
Not exactly a healthy relationsip if you ask me.
I think they will continue to make each others lifes difficult because the make-up sex got too addictive. I can`t say I liked them very much - Marc gave Brendan two major brush-offs. The first was comprehensible, the second was an invitation to a well placed kick where it really hurts. Good thing Brendan was such a doormat - with damaged goods there wouldn`t have been another round of sweaty make-up sex with lots of porn studio pre-perform what-I-will-do-to-you dirty talk - Colby Keller to Anthony Romero..."I want to stick my tongue up your ass" - Yep, just like that.
That worked one-two times and then it got tedious.
Too much sex, contradictive and weak characters (which grown man breaks down sobbing because daddy`s not coming?), a weak plot that could have been so much more. I skimmed the last 20 pages to get it over with...
February 20, 2016
This is my second read by Darien Cox, and it's also the second time I've given him 2 stars. I think this author and I just aren't meant to be.
Brendan and Marc's romance was instalove, or close enough. The two go from strangers to lovers, to "I can't live without you" fairly quickly, even though there were a few separations in between. Instalove annoys me in most books, and 'Criminal Pleasures' wasn't an exception. What made it even more annoying was Marc's douchebag behaviour, and Brendan's complacency.
I wanted Brendan to grow a spine and tell Marc to take a hike multiple times. I guess Marc did make up for his behaviour eventually. I was over the two by then. I just didn't feel any real connection between the two, aside from sex.
But I did like the set-up, and the mobster storyline. Throw in murder, guns, and Italian family drama and I'm likely going to have a good time. Was it a well-thought-out and intricate thriller? Nope. Did it entertain my bloodlust and keep me reading? Yup.
Plus, the sex was hot. I'm a big proponent of initiating hot guys in to the world of gay sex.
Overall, meh.
Brendan and Marc's romance was instalove, or close enough. The two go from strangers to lovers, to "I can't live without you" fairly quickly, even though there were a few separations in between. Instalove annoys me in most books, and 'Criminal Pleasures' wasn't an exception. What made it even more annoying was Marc's douchebag behaviour, and Brendan's complacency.
I wanted Brendan to grow a spine and tell Marc to take a hike multiple times. I guess Marc did make up for his behaviour eventually. I was over the two by then. I just didn't feel any real connection between the two, aside from sex.
But I did like the set-up, and the mobster storyline. Throw in murder, guns, and Italian family drama and I'm likely going to have a good time. Was it a well-thought-out and intricate thriller? Nope. Did it entertain my bloodlust and keep me reading? Yup.
Plus, the sex was hot. I'm a big proponent of initiating hot guys in to the world of gay sex.
Overall, meh.
January 2, 2014
3,6 stars because...
...Give me a minute here, I'll drink a coffee!
________________ 2014/02/01
I'm back, only because this book was a reading buddy with my charming friend Lena!
The begining is stranger, sounds like a sitcom. Brendan acts until the middle of the book like a insecure teenager testing his sexuality, and the rest of the book like a hysterical bitch, so annoying that I started to call him Brendany (yeah, he have a vagina!!).
The high and the low of the book it was Marcello aka Marc.
While it was Marcello DiPietro, the 'probably' mobster, mysterious, ironic sometimes rude and totally hot Marcello, I swear I was having fun... But then my dark mob turned up to be a boring cop in a undercover disguise, Marc Daggett.
Still! It's 3,6 stars because the sex scenes were very entertaining and I was in the mood for dirty talk! =P
...Give me a minute here, I'll drink a coffee!
________________ 2014/02/01
I'm back, only because this book was a reading buddy with my charming friend Lena!
The begining is stranger, sounds like a sitcom. Brendan acts until the middle of the book like a insecure teenager testing his sexuality, and the rest of the book like a hysterical bitch, so annoying that I started to call him Brendany (yeah, he have a vagina!!).
The high and the low of the book it was Marcello aka Marc.
While it was Marcello DiPietro, the 'probably' mobster, mysterious, ironic sometimes rude and totally hot Marcello, I swear I was having fun... But then my dark mob turned up to be a boring cop in a undercover disguise, Marc Daggett.
Still! It's 3,6 stars because the sex scenes were very entertaining and I was in the mood for dirty talk! =P
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2013
This was a surprise. I read a lot of books that start off strong and sort of peter out. This one started weakly, so much so that I almost didn't buy it, and just got better and better. The plot is more romance land plausible than real world plausible, but that's okay, since it holds together and twists nicely where it needs to.
I do think the book could have been slightly better edited. There were places where the prose was a little rough, or it looked like it could have used a slightly critical go-over. On the whole, it's well-written and entertaining and the relationship makes sense.
I do think the book could have been slightly better edited. There were places where the prose was a little rough, or it looked like it could have used a slightly critical go-over. On the whole, it's well-written and entertaining and the relationship makes sense.
January 4, 2014
4 stars and 4 ♥♥♥♥ from me for this one. Enjoyed it.
Hands up, I have to say I didn't see the plot twist coming at all, it was a complete surprise, Brendan and Marc made a nice couple, and there were lots of things I liked about the story, but there were also a few niggles...and in the end the niggles won, and that's why it's only got 4 stars. I particularly liked this quote though "The kiss was languid and searching, and as Brendan kissed him back it felt like language, a communication beyond words, expressing all the things they hadn't said yet".
Hands up, I have to say I didn't see the plot twist coming at all, it was a complete surprise, Brendan and Marc made a nice couple, and there were lots of things I liked about the story, but there were also a few niggles...and in the end the niggles won, and that's why it's only got 4 stars. I particularly liked this quote though "The kiss was languid and searching, and as Brendan kissed him back it felt like language, a communication beyond words, expressing all the things they hadn't said yet".
December 26, 2013
3 1/2 - 4 stars.
October 1, 2022
Blah blah first time gay.
Blah blah undercover love.
Blah blah so dated.
Blah blah undercover love.
Blah blah so dated.
January 5, 2014
So, OH-my-HOLY-GOODNESS. This is most likely one of the very best.
Honestly, it's such a fine read; engaging and exciting to no end. It definitely is one of my most favorite books with probably one of the most fun and loveable main characters ♥ Brendan and Marc. Wow. Just HOLY-HELL-WOW.
”He pondered the way it had started, the way one small decision could change everything. What if he’d chickened out, and decided not to approach that hot busboy on the street that night? What if he’d never asked him to go for a drink? He recalled the thought he had just before doing so. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.“
So, really. Brendan and Marc are incredibly fun and hot and sexy and just plain perfect together. Their chemistry is just WOW and so very there! I often find the MC's lack of a certain chemistry and feel and everything that was just there with Brendan and Marc.
"He never thought he’d enjoy being the softer side of an equation, overpowered by the masculine hardness of someone else. But he loved it, and no amount of dead rats could crush his desire for it."
I found myself rendered pretty speechless how much a certain turn of events completely twisted around Marc and Brendan's "relationship" and how both characters somehow made a complete turn and yet they were still incredibly great and interesting and just awesome and hot hot hot together. I was clearly so smitten by the cranky, slightly sociopathic Marc and his sudden disappearance that I had not seen that one coming.
Of course I suspected Marc was in the dirty business somehow, I really did not see that coming. But Oh holy mother of Jesus, I had a blast with them boys and their game and oh dear, their dialogue! It's brilliant, really. Which is totally a bonus, since so very often the dialogue is pretty dull. Not here. I had so much fun. But that aside, them together is just what stands out the most, and that in a book where the story is actually there too =D
"I’m dating a tough-guy. Brendan wasn’t sure how he felt about having someone defend his honor. He might look like some fairy tale prince, but he’d never thought of himself as soft or weak, someone that needed rescuing. But then he’d never had mobster bitches from hell on his ass, either."
Their incredibly sexy, steamy and absolutely H.O.T. chemistry and passion most definitely stands out. The sex is more than just sex, it's beyond amazing and sizzling hot, yet tender and most loving.
Oh yeah, what really did it for me, is the tenderness, the sweetness in both but especially in Marc. Despite being a tough-guy, one who is incredibly strong and well built, he is simply the sweetest, romantic thing. I want to keep him! Can I ? pretty please?
“Okay, the truth. When you were scolding me on the street outside the restaurant. You remember?”
“Of course.”
Marc’s fingers moved to Brendan’s face, cupping his chin.
He looked into his eyes.
“When you stepped in close to me, like this. The streetlight fell upon your face. I saw your eyes. After that, I didn’t hear a word you said.”
Did I mention the HOTNESS FACTOR??
20+ on a 1 - 10 scale :)
I haven't had so much fun in a long long time ♥
Really, I think this book deserves so much more recognition than most I've read in the past. Work of genius!
"What was love if not desire? To be awed by another’s presence, to want nothing more than to merge with them, to get as close as physically possible. Brendan didn’t think love could be defined, there was no line where you crossed over and a little bell went off, alerting that you were now in the LOVE ZONE."
.......................
Honestly, it's such a fine read; engaging and exciting to no end. It definitely is one of my most favorite books with probably one of the most fun and loveable main characters ♥ Brendan and Marc. Wow. Just HOLY-HELL-WOW.
”He pondered the way it had started, the way one small decision could change everything. What if he’d chickened out, and decided not to approach that hot busboy on the street that night? What if he’d never asked him to go for a drink? He recalled the thought he had just before doing so. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.“
So, really. Brendan and Marc are incredibly fun and hot and sexy and just plain perfect together. Their chemistry is just WOW and so very there! I often find the MC's lack of a certain chemistry and feel and everything that was just there with Brendan and Marc.
"He never thought he’d enjoy being the softer side of an equation, overpowered by the masculine hardness of someone else. But he loved it, and no amount of dead rats could crush his desire for it."
I found myself rendered pretty speechless how much a certain turn of events completely twisted around Marc and Brendan's "relationship" and how both characters somehow made a complete turn and yet they were still incredibly great and interesting and just awesome and hot hot hot together. I was clearly so smitten by the cranky, slightly sociopathic Marc and his sudden disappearance that I had not seen that one coming.
Of course I suspected Marc was in the dirty business somehow, I really did not see that coming. But Oh holy mother of Jesus, I had a blast with them boys and their game and oh dear, their dialogue! It's brilliant, really. Which is totally a bonus, since so very often the dialogue is pretty dull. Not here. I had so much fun. But that aside, them together is just what stands out the most, and that in a book where the story is actually there too =D
"I’m dating a tough-guy. Brendan wasn’t sure how he felt about having someone defend his honor. He might look like some fairy tale prince, but he’d never thought of himself as soft or weak, someone that needed rescuing. But then he’d never had mobster bitches from hell on his ass, either."
Their incredibly sexy, steamy and absolutely H.O.T. chemistry and passion most definitely stands out. The sex is more than just sex, it's beyond amazing and sizzling hot, yet tender and most loving.
Oh yeah, what really did it for me, is the tenderness, the sweetness in both but especially in Marc. Despite being a tough-guy, one who is incredibly strong and well built, he is simply the sweetest, romantic thing. I want to keep him! Can I ? pretty please?
“Okay, the truth. When you were scolding me on the street outside the restaurant. You remember?”
“Of course.”
Marc’s fingers moved to Brendan’s face, cupping his chin.
He looked into his eyes.
“When you stepped in close to me, like this. The streetlight fell upon your face. I saw your eyes. After that, I didn’t hear a word you said.”
Did I mention the HOTNESS FACTOR??
20+ on a 1 - 10 scale :)
I haven't had so much fun in a long long time ♥
Really, I think this book deserves so much more recognition than most I've read in the past. Work of genius!
"What was love if not desire? To be awed by another’s presence, to want nothing more than to merge with them, to get as close as physically possible. Brendan didn’t think love could be defined, there was no line where you crossed over and a little bell went off, alerting that you were now in the LOVE ZONE."
.......................
March 30, 2014
I had just read another book of Darien Cox and really liked it, Seducing Professor Coyle. So I wanted to give this a try. Come on, there's a guy with a gun in his pants on the cover (times two actually)! Yes, there really is a gun, just enlarge the photo you'll see ;) Also I'm a sucker for mystery, suspense, guys with gun that sort of thing.
I'm VERY glad I gave this book a try. Although I've got to say, the blurb really does not do the books justice. I was pleasently surprise actually. The writing was really good, and the characters. Honest, sweet, but holding his own Brendan meeting the smokin' hot Marcello, who's a dick, but then really not. And the TWIST, my God, I actually didn't see that coming! Nice Mr Cox! And the romance, the sex (hot hot HOT) and the suspense just keep climbing. There's also "awwww", sniffles and snickers.
A little tease...
“Ow.” He twisted his head, rubbing the back of his neck. “No one’s ever been able to do that to me before. No one’s ever gotten me on my back. Ever.”
Highly recommended if you want to crush on a "sexy and mysterious stranger working at a restaurant" and follow Brendan as "he can’t fight his compulsion to pursue him" as the blurb says. I think you'll be pleasantly surprise as I was.
Ah, Marcello.. you can turn me gay any day of the week. Oh shit... I forgot, I don't have a "gun" in my pants. Damn.
Like, if you like a guy with a gun in his pants ;)
I'm VERY glad I gave this book a try. Although I've got to say, the blurb really does not do the books justice. I was pleasently surprise actually. The writing was really good, and the characters. Honest, sweet, but holding his own Brendan meeting the smokin' hot Marcello, who's a dick, but then really not. And the TWIST, my God, I actually didn't see that coming! Nice Mr Cox! And the romance, the sex (hot hot HOT) and the suspense just keep climbing. There's also "awwww", sniffles and snickers.
A little tease...
“Ow.” He twisted his head, rubbing the back of his neck. “No one’s ever been able to do that to me before. No one’s ever gotten me on my back. Ever.”
Highly recommended if you want to crush on a "sexy and mysterious stranger working at a restaurant" and follow Brendan as "he can’t fight his compulsion to pursue him" as the blurb says. I think you'll be pleasantly surprise as I was.
Ah, Marcello.. you can turn me gay any day of the week. Oh shit... I forgot, I don't have a "gun" in my pants. Damn.
Like, if you like a guy with a gun in his pants ;)
March 11, 2014
**3.5 stars**
Ohhh a great OFY read with lots of hot sex (though I could have done without the "channel" usage). I even got over my aversion to mobster stories.
**Review to come**
Ohhh a great OFY read with lots of hot sex (though I could have done without the "channel" usage). I even got over my aversion to mobster stories.
**Review to come**
March 7, 2014
Originally posted at http://fictionvixen.com/what-to-read-...
“I saw your eyes. After that, I didn’t hear a word you said.”
Attorney Brendan Burke recently moved from Boston, MA, to head up the Providence, RI, branch of his father’s firm, Burke and Associates. After a stressful first week, he treats himself and his two law clerks to dinner at the upscale Italian restaurant, Bibeta’s Garden. When Brendan is attracted to the aproned Adonis busboy in the restaurant, he internally tries to convince himself, as he has repeatedly done in the past, that he is not bisexual. But once he is alone, taking care of the check, he can’t help but ask his waitress if the busboy is single. The waitress informs Brendan that Marchello DiPietro is her cousin and is a very private person so he would have to ask him personally. When Brendan heads out to his car he spots Marcello leaning against the wall on his cell phone. Introductions are made, a little smalltalk and in a bold move, Brendan asks Marc if he would like to grab a drink with him. Marc’s demeanor then changes and the sparks ignite.
“You want to take your busboy out for a drive in your fancy car? Do you think I am some piece of Eurotrash to be impressed by your American riches? Will you buy me expensive clothes and teach me to eat with the correct fork? Like I am a prostitute that will gratefully fall into your bed?”
And Brendan’s desire is replaced with anger. He tells himself to back off but after being insulted, he refuses to be intimidated.
“You know what, Marc? All you had to do say was no. N-O. I’d have suggested maybe no, thank you, but that would require manners. And you obviously have none. And I didn’t deduce your lack of manners because I think you’re some poor, immigrant hooker who’s going to be dazzled by shiny coins. I also call it as I see it. And right now all I see is a rude prick.”
You want to know what happens next. Right? Well, you’ve got to read the book because it’s one fast paced, sexy as hell ride with two hot as hell men! Did I mention HOT? The chemistry from their meeting is electric and transcends to the bedroom and beyond. The plot is paced with twists and turns that will keep you riveted to the pages. You think you know where the storyline is headed and then BAM, Darien Cox floors the reader with a major “I did not see that coming” moment.
“This man was a stranger who’d betrayed him. Yet he was also the man who’d blown his mind in bed and made his head spin with longing for more.”
Darien Cox is becoming a new favorite m/m author of mine. After featuring his novella, Edges, in January, I immediately purchased Criminal Pleasures and enjoyed every moment of Brendan and Marc’s story. Cox’s writing is captivating, creating enticing characters and sexy, emotionally charged storylines that keep me coming back for more.
January 26, 2014
For me, I loved this. I haven't come across a 5 Star read this year, yet, so congrats on being my first :) This kept me up until 4:30am and I STILL wanted more.
You see, Brendan is a lawyer who's been under his father's thumb but decided to branch out and run his own firm (while still being a puppet for his dad) in Providence. At least he's out of Boston though and turning a new leaf. To celebrate Brendan takes his two teeny bopper clerks to an Italian restaurant that was recommended to him. There he sees the most beautiful bus boy.
That bus boy turns out to be a big giant dickhead. But, there's something about him that Brendan can't turn away from. Marcello (who wants to be called Marc, but his family refuses), realizes he's an asshole and apologizes. He invites Brendan over to his place. They hit it off, like whoa.
From there things get hairy. But, even though Marc is still an ass, Brendan SEES the way Marc looks like him. He knows he can't turn his back on him. And oooo buddy the way they kiss.
Turns out, things are all kinds of messed up.
Who would have thought Marc was Martha Stewart? Not I.
Why is it messed up? You'll have to read it to find out.
You see, Brendan is a lawyer who's been under his father's thumb but decided to branch out and run his own firm (while still being a puppet for his dad) in Providence. At least he's out of Boston though and turning a new leaf. To celebrate Brendan takes his two teeny bopper clerks to an Italian restaurant that was recommended to him. There he sees the most beautiful bus boy.
That bus boy turns out to be a big giant dickhead. But, there's something about him that Brendan can't turn away from. Marcello (who wants to be called Marc, but his family refuses), realizes he's an asshole and apologizes. He invites Brendan over to his place. They hit it off, like whoa.
From there things get hairy. But, even though Marc is still an ass, Brendan SEES the way Marc looks like him. He knows he can't turn his back on him. And oooo buddy the way they kiss.
Turns out, things are all kinds of messed up.
Who would have thought Marc was Martha Stewart? Not I.
Why is it messed up? You'll have to read it to find out.
July 28, 2015
*4.25 stars*
Two for two for me from Mr Darien Cox! Some of the things that appealed to me here:
-- the plot didn't quite follow the expected path,
-- the reactions of the MCs and how they dealt with certain major events in the story seemed so much more realistic than in your typical romance/thriller, and
-- there was a gradual progression of the intimacy between Marc and Brendan (ie they didn't go straight to intercourse) that ended up being really hot!
Two for two for me from Mr Darien Cox! Some of the things that appealed to me here:
-- the plot didn't quite follow the expected path,
-- the reactions of the MCs and how they dealt with certain major events in the story seemed so much more realistic than in your typical romance/thriller, and
-- there was a gradual progression of the intimacy between Marc and Brendan (ie they didn't go straight to intercourse) that ended up being really hot!
May 19, 2014
I really liked this one. Fast paced, lovely dirty talk, hot man-virgin smexing....what's not to love about that! Add in a little intrigue and douchery and I was a very happy girl.
March 10, 2014
Love it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews