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Criminal Intentions #1
The Cardigans
When a string of young queer men turn up dead in grisly murders, all signs point to the ex-boyfriend--but what should be an open-and-shut case is fraught with tension when BPD homicide detective Malcolm Khalaji joins up with a partner he never wanted. Rigid, ice-cold, and a stickler for the rules, Seong-Jae Yoon is a watchful presence whose obstinacy and unpredictability constantly remind Malcolm why he prefers to work alone. Seong-Jae may be stunningly attractive, a man who moves like a graceful, lethal bird of prey . . . but he's as impossible to decipher as this case. And if Malcolm doesn't find the key to unravel both in time, another vulnerable young victim may end up dead. Contains mature themes.
212 pages, ebook
First published July 10, 2018
338 people are currently reading
6163 people want to read
About the author
Cole McCade
63 books1,523 followersSlender. Angry. (Part) Asian.
Yeah, that about sums me up.
Hi. I’m Cole. Xen. Whatever you want to call me; both are true, and both are lies. My pen names are multitudes, my nicknames legion. Tall, bi/queer, introverted author of a brown-ish persuasion made up of various flavors of Black, Asian, and Native American. I’m cuter than Hello Kitty, more bitter than the blackest coffee, and able to trip over cats in a single half-asleep lurch; I’m what happens when a Broody Antihero and a Manic Pixie Dream Boy fight to the death, and someone builds a person from the scraps left behind. Beardless, I look like the uke in every yaoi manga in existence; bearded or not, I sound like Barry White. About half my time is spent as a corporate writer, and the other half riding a train of WTFery that sometimes results in a finished book. Romance, erotica, sci-fi, horror, paranormal; LGBTQIA and cishet; diverse settings and diverse characters from a diverse author.
Sometimes I shout about things on the internet. Usually intersectional feminism and marginalized voices, and whomever’s punching down in those directions today. Sometimes human sociology, the psychology of sex and gender, and my own gender non-conforming arse (he/him, by the way). Sometimes I get really mad at Stephen Hawking and nerd out all over the place about hairy black holes, and believe it or not, that’s not a terrible pun or even worse innuendo.
That’s it. I’m a huge dork. My humor’s so dry it could empty oceans. I’m a native Southerner from the New Orleans area with zero Southern accent; I’m a mess of multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-lingual influences; I have two cats. I wake up at daft hours of the morning to go running. I crochet terrible, lumpy things that never really turn into anything. I’m older than you think I look. I’m much more shy than my fury makes me sound (signifying gods only know what, but probably nothing). Recently I decided, at 36, that I needed to restart my life and move cross-country, so I tossed 75% of my possessions in the trash and randomly trucked it to Seattle. I’m in love with books and music and technology, and they war with each other for dominance and sometimes come together in a beautiful confluence. Most of the physical books I own are strange, obscure, out of print, overseas imports, or any combination of the four. Most of the physical books I used to own were destroyed in Hurricane Katrina, and have been replaced with the infinite library on my Nook. My wallet has a dangerous attraction to anything with pages; it flirts and teases and gives its all, until there’s nothing left but emptiness and ruin.
There will always be things you don’t know, and I won’t tell.
But ask me late at night over live music in a seedy bar, and you might just get an honest answer.
...or you can poke me via:
* Email: blackmagic@blackmagicblues.com
* Twitter: @thisblackmagic
* Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/xen.cole
* Website & Blog: http://www.blackmagicblues.com
* Tumblr: http://thisblackmagic.tumblr.com/
And there's my Xen Sanders SFF / Horror profile:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Yeah, that about sums me up.
Hi. I’m Cole. Xen. Whatever you want to call me; both are true, and both are lies. My pen names are multitudes, my nicknames legion. Tall, bi/queer, introverted author of a brown-ish persuasion made up of various flavors of Black, Asian, and Native American. I’m cuter than Hello Kitty, more bitter than the blackest coffee, and able to trip over cats in a single half-asleep lurch; I’m what happens when a Broody Antihero and a Manic Pixie Dream Boy fight to the death, and someone builds a person from the scraps left behind. Beardless, I look like the uke in every yaoi manga in existence; bearded or not, I sound like Barry White. About half my time is spent as a corporate writer, and the other half riding a train of WTFery that sometimes results in a finished book. Romance, erotica, sci-fi, horror, paranormal; LGBTQIA and cishet; diverse settings and diverse characters from a diverse author.
Sometimes I shout about things on the internet. Usually intersectional feminism and marginalized voices, and whomever’s punching down in those directions today. Sometimes human sociology, the psychology of sex and gender, and my own gender non-conforming arse (he/him, by the way). Sometimes I get really mad at Stephen Hawking and nerd out all over the place about hairy black holes, and believe it or not, that’s not a terrible pun or even worse innuendo.
That’s it. I’m a huge dork. My humor’s so dry it could empty oceans. I’m a native Southerner from the New Orleans area with zero Southern accent; I’m a mess of multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-lingual influences; I have two cats. I wake up at daft hours of the morning to go running. I crochet terrible, lumpy things that never really turn into anything. I’m older than you think I look. I’m much more shy than my fury makes me sound (signifying gods only know what, but probably nothing). Recently I decided, at 36, that I needed to restart my life and move cross-country, so I tossed 75% of my possessions in the trash and randomly trucked it to Seattle. I’m in love with books and music and technology, and they war with each other for dominance and sometimes come together in a beautiful confluence. Most of the physical books I own are strange, obscure, out of print, overseas imports, or any combination of the four. Most of the physical books I used to own were destroyed in Hurricane Katrina, and have been replaced with the infinite library on my Nook. My wallet has a dangerous attraction to anything with pages; it flirts and teases and gives its all, until there’s nothing left but emptiness and ruin.
There will always be things you don’t know, and I won’t tell.
But ask me late at night over live music in a seedy bar, and you might just get an honest answer.
...or you can poke me via:
* Email: blackmagic@blackmagicblues.com
* Twitter: @thisblackmagic
* Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/xen.cole
* Website & Blog: http://www.blackmagicblues.com
* Tumblr: http://thisblackmagic.tumblr.com/
And there's my Xen Sanders SFF / Horror profile:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 891 reviews
November 24, 2021
Re-read - Nov 2021
Loved it even more. My inspo for rereading!
***********************************************
4.5 shiny crime stars
Found my new favorite police procedural series.
Na, na, na, na, na....
No more ranting!
Me! When i get disappointed by a book!
Proceeds to write a rant essay that is longer that the book!
Me! when i love a book: Ummm! Ummm!
- Love it! Really Loved it!
- The writing was good.
- The case engaging.
- The characters are so lovable.
Khalaji baby... We STAN you.
Book 2 i am coming for you!
Thank you so much lovely Shin for this gift and for kick-starting my latest addiction.
Loved it even more. My inspo for rereading!
***********************************************
4.5 shiny crime stars
Found my new favorite police procedural series.
Na, na, na, na, na....
No more ranting!
Me! When i get disappointed by a book!
Proceeds to write a rant essay that is longer that the book!
Me! when i love a book: Ummm! Ummm!
- Love it! Really Loved it!
- The writing was good.
- The case engaging.
- The characters are so lovable.
Khalaji baby... We STAN you.
Book 2 i am coming for you!
Thank you so much lovely Shin for this gift and for kick-starting my latest addiction.
![Profile Image for len ❀ [ia bc of school].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1753226014i%2F51318038._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
July 13, 2022
i’m rating this 3 stars because the suspense was not thrilling enough for me and it just made me feel meh about it BUT i will say a couple things:
for starters, the writing of this is flawless. god tier. so fucking good. the author has a magical way of words without making the writing actually magical. it’s entertaining in every possible way and there’s so much description in everything and everyone that it’s so easy to imagine everything. my english vocabulary is too dense to come up with beautiful words to describe the writing of this book, but here's an example:
Malcolm, for a moment, let himself just look at Seong-Jae. If he let himself admit it, Seong-Jae was a thing of beauty: the stark planes of his face arranged so strikingly that every glance arrested attention, the sharp angles guiding every look to that wild strawberry bruise of a mouth, to starless nights of angled, slyly tapered eyes that gleamed with the same blue-black crow’s-feather sheen as the fall of wild black hair across a pale golden brow. His tall, leonine body was just as angular, a poetry of geometry, every cut of muscle a component of feline architecture, all precise edges—yet he moved as water flowed. He was grace cut with diamond edges, lethal and elegant.
how does one come up with a fine description like that??
i've read a few books with very whimsical and lyrical writing, and sometimes it works while other times it doesn't. this, though, worked in every possible way for me. i didn't find it to be too dramatic or over the top. just, wonderful.
the plot is definitely fast paced, and it's best to go into it blind. all you should know is that malcom khalaji and seong jae yoon are paired up to investigate the cause and murder of a queer guy that point to his ex-boyfriend. with the suspense and romance combined together, you get excited to continue reading not only about the two individuals - seong jae and malcolm - but about the case they’re trying to solve. not to mention how there’s talk about their queer identity and how connected they feel to other queer individuals. it’s sad and beautiful at the same time.
the characters are easy to love. there's a hint of mystery in both, but mostly seong jae, and i'm really excited to learn more about both of them in the rest of the books. while we know a little about malcolm - such as how he was in the military and has a history in afghanistan - there is also something about him that we still don't know about. it's connected to his identity in one way, and it's something that makes him appear softer than he is. on the other hand, seong jae has a history with the lapd that we don't know much about and don't find out about in this book either. towards the end, there was also a hint to something about his past that makes him queasy. his personal life is something he keeps close to him, and i know the time will come where he will open up to malcolm, but for now, he's the reserved type. as opposed to malcolm, he's more cold and quiet, while malcom is much more approachable and easy going. the two are direct opposites, which makes this all the more entertaining, exciting and . . . delicious? that kiss in the end? yeah, the tension between the two is unexplored and the relationship will develop slowly (as i've heard, it's the slowest of slow burns), which i give props to the author because i love suffering and yearning for just one. more. touch. give me all the accidental shoulder brushes, the shameful lustful glares, the fingers touching that makes their blood spark and heat, and we're settled.
now, as for the thrilling aspect . . . i hardly read suspense/thrillers, so this was pretty new to me. however, i will say that it didn’t make me feel shocked, surprised or…any emotion? with thrillers, i expect to feel some sort of shocking emotion like “holy shit!” or “it was them?!” or something remotely close because it makes me think back to how i couldn’t figure it out on my own. while there are a couple gory scenes here and there, in my opinion, it wasn’t anything mind blowing and not at all what i expected. when we find out who did it, i was quite let down. it faltered my enjoyment (hence the 3 stars), but this isn’t something that will affect everyone.
according to my kindle and the kindle app, the book stopped at 192 pages, although goodreads says it's 242. yeah, it's not that long. i can see how and why this series is binge-worthy, and i'm excited to dive into the rest and see how the relationship between seong jae and malcolm develops but also how the cases they need to investigate and solve grow.
for starters, the writing of this is flawless. god tier. so fucking good. the author has a magical way of words without making the writing actually magical. it’s entertaining in every possible way and there’s so much description in everything and everyone that it’s so easy to imagine everything. my english vocabulary is too dense to come up with beautiful words to describe the writing of this book, but here's an example:
Malcolm, for a moment, let himself just look at Seong-Jae. If he let himself admit it, Seong-Jae was a thing of beauty: the stark planes of his face arranged so strikingly that every glance arrested attention, the sharp angles guiding every look to that wild strawberry bruise of a mouth, to starless nights of angled, slyly tapered eyes that gleamed with the same blue-black crow’s-feather sheen as the fall of wild black hair across a pale golden brow. His tall, leonine body was just as angular, a poetry of geometry, every cut of muscle a component of feline architecture, all precise edges—yet he moved as water flowed. He was grace cut with diamond edges, lethal and elegant.
how does one come up with a fine description like that??
i've read a few books with very whimsical and lyrical writing, and sometimes it works while other times it doesn't. this, though, worked in every possible way for me. i didn't find it to be too dramatic or over the top. just, wonderful.
the plot is definitely fast paced, and it's best to go into it blind. all you should know is that malcom khalaji and seong jae yoon are paired up to investigate the cause and murder of a queer guy that point to his ex-boyfriend. with the suspense and romance combined together, you get excited to continue reading not only about the two individuals - seong jae and malcolm - but about the case they’re trying to solve. not to mention how there’s talk about their queer identity and how connected they feel to other queer individuals. it’s sad and beautiful at the same time.
the characters are easy to love. there's a hint of mystery in both, but mostly seong jae, and i'm really excited to learn more about both of them in the rest of the books. while we know a little about malcolm - such as how he was in the military and has a history in afghanistan - there is also something about him that we still don't know about. it's connected to his identity in one way, and it's something that makes him appear softer than he is. on the other hand, seong jae has a history with the lapd that we don't know much about and don't find out about in this book either. towards the end, there was also a hint to something about his past that makes him queasy. his personal life is something he keeps close to him, and i know the time will come where he will open up to malcolm, but for now, he's the reserved type. as opposed to malcolm, he's more cold and quiet, while malcom is much more approachable and easy going. the two are direct opposites, which makes this all the more entertaining, exciting and . . . delicious? that kiss in the end? yeah, the tension between the two is unexplored and the relationship will develop slowly (as i've heard, it's the slowest of slow burns), which i give props to the author because i love suffering and yearning for just one. more. touch. give me all the accidental shoulder brushes, the shameful lustful glares, the fingers touching that makes their blood spark and heat, and we're settled.
now, as for the thrilling aspect . . . i hardly read suspense/thrillers, so this was pretty new to me. however, i will say that it didn’t make me feel shocked, surprised or…any emotion? with thrillers, i expect to feel some sort of shocking emotion like “holy shit!” or “it was them?!” or something remotely close because it makes me think back to how i couldn’t figure it out on my own. while there are a couple gory scenes here and there, in my opinion, it wasn’t anything mind blowing and not at all what i expected. when we find out who did it, i was quite let down. it faltered my enjoyment (hence the 3 stars), but this isn’t something that will affect everyone.
according to my kindle and the kindle app, the book stopped at 192 pages, although goodreads says it's 242. yeah, it's not that long. i can see how and why this series is binge-worthy, and i'm excited to dive into the rest and see how the relationship between seong jae and malcolm develops but also how the cases they need to investigate and solve grow.
July 3, 2025
IMA SAY THIS WITH MY WHOLE CHEST…. I WANT TO SNORT THIS BOOK UP MY NOSTRIL AND INTO MY BRAIN UNTIL I CAN THINK OF NOTHING ELSE.
2 QUEER OLDER, DARK & MYSTERIOUS MEN, TRYING TO OUT-DARK & OUT-MYSTERIOUS EACHOTHER HOLY FUCKKKKKK, R U KIDDING ME??????
I AM EATING GOOD TONIGHT 🍽️🐀
Backstories galore, men dedicated to their work, a sexy cop with a man bun, Yoon in a black turtle neck (this man will be the death of me in a slutty lil turtleneck number), gory fucked up murders.....
AND IT'S A SLOW BURN BABBYYYYYYYYYYYYY 🔥🔥🔥 Say lesssssssssssssssssssss.
I'M BEYOND FUCKING SAT RN.
The fact there is NO romance in book 1, and barely ANY vibes between them..... IS GOING TO MAKE THE PAY OFF ALL THE MORE WORTH IT. 🙏🙏🙏
I'm getting the vibe that they will be the KINGS OF THE PINKY TOUCH MOMENT AND I AM pre-foaming at the mouf, I am pre-gnawing at my cage, I am pre-emptively warming up my fingers to 5 star every damn book.
Khalaji and Yoon and THEY ARE ALL THAT MATTERS NOW 🖤
(This book has begun the healing of a seriously large Larkin & Doyle shaped hole in my soul, and I intend to SHOVE MYSELF LIKE A JALAPENO POPPER WITH KHLALAJI AND YOON)
"Malcolm thought Yoon would leave it alone... until that soft fluid voice lilted mockingly at his shoulder. 'Well, Khalaji? Am I handsome?'
'Don't be an ass' Malcolm said and followed Jeanine to the printer."
2 QUEER OLDER, DARK & MYSTERIOUS MEN, TRYING TO OUT-DARK & OUT-MYSTERIOUS EACHOTHER HOLY FUCKKKKKK, R U KIDDING ME??????
I AM EATING GOOD TONIGHT 🍽️🐀
Backstories galore, men dedicated to their work, a sexy cop with a man bun, Yoon in a black turtle neck (this man will be the death of me in a slutty lil turtleneck number), gory fucked up murders.....
AND IT'S A SLOW BURN BABBYYYYYYYYYYYYY 🔥🔥🔥 Say lesssssssssssssssssssss.
I'M BEYOND FUCKING SAT RN.
The fact there is NO romance in book 1, and barely ANY vibes between them..... IS GOING TO MAKE THE PAY OFF ALL THE MORE WORTH IT. 🙏🙏🙏
I'm getting the vibe that they will be the KINGS OF THE PINKY TOUCH MOMENT AND I AM pre-foaming at the mouf, I am pre-gnawing at my cage, I am pre-emptively warming up my fingers to 5 star every damn book.
Khalaji and Yoon and THEY ARE ALL THAT MATTERS NOW 🖤
(This book has begun the healing of a seriously large Larkin & Doyle shaped hole in my soul, and I intend to SHOVE MYSELF LIKE A JALAPENO POPPER WITH KHLALAJI AND YOON)
"Malcolm thought Yoon would leave it alone... until that soft fluid voice lilted mockingly at his shoulder. 'Well, Khalaji? Am I handsome?'
'Don't be an ass' Malcolm said and followed Jeanine to the printer."
April 24, 2023
— 3.5 stars ☆
i had... fun with this? i think? okay no i most definitely did lmao. 🥰
it was such a short, nice lil break from all those long books i've been reading 😭 and omg Seong-Jae + Malcolm made such a great team - as they say, opposites attract 😌. Seong-Jae was so uptight and stiff and formal but also had this other side to him? which i am absolutely DYING to know more about. and Malcolm 👀 what is his backstory?? i wanna know. i'm soo glad this is a slow-burn bc i feel it's gonna suit them so well, and when they finally break down the barriers they have against each other - well, everything is gonna melt. or combust. ✨
and there's another thing. the writing. absolutely so lush and beautiful and lyrical gosh. generally i am attracted towards that flowery prose even tho i know many aren't, lol. but it just adds such an impact here bc with the backdrop of crime and mystery, the way everything is described? chef's kiss.
the suspense part i was more than a little detached from but that's probably bc i haven't read much thriller/mystery yet. but i definitely feel like i wanna savor as well as binge this at the same time - i so want to get to know each of the characters more.
all in all, this was such a promising and solid start and i already know i'm gonna get soo invested in the characters. and i can't wait!! 💗
***
well, i'm officially stuck in a reading rut (possibly after reading the leander welles series so much it got tiring for my eyes skdjaj lol) so let me check out another crime-mystery-suspense-thriller book lmao <3
i had... fun with this? i think? okay no i most definitely did lmao. 🥰
it was such a short, nice lil break from all those long books i've been reading 😭 and omg Seong-Jae + Malcolm made such a great team - as they say, opposites attract 😌. Seong-Jae was so uptight and stiff and formal but also had this other side to him? which i am absolutely DYING to know more about. and Malcolm 👀 what is his backstory?? i wanna know. i'm soo glad this is a slow-burn bc i feel it's gonna suit them so well, and when they finally break down the barriers they have against each other - well, everything is gonna melt. or combust. ✨
and there's another thing. the writing. absolutely so lush and beautiful and lyrical gosh. generally i am attracted towards that flowery prose even tho i know many aren't, lol. but it just adds such an impact here bc with the backdrop of crime and mystery, the way everything is described? chef's kiss.
the suspense part i was more than a little detached from but that's probably bc i haven't read much thriller/mystery yet. but i definitely feel like i wanna savor as well as binge this at the same time - i so want to get to know each of the characters more.
all in all, this was such a promising and solid start and i already know i'm gonna get soo invested in the characters. and i can't wait!! 💗
***
well, i'm officially stuck in a reading rut (possibly after reading the leander welles series so much it got tiring for my eyes skdjaj lol) so let me check out another crime-mystery-suspense-thriller book lmao <3
September 20, 2018
4 Stars
Darian’s body was found in an ally, close to a gay club. He was twenty-one-year-old, the cause of death was strangulation and his legs had been sawed. He was neither the first victim nor the last one. All the victims have the same MO. They have been strangled with the body part missing, they were all gay and all signs point to the ex-boyfriend.
Malcolm is a Sergeant Detective and works on his cases alone but this time the captain assigned him with another person, the one who outranked him as Lieutenant Detective, Yoon. Their way to solve the cases are different from each other but if they want to take the killer they have to learn how to work with each other first!
First of all, I should say there is no romance in this story, just maybe a little tension between both detectives, but don’t expect any romantic scene! Second, well, I didn’t expect enjoying this story and this was my first read by this author! It was well-written and well-paced with a good story-line! I have some questions about their past and hope in the next book I get my answers! And hope to get some romance in next books! Told in multiple POV (mostly in dual), 3rd person. It’s the first installment in season one in the "Criminal Intentions" series! All in all, I had a good time with it and hope you like it as well!
Darian’s body was found in an ally, close to a gay club. He was twenty-one-year-old, the cause of death was strangulation and his legs had been sawed. He was neither the first victim nor the last one. All the victims have the same MO. They have been strangled with the body part missing, they were all gay and all signs point to the ex-boyfriend.
Malcolm is a Sergeant Detective and works on his cases alone but this time the captain assigned him with another person, the one who outranked him as Lieutenant Detective, Yoon. Their way to solve the cases are different from each other but if they want to take the killer they have to learn how to work with each other first!
First of all, I should say there is no romance in this story, just maybe a little tension between both detectives, but don’t expect any romantic scene! Second, well, I didn’t expect enjoying this story and this was my first read by this author! It was well-written and well-paced with a good story-line! I have some questions about their past and hope in the next book I get my answers! And hope to get some romance in next books! Told in multiple POV (mostly in dual), 3rd person. It’s the first installment in season one in the "Criminal Intentions" series! All in all, I had a good time with it and hope you like it as well!
June 6, 2024
Audiobook June 2024 = ***4 Stars***
**************************
***4.5 Stars*** and it looks like I found myself a new addiction...
Two men. Two detectives looking into the abyss of a criminal mind on a killing spree who is leaving a trace of young gay men in their wake. Two partners against their will forming a fragile bond over their determination to stop this sick bastard once and for all and their fear to fail.
Two unique and intriguing characters who cast a spell over me from the get-go. Okay, don't get overly excited now and pop some heart-eyes: this is not a romance. Yet. But there is one scene - one kiss - that showed what could be and even if I have to wait and read ten books in this series to get it, I want to see them being together! I also loved the way Malcom and Seong-Jae complemented each other while trying to solve the case and their mental ping-pong was fun to read.
What the guys are dealing with here is not for the faint of heart, though. You need to have a very strong stomach sometimes (nope, no details from me!) and it was just my kind of luck that I got to read these scenes at lunch break. Go me! Not.
I'll leave it at that because the author very much accomplished his goal of giving this an air of a TV cop show and I feel like having finished an episode and now have to wait another week for the next one. Thank goodness, not this time because book #2 is already on my Kindle. ;-)
**************************
***4.5 Stars*** and it looks like I found myself a new addiction...
Two men. Two detectives looking into the abyss of a criminal mind on a killing spree who is leaving a trace of young gay men in their wake. Two partners against their will forming a fragile bond over their determination to stop this sick bastard once and for all and their fear to fail.
Two unique and intriguing characters who cast a spell over me from the get-go. Okay, don't get overly excited now and pop some heart-eyes: this is not a romance. Yet. But there is one scene - one kiss - that showed what could be and even if I have to wait and read ten books in this series to get it, I want to see them being together! I also loved the way Malcom and Seong-Jae complemented each other while trying to solve the case and their mental ping-pong was fun to read.
What the guys are dealing with here is not for the faint of heart, though. You need to have a very strong stomach sometimes (nope, no details from me!) and it was just my kind of luck that I got to read these scenes at lunch break. Go me! Not.
I'll leave it at that because the author very much accomplished his goal of giving this an air of a TV cop show and I feel like having finished an episode and now have to wait another week for the next one. Thank goodness, not this time because book #2 is already on my Kindle. ;-)
May 14, 2019
criminal minds but make it SO FUCKING QUEER
this was gritty, gory, fun. i loved the main characters, i loved the sexual tension that hasn't fully been explored. and surprisingly, i didn't focus excessively on the relationship when reading! i mean i'm curious to see where the two main characters' relationship goes but the plot was what kept me going.
i think a serial format really does work well here. each episode is essentially a case, kind of like a TV crime show. and this one was twisted and fucked up and not what i expected! truly, i did not guess the perpetrator.
but what's truly fucking awesome
- the author is queer
- the 2 main characters are queer men of color
- there's an implied enby character (uses they/them pronouns)
- the crime dealt with queerness as well and i think the future crimes might too
please read this. i'm beyond excited to read the next books and tell y'all about them but in the meantime, you need this in your life. especially good for pride month in juuuuune :)
this was gritty, gory, fun. i loved the main characters, i loved the sexual tension that hasn't fully been explored. and surprisingly, i didn't focus excessively on the relationship when reading! i mean i'm curious to see where the two main characters' relationship goes but the plot was what kept me going.
i think a serial format really does work well here. each episode is essentially a case, kind of like a TV crime show. and this one was twisted and fucked up and not what i expected! truly, i did not guess the perpetrator.
but what's truly fucking awesome
- the author is queer
- the 2 main characters are queer men of color
- there's an implied enby character (uses they/them pronouns)
- the crime dealt with queerness as well and i think the future crimes might too
please read this. i'm beyond excited to read the next books and tell y'all about them but in the meantime, you need this in your life. especially good for pride month in juuuuune :)
January 7, 2022
Ooohhhhhh looks what's finally coming on audio. ABOUT TIME!!!
https://tantor.com/criminal-intention...
____________
Grit, humor and complex MCs. Perfection!
https://tantor.com/criminal-intention...
____________
Grit, humor and complex MCs. Perfection!
May 1, 2021
4.5 stars!!
The Cardigans , Episode 1 of Criminal Intentions, it’s a fast-paced detective thriller with the slowest slow-burn romance and structured like a television series. I don’t usually read “mixed” genres, like thriller-romance, because I feel one of them is usually weakly developed. But Cole McCade balances masterfully both of them, giving us a great case to solve, plus the best kind of romance -the one that always leaves you wanting more !!
Not going to say anything about the plot because it’s a mystery, and I think it’s always better to go blind! But the ending was totally unexpected, non cliche and I absolutely adored it!! I love when an author surprises me, especially because *insert name* is the least kind of killer you expect for serial murders!! Brilliant!!
As for the main couple... Damn, I already love Seong-Jae, and Malcolm is the type of person who is impossible not to like! Also, let’s talk about the fact that this book is written by a queer author and both main characters are queer and sons of inmigrants. Not only that, this book is full of diversity everywhere!!
Seong-Jae Yoon
Pretty, but in a sort of vicious, foxlike. No -not foxlike. He reminded Malcolm more of a feral cat that condescended to tolerate a human presence, but the moment that human came too close he’d be off with a hiss and and a flick of his tail. Something about the tension of him, the intensity of his focus, the set of his jaw…
Yeah, he was going to be a hard one, too.
Lieutenant Detective Yoon has just moved from L.A. to Baltimore, leaving behind a mystery past full of secrets. Serious, cold and social introvert, Seong-Jae doesn’t like people, and people don’t like him back. He is also North Korean, his parents and he left North Korea when he was fifteen, and he loves calling Malcolm names in his native language. (Ido not have soft spot for serious, shy heroes that talk in foreign languages.)
Malcolm Khalaji
Khalaji carried himself like an old and battle-torn wolf, grave and fierce and solemn, the last one left of his pack and yet determined to defend his territory yo the death, even when he could barely stand.
Malcolm is a ray of light next to Seong-Jae: loves talking with people, has a bright smile used to mask the real sadness underneath, and it’s too emphatic for his own good. He is also developing a crush on pretty boy Seong-Jae.
But that cannot happen: Seong-Jae is ten years younger -yeah, I’m reading an age-gap romance, don’t judge me: they are everything together- and his new partner. So utterly forbidden. Also, it’s not like Seong-Jae feels something for him…
For those who read the book and know what I’m talking about:
“Anything?” he growled.
Seong-Jae titled his head in the other direction and straightened. “I felt nothing.”
“Yeah. () Me too.”
Overall, truly recommend The Cardigans if you are looking for an unpredictable mystery with slow-burn romance, fast-paced, full of action and quick to read -193 pages on Kindle if you don’t read the preview for the next episode. NOW, I need the second one!!
The Cardigans , Episode 1 of Criminal Intentions, it’s a fast-paced detective thriller with the slowest slow-burn romance and structured like a television series. I don’t usually read “mixed” genres, like thriller-romance, because I feel one of them is usually weakly developed. But Cole McCade balances masterfully both of them, giving us a great case to solve, plus the best kind of romance -the one that always leaves you wanting more !!
Not going to say anything about the plot because it’s a mystery, and I think it’s always better to go blind! But the ending was totally unexpected, non cliche and I absolutely adored it!! I love when an author surprises me, especially because *insert name* is the least kind of killer you expect for serial murders!! Brilliant!!
As for the main couple... Damn, I already love Seong-Jae, and Malcolm is the type of person who is impossible not to like! Also, let’s talk about the fact that this book is written by a queer author and both main characters are queer and sons of inmigrants. Not only that, this book is full of diversity everywhere!!
Seong-Jae Yoon
Pretty, but in a sort of vicious, foxlike. No -not foxlike. He reminded Malcolm more of a feral cat that condescended to tolerate a human presence, but the moment that human came too close he’d be off with a hiss and and a flick of his tail. Something about the tension of him, the intensity of his focus, the set of his jaw…
Yeah, he was going to be a hard one, too.
Lieutenant Detective Yoon has just moved from L.A. to Baltimore, leaving behind a mystery past full of secrets. Serious, cold and social introvert, Seong-Jae doesn’t like people, and people don’t like him back. He is also North Korean, his parents and he left North Korea when he was fifteen, and he loves calling Malcolm names in his native language. (I
Malcolm Khalaji
Khalaji carried himself like an old and battle-torn wolf, grave and fierce and solemn, the last one left of his pack and yet determined to defend his territory yo the death, even when he could barely stand.
Malcolm is a ray of light next to Seong-Jae: loves talking with people, has a bright smile used to mask the real sadness underneath, and it’s too emphatic for his own good. He is also developing a crush on pretty boy Seong-Jae.
But that cannot happen: Seong-Jae is ten years younger -yeah, I’m reading an age-gap romance, don’t judge me: they are everything together- and his new partner. So utterly forbidden. Also, it’s not like Seong-Jae feels something for him…
For those who read the book and know what I’m talking about:
“Anything?” he growled.
Seong-Jae titled his head in the other direction and straightened. “I felt nothing.”
“Yeah. () Me too.”
Overall, truly recommend The Cardigans if you are looking for an unpredictable mystery with slow-burn romance, fast-paced, full of action and quick to read -193 pages on Kindle if you don’t read the preview for the next episode. NOW, I need the second one!!
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January 17, 2024
welll shit, this was a good start. 😭 i always see this series on my feed and the hype intimidated me so i’ve been putting this off but i thought why not finally give it a chance now andd there’s a possibility i may have another series to obsess over; don’t mind me if you see me binging this throughout the week. i loved Seongjae and Malcolm already, i’m prepared for the slow burn and the mystery aspect was a nice part of the story as well and didn’t bore me (which is why i’m usually 50/50 on the genre) but, if i’m being honest, i’m here more for the characters and seeing how their romance will develop later on and book one didn’t disappoint. 🥰🤍
oh and also, i have such a soft spot for Seongjae, he has this way of speaking where it’s like formal-ish but i honestly thought it was really cute and the fact that him and Malcolm are complete opposites?? loved that. 🥺
oh and also, i have such a soft spot for Seongjae, he has this way of speaking where it’s like formal-ish but i honestly thought it was really cute and the fact that him and Malcolm are complete opposites?? loved that. 🥺
December 4, 2021
just reread this and omg. i miss these guys SO much.😭🥺❤️
_________________________
4 stars!! this was SO fun to read!
both malcolm and seong-jae were intriguing as hell as characters and i’m super interested to see how the tension between them develops in future books. honestly the actual mystery serial killer plot was really clever, fresh and interesting to read too, which is actually rare these days after you’ve read countless “hunting for the serial killer” books.
the author writes really well. i love the episodic way the series is written. i am most definitely gonna read the next books in the series. ah-mazing!!!!
_________________________
4 stars!! this was SO fun to read!
both malcolm and seong-jae were intriguing as hell as characters and i’m super interested to see how the tension between them develops in future books. honestly the actual mystery serial killer plot was really clever, fresh and interesting to read too, which is actually rare these days after you’ve read countless “hunting for the serial killer” books.
the author writes really well. i love the episodic way the series is written. i am most definitely gonna read the next books in the series. ah-mazing!!!!
March 15, 2024
3.5 ⭐
THE WAY IM ALREADY OBSESSED 🤌🏻 (tbh i was invested in mal and sj ever since i read lila and hannas reviews but STILL)
ngl i really wasnt invested in the mystery aspect of the book, didnt feel any emotion whatsoeverand idk what that says about me also my guess about the killer was completely wrong so maybe im still salty about that-
i never say anything about writing bcs i dont really think about it much but i absolutely loved it in this book
i love mal and seong-jae sm ffr. such amazing characters with mysterious pasts- which im dying to know more about especially mal's mans so hot but so fucking soft at the same time jskakskkzkK plus sj, whatever whatshername said at the end i am not able to stop thinking about it i need to know moreeeeeeee
and the absolutely delicious tension between them- their dynamic is just *chefs kiss* the way both of them cant miss a chance to rile the other, especially sj 🤭
“And don’t—” Khalaji snapped one hand up. “Don’t say ‘as you say.’”
“As you say,” Seong-Jae answered.
lovethemalready
i wasnt gonna read the next book right away but then hanna had to send me a very detailed list of why i need to continue reading and i get influenced v easily so brb need to reach book 5 now 🏃🏻♀️
___
had to join the malsj fanclub with lila and hanna
THE WAY IM ALREADY OBSESSED 🤌🏻 (tbh i was invested in mal and sj ever since i read lila and hannas reviews but STILL)
ngl i really wasnt invested in the mystery aspect of the book, didnt feel any emotion whatsoever
i never say anything about writing bcs i dont really think about it much but i absolutely loved it in this book
i love mal and seong-jae sm ffr. such amazing characters with mysterious pasts- which im dying to know more about especially mal's mans so hot but so fucking soft at the same time jskakskkzkK plus sj, whatever whatshername said at the end i am not able to stop thinking about it i need to know moreeeeeeee
and the absolutely delicious tension between them- their dynamic is just *chefs kiss* the way both of them cant miss a chance to rile the other, especially sj 🤭
“And don’t—” Khalaji snapped one hand up. “Don’t say ‘as you say.’”
“As you say,” Seong-Jae answered.
lovethemalready
i wasnt gonna read the next book right away but then hanna had to send me a very detailed list of why i need to continue reading and i get influenced v easily so brb need to reach book 5 now 🏃🏻♀️
___
had to join the malsj fanclub with lila and hanna
April 28, 2024
I can see why this series is so loved. Even though there is so little between Malcolm and Seong-Jae in this first episode, I can still see the potential.
“You do not know what to make of me, do you?”
“I’m not worried about what to make of you. We don’t have to like each other. We just have to work together. And don’t—”
Khalaji snapped one hand up. “Don’t say ‘as you say.’”
“As you say,” Seong-Jae answered. 🤭💗🤭
And then there's this tiny little scene, oh my, soooo hot.
All in all, a good start to this adventure. Absolutely fantastic writing. It creates the perfect atmosphere for a crime series.
A bit too gory for me, especially right in the first episode. It made me a bit sick to my stomach although I'm not really that squeamish.
Regardless of that, it was really convincing and I'm glad that I finally finally had the right mood for it. I hope it doesn't take another two years before I'm in the mood for more.
Especially love the extras at the end of the book, the author's Q&A were very enlightening, thanks for that!
“You do not know what to make of me, do you?”
“I’m not worried about what to make of you. We don’t have to like each other. We just have to work together. And don’t—”
Khalaji snapped one hand up. “Don’t say ‘as you say.’”
“As you say,” Seong-Jae answered. 🤭💗🤭
And then there's this tiny little scene, oh my, soooo hot.
All in all, a good start to this adventure. Absolutely fantastic writing. It creates the perfect atmosphere for a crime series.
A bit too gory for me, especially right in the first episode. It made me a bit sick to my stomach although I'm not really that squeamish.
Regardless of that, it was really convincing and I'm glad that I finally finally had the right mood for it. I hope it doesn't take another two years before I'm in the mood for more.
Especially love the extras at the end of the book, the author's Q&A were very enlightening, thanks for that!
January 6, 2025
They’d managed not to kill each other on one case, but this moment of cathartic camaraderie wouldn’t last. Tomorrow Seong- Jae would still be the same uptight, icy bastard, challenging Malcolm at every turn for his particular regulatory flexibility, as mocking in his silences as he was in his blandly sardonic responses. But goddamn, they were lightning in a bottle when they put their heads together.
I've been craving a crime fiction story for a while and I hadn't been able to find one that was quite scratching the mental itch I was after. I nearly didn't give this a shot if I'm being honest, cause I saw it was book 1 of 29 and that is an incredibly intimidating hill to stand in front of, but I am glad that I did now, cause the writing in this was so impressive.
I think this would really appeal to the 'Criminal Minds' fans (like me) with each of the books being an 'episode' with an over arching 'season' plot arc.
The murder mystery here was gruesome and terrible (if not a little predictable in this genre) and while I was able to guess a fair bit of it, I wasn't able to guess all of turns this story took, so that was fun.
Where this really shines however, was in the character work, which was startlingly impressive. I knew that I would be in for a treat when the first chapter was able to immediately pull me into an emotional connection with the murder victim as character himself and not just a sympathetic victim of chance.
This impressive character work also flowed on to our main characters Malcolm Khalaji and Seong-Jae Yoon. The dynamic set up between these two is a slow burn reluctant allies to partners to lovers (which has yet to happen). It was a refreshing change of pace that both characters are queer POC with Malcolm coming from an Iranian background (had to do a little guess work with this one so please let me know if I'm wrong) and Seong-Jae coming from a North Korean background, prompting an interesting dynamic between them and exchanges about their shared experience of bilingual attachments to another language and coming from immigrant families. There was enough crumbs left about both of their back storues that I am fascinated to read more about them both, specifcially Malcolm with his military background and Seong-Jae with his FBI history. (Also the tension in that kiss took me by surprise 🥵)
You can feel that McCade is writing from a place of passion in his representation of the POC and the LGBTIQ communities (with him belonging to both) and it shows. To the person who had one of their 2025 goals as being to read Cole McCade on their list and planted this author on my radar, sorry I borrowed your goal and thank you 🤣.
(It’s worth noting that there is a mostly off page hook up in chapter one, and whilst this is the only other person hook up in this book, they do feature throughout season one until Malcolm and Seong-Jae get their shit together lol)
I've been craving a crime fiction story for a while and I hadn't been able to find one that was quite scratching the mental itch I was after. I nearly didn't give this a shot if I'm being honest, cause I saw it was book 1 of 29 and that is an incredibly intimidating hill to stand in front of, but I am glad that I did now, cause the writing in this was so impressive.
I think this would really appeal to the 'Criminal Minds' fans (like me) with each of the books being an 'episode' with an over arching 'season' plot arc.
The murder mystery here was gruesome and terrible (if not a little predictable in this genre) and while I was able to guess a fair bit of it, I wasn't able to guess all of turns this story took, so that was fun.
Where this really shines however, was in the character work, which was startlingly impressive. I knew that I would be in for a treat when the first chapter was able to immediately pull me into an emotional connection with the murder victim as character himself and not just a sympathetic victim of chance.
This impressive character work also flowed on to our main characters Malcolm Khalaji and Seong-Jae Yoon. The dynamic set up between these two is a slow burn reluctant allies to partners to lovers (which has yet to happen). It was a refreshing change of pace that both characters are queer POC with Malcolm coming from an Iranian background (had to do a little guess work with this one so please let me know if I'm wrong) and Seong-Jae coming from a North Korean background, prompting an interesting dynamic between them and exchanges about their shared experience of bilingual attachments to another language and coming from immigrant families. There was enough crumbs left about both of their back storues that I am fascinated to read more about them both, specifcially Malcolm with his military background and Seong-Jae with his FBI history. (Also the tension in that kiss took me by surprise 🥵)
You can feel that McCade is writing from a place of passion in his representation of the POC and the LGBTIQ communities (with him belonging to both) and it shows. To the person who had one of their 2025 goals as being to read Cole McCade on their list and planted this author on my radar, sorry I borrowed your goal and thank you 🤣.
(It’s worth noting that there is a mostly off page hook up in chapter one, and whilst this is the only other person hook up in this book, they do feature throughout season one until Malcolm and Seong-Jae get their shit together lol)
February 23, 2023
3.75 Stars!
My brief summary:
Lone-wolf Malcom Khalaji and Robotic Seong-Jae Yoon are newly made partners who are not eager to be paired together on a case to say the least. Malcolm has been in Baltimore as a detective and knows the city like no other with a hidden backstory that keeps him grumpy and to himself. (Grumpy is mainly just his personality trait though!) Seong-Jae has just recently transferred from the LAPD and holds a higher rank than Malcolm, but still has a lot to learn about this city and (although seemingly unwilling) about Malcolm too. Both, with personal reasons of their own as to why, work together to find out who is murdering and butchering local young gay men. Along the way they will both start to discover that the ideas they originally had of each other are not adding up, and that maybe having a partner in this case is not as bad as it seems. That doesn’t mean there won’t be eye rolls, smirks, under breath ‘tch’s, and banter in between!
Thoughts:
Overall I’m genuinely super excited to start and continue this series. This was just the beginning and it wasn’t the perfect read, but the characters and set up for something more is wonderful! The amount of quotable moments is icing on the cake too!
Mal and SJ - *screeching* Let the slow burn commence! These fools! I love them dearly already and am just along for the ride.
Side-note: Let me tell you I wish Swabbie’s (their after hour hang out joint) was real! Because of them I am craving food I have never even tried before.
Pointing all fingers to blame the beautiful and wonderful Lila for getting me started on this (@ ✨❤ Summer ❤✨ Solstice) !!!
Would I recommend this and to who:
Crime junkies and slow burn romance lovers
Paperback/Hardcover/Audiobook/E-book:
E-book - If anyone was questioning my dedication on wanting to read this, well I got kindle unlimited just for it!
How did I discover this:
Do yourself a favor and visit @ ✨❤ Summer ❤✨ Solstice ‘s reviews on this series and then you’ll know why I’m here!
Pace:
Fast-ish
Cover thoughts:
A tablespoon of dark, a cup of mystery, a dash of a little cheesy and a touch of right on the nose to the theme!
POV:
Multi - Malcolm and Seong-Jae primarily
Quotes:
’Seong-Jae considered letting it go, then thought better of it. “You do not know what to make of me, do you?” “I’m not worried about what to make of you. We don't have to like each other. We just have to work together. And don’t say-” Khalaji snapped one hand up. “Don’t say ‘as you say.” “As you say,” Seong-Jae answered.’
“We only define others by the value they have to us, and once they no longer provide that value, we let them go.”
“People were not comforted by facts. People were comforted by hope, no matter how false.”
Triggers:
Death, Murder, Graphic Horrific Details, Swearing, Sexual Content, Injury, Gore, Homophobia, Toxic Relationships, Confinement, etc.
My brief summary:
Lone-wolf Malcom Khalaji and Robotic Seong-Jae Yoon are newly made partners who are not eager to be paired together on a case to say the least. Malcolm has been in Baltimore as a detective and knows the city like no other with a hidden backstory that keeps him grumpy and to himself. (Grumpy is mainly just his personality trait though!) Seong-Jae has just recently transferred from the LAPD and holds a higher rank than Malcolm, but still has a lot to learn about this city and (although seemingly unwilling) about Malcolm too. Both, with personal reasons of their own as to why, work together to find out who is murdering and butchering local young gay men. Along the way they will both start to discover that the ideas they originally had of each other are not adding up, and that maybe having a partner in this case is not as bad as it seems. That doesn’t mean there won’t be eye rolls, smirks, under breath ‘tch’s, and banter in between!
Thoughts:
Overall I’m genuinely super excited to start and continue this series. This was just the beginning and it wasn’t the perfect read, but the characters and set up for something more is wonderful! The amount of quotable moments is icing on the cake too!
Mal and SJ - *screeching* Let the slow burn commence! These fools! I love them dearly already and am just along for the ride.
Side-note: Let me tell you I wish Swabbie’s (their after hour hang out joint) was real! Because of them I am craving food I have never even tried before.
Pointing all fingers to blame the beautiful and wonderful Lila for getting me started on this (@ ✨❤ Summer ❤✨ Solstice) !!!
Would I recommend this and to who:
Crime junkies and slow burn romance lovers
Paperback/Hardcover/Audiobook/E-book:
E-book - If anyone was questioning my dedication on wanting to read this, well I got kindle unlimited just for it!
How did I discover this:
Do yourself a favor and visit @ ✨❤ Summer ❤✨ Solstice ‘s reviews on this series and then you’ll know why I’m here!
Pace:
Fast-ish
Cover thoughts:
A tablespoon of dark, a cup of mystery, a dash of a little cheesy and a touch of right on the nose to the theme!
POV:
Multi - Malcolm and Seong-Jae primarily
Quotes:
’Seong-Jae considered letting it go, then thought better of it. “You do not know what to make of me, do you?” “I’m not worried about what to make of you. We don't have to like each other. We just have to work together. And don’t say-” Khalaji snapped one hand up. “Don’t say ‘as you say.” “As you say,” Seong-Jae answered.’
“We only define others by the value they have to us, and once they no longer provide that value, we let them go.”
“People were not comforted by facts. People were comforted by hope, no matter how false.”
Triggers:
Death, Murder, Graphic Horrific Details, Swearing, Sexual Content, Injury, Gore, Homophobia, Toxic Relationships, Confinement, etc.
April 24, 2025
I rarely do re-reads, let alone read mysteries—they're not my genre—but sometimes drastic measures are necessary, especially when I'm in one of the longest book slumps I've ever faced.
Original thoughts: Aug/2020
It's no secret to my friends that I am not a mystery reader.
That said, last year, due to a moment of insanity,
I skimmed through a few books in this series, too curious about these guys.
The romance bits I've read are solid material, and I knew I would get back to them one day.
Oh, well, I think the time has come. Sometimes, only reading a genre I'm not used to gets me out of my book slump.
The writing hooked me, the story was intriguing and well-paced, the mystery was gripping, the characters were interesting, the tension is promising, but... no romance so far. *gasp*
Next, please!
Original thoughts: Aug/2020
It's no secret to my friends that I am not a mystery reader.
That said, last year, due to a moment of insanity,
I skimmed through a few books in this series, too curious about these guys.
The romance bits I've read are solid material, and I knew I would get back to them one day.
Oh, well, I think the time has come. Sometimes, only reading a genre I'm not used to gets me out of my book slump.
The writing hooked me, the story was intriguing and well-paced, the mystery was gripping, the characters were interesting, the tension is promising, but... no romance so far. *gasp*
Next, please!
July 19, 2021
⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*Interesting Start*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱
Well this book was somewhat interesting. I liked it, it was enjoyable enough with a little bit of mystery. All the deaths was described in quite detail, which reminded me a bit of Criminal Minds meets Chicago PD. While I didn't feel any chemistry between the main two characters, I can see if happening in the future so I am willing to keep going with this series. Overall, it'll be interesting to see how their relationship/partnership will devolve. Hopefully I'll get invested in this series considering it has a lot of books/episodes. I found it hard to picture both characters so I decided to just make a somewhat image in my head after I had search for pictures I thought would match the most and put it in a design (see below).
The Characters:
The list is a bit long so I've put it in a spoilers tag.
Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (Adult) Contemporary (Slow-Burn)
Series: - Series, Book One.
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Favorite character? - Malcolm ‘Mal’ Khalaji.
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Yes, I think so.
Would I recommend this book/series? - Unsure.
Will I read this again in the future? - Probably not...?
Rating - 3 stars.
July 13, 2018
4 Stars!
This was a really good cop story with a gruesome tale that leaves you in the dark to whom the killer may be until the very end.
The two MC's are very much lone wolves who spend half the book circling each other. Neither wants a partner and are both under the impression that their pairing is temporary. But the more time goes on they and the reader can see that they work well with each other and are able to work through the case with an ease that surprises them. Their hostility turns into mutual respect for how they work and handle the case. Seong-Jae is very by the book and comes off cold and unfeeling where Malcolm has a hard time hiding the way he feels from his body language and his facial expressions. Both men are still quite a mystery because this book leans very heavily on the investigation that's taking place and not too much on character development. I'm not saying we don't get to know them at all. We get bits here and there and I'm sure we will learn more as the series goes.
The murders of the young gay men in this story is brutal. Certain parts of their bodies are being dismembered and taken leaving behind a gruesome scene for the detectives. The author is very descriptive of what the killer has done so you best have a strong stomach while reading this.
Although I didn't know who the killer was by name, I did have some of the aspects of who it was correct in the end. And boy was the ending disturbing as hell.
This was definitely a very intense gritty read that played out like one of your favorite crime shows. I rated it 4 stars because I missed the romance I usually get with my crime and I wanted to know the MC's more.
Happy reading dolls! xx
This was a really good cop story with a gruesome tale that leaves you in the dark to whom the killer may be until the very end.
The two MC's are very much lone wolves who spend half the book circling each other. Neither wants a partner and are both under the impression that their pairing is temporary. But the more time goes on they and the reader can see that they work well with each other and are able to work through the case with an ease that surprises them. Their hostility turns into mutual respect for how they work and handle the case. Seong-Jae is very by the book and comes off cold and unfeeling where Malcolm has a hard time hiding the way he feels from his body language and his facial expressions. Both men are still quite a mystery because this book leans very heavily on the investigation that's taking place and not too much on character development. I'm not saying we don't get to know them at all. We get bits here and there and I'm sure we will learn more as the series goes.
The murders of the young gay men in this story is brutal. Certain parts of their bodies are being dismembered and taken leaving behind a gruesome scene for the detectives. The author is very descriptive of what the killer has done so you best have a strong stomach while reading this.
Although I didn't know who the killer was by name, I did have some of the aspects of who it was correct in the end. And boy was the ending disturbing as hell.
This was definitely a very intense gritty read that played out like one of your favorite crime shows. I rated it 4 stars because I missed the romance I usually get with my crime and I wanted to know the MC's more.
Happy reading dolls! xx
August 18, 2019
This Review ✍️ Blog 📖 Twitter 🐦 Instagram 📷
“We only define others by the value they have to us, and once they no longer provide that value, we let them go.”
🌟 This book reminded me of the Cut & Run series which is similar in having 2 LGBT detectives and a murder going on. I said that I liked the first book in the Cut and Run series but I think this is a better series for many reasons.
🌟 First, this is written by an own-voice LGBT author, second and more importantly is that I said the mystery part in that book was weak, like we have 3 characters, 2 are our main detectives so who did it? The mystery part was much more integrated into the story and interesting, there are clues but it is not very obvious! And third this is written as a TV series, like every book is an episode and they are short (150 to 250 Pages Maximum) so it is a very fast read while the Cut and Run first book was way too long and thus I am sticking with this series for now.
🌟 The characters are the typical tough detective who does not follow the rules strictly and the complete opposite old strict guy. There is diversity in terms of their race, sexual orientation and one of the characters is non-binary and uses They/Them pronouns! The characters are well written and since you are probably wondering about the romance, it is there, it is slow burn and not much action happened yet but I am sure it is early for it to happen in Episode 1.
🌟 The writing is very good and the author certainly know how to grip the attention of readers from the first pages. the book explores many dark themes and I really respect the author for leaving a list of Trigger Warnings at the beginning of the story, there is also an excellent author note at the end so I think the author did a fabulous job in very few pages (relatively).
🌟 The pacing is fast and I think it should calm down a bit sometimes but I think it kept me hooked and we will get the rest of the answers in the next books!
🌟 Summary: This is a very strong opening of what could be a very good series, it is diverse, well written, short and enjoyable so if you are interested in this genre, this is a very good place to start!
you can get the book from here: Book Depository
“We only define others by the value they have to us, and once they no longer provide that value, we let them go.”
🌟 This book reminded me of the Cut & Run series which is similar in having 2 LGBT detectives and a murder going on. I said that I liked the first book in the Cut and Run series but I think this is a better series for many reasons.
🌟 First, this is written by an own-voice LGBT author, second and more importantly is that I said the mystery part in that book was weak, like we have 3 characters, 2 are our main detectives so who did it? The mystery part was much more integrated into the story and interesting, there are clues but it is not very obvious! And third this is written as a TV series, like every book is an episode and they are short (150 to 250 Pages Maximum) so it is a very fast read while the Cut and Run first book was way too long and thus I am sticking with this series for now.
🌟 The characters are the typical tough detective who does not follow the rules strictly and the complete opposite old strict guy. There is diversity in terms of their race, sexual orientation and one of the characters is non-binary and uses They/Them pronouns! The characters are well written and since you are probably wondering about the romance, it is there, it is slow burn and not much action happened yet but I am sure it is early for it to happen in Episode 1.
🌟 The writing is very good and the author certainly know how to grip the attention of readers from the first pages. the book explores many dark themes and I really respect the author for leaving a list of Trigger Warnings at the beginning of the story, there is also an excellent author note at the end so I think the author did a fabulous job in very few pages (relatively).
🌟 The pacing is fast and I think it should calm down a bit sometimes but I think it kept me hooked and we will get the rest of the answers in the next books!
🌟 Summary: This is a very strong opening of what could be a very good series, it is diverse, well written, short and enjoyable so if you are interested in this genre, this is a very good place to start!
you can get the book from here: Book Depository
October 31, 2023
3.75/5
I was struggling to choose between 3.5 starts and 4, so that’s why 3.75 stars, which is pretty good considering it was the first book in the series, because the first book is usually the worst for me. I’m not the biggest fan of crime novels, but when I saw it’s about two queer detectives, I was like 'count me in, I’m totally reading it'.
After last chapter, I think all next books will be about different crime, so I will definitely continue the series. Even though it probably will take me a long time to finish it because at the moment there is 27 books.
Also, I know I will love Malcom and Seong-Jae, if that already haven’t happened. The dynamic between them? Perfection. They are so different from each other, but at the same time they fit perfectly together. I can’t wait for their relationship to develop during the series. It will probably take a few books for them to have some more romantic interaction, but I fell like it will be worth the reading. It’s that type of book where you are giggling and kicking your feet, when they accidentally touch each other or when they start to notice that one of them has nice arms and then immediately got flustered by it.
I have a feeling that Malcon will be the charmer, more flirting one, because when he was opening the door for Seong-Jae every time, even though they kinda hated each other, I was kicking my feet from happiness.
Some of my favorite moments, not the spoiler.
I love the representation of the characters and the writing style was kinda addicting so that’s one of the reasons I will probably continue the series. The plot and the suspense was great enough to finish, but still when they revealed who was the murderer, I wasn’t as surprised as I thought I will be.
Anyway, I can’t wait to start next book.
I was struggling to choose between 3.5 starts and 4, so that’s why 3.75 stars, which is pretty good considering it was the first book in the series, because the first book is usually the worst for me. I’m not the biggest fan of crime novels, but when I saw it’s about two queer detectives, I was like 'count me in, I’m totally reading it'.
After last chapter, I think all next books will be about different crime, so I will definitely continue the series. Even though it probably will take me a long time to finish it because at the moment there is 27 books.
Also, I know I will love Malcom and Seong-Jae, if that already haven’t happened. The dynamic between them? Perfection. They are so different from each other, but at the same time they fit perfectly together. I can’t wait for their relationship to develop during the series. It will probably take a few books for them to have some more romantic interaction, but I fell like it will be worth the reading. It’s that type of book where you are giggling and kicking your feet, when they accidentally touch each other or when they start to notice that one of them has nice arms and then immediately got flustered by it.
I have a feeling that Malcon will be the charmer, more flirting one, because when he was opening the door for Seong-Jae every time, even though they kinda hated each other, I was kicking my feet from happiness.
Some of my favorite moments, not the spoiler.
“Aren’t you a sweet boy. And handsome, too.” She turned that wide smile on Malcolm.
“Isn’t he handsome?” Malcolm groaned, dragging his hand over his face. “Janine.” Janine only smirked"
“Well, Khalaji? Am I handsome?”
“Don’t be an ass,” Malcolm said, and followed Janine to the printer."
"That man was going to drive Malcolm out of his fucking mind."
I love the representation of the characters and the writing style was kinda addicting so that’s one of the reasons I will probably continue the series. The plot and the suspense was great enough to finish, but still when they revealed who was the murderer, I wasn’t as surprised as I thought I will be.
Anyway, I can’t wait to start next book.
December 18, 2021
✨ Enlighten this review by me simply worshiping the English language for holding such magnificence and grandeur that gave this book the chance to speak a composition that stole the very ground I walk on ✨
Because HOW. How is this writing even POSSIBLE? How could someone think of these words, how can someone craft such plain words and simple meanings into paragraphs of such beauty and awe, reflection and amazement.
I was in awe half of this book.
Like forget the fact that I hate thrillers, and am so-so in the mystery genre,
To demonstrate, it's not just poetic, flowery writing-which even if this held that attitude, it would still hold the capability to render me in awe, but this book and it's integral writing marched a mile closer and demonstrated what can simply be a state of verisimilitude with our characters, their lives so interwoven with their work, how every breath reminds them how the burden their line of work holds over them every single day. It's in the details of their actions, such simple nonchalant description that brings the words alive, makes you not only see the characters but feel them and their honesty.
I mean, the REPRESENTATION, need I say more? Facts were stated. Shots were fired. And it was a whole fucking moment.
I love the build up we got of Yoon and Khalaji. They barely tolerated each other and we're forced to work together and ad Khalagi said
They’d managed not to kill each other on one case, but this moment of cathartic camaraderie wouldn’t last. Tomorrow Seong-Jae would still be the same uptight, icy bastard, challenging Malcolm at every turn for his particular regulatory flexibility, as mocking in his silences as he was in his blandly sardonic responses.
But goddamn, they were lightning in a bottle when they put their heads together.
It was in subtle terms, impressive seeing how they grew their partnership.
He said nothing else. Neither did Yoon.
And silence, for a time, was good.
The only reason I'm not fulfilling a full five star despite my praise is because well, I don't read mystery for a reason and there's a reason why I enjoy crime shows television basis only.
Mystery and suspense is not my genre. Yes, I'll be honest, I struggled. Not going to sugarcoat it. This genre is really not for me, but even in those moments, I continued to read through the book, I woke up today so excited to continue reading on this book, I went out and used up any chance I got to continue reading this book because despite it being my genre, it was just enough for me to get through it. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and THE FUCKING SMALLEST, ITTY BITTY MOMENTS, THE TENSION FILLED “SNIPPETS” we got of Yoon and Khalaji were a golden crown moment, ladies and gentlemen.
And that's basically why I want to continue this 29 DAMN ASS BOOK SERIES. lord give me mercy. (and also because of this exquisite writing because 89% of the time, I was so frustrated with this book because this book said in so many ways: I AM ILLITERATE)
⚠️⚠️Spoiler thoughts: ⚠️🚨
People, why was their first kiss MORE shocking than the mystery itself?????
👁️👄👁️ I was dumbfounded and even more flabbergasted at how someone could make kissing hot and poetic. Like, Shakespeare could NEVER.
Malcolm swallowed thickly, his voice struggling out of his throat like gravel. “Anything?” he growled.
Seong-Jae tilted his head in the other direction, then released Malcolm’s tie and straightened. “I felt nothing.”
💀🙏🙏🙏🙏💀💀💀💀
Also, the fucking Afterword PEOPLE. OMG. Like the reflection of Khalagi as a cop and his antics were TOO accurate to just simply be thorough research. It in a way felt intimate. And well, holy fuckery fuck. That AFTERWORD rendered me speechless.
People were not comforted by facts. People were comforted by hope, no matter how false.
Because HOW. How is this writing even POSSIBLE? How could someone think of these words, how can someone craft such plain words and simple meanings into paragraphs of such beauty and awe, reflection and amazement.
I was in awe half of this book.
He’s strangely aware that the choking cord wrapped around his neck grows warmer with every passing second, absorbing the heat of his body, stealing it away as if stealing his life.
Like forget the fact that I hate thrillers, and am so-so in the mystery genre,
To demonstrate, it's not just poetic, flowery writing-which even if this held that attitude, it would still hold the capability to render me in awe, but this book and it's integral writing marched a mile closer and demonstrated what can simply be a state of verisimilitude with our characters, their lives so interwoven with their work, how every breath reminds them how the burden their line of work holds over them every single day. It's in the details of their actions, such simple nonchalant description that brings the words alive, makes you not only see the characters but feel them and their honesty.
“Most people use shell-shock to describe something instant. An explosive shock in the moment. But that’s not what it is. It’s the combination of dull weariness and constant keyed-up tension that comes with living twenty-four seven in the middle of active warfare. And when you step out of it…” He shook his head. “You don’t fit in the world anymore. You don’t know how to fit in the world.”
I mean, the REPRESENTATION, need I say more? Facts were stated. Shots were fired. And it was a whole fucking moment.
His tall, leonine body was just as angular, a poetry of geometry, every cut of muscle a component of feline architecture, all precise edges—yet he moved as water flowed. He was grace cut with diamond edges, lethal and elegant.
I love the build up we got of Yoon and Khalaji. They barely tolerated each other and we're forced to work together and ad Khalagi said
They’d managed not to kill each other on one case, but this moment of cathartic camaraderie wouldn’t last. Tomorrow Seong-Jae would still be the same uptight, icy bastard, challenging Malcolm at every turn for his particular regulatory flexibility, as mocking in his silences as he was in his blandly sardonic responses.
But goddamn, they were lightning in a bottle when they put their heads together.
It was in subtle terms, impressive seeing how they grew their partnership.
He said nothing else. Neither did Yoon.
And silence, for a time, was good.
The only reason I'm not fulfilling a full five star despite my praise is because well, I don't read mystery for a reason and there's a reason why I enjoy crime shows television basis only.
Mystery and suspense is not my genre. Yes, I'll be honest, I struggled. Not going to sugarcoat it. This genre is really not for me, but even in those moments, I continued to read through the book, I woke up today so excited to continue reading on this book, I went out and used up any chance I got to continue reading this book because despite it being my genre, it was just enough for me to get through it. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and THE FUCKING SMALLEST, ITTY BITTY MOMENTS, THE TENSION FILLED “SNIPPETS” we got of Yoon and Khalaji were a golden crown moment, ladies and gentlemen.
Nonetheless, the snap of the gloves against his wrists brought an odd pleasure, as if the tight latex was a choking band snapping around Khalaji’s neck.
And that's basically why I want to continue this 29 DAMN ASS BOOK SERIES. lord give me mercy. (and also because of this exquisite writing because 89% of the time, I was so frustrated with this book because this book said in so many ways: I AM ILLITERATE)
⚠️⚠️Spoiler thoughts: ⚠️🚨
People, why was their first kiss MORE shocking than the mystery itself?????
👁️👄👁️ I was dumbfounded and even more flabbergasted at how someone could make kissing hot and poetic. Like, Shakespeare could NEVER.
Malcolm swallowed thickly, his voice struggling out of his throat like gravel. “Anything?” he growled.
Seong-Jae tilted his head in the other direction, then released Malcolm’s tie and straightened. “I felt nothing.”
💀🙏🙏🙏🙏💀💀💀💀
Also, the fucking Afterword PEOPLE. OMG. Like the reflection of Khalagi as a cop and his antics were TOO accurate to just simply be thorough research. It in a way felt intimate. And well, holy fuckery fuck. That AFTERWORD rendered me speechless.
August 9, 2019
S1E1: The Cardigans ★★★★★
S1E2: Junk Shop Blues ★★★★★
He carried too many of those cases inside him. Too many dead ends, too many losses.
Having read one of Cole McCade's stand-alones (a few times) and having adored it, I was way overdue on starting this series. Now that season 1 is going to be ending this summer, I figured it was a good enough reason to binge these books, and now, after just one installment, I'm kicking myself for not devouring every single episode as soon as it released. Cole is such an incredible storyteller with the most lovable characters you'll ever meet, and the tension? Off the charts.
Even if he was broad-shouldered and thick-set, he still had that look: A lean and starving wolf, haggard, elegantly feral, with eyes edged by a sharp, cutting hunger.
The fascinating thing about the Criminal Intentions series is the way it defies being boxed into a single genre. On one hand, we're following a couple of detectives who are seeking out the killer of queer college kids — so, it's a murder mystery, in part — yet on the other hand, the sexual tension and simmering slow-burn of these swoon-worthy, incredible, complex characters lands it solidly in the romance category, too. I'm rambling, but my point is, whether you love both of these genres, just one, or even neither, I feel confident that you'd be hard-pressed not to find something to love in this book. (Or, maybe you'll be lucky and, like me, you'll just love all of it.)
He was probably seeing things that weren't there. Seeing old haunts. Old shades. Old memories best left buried.
To do this review justice, though, I should probably tell you why I'm gushing so much. First, Cole's narrative voice is literally one of my favorites of all time. I'm not exaggerating in the slightest — this lovely human could write 800-page doorstoppers about grocery shopping and I'd give every single one five stars, just because his general way of describing characters, scenes, and dialogue is flawless.
There was a certain hypnotic quality to Khalaji's voice, Seong-Jae realized. Calming and steady, like being lulled to sleep by the rhythm of a great guarding beast's snarling breaths.
Second, Cole writes the most lovable damn characters. It's like every time a new character is introduced, I'm immediately head over heels for them. Speaking of those characters, the representation is to die for. We live in a world full of people from so many walks of life, so many sexualities and identities and races and backgrounds, and he writes each and every one with so much genuine care and empathy and love that it's impossible not to cherish every little detail. Malcolm is Persian-American-Mizrahi-Jewish and bi, and Seong-Jae is gay, demigray-ace, and Korean-American, for starters.
Homicide detectives weren't dealers in justice. They were peddlers of grief.
Even with the running theme of queer college kids being the victims in this book, there's so much time dedicated to discussing how tired those of us in the community are of watching each other pass, and how desperately we deserve happy endings. It's heart-breaking, but so eloquently crafted. It doesn't hurt that Malcolm and Seong-Jae are both queer men, so we're seeing this all through the eyes of detectives who understand how deep this pain runs.
What are you running from, old wolf? Are you afraid Little Red Riding Hood will catch you?
I could honestly spend days gushing about this book, but frankly, this is the point where you should close this page, navigate your browser directly to your retailer of choice, and buy this damn book (or request it from your library!). Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a series to continue reading. ♥
Content warnings for murder, gore, body horror
October 9, 2024
Reread #2
The voice the narrator is using for Malcolm is... unfortunate. He sounds like he has pneumonia 🫠
But I will let it go because I need something familiar and these two make my heart happy
Reread #1
Lord how I love these two.
4.5 stars
Buddy read with B!
Yes this is me, reading yet ANOTHER slow burn where the MCs take about 10 million pages to boink and be an item...#WhyGod
I know..I'm doing this to myself.
I BLAME YOU NIKKI
But alas.... I loved it.
Q: Do I wish these guys boinked in this book?
A: Yes. Yes I do.
Q: Do I care that they didn't?
A: Not much...but I'm #GreedyForButtStuff
As for the plot...
Q: Was the case gruesome and grisly and very uncomfortable.
A: You bet ya!
Q: Should I have read this before bed?
A: Probably not but we learn from our mistakes.
Q: Why was I reading before bed?
A: Welllll.... because I couldn't put it down, that's why!
The aloofness, the secrets, the grumpiness, the case and the very faint UST that culminated into a HAWT AF kiss... #IRegretNothing
Diving into book 2 very very soon! Seong Jae and Malcolm are gearing up to be an epic couple. #FingersCrossed
The voice the narrator is using for Malcolm is... unfortunate. He sounds like he has pneumonia 🫠
But I will let it go because I need something familiar and these two make my heart happy
Reread #1
Lord how I love these two.
4.5 stars
Buddy read with B!
Yes this is me, reading yet ANOTHER slow burn where the MCs take about 10 million pages to boink and be an item...#WhyGod
I know..I'm doing this to myself.
I BLAME YOU NIKKI
But alas.... I loved it.
Q: Do I wish these guys boinked in this book?
A: Yes. Yes I do.
Q: Do I care that they didn't?
A: Not much...but I'm #GreedyForButtStuff
As for the plot...
Q: Was the case gruesome and grisly and very uncomfortable.
A: You bet ya!
Q: Should I have read this before bed?
A: Probably not but we learn from our mistakes.
Q: Why was I reading before bed?
A: Welllll.... because I couldn't put it down, that's why!
The aloofness, the secrets, the grumpiness, the case and the very faint UST that culminated into a HAWT AF kiss... #IRegretNothing
Diving into book 2 very very soon! Seong Jae and Malcolm are gearing up to be an epic couple. #FingersCrossed
January 21, 2025
Well shit I’m officially addicted to this series! Thanks Evie 👋🏼 whoa what a blast of a first book! Loved the characters - both olderish men, sexy as fuck, sons of migrants who casually speak other languages and have interesting, still very secretive backstory’s that I can’t wait to delve into. Also greatly appreciative that they weren’t explained in bulk detail in the first chapter.
The mystery kept me guessing, then it delved into not my favourite kind of scenario but some of those final scenes (after the perp is caught) where perfection. I loved the last POV scene for a certain side character, that gave me some heart warming closure, and one of the final scenes between the MCs was surprising in its chemistry.
I can’t decide who I am more epically attracted to - well dressed, competent and quietly mysterious Seong-Jae or a scarred, gruff, wolf-like man who wears wool suits, reads books and makes delectably gourmet cupcakes when he has seen too many gruesome murders. I need both these men in my life ASAP so please excuse me while I binge, likely, this entire series.
The mystery kept me guessing, then it delved into not my favourite kind of scenario but some of those final scenes (after the perp is caught) where perfection. I loved the last POV scene for a certain side character, that gave me some heart warming closure, and one of the final scenes between the MCs was surprising in its chemistry.
I can’t decide who I am more epically attracted to - well dressed, competent and quietly mysterious Seong-Jae or a scarred, gruff, wolf-like man who wears wool suits, reads books and makes delectably gourmet cupcakes when he has seen too many gruesome murders. I need both these men in my life ASAP so please excuse me while I binge, likely, this entire series.
May 15, 2018
I know when I pick up a Cole McCade book I’m going be left satisfied and I’d go as far as saying the opener to his M/M Criminal Intentions series is his best to date. True to his writing he combines representation of marginalised groups and individuals—this series features two rather stubborn detectives in Seong-Jae Yoon; Korean-American and demisexual/grey-ACE, and Malcolm Khalaji; Persian-American, bisexual, Jewish (and a silver fox)—with a fantastic story.
I love a good whodunnit and am the first to admit to being that one of those irritating readers who has a tendency to work out the villain. So to keep me guessing throughout, keeping me on my toes with every twist and turn, and effortlessly so, is no mean feat. And that’s exactly what happens as Malcolm and Seong-Jae begin their hunt for the person brutally murdering gay men.
A partnership would require us being partners.”
These two men bounce perfectly off one another—Malcolm a brooding and methodical man, not entirely adverse to using less traditional methods to get the right result, to Seong-Jae’s appreciation of rules and his frostier, more guarded persona. Yet irrespective of their less than glowing feelings of being partnered with one another, like it or not they have the beginnings of a spark flickering between them.
People seem to think if you just throw two guys together, we’ll end up naked.”
With so many elements brought together from the suspense, mystery and the darker elements that go hand in hand with that, to the slow-burning romantic tension and dry humour, The Cardigans really holds everything you could wish for from a novel of this genre. And whilst I wouldn’t say it ends on a cliffhanger, this is just the start of Malcolm and Seong-Jae’s partnership and with a wealth of possibility I can’t wait to join them on the path they travel, personally and professionally: one thing’s for certain, the author will bring the unexpected.
Let the games begin.”
Copy generously provided courtesy of the author for an honest and unbiased opinion.
I love a good whodunnit and am the first to admit to being that one of those irritating readers who has a tendency to work out the villain. So to keep me guessing throughout, keeping me on my toes with every twist and turn, and effortlessly so, is no mean feat. And that’s exactly what happens as Malcolm and Seong-Jae begin their hunt for the person brutally murdering gay men.
A partnership would require us being partners.”
These two men bounce perfectly off one another—Malcolm a brooding and methodical man, not entirely adverse to using less traditional methods to get the right result, to Seong-Jae’s appreciation of rules and his frostier, more guarded persona. Yet irrespective of their less than glowing feelings of being partnered with one another, like it or not they have the beginnings of a spark flickering between them.
People seem to think if you just throw two guys together, we’ll end up naked.”
With so many elements brought together from the suspense, mystery and the darker elements that go hand in hand with that, to the slow-burning romantic tension and dry humour, The Cardigans really holds everything you could wish for from a novel of this genre. And whilst I wouldn’t say it ends on a cliffhanger, this is just the start of Malcolm and Seong-Jae’s partnership and with a wealth of possibility I can’t wait to join them on the path they travel, personally and professionally: one thing’s for certain, the author will bring the unexpected.
Let the games begin.”
Copy generously provided courtesy of the author for an honest and unbiased opinion.
March 23, 2025
I did it. I finally freaking did it and listened to all of you utterly lovely people who kept recommending this series to me and honestly? Thank you from the bottom of my heart because what a wild, intense, satisfying ride this was!
First things first: The case was… a lot. So gruesome, so gory, so unhinged that I actually struggled to keep reading toward the end there.
Because, what the actual fuck. It was just a bit too much at times and the perp was a bit underwhelming in their deranged-ness I thought 😳
That said, I loved the crime scene investigation, even though I wanted to scream at SJ and Malcolm to follow some very obvious leads. Why didn’t they talk to Nathan sooner? Maybe just ask how he broke up with his past boyfriends?! Wouldn’t that have helped immensely to figure out the perp? Oh well.
Speaking of Nathan: OH MY GOD THAT POOR KID, he will need therapy for life and that still won’t be enough. What McCade made him experience is just plain cruel 😳
Please tell me the next cases aren’t that gory and unhinged?
But now onto the part we’re probably all here for. Seong-Jae and Malcom and THEIR INCREDIBLE TENSION AND CHEMISTRY 😩😮💨
Every lingering glance, every sharp witted exchange and As you say, the Well, Khalaji? Am I handsome?, THAT KISS 🫠 - it all left me weak-kneed. I can not WAIT to discover all their secrets and watch their relationship unfold 😍
So yeah, case gets 3⭐️, Seong-Jae and Malcom as well as McCade’s incredible writing get 5+⭐️, so I’ll settle on a solid 4⭐️ overall. On to the next one!
First things first: The case was… a lot. So gruesome, so gory, so unhinged that I actually struggled to keep reading toward the end there.
Because, what the actual fuck. It was just a bit too much at times and the perp was a bit underwhelming in their deranged-ness I thought 😳
That said, I loved the crime scene investigation, even though I wanted to scream at SJ and Malcolm to follow some very obvious leads. Why didn’t they talk to Nathan sooner? Maybe just ask how he broke up with his past boyfriends?! Wouldn’t that have helped immensely to figure out the perp? Oh well.
Speaking of Nathan: OH MY GOD THAT POOR KID, he will need therapy for life and that still won’t be enough. What McCade made him experience is just plain cruel 😳
Please tell me the next cases aren’t that gory and unhinged?
But now onto the part we’re probably all here for. Seong-Jae and Malcom and THEIR INCREDIBLE TENSION AND CHEMISTRY 😩😮💨
Every lingering glance, every sharp witted exchange and As you say, the Well, Khalaji? Am I handsome?, THAT KISS 🫠 - it all left me weak-kneed. I can not WAIT to discover all their secrets and watch their relationship unfold 😍
So yeah, case gets 3⭐️, Seong-Jae and Malcom as well as McCade’s incredible writing get 5+⭐️, so I’ll settle on a solid 4⭐️ overall. On to the next one!
May 8, 2021
Why hadn't I read this series before?!
Two detectives who did not want to be together, but are paired to solve some murders that are happening. Everything points to Nathan, ex-boyfriend of one of the victims, but is it him or is there someone behind it?
Damn. The romance hasn't even started, and I'm ready for it!!!
Watching the two of them trying to solve the case with different personalities was very entertaining.
The writing style captivated me. It's beautiful.
I'm so ready for the second one🤭.
Two detectives who did not want to be together, but are paired to solve some murders that are happening. Everything points to Nathan, ex-boyfriend of one of the victims, but is it him or is there someone behind it?
Damn. The romance hasn't even started, and I'm ready for it!!!
Watching the two of them trying to solve the case with different personalities was very entertaining.
The writing style captivated me. It's beautiful.
I'm so ready for the second one🤭.
September 5, 2022
Review for entire Season 1 (Book 1-13).
******Minor Spoilers Ahead******
I don't even know what to say!! I was entirely consumed into this vortex known as Criminal Intentions . It had me reminiscing on past days binge-watching Criminal Minds:TV show .
It has that same pull with the behavioral analysis of criminals but in the local setting of Baltimore until Season two where they begin to cross borders on their man-hunt.
The Romance:
This is a slow burn! If I recall correctly the MC's don't acknowledge their feelings and act on it truly until about book 6. This should have been a big NO for me, I don't have the patience for that kind of wait time but it didn't feel that way!!
We get a dual POV, so there is an intimate knowledge of their thoughts, their desires, their conflicting needs. There are also these small moments of intimacy that escalate steadily and delicious UST.
I found this to be so realistic and perfect for the storyline. Despite the lack of steam/romance between the MC's during the first ~5 books, it never felt like the police procedurals were the dominant factor. Rather the MC's getting to know each while performing their duties and that in itself quenched my thirst for romance.
When they finally succumb to their feelings, just beautiful. They totally make up for the lack of steam in the beginning. This isn't to say there isn't still tremendous growth afterwards, this relationship is truly built from scratch. We're with them through it all as they fumble and make mistakes joining their lives together.
The MC's
I LOVE THEM.
I do feel like it's giving up too much to describe the MC's because the author did an excellent job untangling the core of the characters over-time. It's truly a gradual process worth exploring without spoilers.
I will just say
yes to interracial couples in MM
yes to the exploration of the sexuality-spectrum
yes to hurt/comfort/healing storyline
Things I Loved:
The pacing - it's perfection. Everything from the intensity of the mysteries/crimes to the romance that increases in gradual increments until it reaches the crescendo.
Perfect.
The criminals:
Yes to complex villains. Having two detectives with education/experience in psychoanalyzing people leads to such an in-depth view of the criminals, their motivations and the past situations that have led them down the path they now walk.
The victims:
Ok so this was disturbing but also so fascinating. Each book stars off with a short POV from the victim's perspective, right before their death. Some of it is gruesome, terrifying and suspenseful. So well done!!
The setting:
I am not 100% on when Cole McCade wrote this series, but I will say it felt very present-day 2020 America. We have two honorable detectives in a sea of corruption. Trying to do the right thing and finding themselves tangled in politics. We also see the distrust between the residents of Baltimore and the police. There is also mentions of police violence against unharmed men. The perception of police when confronted with non-white individuals in possibly volatile situations. I did appreciate having two cops who achnoldedged these situations and took them into account with how they approached witnesses and the likes. In a way this had a sort of uplifting position that allows one to not see the police force in it's entirety as the villain but to acknowledge that yes most of them are corrupt and use their badge as a form of judge and jury but amongst them there are still a few, albeit a small amount, that actually do the job to protect and serve. I really appreciated this honest message.
The secondary Characters:
I won't say much here, but I did LOVE every single one of them. There were no gratuitous characters, each of them are complex in their own way and add texture to the storyline. It also helps that Cole McCade does divert from the MC's occasionally giving us the POV of some of the important secondary characters.
Sexuality-Spectrum/racial diversity:
I can't recall another MM book with such vast/diverse cast that represents different races, sexualities and religions.
We have ACE, BI, ARO, Lesbian, Trans, Gender fluid, Cuban, Persian, Jewish, Korean, etc.
I mean seriously, it was amazing and made me so happy to see such a vast group of people represented here.
Final Words
This is by far my top favorite crime romance series. Each mystery is memorable and detailed. From getting the victims POV to the deep psychological analysis the MC's make towards each alleged criminal.
I will add it's actually quite gruesome, Cole McCade doesn't shy away from portraying the savagery of murder, serial or not. The cruelty is very much on-page in vivid details.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND to lovers of romance and police procedurals.
I want to add that despite the large number of books in this series they're actually quick-reads. Most are between 160-250 pages. So... you know... GO READ IT!! SOO GOOD! Also definitely NOT stand-alone.
******Minor Spoilers Ahead******
I don't even know what to say!! I was entirely consumed into this vortex known as Criminal Intentions . It had me reminiscing on past days binge-watching Criminal Minds:TV show .
It has that same pull with the behavioral analysis of criminals but in the local setting of Baltimore until Season two where they begin to cross borders on their man-hunt.
The Romance:
This is a slow burn! If I recall correctly the MC's don't acknowledge their feelings and act on it truly until about book 6. This should have been a big NO for me, I don't have the patience for that kind of wait time but it didn't feel that way!!
We get a dual POV, so there is an intimate knowledge of their thoughts, their desires, their conflicting needs. There are also these small moments of intimacy that escalate steadily and delicious UST.
I found this to be so realistic and perfect for the storyline. Despite the lack of steam/romance between the MC's during the first ~5 books, it never felt like the police procedurals were the dominant factor. Rather the MC's getting to know each while performing their duties and that in itself quenched my thirst for romance.
When they finally succumb to their feelings, just beautiful. They totally make up for the lack of steam in the beginning. This isn't to say there isn't still tremendous growth afterwards, this relationship is truly built from scratch. We're with them through it all as they fumble and make mistakes joining their lives together.
The MC's
I LOVE THEM.
I do feel like it's giving up too much to describe the MC's because the author did an excellent job untangling the core of the characters over-time. It's truly a gradual process worth exploring without spoilers.
I will just say
yes to interracial couples in MM
yes to the exploration of the sexuality-spectrum
yes to hurt/comfort/healing storyline
Things I Loved:
The pacing - it's perfection. Everything from the intensity of the mysteries/crimes to the romance that increases in gradual increments until it reaches the crescendo.
Perfect.
The criminals:
Yes to complex villains. Having two detectives with education/experience in psychoanalyzing people leads to such an in-depth view of the criminals, their motivations and the past situations that have led them down the path they now walk.
The victims:
Ok so this was disturbing but also so fascinating. Each book stars off with a short POV from the victim's perspective, right before their death. Some of it is gruesome, terrifying and suspenseful. So well done!!
The setting:
I am not 100% on when Cole McCade wrote this series, but I will say it felt very present-day 2020 America. We have two honorable detectives in a sea of corruption. Trying to do the right thing and finding themselves tangled in politics. We also see the distrust between the residents of Baltimore and the police. There is also mentions of police violence against unharmed men. The perception of police when confronted with non-white individuals in possibly volatile situations. I did appreciate having two cops who achnoldedged these situations and took them into account with how they approached witnesses and the likes. In a way this had a sort of uplifting position that allows one to not see the police force in it's entirety as the villain but to acknowledge that yes most of them are corrupt and use their badge as a form of judge and jury but amongst them there are still a few, albeit a small amount, that actually do the job to protect and serve. I really appreciated this honest message.
The secondary Characters:
I won't say much here, but I did LOVE every single one of them. There were no gratuitous characters, each of them are complex in their own way and add texture to the storyline. It also helps that Cole McCade does divert from the MC's occasionally giving us the POV of some of the important secondary characters.
Sexuality-Spectrum/racial diversity:
I can't recall another MM book with such vast/diverse cast that represents different races, sexualities and religions.
We have ACE, BI, ARO, Lesbian, Trans, Gender fluid, Cuban, Persian, Jewish, Korean, etc.
I mean seriously, it was amazing and made me so happy to see such a vast group of people represented here.
Final Words
This is by far my top favorite crime romance series. Each mystery is memorable and detailed. From getting the victims POV to the deep psychological analysis the MC's make towards each alleged criminal.
I will add it's actually quite gruesome, Cole McCade doesn't shy away from portraying the savagery of murder, serial or not. The cruelty is very much on-page in vivid details.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND to lovers of romance and police procedurals.
I want to add that despite the large number of books in this series they're actually quick-reads. Most are between 160-250 pages. So... you know... GO READ IT!! SOO GOOD! Also definitely NOT stand-alone.
July 3, 2023
₂/₂₀₂₀ _ ₄.₅
₉/₂₀₂₁ _ ₄
₇/₂₀₂₃ _ ₄.₂₅
.
.
.
.
𝟬𝟮/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟬 - 𝟰
𝟬𝟵/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟭 - 𝟰.𝟱
𝗧𝗩 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗥𝗘𝗖
— 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀
THE CARDIGANS is the one that started it all, and man oh man, it is good to be back in Baltimore. I stumbled upon CRIMINAL INTENTIONS last year and accidentally on purpose ended up bingeing the entire first season.
Well, it's a little over a year later and COLE MCCADE is already on the final season, which - 😳. Honestly, COLE MCCADE wows me with his writing speed. Anywho, I think now is the perfect time for me to get caught up.
✧ 𝗠𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦 ✧ (𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘 𝗔𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗)
♥ 𝗦𝗘𝗢𝗡𝗚-𝗝𝗔𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗢𝗡 ♥
♥ 𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗠 𝗞𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗝𝗜 ♥
✔ 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗘 ✔
✧ 𝗠𝗬 𝗙𝗔𝗩𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗘 𝗤𝗨𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗦 ✧ (𝗬𝗘𝗦, 𝗜𝗧'𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗗 𝗢𝗙 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞)
Ooh, and before I go, I just wanna give a huge thanks to moonlight ☾ and Shile.
It's because of Shile that I picked this series up originally. Her fabulous reviews on season one literally, gave me life. And, it's because of moonlight ☾ that I decided to reread season one. Her reviews popped up on my feed and had me itching to join her on her CRIMINAL INTENTIONS journey.
Big thank you to both of you ♥
┍━━━━━✧✦━━━━━┑
𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦: 𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗡𝗘
𝟭. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗻𝘀 - 𝟰.𝟱 ✩
𝟮. 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗸 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀 - 𝟯.𝟱 ✩
𝟯. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗘𝘆𝗲 - 𝟰 ✩
𝟰. 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 - 𝟰.𝟲 ✩
𝟱. 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 - 𝟱 ✩
𝟲. 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗦𝗺𝗼𝗸𝗲 - 𝟰 ✩
𝟳. 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 - 𝟰.𝟮𝟱 ✩
𝟴. 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲 - 𝟰.𝟳𝟱/𝟱 ✩
𝟵. 𝗔 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲'𝘀 𝗙𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗲 - 𝟰.𝟮𝟱 ✩
𝟭𝟬. 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 - 𝟰.𝟱 ✩
𝟭𝟭. 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗼 - 𝟯.𝟱 ✩
𝟭𝟮. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿'𝘀 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲: 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗜 - 𝟯.𝟮𝟱 ✩
𝟭𝟯. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿'𝘀 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲: 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗜𝗜 - 𝟰 ✩
┕━━━━━✧✦━━━━━┙
₉/₂₀₂₁ _ ₄
₇/₂₀₂₃ _ ₄.₂₅
.
.
.
.
𝟬𝟮/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟬 - 𝟰
𝟬𝟵/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟭 - 𝟰.𝟱
Yoon followed him back to his desk. Yoon was always there, right at Malcolm’s shoulder. He’d hardly known the man for twenty-four hours and yet he was part of Malcolm’s every waking moment.
𝗧𝗩 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗥𝗘𝗖
— 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀
THE CARDIGANS is the one that started it all, and man oh man, it is good to be back in Baltimore. I stumbled upon CRIMINAL INTENTIONS last year and accidentally on purpose ended up bingeing the entire first season.
Well, it's a little over a year later and COLE MCCADE is already on the final season, which - 😳. Honestly, COLE MCCADE wows me with his writing speed. Anywho, I think now is the perfect time for me to get caught up.
✧ 𝗠𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦 ✧ (𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘 𝗔𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗)
… ❝Are those latex?❞
❝Yes.❞
❝Latex allergy.❞ Seong-Jae stared at him flatly.
… ❝Get your fucking mind out of the gutter, Yoon. I’m serious. And I use sheepskin.❞
Seong-Jae scowled. ❝I do not need to know such things about your personal life.❞
❝Then don’t look at me like you were thinking exactly what I know you were thinking.❞
♥ 𝗦𝗘𝗢𝗡𝗚-𝗝𝗔𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗢𝗡 ♥
— Yoon is still my favorite character upon reread. There's something so… complex and intriguing about Yoon that I can't quite put my finger on. I love how, at first glance he appears so, standoffish. But, even as book one progresses, we observe little hints of a deeply emotional man underneath an incredibly hard exterior.
— Moreover, I love the way Malcolm clearly gets to Yoon. While he may not be feeling attracted to Mal, he's clearly puzzled by him. It was wonderful seeing neat and orderly Seong-Jae get his feathers ruffled by the old wolf.
— All in all, I think MCCADE does a great job introducing us to Seong-Jae Yoon. He's not completely thawed by the end of book one, and that's okay. We're left slightly… off-kilter when it comes to Yoon. And honestly, that's what makes Seong-Jae as a character so great. There's so many layers to him, and we've barely scratched the surface.
♥ 𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗠 𝗞𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗝𝗜 ♥
— If Seong-Jae is a bit of a mystery, then Malcolm Khalaji is the exact opposite. He's the kind of man who subtly wears his heart on his sleeve. A grizzled "lone wolf" detective, he allegedly operates best alone, but… I don't know about that.
— Book one does a great job of not only introducing us to Malcolm, but giving a real sense of how Malcolm emotionally operates. See, at first he's not all too thrilled with having Yoon as a partner, but as THE CARDIGANS progresses we see Mal unconsciously already slot Yoon into his life.
— Malcolm may not be as "complex" as Seong-Jae, but he's no less intriguing. If anything, I'd say he's the heart of CRIMINAL INTENTIONS. And, even in book one, we see signs of that. From the way he isn't afraid to comfort Seong-Jae, to how he readily puts his trust in Seong-Jae, to how everyone around Malcolm responds to him. Mal is Mal. He's the kind of man you can put your faith in and just innately know he will never let you down.
✔ 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗘 ✔
— One of the things COLE MCCADE excels at, at least in my opinion, is the cases. While CRIMINAL INTENTIONS is, at its heart, a romance, it's also the story of two officers of the law trying to restore some semblance of peace and good to the world.
— One of my favorite things about CI is the way in which each case (at least in season one) sort of builds off the other. They form a clear picture by the time you get to the finale, but still work as standalone cases.
— Moreover, this first case is one that I've never forgotten. It's chilling, creepy, twisted, and ultimately, unbelievably tragic. Also, poor Nathan.
✧ 𝗠𝗬 𝗙𝗔𝗩𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗘 𝗤𝗨𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗦 ✧ (𝗬𝗘𝗦, 𝗜𝗧'𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗗 𝗢𝗙 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞)
❝Him,❞ Zarate said.
Malcolm frowned. ❝He’s not forensics. Fed?❞
❝No.❞ Zarate heaved a heavy sigh. ❝Transfer from LAPD. Just processed his papers yesterday.❞ Suspicion prickled on the back of Malcolm’s neck. ❝What are you not telling me?❞
— hint: what she's not telling you Mal, is that the man over yonder is your future life partner…
Jot, he thought, but clamped his teeth together so hard they hurt—and spilled the wallet into his palm.
— ahhh. the way i screamed when Seong-Jae first called Mal a jot in his head…
❝…that’s a lot of creamer,❞ Malcolm said mildly.
❝I am aware.❞
❝And a lot of sugar.❞
❝I,❞ Yoon proclaimed firmly, ❝do not like coffee.❞
— this moment was 🥺🥰
Malcolm held back, gesturing for Seong-Jae to enter before him with an almost mocking deference. Were Seong-Jae a different man, he might well have bitten him.
— i mean… nobody is stopping you Mal…
… ❝Aren’t you a sweet boy. And handsome, too.❞ She turned that wide smile on Malcolm. ❝Isn’t he handsome?❞
Malcolm groaned, dragging his hand over his face. ❝Janine.❞ …
❝Well, Khalaji? Am I handsome?❞
❝Don’t be an ass,❞ Malcolm said, and followed Janine to the printer.
— Janine was the real MVP this episode
❝Why were you reading my personnel file?❞
When Yoon didn’t answer, Malcolm sighed. ❝Asshole.❞
❝Jot,❞ Yoon replied without missing a beat.
Malcolm jabbed a finger at him. ❝Don’t translate that. If I know, I’m going to hurt you.❞
— the banter, i. freaking. love. it.
And Seong-Jae was wasting mental energy that should be focused on figuring out the case on, instead, figuring out his temporary partner.
— hmm. what about Mal has you wasting precious mental energy, Yoon 😏
❝I might think about keeping you.❞
Seong-Jae immediately tensed, flicking Malcolm a slit-eyed look. ❝I am not a pet to be kept.❞
❝See?❞ Malcolm chuckled. ❝Why would I want to reassign you when you get so huffy?❞
❝I am not staying if you intend to goad me regularly.❞
❝Yes, you are. Leaving would mean disobeying orders. You don’t want to do that, do you?❞
❝Malcolm?❞ Seong-Jae asked mildly, staring with a particular calculated blankness across the parking garage.
❝Yes?❞
❝❛Jot❜ means ❛dick.❜❞
— this interaction was everything, ngl.
Ooh, and before I go, I just wanna give a huge thanks to moonlight ☾ and Shile.
It's because of Shile that I picked this series up originally. Her fabulous reviews on season one literally, gave me life. And, it's because of moonlight ☾ that I decided to reread season one. Her reviews popped up on my feed and had me itching to join her on her CRIMINAL INTENTIONS journey.
Big thank you to both of you ♥
┍━━━━━✧✦━━━━━┑
𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦: 𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗡𝗘
𝟭. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗻𝘀 - 𝟰.𝟱 ✩
𝟮. 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗸 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀 - 𝟯.𝟱 ✩
𝟯. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗘𝘆𝗲 - 𝟰 ✩
𝟰. 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 - 𝟰.𝟲 ✩
𝟱. 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 - 𝟱 ✩
𝟲. 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗦𝗺𝗼𝗸𝗲 - 𝟰 ✩
𝟳. 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 - 𝟰.𝟮𝟱 ✩
𝟴. 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲 - 𝟰.𝟳𝟱/𝟱 ✩
𝟵. 𝗔 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲'𝘀 𝗙𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗲 - 𝟰.𝟮𝟱 ✩
𝟭𝟬. 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 - 𝟰.𝟱 ✩
𝟭𝟭. 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗼 - 𝟯.𝟱 ✩
𝟭𝟮. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿'𝘀 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲: 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗜 - 𝟯.𝟮𝟱 ✩
𝟭𝟯. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿'𝘀 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲: 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗜𝗜 - 𝟰 ✩
┕━━━━━✧✦━━━━━┙
May 23, 2021
4 stars 💫
Wow! This is really really interesting, and I read this book in just one sitting. Yeah, right. it was an ‘unputdownable’ book.
I know this book is the slowest slow burn romance story, and it didn't bother me at all to read this book. Sometimes I just forgot that this book was a romance one too. The case was a really horrific and creepy one. The author has warned. I kept guessing who was the murderer, and the curiosity part was well done. During the book, I was a fucking Sherlock Holmes as if I have a sharp brain like him. 😂 I love both Malcolm and Yoon. Mal was so sweet, and he knew how to handle a situation by putting his heart first. I think he is the sweet guy in this series. Yoon was an arrogant, stubborn guy. I think he learned many things from Mal. I believe Yoon and Mal would make a great couple. They have that kind of a ‘chemistry’ 😉
Thanks so much my dear Marian to recommend me this series. ❤️
Wow! This is really really interesting, and I read this book in just one sitting. Yeah, right. it was an ‘unputdownable’ book.
I know this book is the slowest slow burn romance story, and it didn't bother me at all to read this book. Sometimes I just forgot that this book was a romance one too. The case was a really horrific and creepy one. The author has warned. I kept guessing who was the murderer, and the curiosity part was well done. During the book, I was a fucking Sherlock Holmes as if I have a sharp brain like him. 😂 I love both Malcolm and Yoon. Mal was so sweet, and he knew how to handle a situation by putting his heart first. I think he is the sweet guy in this series. Yoon was an arrogant, stubborn guy. I think he learned many things from Mal. I believe Yoon and Mal would make a great couple. They have that kind of a ‘chemistry’ 😉
Thanks so much my dear Marian to recommend me this series. ❤️
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