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Bad Behavior #1
Risky Behavior
It’s day one of Darren Corliss’s career as a detective, and not only has he been assigned a notoriously difficult partner, but the guy might also be a pill-popping dirty cop. Internal Affairs needs proof, and Darren gets to be their eyes and ears whether he wants to or not.
Detective Andreas Ruffner doesn’t play by the rules, and he doesn’t play well with others. With bodies piling up and a list of suspects who are way above his pay grade, the last thing he needs is a wet-behind-the-ears kid for a partner. Or babysitter. Not even if that partner is easy on the eyes.
As Darren gains Andreas’s hard-won trust, they both realize there’s more than just mutual suspicion simmering beneath the surface. But their investigation is heating up as quickly as their relationship, and Darren has no choice but to go along with Andreas’s unorthodox — and borderline unethical — methods. As IA puts the squeeze on Darren to give up the man he’s falling for, he has to wonder—is Andreas the only cop left in this town who isn’t dirty?
* * * * * * *
Word 81,800; page 319
Detective Andreas Ruffner doesn’t play by the rules, and he doesn’t play well with others. With bodies piling up and a list of suspects who are way above his pay grade, the last thing he needs is a wet-behind-the-ears kid for a partner. Or babysitter. Not even if that partner is easy on the eyes.
As Darren gains Andreas’s hard-won trust, they both realize there’s more than just mutual suspicion simmering beneath the surface. But their investigation is heating up as quickly as their relationship, and Darren has no choice but to go along with Andreas’s unorthodox — and borderline unethical — methods. As IA puts the squeeze on Darren to give up the man he’s falling for, he has to wonder—is Andreas the only cop left in this town who isn’t dirty?
* * * * * * *
Word 81,800; page 319
309 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 29, 2017
143 people are currently reading
1996 people want to read
About the author
L.A. Witt
216 books2,694 followersL.A. Witt and her husband have been exiled from Spain and sent to live in Maine because rhymes are fun. She now divides her time between writing, assuring people she is aware that Maine is cold, wondering where to put her next tattoo, and trying to reason with a surly Maine coon. Rumor has it her arch nemesis, Lauren Gallagher, is also somewhere in the wilds of New England, which is why L.A. is also spending a portion of her time training a team of spec ops lobsters.
Authors Ann Gallagher and Lori A. Witt have been asked to assist in lobster training, but they "have books to write" and "need to focus on our careers" and "don't you think this rivalry has gotten a little out of hand?" They're probably just helping Lauren raise her army of squirrels trained to ride moose into battle.
Visit her website at http://www.gallagherwitt.com/.
Authors Ann Gallagher and Lori A. Witt have been asked to assist in lobster training, but they "have books to write" and "need to focus on our careers" and "don't you think this rivalry has gotten a little out of hand?" They're probably just helping Lauren raise her army of squirrels trained to ride moose into battle.
Visit her website at http://www.gallagherwitt.com/.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 353 reviews
March 9, 2018
This is the story of Andreas the veteran detective and Darren the rookie.
I am a huge fan of detective series, this was Person of Interest meet Blue bloods wrapped up in 309 pages of pure reading goodness. I enjoyed the journey.
Andreas is my kind of MC i loved the shit out of him. Darren what a wonderful guy who wasn't afraid to speak his mind. These two fit perfectly.
The plot was amazing, i ate that shit up. The story focused more on the investigation part than the romance but that did not bother me at all. I was on the edge of my sit trying to figure it all out. At one point, i did not trust anyone even Andreas and Darren and that added more to my enjoyment.
The romance part IMO was well written there was no rush and it happened just the way i wanted it to.
Heart thumping, I slid closer to him. Darren sat straighter, but he didn’t recoil away, and he didn’t stop me when I took the bottle from his hand and set it on the table.
Facing him again, I slid my arm around him.
Drew him in.
And kissed him.
Oh God, yes. This kind of weird, I could live with. He was my partner, and I’d wanted to wring his neck last night, and now he was kissing me back. Pulling me closer.
The Banter was amazing, Darren sense of humor had me laughing out loud. The secondary characters were well written too.
Darren's dad reminded me of:
Many thanks to the lovely Simone for putting this series on my radar.
If you are looking for a good detective series then, look into this.
I am a huge fan of detective series, this was Person of Interest meet Blue bloods wrapped up in 309 pages of pure reading goodness. I enjoyed the journey.
Andreas is my kind of MC i loved the shit out of him. Darren what a wonderful guy who wasn't afraid to speak his mind. These two fit perfectly.
The plot was amazing, i ate that shit up. The story focused more on the investigation part than the romance but that did not bother me at all. I was on the edge of my sit trying to figure it all out. At one point, i did not trust anyone even Andreas and Darren and that added more to my enjoyment.
The romance part IMO was well written there was no rush and it happened just the way i wanted it to.
Heart thumping, I slid closer to him. Darren sat straighter, but he didn’t recoil away, and he didn’t stop me when I took the bottle from his hand and set it on the table.
Facing him again, I slid my arm around him.
Drew him in.
And kissed him.
Oh God, yes. This kind of weird, I could live with. He was my partner, and I’d wanted to wring his neck last night, and now he was kissing me back. Pulling me closer.
The Banter was amazing, Darren sense of humor had me laughing out loud. The secondary characters were well written too.
Darren's dad reminded me of:
Many thanks to the lovely Simone for putting this series on my radar.
If you are looking for a good detective series then, look into this.
June 3, 2019
Risky Behavior
by L.A. Witt & Cari Z.
Starring:
Andreas Ruffner, a supposedly bad cop whose cultivated image of a lone wolf who can't keep a partner and whose more than dubios -and admittedly not always by the book, let alone illegal- methods attract ire and suspicion with Internal Affairs...
Darren Corliss , the good cop , the golden boy, a rookie and fresh promoted detective, whose first day on the job not only begins with reeling in a new, gruff and rather hostile partner, but also a babysitter job in order to convict said partner of abuse of authority.
The story:
In order to bust a drug ring that not merely screams inside job, but also seems to go higher up the food chain than everyone suspected...
... both detectives discover that the first impression can be deceptive but that trust has to go both ways in order to get the job done. A job that contains more complexity and requirement of being handled with kid gloves (or rather questionable practices) than one of them expected, but the other one would be more than willing to sacrifice everything for, even his reputation, to bring it to an end.
And they are not only dealing with superiors and highly respected officials who would like to be a nail in Andreas's coffin and colleagues that play a dirty game...
... but also have to fight their mutual attraction that is more than just a bad idea in a number of ways.
Does that sound familiar? Yes? You think this is your typical run-of-the-mill cop story you probably read about a hundred times before? Yeah, it is... NOT. Quite the contrary, because this is so much more.
As for me being a fan of old cop movies and ~ series, I got immediately sucked into a story about solid police procedure with lots of legwork and relying on informants, but also into the swamp of corruption, dirty cops and drug deals. But the most unusual for me about it was the characters. They are not your picture-postcard perfect cops who do everything by the rulebook. They are men with a history. Men with a rare background you usually won't find in a book like this. I can't tell you more without spoiling a big part of the story, just so much that it deals with a delicate subject that would have been taboo just years ago and with the way the authors handled it, they helped me eliminate some of my own prejudices. To be honest, I don't know if it is all medically accurate, but at least it incented me to find out more about it.
As for the romance part, some people might say that there could have been a bit more, but I loved the way Andreas and Darren danced around each other at first. I really felt their inner conflict between duty and attraction and especially Andreas's loneliness and hopelessness to find love again virtually vibrated off the pages. The slow burn romance also means that there is only one "real" sex scene and even I got... umm, a bit sexually frustrated now and then because of them getting disturbed every goddamn time things started to get interesting. The one and only that was there, though, was extremely hot and... very surprising, so to speak. ;-)
So, to everyone who loves an amazing cop mystery, a slow burn romance, unusual circumstances, age gap and alternating POV's from the main characters, READ THIS BOOK AND YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED!!!
***4.5 Stars***
This review has been posted on Dirty Books Obsession
July 14, 2023
This is a character driven police drama. A satisfying who-done-it, multiple murder mystery with a dash of heat and loads of sexual chemistry.
The health issues woven into this story was done so well. This was a first for me in a romance.
I really enjoyed reading a story with mature men. Refreshing and genuine.
The health issues woven into this story was done so well. This was a first for me in a romance.
“I made it past your delightful personality,” he murmured. “And I’m completely ignoring that this is a terrible idea when we work together.” He brushed his lips across mine. “A manageable chronic disease isn’t going to scare me off.”
I really enjoyed reading a story with mature men. Refreshing and genuine.
May 8, 2017
Tag Team Review with The Adam!
This is what I love about buddy reads-different perspectives. While I don't wholly disagree with Adam, I had a completely different experience.
Almost immediately I was hooked into the story, this case and these characters. As Adam mentioned, it is primarily a cop procedural which is my JAM! I love the lingo, the acronyms, the ribbing, the bullpen, everything. Truth, I grew up watching these shows, reading these books so I was in hog heaven. And this is a good case, meaty case with lots of tendrils. I'm not going to talk about it because well, I'll talk your face off and spoil it. But trust me when I say, THIS CASE IS A BEAST! In all honesty, I wasn't expecting a a resolution at all, though I'm not entirely convinced its over.
Andreas could be labeled as a "dirty cop" I'll not dispute that, but to me those make the best characters. He uses unorthodox methods to be sure, unethical even, but I truly believe everything he does is for the greater good. He plays the long game, so at first glance it seems all kinds of fucked up, but if you can keep from jumping to conclusions and deal with his prickly personality you'll see his objective is to deal the killing blow to the whole organization, but he's not going to let anyone be hurt if he can help it. He'd sacrifice himself before he let that happen. To me that is what differentiates a "good" from a "bad" one.
ICYMI, I had some feels about Andreas, mostly because he's treated as the outcast of the precinct and it seems like everyone is trying to stick it to him which is petty and seems driven by jealousy since he's proven himself to be the best detective they've got time and time again. For the last 20 yrs!
Damn people!
The authors did a good job of balancing the case with developing their relationship. Bear in mind that "their relationship" is firstly as partners. They have to trust each other and that doesn't come easy for Andreas. Plus, he does think he smarter than all the partners Hamilton has saddled him with not to mention most of the knuckleheads in his precinct, so he has a tendency towards assholishness. He also has a secret that he fears could be weaponized and used against him to potentially cost him his job, so... cagey AF.
I did think he maybe began trusting Darren rather quickly but Darren's puppy eyes must be hella powerful.
Take all my money & my car & my first born & whatever else you want.
Darren is his opposite in many ways; he's very likable, approachable and charismatic. There were several things I liked about him, but the fact that he isn't intimidated by Andreas' gruff nature is at the top of the list. I think that impresses Andreas more than anything and is what fosters the trust between them. Darren does emit trustworthy vibes that even I could feel through my kindle. He's exceedingly forthright, honest, great at reading people and at improvising. I think he and Andreas could reign supreme with the good cop/bad cop routine in the future.
Their romance is part of the equation, and its evolution felt authentic. There is a fairly significant age difference between them *squeals* and from the start they are really attracted to each other. Both try to ignore in the interest of "keeping things professional", but since we get both of their perspectives we know the dam is going to break at some point. The one sex scene is pretty intense AND it surprised me! I knew there was going to be rough sex, but I didn't see it going down the way it did. I ain't mad at it! At all!
However, if you're expecting lots of moony eyes, declarations of love and a romance that'll make you weak in the knees... wrong book. The slow evolution, consistent work on trusting one another, learning from their mistakes and having great chemistry lead me to believe in them as partners on the job with the potential for so much more, though I'm postive their road will be rocky.
There are some really great secondary characters that I'm hoping will turn up throughout the series. I'm looking at you, Mrs. Kramer.
The only quibble I have is the IA thing in the last 25%. It just didn't jive. But, as a plot device it did it's job so I'm going to ignore it, except for Hamilton. He quasi redeemed himself but he's still on my shit list. *stink eyes*
I, too, am really looking forward to the next one in this series and if you like crime drama/cop procedurals then you should pick up a copy of Risky Behavior.
ARC was provided by NetGalley.
This is what I love about buddy reads-different perspectives. While I don't wholly disagree with Adam, I had a completely different experience.
Almost immediately I was hooked into the story, this case and these characters. As Adam mentioned, it is primarily a cop procedural which is my JAM! I love the lingo, the acronyms, the ribbing, the bullpen, everything. Truth, I grew up watching these shows, reading these books so I was in hog heaven. And this is a good case, meaty case with lots of tendrils. I'm not going to talk about it because well, I'll talk your face off and spoil it. But trust me when I say, THIS CASE IS A BEAST! In all honesty, I wasn't expecting a a resolution at all, though I'm not entirely convinced its over.
Andreas could be labeled as a "dirty cop" I'll not dispute that, but to me those make the best characters. He uses unorthodox methods to be sure, unethical even, but I truly believe everything he does is for the greater good. He plays the long game, so at first glance it seems all kinds of fucked up, but if you can keep from jumping to conclusions and deal with his prickly personality you'll see his objective is to deal the killing blow to the whole organization, but he's not going to let anyone be hurt if he can help it. He'd sacrifice himself before he let that happen. To me that is what differentiates a "good" from a "bad" one.
ICYMI, I had some feels about Andreas, mostly because he's treated as the outcast of the precinct and it seems like everyone is trying to stick it to him which is petty and seems driven by jealousy since he's proven himself to be the best detective they've got time and time again. For the last 20 yrs!
Damn people!
The authors did a good job of balancing the case with developing their relationship. Bear in mind that "their relationship" is firstly as partners. They have to trust each other and that doesn't come easy for Andreas. Plus, he does think he smarter than all the partners Hamilton has saddled him with not to mention most of the knuckleheads in his precinct, so he has a tendency towards assholishness. He also has a secret that he fears could be weaponized and used against him to potentially cost him his job, so... cagey AF.
I did think he maybe began trusting Darren rather quickly but Darren's puppy eyes must be hella powerful.
Take all my money & my car & my first born & whatever else you want.
Darren is his opposite in many ways; he's very likable, approachable and charismatic. There were several things I liked about him, but the fact that he isn't intimidated by Andreas' gruff nature is at the top of the list. I think that impresses Andreas more than anything and is what fosters the trust between them. Darren does emit trustworthy vibes that even I could feel through my kindle. He's exceedingly forthright, honest, great at reading people and at improvising. I think he and Andreas could reign supreme with the good cop/bad cop routine in the future.
Their romance is part of the equation, and its evolution felt authentic. There is a fairly significant age difference between them *squeals* and from the start they are really attracted to each other. Both try to ignore in the interest of "keeping things professional", but since we get both of their perspectives we know the dam is going to break at some point. The one sex scene is pretty intense AND it surprised me! I knew there was going to be rough sex, but I didn't see it going down the way it did. I ain't mad at it! At all!
However, if you're expecting lots of moony eyes, declarations of love and a romance that'll make you weak in the knees... wrong book. The slow evolution, consistent work on trusting one another, learning from their mistakes and having great chemistry lead me to believe in them as partners on the job with the potential for so much more, though I'm postive their road will be rocky.
There are some really great secondary characters that I'm hoping will turn up throughout the series. I'm looking at you, Mrs. Kramer.
The only quibble I have is the IA thing in the last 25%. It just didn't jive. But, as a plot device it did it's job so I'm going to ignore it, except for Hamilton. He quasi redeemed himself but he's still on my shit list. *stink eyes*
I, too, am really looking forward to the next one in this series and if you like crime drama/cop procedurals then you should pick up a copy of Risky Behavior.
ARC was provided by NetGalley.
July 24, 2024
4 Stars
I’m going to agree with everyone else who loved this.
Realistic. Hardcore. Compelling.
This is where a cop story is done right, when you want plausible and it’s delivered.
Take one jaded detective who’s always been on the right side of justice, one who has been met with corruption and roadblocks over and over and goes about taking down a criminal drug ring that goes all the way to the top by any way possible. If that means brushing against, and sometimes stepping over the line to justify the means, then so be it.
Drop in a newly promoted rookie to be his partner, one who’s been not so secretly tasked to “spy” on him by Internal Affairs, and you’ve got quite the sticky situation.
Not surprisingly, these two don’t hit it off at all, but when things get dangerous and more informants end up dead, the pressure to bring down the bad guys reaches a breaking point and they can’t afford to not trust each other.
No eye rolling here. I applaud the gritty seriousness of not only their working relationship but each of these men have their own personal problems that present plenty of other challenges to their complicated dynamic. Add some really well done UST and smexy, a very nice age gap, and a delicious enemies to lovers set up, and this was oh so satisfying especially when these two give into their unwanted but too hard to resist desires. Mmmmmmm.
Narrated by Michael Ferraiuolo, this fact should only make you want to read this more!! Go now! Don’t wait! I for one, look forward to what’s next in store for these guys!!
I’m going to agree with everyone else who loved this.
Realistic. Hardcore. Compelling.
This is where a cop story is done right, when you want plausible and it’s delivered.
Take one jaded detective who’s always been on the right side of justice, one who has been met with corruption and roadblocks over and over and goes about taking down a criminal drug ring that goes all the way to the top by any way possible. If that means brushing against, and sometimes stepping over the line to justify the means, then so be it.
Drop in a newly promoted rookie to be his partner, one who’s been not so secretly tasked to “spy” on him by Internal Affairs, and you’ve got quite the sticky situation.
Not surprisingly, these two don’t hit it off at all, but when things get dangerous and more informants end up dead, the pressure to bring down the bad guys reaches a breaking point and they can’t afford to not trust each other.
No eye rolling here. I applaud the gritty seriousness of not only their working relationship but each of these men have their own personal problems that present plenty of other challenges to their complicated dynamic. Add some really well done UST and smexy, a very nice age gap, and a delicious enemies to lovers set up, and this was oh so satisfying especially when these two give into their unwanted but too hard to resist desires. Mmmmmmm.
Narrated by Michael Ferraiuolo, this fact should only make you want to read this more!! Go now! Don’t wait! I for one, look forward to what’s next in store for these guys!!
September 15, 2017
3.5 Stars
This story is about two detectives. One is detective for almost twenty years and the other one is in his early years of being detective. Andreas’s Captain is partnering him with Darren and Andreas isn’t happy about it. He just likes to work alone because of his unorthodox ways to acquire information and arrests. And he knows Darren is for keeping an eye on him (spying on him). So the story started with a hate/dislike of both characters toward each other. But their hatred disappeared so soon and it was disappointing. And then, they started solving their current case.
Well, I enjoyed this one but not as much as I wanted. I could have enjoyed it more if it was more about their relationship and not their case! And another thing is I like to know about my character’s age, but in this one I should guess them!
The story is told in dual POV, 1st person. It’s the first installment in "Bad Behavior" series but it can be read as a stand-alone (the second installment is still about this couple but this one doesn't end with a cliffhanger). But I don’t think I’ll read its next book! Hope you like it more than me!
This story is about two detectives. One is detective for almost twenty years and the other one is in his early years of being detective. Andreas’s Captain is partnering him with Darren and Andreas isn’t happy about it. He just likes to work alone because of his unorthodox ways to acquire information and arrests. And he knows Darren is for keeping an eye on him (spying on him). So the story started with a hate/dislike of both characters toward each other. But their hatred disappeared so soon and it was disappointing. And then, they started solving their current case.
Well, I enjoyed this one but not as much as I wanted. I could have enjoyed it more if it was more about their relationship and not their case! And another thing is I like to know about my character’s age, but in this one I should guess them!
The story is told in dual POV, 1st person. It’s the first installment in "Bad Behavior" series but it can be read as a stand-alone (the second installment is still about this couple but this one doesn't end with a cliffhanger). But I don’t think I’ll read its next book! Hope you like it more than me!
November 1, 2023
Reread October 2023
And it's just as good! Absolutely loved it all over again.
It's definitely time to reread the whole series.
Original review
Two cops, detectives to be exact.
One, older and experienced, arrogant and acerbic, “the dark, gritty, complete asshole kind of superhero”.
The other, a rookie, full of enthusiasm and charm, but with a good bit of steel and determination underneath.
Partnered against the will of the older.
I’m sure we've all come across a similar plot, but if you think you know how this one’s going to go – think again. The twists and turns, not only in the very absorbing detective/thriller plot, but in the personal lives of Andreas and Darren, kept me turning the pages at super speed.
The authors touch upon themes I’ve haven’t seen too often in m/m, and they hit home with a vengeance.
Of course, what Andreas is going through isn’t a walk in the park, but for me Darren’s issues just ripped my heart out. Which is totally personal because
I totally fell for these guys. They are up there, together with Ty and Zane, Levi and Dominic, Jack and Ethan.
Andreas, tall, dark and unapproachable, stands out with his biting sarcasm, his inherent drive to do the right thing, no matter what, and unwavering dedication to push his investigation through. he is indeed some kind of inverted superhero. One who is very alone with all his problems.
Darren shines with his ‘no BS’ attitude right from the beginning. His intuitive understanding of people allows him to trust Andreas, even if the latter works in unconventional ways and does all he can to put the rookie off. I loved how Darren never backs down from anything Andreas throws at him, and stands his own ground to the older man.
And when sparks start flying between them, they do sparkle and sizzle in the brightest colours, but we have to wait for a long long time for them to develop into a fully fledged fire. These guys get cock-blocked on so many occasions I might have developed a case of blue balls (if I had any). Fab UST here! And alas! Realism! Finally, two MCs who get so tired on occasion they need to sleep rather than indulge in bodily pleasures!
An exciting, unpredictable plot, two amazing MCs, some good humour, some classic lines, lots of angst, hurt and comfort – what more can you ask?
Onto book 2!
Highly recommended!
And it's just as good! Absolutely loved it all over again.
It's definitely time to reread the whole series.
Original review
Two cops, detectives to be exact.
One, older and experienced, arrogant and acerbic, “the dark, gritty, complete asshole kind of superhero”.
The other, a rookie, full of enthusiasm and charm, but with a good bit of steel and determination underneath.
Partnered against the will of the older.
I’m sure we've all come across a similar plot, but if you think you know how this one’s going to go – think again. The twists and turns, not only in the very absorbing detective/thriller plot, but in the personal lives of Andreas and Darren, kept me turning the pages at super speed.
The authors touch upon themes I’ve haven’t seen too often in m/m, and they hit home with a vengeance.
Of course, what Andreas is going through isn’t a walk in the park, but for me Darren’s issues just ripped my heart out. Which is totally personal because
I totally fell for these guys. They are up there, together with Ty and Zane, Levi and Dominic, Jack and Ethan.
Andreas, tall, dark and unapproachable, stands out with his biting sarcasm, his inherent drive to do the right thing, no matter what, and unwavering dedication to push his investigation through. he is indeed some kind of inverted superhero. One who is very alone with all his problems.
Darren shines with his ‘no BS’ attitude right from the beginning. His intuitive understanding of people allows him to trust Andreas, even if the latter works in unconventional ways and does all he can to put the rookie off. I loved how Darren never backs down from anything Andreas throws at him, and stands his own ground to the older man.
And when sparks start flying between them, they do sparkle and sizzle in the brightest colours, but we have to wait for a long long time for them to develop into a fully fledged fire. These guys get cock-blocked on so many occasions I might have developed a case of blue balls (if I had any). Fab UST here! And alas! Realism! Finally, two MCs who get so tired on occasion they need to sleep rather than indulge in bodily pleasures!
An exciting, unpredictable plot, two amazing MCs, some good humour, some classic lines, lots of angst, hurt and comfort – what more can you ask?
Onto book 2!
Highly recommended!
April 28, 2017
This one grabbed my attention and didn't let it go until the last word on the last page.
It seems like I've been landing on a lot of police procedurals lately. While I never considered it one of my favorite genres, I sure have been enjoying these new ones.
Although I consider myself a romance reader, the truth is that I prefer romance in my stories as oppossed to stories about romance. That's not a tomato 🍅 vs. tomatoe comparison. There's a difference.
This edge of your seat mystery was hard to figure out until it was laid out in plain sight. Then it was hard to see how it would resolve. Finally, it was impossible to imagine where it would end. Until the end. So, you see how it kept me glued to the pages.
The reveals were slow to come. I felt like I had to work for them. No chance of guessing because - bam! - one would come out of nowhere. Then another. And another. The whole thing was brilliantly plotted.
The romance part of the story is about Andreas and Darren who are detectives. Andreas is a hard-ass. Darren is newly minted. There's quite an age gap, but it doesn't figure much into the plot. More important are the personal issues they have to deal with.
Andreas is bisexual. He's a loner and he's hiding secrets. I related so much to Andreas. Maybe it was an age thing. I completely understood his thought process, his worries and his reactions.
Darren is gay. He's young. He's good looking and he's trying to move up the ladder in the career of his choice. I loved easy going, charming Darren. It didn't hurt that he was also smart and communicative. A winning combination all around.
It's not a great love story. Rather, it's a story about two men who are attracted to each other, realize they are compatible, work through the issues of getting to know each other, and find their HFN. (All while trying to stay alive and bring down a crime syndicate in their city that seems untouchable.)
Yes, I enjoyed this book very much! 4.5 stars
Review ARC graciously provided by Riptide Publishing via NetGalley
It seems like I've been landing on a lot of police procedurals lately. While I never considered it one of my favorite genres, I sure have been enjoying these new ones.
Although I consider myself a romance reader, the truth is that I prefer romance in my stories as oppossed to stories about romance. That's not a tomato 🍅 vs. tomatoe comparison. There's a difference.
This edge of your seat mystery was hard to figure out until it was laid out in plain sight. Then it was hard to see how it would resolve. Finally, it was impossible to imagine where it would end. Until the end. So, you see how it kept me glued to the pages.
The reveals were slow to come. I felt like I had to work for them. No chance of guessing because - bam! - one would come out of nowhere. Then another. And another. The whole thing was brilliantly plotted.
The romance part of the story is about Andreas and Darren who are detectives. Andreas is a hard-ass. Darren is newly minted. There's quite an age gap, but it doesn't figure much into the plot. More important are the personal issues they have to deal with.
Andreas is bisexual. He's a loner and he's hiding secrets. I related so much to Andreas. Maybe it was an age thing. I completely understood his thought process, his worries and his reactions.
Darren is gay. He's young. He's good looking and he's trying to move up the ladder in the career of his choice. I loved easy going, charming Darren. It didn't hurt that he was also smart and communicative. A winning combination all around.
It's not a great love story. Rather, it's a story about two men who are attracted to each other, realize they are compatible, work through the issues of getting to know each other, and find their HFN. (All while trying to stay alive and bring down a crime syndicate in their city that seems untouchable.)
Yes, I enjoyed this book very much! 4.5 stars
Review ARC graciously provided by Riptide Publishing via NetGalley
May 3, 2017
This was a pretty intense story!
Detective Andreas Ruffner is out to bust a huge drug ring that reaches high up into the city administration. The only problem is, Ruffner is an asshole who cannot hold a partner longer than a couple of weeks before sending them running.
Newly promoted Detective Darren Corliss is his next 'babysitter' - assigned not only to be Ruffner's partner, but also to spy on him on behalf of Internal Affairs. Ruffner is said to be a shady cop who might somehow be entangled in drug trafficking and IA wants to know what's wrong with the guy.
So bringing in the fresh 28 year old Darren to keep track of the seasoned and rough detective seems like a good idea.
However, Darren is willing to work with Andreas and slowly gains his trust - which isn't easy, given that Andreas has a whole pile of personal secrets that he's keeping away from his colleagues.
I absolutely loved this, even though I have some reservations.
First and best of all, big spoiler, don't read it unless you absolutely have to know, it's great that this book features a strong and confident .
I had a bit of an issue with the second half. The relationship between Andreas and Darren seems to be on hold due to the case developments, and when they DO get together romantically, Darren's personality takes a 180 degree turn from handsome and soft-spoken sweetheart to insatiable power top who dominates his older partner pretty aggressively. Which did surprise me.
My main concern, however, was .
I also missed a bit more interaction among the families. Andreas' interesting background would have provided a LOT of potential to explore that road, but we only got a see a little glimpse of it, while the plot focused on a pretty wild drug conspiracy scheme.
All in all, this story was really great! I absolutely loved Andreas and Darren and I'm totally glad that this book has the courage to be different and explore sides of m/m that you don't get to see too often.
4,5 stars!
Detective Andreas Ruffner is out to bust a huge drug ring that reaches high up into the city administration. The only problem is, Ruffner is an asshole who cannot hold a partner longer than a couple of weeks before sending them running.
Newly promoted Detective Darren Corliss is his next 'babysitter' - assigned not only to be Ruffner's partner, but also to spy on him on behalf of Internal Affairs. Ruffner is said to be a shady cop who might somehow be entangled in drug trafficking and IA wants to know what's wrong with the guy.
So bringing in the fresh 28 year old Darren to keep track of the seasoned and rough detective seems like a good idea.
However, Darren is willing to work with Andreas and slowly gains his trust - which isn't easy, given that Andreas has a whole pile of personal secrets that he's keeping away from his colleagues.
I absolutely loved this, even though I have some reservations.
First and best of all, big spoiler, don't read it unless you absolutely have to know, it's great that this book features a strong and confident .
I had a bit of an issue with the second half. The relationship between Andreas and Darren seems to be on hold due to the case developments, and when they DO get together romantically, Darren's personality takes a 180 degree turn from handsome and soft-spoken sweetheart to insatiable power top who dominates his older partner pretty aggressively. Which did surprise me.
My main concern, however, was .
I also missed a bit more interaction among the families. Andreas' interesting background would have provided a LOT of potential to explore that road, but we only got a see a little glimpse of it, while the plot focused on a pretty wild drug conspiracy scheme.
All in all, this story was really great! I absolutely loved Andreas and Darren and I'm totally glad that this book has the courage to be different and explore sides of m/m that you don't get to see too often.
4,5 stars!
May 5, 2017
This is a great book but not such a great romance book. Though I very much enjoyed the slow dance between the two partners, it’s not the focus of spotlight. The heart of the story revolves around an investigation. A case in which two police officers are thrown into the heat of the fire. Burn or get burned. If you need romance to fill the pages, you won’t find that here. Instead, you’ll piece together the clues and look for impossible answers. I thought it was superbly done.
Andreas is a veteran police detective. He’s damn good at what he does and doesn’t hesitate to do whatever’s necessary to solve a case. If it means breaking a few rules, so be it. He doesn’t play fair and he doesn’t play nice. When he’s stuck with yet another partner, and a greenhorn to boot, he’s grumpier than ever. Color him surprised when he actually likes Darren. Their case rolls on and they pass the point of no return. Suddenly, Andreas finds himself in new territory. He needs backup. For once, he can’t do this alone. Will Darren put everything on the line to be the partner Andreas needs? Or save his own skin and career? Ohhh man! I love cops and we get ’em all; good cop, bad cop, a young cop and… a mature cop. I’m sure not gonna call Andreas old to his face!
What's to like: I enjoy a good police investigation and this one completely sucked me in. I was curious and anxious to see how it could possibly all play out. I was not disappointed. Both MC’s were captivating (yes, I enjoyed Andreas as much as Darren) but I also enjoyed the secondary cast. I especially loved Darren’s family. His relationship with his brother tugged on my heartstrings. I always find it commendable when everything pulls together in the end, and this story gets a hardy hand of applause.
What's to love: This collaboration was truly fantastic! I love me some L.A. Witt and Cari. Z. Put ’em together and you’ve got a marvelous concoction. They both bring their strengths to the table and it was a familiar yet fresh taste. The flow was smooth and engaging from the beginning. The characters clashed at first and then bang in a completely different manner. Yeah, total hotness. It was refreshing that it wasn’t all about them. Though I’m a huge sucker for a fiery romance, it’s a bit of a palate cleanser to have a story that doesn’t thrive from only a romantic connection. Andreas and Darren begin to trust each other. Attraction is always present but not a priority. They both know this is bigger than just the two of them. I was intrigued with their case as well as the possibility of them. It was highly entertaining.
Beware of: Age gap…a grumpy older cop with a sassy youthful partner rumble and tumble. And it’s…hot stuff. And as I mentioned earlier, the romance is fairly low-key but I’m eager for what’s to come. So happy to see this is a series!
This book is for: Mystery diehards will want to tackle this one. If you are a fan of either or both co-authors and like a mystery focused story, take a risk and get frisky with these two.
*4 stars*
Book UNfunk
Andreas is a veteran police detective. He’s damn good at what he does and doesn’t hesitate to do whatever’s necessary to solve a case. If it means breaking a few rules, so be it. He doesn’t play fair and he doesn’t play nice. When he’s stuck with yet another partner, and a greenhorn to boot, he’s grumpier than ever. Color him surprised when he actually likes Darren. Their case rolls on and they pass the point of no return. Suddenly, Andreas finds himself in new territory. He needs backup. For once, he can’t do this alone. Will Darren put everything on the line to be the partner Andreas needs? Or save his own skin and career? Ohhh man! I love cops and we get ’em all; good cop, bad cop, a young cop and… a mature cop. I’m sure not gonna call Andreas old to his face!
What's to like: I enjoy a good police investigation and this one completely sucked me in. I was curious and anxious to see how it could possibly all play out. I was not disappointed. Both MC’s were captivating (yes, I enjoyed Andreas as much as Darren) but I also enjoyed the secondary cast. I especially loved Darren’s family. His relationship with his brother tugged on my heartstrings. I always find it commendable when everything pulls together in the end, and this story gets a hardy hand of applause.
What's to love: This collaboration was truly fantastic! I love me some L.A. Witt and Cari. Z. Put ’em together and you’ve got a marvelous concoction. They both bring their strengths to the table and it was a familiar yet fresh taste. The flow was smooth and engaging from the beginning. The characters clashed at first and then bang in a completely different manner. Yeah, total hotness. It was refreshing that it wasn’t all about them. Though I’m a huge sucker for a fiery romance, it’s a bit of a palate cleanser to have a story that doesn’t thrive from only a romantic connection. Andreas and Darren begin to trust each other. Attraction is always present but not a priority. They both know this is bigger than just the two of them. I was intrigued with their case as well as the possibility of them. It was highly entertaining.
Beware of: Age gap…a grumpy older cop with a sassy youthful partner rumble and tumble. And it’s…hot stuff. And as I mentioned earlier, the romance is fairly low-key but I’m eager for what’s to come. So happy to see this is a series!
This book is for: Mystery diehards will want to tackle this one. If you are a fan of either or both co-authors and like a mystery focused story, take a risk and get frisky with these two.
*4 stars*
Book UNfunk
February 15, 2020
Reread 2/14/2020
It was great to revisit Darren and Andreas! Enjoyed it the second time as mush as I did the first!
*************
Absolutely wonderful book that ticked all my boxes. I love a story about bringing dirty cops to justice and romance blooming between partners at work, and with offbeat characters and many plot twists, and I was sold.
Andreas Ruffner is a vice detective who has a reputation for being difficult. He does not play well with others, and he knows it. He learned early on that you can't play by the rules if you want to survive and do your job well. That does not help earn him friends but enemies, that he has plenty. Nasty rumors spread around the precinct and IA is on his tail but he can't quit now when he is so close to putting away criminals for good. When a new partner is assigned to him AGAIN, he thinks he will run him off as easily as he did the others. What he does not expect is for this new minted detective to be smart, loyal, understanding and very good-looking. He knows that anything between them is impossible, so why is he imagining him naked?
Darren Corliss is a rookie detective. No matter what others say about him and how he got here, he deserves respect for all his hard work. But the glamour of being a detective is dashed quickly when the first order of the day is to lie and report against his own partner to the IA office. Darren is ready to prove himself, and work with Ruffner no matter how rude he is, but what he gets is a lesson in real detective work and a partner that is more than what meets the eye. Apart from trying to keep Andreas from suspension Darren also sees that despite his gruff demeanor Andreas is a reliable and caring person with slightly skewed work ethics that gets stuff done.
I loved how they interacted. The banter between them was well-written and had sarcasm, humor, tenderness, heat and everything in between. I genuinely liked both of them. Darren was like a breath of fresh air, and Andreas tugged at my heart strings. I loved the case, all the hoops they had to jump through and sometimes avoid, the evidence how spiteful cops could be to each other - it was absolutely fantastic, and I enjoyed it immensely! The characters both side and main were imperfect and came to life on the pages. I highly recommend it! Awesome book!
It was great to revisit Darren and Andreas! Enjoyed it the second time as mush as I did the first!
*************
Absolutely wonderful book that ticked all my boxes. I love a story about bringing dirty cops to justice and romance blooming between partners at work, and with offbeat characters and many plot twists, and I was sold.
Andreas Ruffner is a vice detective who has a reputation for being difficult. He does not play well with others, and he knows it. He learned early on that you can't play by the rules if you want to survive and do your job well. That does not help earn him friends but enemies, that he has plenty. Nasty rumors spread around the precinct and IA is on his tail but he can't quit now when he is so close to putting away criminals for good. When a new partner is assigned to him AGAIN, he thinks he will run him off as easily as he did the others. What he does not expect is for this new minted detective to be smart, loyal, understanding and very good-looking. He knows that anything between them is impossible, so why is he imagining him naked?
Darren Corliss is a rookie detective. No matter what others say about him and how he got here, he deserves respect for all his hard work. But the glamour of being a detective is dashed quickly when the first order of the day is to lie and report against his own partner to the IA office. Darren is ready to prove himself, and work with Ruffner no matter how rude he is, but what he gets is a lesson in real detective work and a partner that is more than what meets the eye. Apart from trying to keep Andreas from suspension Darren also sees that despite his gruff demeanor Andreas is a reliable and caring person with slightly skewed work ethics that gets stuff done.
I loved how they interacted. The banter between them was well-written and had sarcasm, humor, tenderness, heat and everything in between. I genuinely liked both of them. Darren was like a breath of fresh air, and Andreas tugged at my heart strings. I loved the case, all the hoops they had to jump through and sometimes avoid, the evidence how spiteful cops could be to each other - it was absolutely fantastic, and I enjoyed it immensely! The characters both side and main were imperfect and came to life on the pages. I highly recommend it! Awesome book!
October 23, 2017
⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*Nice, interesting beginning*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱
This book has quite some potential. However, I can't help but to compare each and every cop/agent book to Ty (specially him) and Zane from Cut & Run series... This is not good of course, because I haven't loved a character as much as I love Ty before, so no one comes close to him. Overall this book was interesting, a good start for a series, and I'm quite curious as to what's to come for ‘newly minted detective’ Darren Corliss (28) and ‘lone wolf detective’ Andreas Ruffner (how old?). To see what next big case they'll solve... Though it wasn't the best cop book I've read so far - ahem, Ty - it wasn't all that bad. On to the next one. Let's hope it's even better!
“I’m just trying to be realistic! Life’s not going to be boring, that’s all I’m saying.”
“Yeah.” The way he looked at me made me want to sit up, straddle his lap, and pin him to the headboard, which was another pipe dream for the time being. He leaned over and kissed me, warm and tender. Those weren’t words I’d have imagined applying to Andreas a month ago, but we knew each other better now.
“It’s definitely not going to be boring.”
Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (Adult) Contemporary Romance (M/M)
Series: - Series, Book One.
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Favorite character? - Darren Corliss.
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Probably.
Would I recommend this book/series? - Yes.
Will I read this again in the future? - Probably not.
Rating - 3 stars.
November 26, 2022
4.25**** stars
Great start to the series. This first book was more character focused than on the mystery even though it was a gripping one. So it’s more about where Detective Andreas Ruffner and rookie Detective Darren Corliss are coming from, their new partnership, mutual earned trust and their beginning attraction. -- I really liked it and I can’t wait to see more of them.
I wasn’t a fan of narrator Michael Ferraiuolo so far but I’m very glad I chose the audiobook for this. He did a fantastic job.
****************
Bad Behavior Series:
Book 1 - Risky Behavior - 4.25 stars
Book 2 - Suspicious Behavior - audio tbr
Book 3 - Reckless Behavior
Book 4 - Romantic Behavior - HEA short
Book 5 - Protective Behavior - (extra romance for another beloved character)
Book 6 - Cuddly Behavior - another HEA short
Great start to the series. This first book was more character focused than on the mystery even though it was a gripping one. So it’s more about where Detective Andreas Ruffner and rookie Detective Darren Corliss are coming from, their new partnership, mutual earned trust and their beginning attraction. -- I really liked it and I can’t wait to see more of them.
I wasn’t a fan of narrator Michael Ferraiuolo so far but I’m very glad I chose the audiobook for this. He did a fantastic job.
****************
Bad Behavior Series:
Book 1 - Risky Behavior - 4.25 stars
Book 2 - Suspicious Behavior - audio tbr
Book 3 - Reckless Behavior
Book 4 - Romantic Behavior - HEA short
Book 5 - Protective Behavior - (extra romance for another beloved character)
Book 6 - Cuddly Behavior - another HEA short
December 2, 2018
Gotta admit, I love crime MMs. There's just something about hot detectives going against the bad guys and then writhing out their frustrations on each other. LA Witt checked all the boxes with Risky Behavior. Hot, growly detective. Sweet-faced "rookie." Yeah, you know what I'm talkin' about. However, unlike many in this genre, this book was more than just random plot to fill in between the hot sex. The mystery was gritty and intriguing. Three characters were well-drawn and interesting. Witt even managed to surprise me a couple times.
I gave this book 5 stars. Can't wait to read the next in the series. I hope she gets it finished quick.
You definitely must read this series in order.
I gave this book 5 stars. Can't wait to read the next in the series. I hope she gets it finished quick.
You definitely must read this series in order.
Read
March 1, 2017DNF'd at 35%. WAY too much police procedure and time spent on the case, and not enough character and relationship development. And I really wasn't warming up to the MCs.
November 14, 2022
I really enjoyed this! Definitely different to the usual crime book plot where it’s just two guys taking on a case (which bores me a bit so I loved this), plus there was a lot of focus on the characters which I feel is missed a lot in crime books when the case/mystery ends up taking over, but that didn’t happen here. I’m really looking to the next one and seeing how the relationship develops and the aftermath of this books ending.
May 8, 2017
4.5 stars rounded up to 5 because still no 1/2 stars here on GR and this one was closer to 5 than 4.5 so rounding down seemed wrong.
Start with a little murder, add some mayhem & mystery and stir in some heat...
it'll all make for some 'Risky Behavior and one hella' good read.
Andreas is a cop, a police detective...he just doesn't always play by the rules because sometimes the rules just get in the way of a good man doing his job. Andreas also works alone, he can't afford to trust a partner. Unfortunately we don't always get to decide those things. When Andreas boss decides he needs a partner someone to watch his back. Andreas is determined to see how quick he can get rid of him.
Darren's work hard to get his detective's shield and he's determined to do his job and do it well and if that means getting along with a partner who's got a rep and not a good one...well than that was just what would need to happen.
The plot for this story had so many smaller pieces scattered throughout but each piece came together to connect the bigger story. I loved reading this and gathering each of those pieces and putting them together to form the larger picture, just like a jigsaw puzzle.
While the romance is more of a secondary factor in this story that doesn't mean it's not hot and important...really, really hot and a strong part of the overall story.
'Risky Behavior' is a police procedural story with a strong romance unfolding in the background and this story was beyond awesome for me. I love mysteries/procedurals they're like the best kind of candy all tasty and yummy and good to the very last bite add in some well done romance and things become deliciously good...good enough to make me want more.
********************
An ARC of "Risky Behavior" was graciously provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Start with a little murder, add some mayhem & mystery and stir in some heat...
it'll all make for some 'Risky Behavior and one hella' good read.
Andreas is a cop, a police detective...he just doesn't always play by the rules because sometimes the rules just get in the way of a good man doing his job. Andreas also works alone, he can't afford to trust a partner. Unfortunately we don't always get to decide those things. When Andreas boss decides he needs a partner someone to watch his back. Andreas is determined to see how quick he can get rid of him.
Darren's work hard to get his detective's shield and he's determined to do his job and do it well and if that means getting along with a partner who's got a rep and not a good one...well than that was just what would need to happen.
The plot for this story had so many smaller pieces scattered throughout but each piece came together to connect the bigger story. I loved reading this and gathering each of those pieces and putting them together to form the larger picture, just like a jigsaw puzzle.
While the romance is more of a secondary factor in this story that doesn't mean it's not hot and important...really, really hot and a strong part of the overall story.
'Risky Behavior' is a police procedural story with a strong romance unfolding in the background and this story was beyond awesome for me. I love mysteries/procedurals they're like the best kind of candy all tasty and yummy and good to the very last bite add in some well done romance and things become deliciously good...good enough to make me want more.
********************
An ARC of "Risky Behavior" was graciously provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 11, 2022
[4.5] when there’s corruption around every corner, who can you trust? 🤨
veteran detective Andreas is forcibly paired up with rookie Darren, who internal affairs not-so-subtly assigned to keep tabs on him. he tries to shake Darren off at every turn, but when circumstances turn dire, they have no choice but to team up to race against the ticking of the clock.
the little experience i've had with L.A. Witt has shown me how she treats tough topics with respect and sensitivity, as with a particular stigmatized health status here. not to mention the whole situation with Darren's brother broke my heart into small jagged pieces that continued to pierce my insides even after gobbling this bad boy up 😭 the specifics are best revealed in context so sealing my lips before i let on more than planned.
keep in mind: the romance holds more of a secondary role to the police procedural focus of the story. i like my mysteries so this wasn't a nuisance, but i know this won't be for everyone. in terms of the pacing of their relationship, while i had hoped for more of a slow burn, what i saw of their dynamic so far was enough to erase the major niggles from my mind.
the case is fairly straightforward but also held my attention from beginning to end. i highly recommend everyone gives this series a chance!
veteran detective Andreas is forcibly paired up with rookie Darren, who internal affairs not-so-subtly assigned to keep tabs on him. he tries to shake Darren off at every turn, but when circumstances turn dire, they have no choice but to team up to race against the ticking of the clock.
the little experience i've had with L.A. Witt has shown me how she treats tough topics with respect and sensitivity, as with a particular stigmatized health status here. not to mention the whole situation with Darren's brother broke my heart into small jagged pieces that continued to pierce my insides even after gobbling this bad boy up 😭 the specifics are best revealed in context so sealing my lips before i let on more than planned.
keep in mind: the romance holds more of a secondary role to the police procedural focus of the story. i like my mysteries so this wasn't a nuisance, but i know this won't be for everyone. in terms of the pacing of their relationship, while i had hoped for more of a slow burn, what i saw of their dynamic so far was enough to erase the major niggles from my mind.
the case is fairly straightforward but also held my attention from beginning to end. i highly recommend everyone gives this series a chance!
"If this hadn't been a factor, would you have walked away last night?"
Not a chance. And neither of us would be walking at all today.
"No."
"Well, then..." A weird smile played at his lips, and when he leaned over me, he murmured, "You'll have to try harder than that to get rid of me."
And then he kissed me.
May 4, 2017
Tag team review with Cupcake!
For the first half of the book, I wasn’t really feeling it. But once the story picked up, I ended up quite liking ‘Risky Behavior.’
Darren Corliss is the typical boy next door - he plays by the rules, and tries not to rock the boat. It takes a while to get a read on him, but it’s obvious from the beginning that he’s got heart.
Andreas Ruffner is Darren’s complete opposite. He’s bombastic and delights in ruffling feathers. I wasn’t a fan of his unorthodox ways, but I can’t deny that the bad boy image does things for me.
The two very different men clash from the beginning. But the physical attraction between them is almost immediate. It’s an opposites-attract situation, with an undertone of enemies-to-lovers.
However, the romance takes the backseat for most of the book. This book is, first and foremost, a crime mystery. For the first half, there’s a lot of police procedural and background info.
The gist of the mystery is that Andreas suspects that some of the city’s highest officials are involved in a crime syndicate. Given the nature of his investigation, he’s wary of Darren. Those good looks could be hiding something sinister!
As the investigation heats up, Darren proves himself reliable, and Andreas slowly begins trusting him. Their relationship develops parallel to the mystery - as the stakes get more dangerous, Darren and Andreas find themselves falling for each other.
This isn’t a particularly steamy book. But the bit of sexytime that’s there is definitely hot. All of that UST was put to good use!
The crime mystery was fairly interesting. It wasn’t exactly unique material, but it kept me entertained.
The ending is a solid HFN. If I didn’t know there were sequels, I wouldn’t worry about Andreas and Darren making it in the long run. As it is, I’m looking forward to seeing where these two go next.
If you don’t mind your MM being more focused on the plot than on the romance, give ‘Risky Behavior’ a try.
For the first half of the book, I wasn’t really feeling it. But once the story picked up, I ended up quite liking ‘Risky Behavior.’
Darren Corliss is the typical boy next door - he plays by the rules, and tries not to rock the boat. It takes a while to get a read on him, but it’s obvious from the beginning that he’s got heart.
Andreas Ruffner is Darren’s complete opposite. He’s bombastic and delights in ruffling feathers. I wasn’t a fan of his unorthodox ways, but I can’t deny that the bad boy image does things for me.
The two very different men clash from the beginning. But the physical attraction between them is almost immediate. It’s an opposites-attract situation, with an undertone of enemies-to-lovers.
However, the romance takes the backseat for most of the book. This book is, first and foremost, a crime mystery. For the first half, there’s a lot of police procedural and background info.
The gist of the mystery is that Andreas suspects that some of the city’s highest officials are involved in a crime syndicate. Given the nature of his investigation, he’s wary of Darren. Those good looks could be hiding something sinister!
As the investigation heats up, Darren proves himself reliable, and Andreas slowly begins trusting him. Their relationship develops parallel to the mystery - as the stakes get more dangerous, Darren and Andreas find themselves falling for each other.
This isn’t a particularly steamy book. But the bit of sexytime that’s there is definitely hot. All of that UST was put to good use!
The crime mystery was fairly interesting. It wasn’t exactly unique material, but it kept me entertained.
The ending is a solid HFN. If I didn’t know there were sequels, I wouldn’t worry about Andreas and Darren making it in the long run. As it is, I’m looking forward to seeing where these two go next.
If you don’t mind your MM being more focused on the plot than on the romance, give ‘Risky Behavior’ a try.
December 11, 2018
Audio - Michael Ferraiuolo is a 5 star narrator but the audio gets 4 stars because the story is in first person narrative with dual pov. I need two narrators.
Story 4 stars. Okay, so Andreas and Darren's relationship development didn't fall in the OTT category, but still I would have liked the tension between them to have lasted a bit longer.
Story 4 stars. Okay, so Andreas and Darren's relationship development didn't fall in the OTT category, but still I would have liked the tension between them to have lasted a bit longer.
June 9, 2018
4.5 Stars!
RTC
RTC
May 20, 2017
4.25 stars
FINALLY!! After a string of mediocre reading experience, or books that I couldn't completely loved, Risky Behavior came to the rescue. I was gambling a little bit with this, mainly because L.A. Witt is a hit-or-miss author for me, even if I generally love Cari Z's works. So I don't know how this partnership will be.
In addition I am also always a bit weary with mystery-suspense-police procedural romance. When it comes to mystery romance, I actually put the emphasis on MYSTERY rather than the romance. Mystery is my first love, and it always pisses me off when the romance taken over, when the MCs cannot keep it in their pants during the course of investigation.
Well, not here though. This is a GREAT police procedural/mystery read!! Sure the bad guys are pretty much introduced since the beginning. Andreas -- after being able to trust his new babysitter partner Darren -- shares who the key players are. But the PROCESS of getting there is definitely what I loved about it. They talk to suspects. They talk about what steps to do next when they hit the wall. Darren can even find a 'fresh' idea to bring on the table, an angle that Andreas haven't pursued before. It was AWESOME for me.
Because of that, the romance become a believable PROCESS too. Andreas and Darren don't immediately burn the sheet when they first meet. The change from distrust to partnership doesn't feel instant. Not exactly slow burn but definitely not instant-love either.
Andreas' adds extra layer of his characters, not just the usual grumpy jackass senior detective (his bisexuality and the fact that he has four kids with the older one closer to Darren's age is also a bonus for me). While Darren is also not just another clean rookie that wants to impress his partner and his captain, despite the puppy-eyes feature he has *laugh*. He has spine -- and also that information about his older brother, rounds up Darren's character.
I LOVED Andreas and Darren as individual character but I also loved them as couple/partner.
Interestingly I could tell since the beginning which author wrote which character... and I thought L.A. Witt and Cari Z were able to seamlessly write the alternate chapters, sticking to their own characters traits but still able to retain the other's as well.
The only reason why I didn't give this higher is that I was still a bit uncomfortable with the idea that Andreas . Also the ending felt too rushed, even if I know that there will be sequels in the future.
Needless to say that I CAN'T WAIT for book #2. I hope that it will not suffer the sequel syndrome somehow *cross fingers*.
FINALLY!! After a string of mediocre reading experience, or books that I couldn't completely loved, Risky Behavior came to the rescue. I was gambling a little bit with this, mainly because L.A. Witt is a hit-or-miss author for me, even if I generally love Cari Z's works. So I don't know how this partnership will be.
In addition I am also always a bit weary with mystery-suspense-police procedural romance. When it comes to mystery romance, I actually put the emphasis on MYSTERY rather than the romance. Mystery is my first love, and it always pisses me off when the romance taken over, when the MCs cannot keep it in their pants during the course of investigation.
Well, not here though. This is a GREAT police procedural/mystery read!! Sure the bad guys are pretty much introduced since the beginning. Andreas -- after being able to trust his new babysitter partner Darren -- shares who the key players are. But the PROCESS of getting there is definitely what I loved about it. They talk to suspects. They talk about what steps to do next when they hit the wall. Darren can even find a 'fresh' idea to bring on the table, an angle that Andreas haven't pursued before. It was AWESOME for me.
Because of that, the romance become a believable PROCESS too. Andreas and Darren don't immediately burn the sheet when they first meet. The change from distrust to partnership doesn't feel instant. Not exactly slow burn but definitely not instant-love either.
Andreas' adds extra layer of his characters, not just the usual grumpy jackass senior detective (his bisexuality and the fact that he has four kids with the older one closer to Darren's age is also a bonus for me). While Darren is also not just another clean rookie that wants to impress his partner and his captain, despite the puppy-eyes feature he has *laugh*. He has spine -- and also that information about his older brother, rounds up Darren's character.
I LOVED Andreas and Darren as individual character but I also loved them as couple/partner.
Interestingly I could tell since the beginning which author wrote which character... and I thought L.A. Witt and Cari Z were able to seamlessly write the alternate chapters, sticking to their own characters traits but still able to retain the other's as well.
The only reason why I didn't give this higher is that I was still a bit uncomfortable with the idea that Andreas . Also the ending felt too rushed, even if I know that there will be sequels in the future.
Needless to say that I CAN'T WAIT for book #2. I hope that it will not suffer the sequel syndrome somehow *cross fingers*.
May 4, 2017
I really, really,
really
liked this book - the MCs, the action, the plot development. The case Ruffner and Corliss work in book #1 has real teeth and depth. This is first rate (co) writing. It's totally seamless. Thoroughly entertaining.
... and I sort of felt like I was working less with a detective, and more with an undercover superhero or something. The dark, gritty, complete asshole kind of superhero.
I started out unsure how I felt about both characters but within a few chapters they clicked and had me on their individual and collective side - professionally and personally. Their work-related relationship developed really well, it kept building and building, and while there were some testing moments (shit also got real) they're in it for the long haul. Their personal relationship is fresh, the burn is slow, but it has so much depth - it's at that stage between limerence and love.
I had this sitting on my Kindle for a bit. I kind of psyched myself out of reading it until a couple of days ago. I'd started telling myself it would be all humping and no substance, which is a bit silly because I know both of these authors are good at their craft. It has been a while between books for me in the case of L A Witt but I used to always enjoy her writing, and so far I've found Cari Z to be diverse and interesting. Bottom line, there's terrific detective substance and a nice burn in the developing romance. If they'd ripped straight into romance then I know this series would bore me very quickly.
I'm beyond happy to have gay storylines (Ruffner is technically bi but there's no sex with women) that give me believable depth to a relationship, including well paced sex with real chemistry, along with a well written, gripping main arc, and secondary threads with depth. So the sex is hot, it sure is, but it's not sex at the expense of strong storytelling and plot. There's a good ending, I thought there might be a cliff hanger but that's definitely not the case. Seems there's more to come with these guys and I'm hooked. More please.
Non-spoiler blog review -
http://ontopdownunderbookreviews.com/...
... and I sort of felt like I was working less with a detective, and more with an undercover superhero or something. The dark, gritty, complete asshole kind of superhero.
I started out unsure how I felt about both characters but within a few chapters they clicked and had me on their individual and collective side - professionally and personally. Their work-related relationship developed really well, it kept building and building, and while there were some testing moments (shit also got real) they're in it for the long haul. Their personal relationship is fresh, the burn is slow, but it has so much depth - it's at that stage between limerence and love.
I had this sitting on my Kindle for a bit. I kind of psyched myself out of reading it until a couple of days ago. I'd started telling myself it would be all humping and no substance, which is a bit silly because I know both of these authors are good at their craft. It has been a while between books for me in the case of L A Witt but I used to always enjoy her writing, and so far I've found Cari Z to be diverse and interesting. Bottom line, there's terrific detective substance and a nice burn in the developing romance. If they'd ripped straight into romance then I know this series would bore me very quickly.
I'm beyond happy to have gay storylines (Ruffner is technically bi but there's no sex with women) that give me believable depth to a relationship, including well paced sex with real chemistry, along with a well written, gripping main arc, and secondary threads with depth. So the sex is hot, it sure is, but it's not sex at the expense of strong storytelling and plot. There's a good ending, I thought there might be a cliff hanger but that's definitely not the case. Seems there's more to come with these guys and I'm hooked. More please.
Non-spoiler blog review -
http://ontopdownunderbookreviews.com/...
December 30, 2019
"Risky Behavior" is a crime procedural with a M/M romance element. Newly-minted Detective Darren Corliss is partnered with Detective Andreas Ruffner, widely believed to be a dirty cop with a drug problem, and IA is leaning on Darren to report any suspicions to them. Not exactly the best way to start a new partnership with someone who should have your back ...
But eventually Darren earns Ruffner's trust and what he learns makes him rethink everything he's been told about Ruffner - both professionally and personally. The investigation and its twists and turns held my interest throughout, and the conclusion is suspenseful and unexpected. And while the romance element definitely takes a backseat to the police drama, I like how Darren and Andreas start to trust one another with their secrets and tentatively begin a pretty steamy sexual connection.
I'm giving "Risky Behavior" 4 stars and am looking forward to the next book in the Bad Behavior series to see how their relationship develops.
I received an ARC from Riptide Publishing, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Visit my new blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
But eventually Darren earns Ruffner's trust and what he learns makes him rethink everything he's been told about Ruffner - both professionally and personally. The investigation and its twists and turns held my interest throughout, and the conclusion is suspenseful and unexpected. And while the romance element definitely takes a backseat to the police drama, I like how Darren and Andreas start to trust one another with their secrets and tentatively begin a pretty steamy sexual connection.
I'm giving "Risky Behavior" 4 stars and am looking forward to the next book in the Bad Behavior series to see how their relationship develops.
I received an ARC from Riptide Publishing, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Visit my new blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
July 22, 2024
I stopped reading L.A. Witt years ago because she tends to write the same character over and over again: bisexual, divorced (from a woman) man in his 40s with older children. And indeed, that describes Andreas to a T, except he also has a 4-year-old with another ex.
While I appreciated the well-rounded MCs and their power dynamic, I didn't enjoy the mystery/suspense plot. It was too broad and political for my tastes.
The reader is thrown into the middle of something big (drugs, mafia, murder, dirty cops and judges - it's a whole thing) that Andreas has been investigating for years. By the time the story ramped up around 70%, I was waning and ready to call it quits.
I get why people liked this book/series, but it's not for me.
While I appreciated the well-rounded MCs and their power dynamic, I didn't enjoy the mystery/suspense plot. It was too broad and political for my tastes.
The reader is thrown into the middle of something big (drugs, mafia, murder, dirty cops and judges - it's a whole thing) that Andreas has been investigating for years. By the time the story ramped up around 70%, I was waning and ready to call it quits.
I get why people liked this book/series, but it's not for me.
March 1, 2018
4 STARS!!
Gah! I seriously considered giving this one a big fat 5 stars, because the writing was amazing, the characters were deep, and the romance was swoon-worthy. Too bad SO much of the plot was taken up by the case these two detectives were working on. Not that the case wasn't interesting, it just wasn't what I wanted to read about.
But holy crap, these two main characters were AMAZING. Veteran detective Andreas Ruffner is much more concerned with getting results than following procedures...or making friends with his colleagues.
Darren Corliss is the newly minted detective who's been assigned as Andreas's partner. He resents his superiors' demands that he basically spy on Andreas, who's already under investigation by Internal Affairs.
Their partnership gets off to a rocky start. Darren balks at Andreas's personality.
I'm not exaggerating when I say that the writing was excellent, especially the dialogue. Not only was the banter clever and engaging between the MC's, but all the characters' personalities were allowed to shine through their spoken words. To me, that's writing gold.
And the way the authors revealed these two men - their hopes, fears, vulnerabilities - piece by piece, layer by layer was outstanding. I loved the transition from this...
Of course this is only book one, so there's more to come for Darren and Andreas. YAY! Maybe I'll get my romance fix with these two after all. Now if only I could afford to read the sequels, lol.
Gah! I seriously considered giving this one a big fat 5 stars, because the writing was amazing, the characters were deep, and the romance was swoon-worthy. Too bad SO much of the plot was taken up by the case these two detectives were working on. Not that the case wasn't interesting, it just wasn't what I wanted to read about.
But holy crap, these two main characters were AMAZING. Veteran detective Andreas Ruffner is much more concerned with getting results than following procedures...or making friends with his colleagues.
Darren Corliss is the newly minted detective who's been assigned as Andreas's partner. He resents his superiors' demands that he basically spy on Andreas, who's already under investigation by Internal Affairs.
Their partnership gets off to a rocky start. Darren balks at Andreas's personality.
I sort of felt like I was working less with a detective, and more with an undercover superhero or something. The dark, gritty, complete asshole kind of superhero.And Andreas isn't interested in being babysat by anyone, let alone someone like this:
I was a list person - and yeah, I could just imagine what my new partner would say when he realized I had a bullet point fetish.But soon these two start to trust each other and even more surprisingly, the sparks begin to fly.
I'm not exaggerating when I say that the writing was excellent, especially the dialogue. Not only was the banter clever and engaging between the MC's, but all the characters' personalities were allowed to shine through their spoken words. To me, that's writing gold.
And the way the authors revealed these two men - their hopes, fears, vulnerabilities - piece by piece, layer by layer was outstanding. I loved the transition from this...
Cocky son of a bitch like that would look amazing on his knees....to moments of sweet intimacy that left my romantic heart giddy with happiness. I just wish there had been more moments to savor.
Of course this is only book one, so there's more to come for Darren and Andreas. YAY! Maybe I'll get my romance fix with these two after all. Now if only I could afford to read the sequels, lol.
June 16, 2017
3.5 rounded up to 4
Good police procedural, enemies to lovers book. The romance took a back seat to the crime, but it was there with an HFN for the two MCs. There's a bit of insta-relationship once the trust issues between the veteran and rookie detectives get resolved. This was not a heavy crime book, nor especially deep in regards to plot or characters, but it sufficiently held my interest to read it in one sitting.
I'm looking forward to the next book and seeing if the authors laid out any good plot devices in this one that will carry over through the series.
Good police procedural, enemies to lovers book. The romance took a back seat to the crime, but it was there with an HFN for the two MCs. There's a bit of insta-relationship once the trust issues between the veteran and rookie detectives get resolved. This was not a heavy crime book, nor especially deep in regards to plot or characters, but it sufficiently held my interest to read it in one sitting.
I'm looking forward to the next book and seeing if the authors laid out any good plot devices in this one that will carry over through the series.
July 30, 2024
Great police procedural plus the beginning of a promising relationship with two really interesting characters, one more on the grumpy side and the other the charming one.
I loved the chemistry between Andreas and Darren!!
Looking forward to listening to the next one!
4.5 stars
I loved the chemistry between Andreas and Darren!!
Looking forward to listening to the next one!
4.5 stars
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February 9, 2017Available May 2017.
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