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219 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 22, 2014

“Doesn’t seem like you let anything stop you from living dangerously.”
“Okay, no, I don’t.” — Aiden Lange & Conner Bradshaw
As odd as if may seem to write, General Misconduct feels much softer than Conduct Unbecoming. Both are good books, they are clearly connected, contain military regulations a the restrictions places on soldiers and their families but they will suit different readers. Aiden and Conner are almost the exact opposite of Shane and Eric. Both in character and in the plot. CU goes hot and heavy fast starts with a steamy one night stand and moves on from that. GM is a slower burn, they still meet in the first chapter but sex is barely on the radar (at least at first) its more romance than that. It's a decent play on age stereotypes to a degree. I am sorry for comparing them so blatantly in the review but reading so close together and with so much crossover in the stories it is a choice I'm making.
Aiden and Conner are so sweet. Aiden is a young Ensign, the command antiterrorism officer for Okinawa and the new guy to the island. While we have little to do with anyone in his life I have total respect for his family, his father figured he was gay before Aiden did. He made sure Aiden was trained in self-defence. Aiden is young, in control and ambitious. His being attacked by Glenn (which blessed by we don't have to see) shakes him. His love interest is Conner. Conner is something. A twentyish, gay, army brat whose forbidden from dating men under his father's command (ie anyone on the island), he's a bit lonely and likes to live dangerously. Conner has had a bit of life his b***h of a mother tried to send him to conversion therapy after finding out her was gay (I have no tolerance for conversion therapy, it has no place in the world). His ban on dating doesn't stop him trying to date but his fathers' name scares men off. Conner and Aiden meet at the top of Hiji Falls and hit it off right away, most of their story is them sneaking around, beaches have huge symbolism for them. The intimacy between the characters builds well, slowly which suits their characters and traits but it was a little off-putting when various things happened. I did at one point find myself asking is gas-lighting someone for their own good okay?
As much as Conduct Unbecoming as series is a romantic series it is a series about familial relationships. The closest thing this General Misconduct has to a villain is Connor's father, General Bradshaw. In all fairness, he's a bit of a prick. He's the right sort of villain for this series, he's not supposed to be likeable but when you stop and think you can see why he is doing what he is. At least to a degree. I'm not saying he's not risking his relationship with his son but he definitely feels like he's putting his career first. It's not a great look.
Trust Eric and Shane to get married during the damned monsoon. — Aiden Lange
Alright some things I need to say. I read Conduct Unbecoming the day before I read General Misconduct, that means I picked up some slight issues in this book that you wouldn't if you weren't reading them that close together. There are some slight continuity errors. As expected GM starts at about the 50% mark of CU with the conversation between Eric and Aiden in the emergency room. But we do get to see a conversation between Shane and Aiden that wasn't in CU, one that aligns Shane as an ally and part protector for Aiden but he knows Aiden's secrets. The problem is that according to the timeline of CU he shouldn't, it's before he has the relevant conversation with Eric. (Oh gosh in that conversation Shane sounds like Eric though, so much compassion and care). Is it a small thing? Yes, but it irked me. There was a timeline issue overall too maybe but both timelines are a little bit fuzzy. The whole of GM takes place before the end of CU as far as I can tell. Though the ending includes both couples.
All up can see this being unmemorable. I like the characters but it has a strange sort of contrast to its predecessor. It is a wonderful companion to Conduct Unbecoming using the characters well, not just as cameos and completing both stories satisfactorily.
In the name of rank and strategy, I’d given up the love of my life.
It was that fucking simple. — Aiden Lange
A representative gif:
My stupid context notes for this book
• I had to look up Diego Garcia. Jesus... it is a tiny atoll in the Indian Ocean not far south of Mauritius (on the global scale at least). It's a British Territory but hosts both US and UK military bases. Look threatening to post someone there is a choice threat.
• General misconduct is not a military charge as far as I can find. But damn if what General Bradshaw doesn't feel like Conduct Unbecoming a Gentleman, or at least as Shane so rightly puts it an abuse of power.
• Shi Shi dogs are also known as Shisa. They are (massive shock to no one) part of Okinawan mythology, but originated and are still prevalent in China. Shisa are always in pairs, with the left shisa traditionally having a closed mouth, the right one an open mouth. The open mouth shisa traditionally wards off evil spirits, and the closed mouth shisa keeps good spirits in.

(Image credit to Kazu Tabu)