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Calculated Chaos #1
Perfectly Fine
Last he checked Beckett Thérault was many things; a batshit Ex-Marine, a renowned ladies’ man, a damn good shot, but he sure as hell wasn’t gay. Yet, it seems that cupid has traded his bow for a 9 mm Glock because after getting shot on a job gone wrong, and Hayes Monroe, Beckett’s partner of four years, moves heaven and earth to keep Beckett alive, Beckett is practically swooning over Hayes.
Stranger still, Hayes, the equally as straight, emotionally stunted retired Navy Seal Marksman, seems to share Beckett’s feelings. Regardless of labels, while they both might be willing to admit their attraction to each other, they also have enough baggage to rival a cargo plane, and figuring out what they’re willing to gamble might not be as easy as falling into bed is.
When the bullets start hitting close to home, and the emotional questions start piling up with no answers in sight, the two men will have to face it all or lose it all. It’ll never be perfect, but if they can find even ground, they might be perfectly fine.
Stranger still, Hayes, the equally as straight, emotionally stunted retired Navy Seal Marksman, seems to share Beckett’s feelings. Regardless of labels, while they both might be willing to admit their attraction to each other, they also have enough baggage to rival a cargo plane, and figuring out what they’re willing to gamble might not be as easy as falling into bed is.
When the bullets start hitting close to home, and the emotional questions start piling up with no answers in sight, the two men will have to face it all or lose it all. It’ll never be perfect, but if they can find even ground, they might be perfectly fine.
410 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 11, 2021
62 people are currently reading
385 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
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November 23, 2024DNF 32% - good ideas but poor execution. Flicked between both MC’s POV in one page. Paragraph breaks multiple times in every page when it’s actually all one scene. Stilted dialogue. No clear story arc forming. There was potential in the prologue but then we are thrown into insta-lust without getting to see any on-page tension build. Can’t feel the chemistry between the MC’s. Incredibly awkward first sex scene. The action scenes feel weirdly described. Unfortunately this cool cover and interesting blurb didn’t deliver for me.
June 15, 2024
I could read about these two every day for the rest of my life. I’ve read a lot of queer romance but these two are truly something special and I truly hope for a follow up book 🙏
July 26, 2025
The plot wasn’t clear to me at all, and I’ll explain why:
1. The organization they’re part of is the most made-up thing I’ve ever heard of. Why not just make them part of the FBI or CIA? It just doesn’t make sense logically.
2. The incident with the sniper was just badly written, and the whole chain of events made no sense. Why wouldn’t they tell anyone about the sniper? Why hide and set up a trap to lure him in? Is it that hard to find a Secret Service clinic to treat a wound? In short, none of it was logical.
And now for the reason I even started this book in the first place – the romance (I’ll read anything as long as there’s romance. Otherwise, there’s nothing to talk about).
3. One moment they’re partners who know nothing personal about each other but get along fine, and then one and a half sad stories about their pasts later, and suddenly they’re half in love and want to sleep together? Two men in their thirties who have only ever been with women?
I’m not saying it can’t happen, but you have to build up to it! Here, there was no build-up at all, and I didn’t feel any real connection between them.
I’m out.
1. The organization they’re part of is the most made-up thing I’ve ever heard of. Why not just make them part of the FBI or CIA? It just doesn’t make sense logically.
2. The incident with the sniper was just badly written, and the whole chain of events made no sense. Why wouldn’t they tell anyone about the sniper? Why hide and set up a trap to lure him in? Is it that hard to find a Secret Service clinic to treat a wound? In short, none of it was logical.
And now for the reason I even started this book in the first place – the romance (I’ll read anything as long as there’s romance. Otherwise, there’s nothing to talk about).
3. One moment they’re partners who know nothing personal about each other but get along fine, and then one and a half sad stories about their pasts later, and suddenly they’re half in love and want to sleep together? Two men in their thirties who have only ever been with women?
I’m not saying it can’t happen, but you have to build up to it! Here, there was no build-up at all, and I didn’t feel any real connection between them.
I’m out.
March 14, 2025
I absolutely loved these characters — their personalities were so well-drawn, and their dynamic was a lot of fun. I just wish the slow burn had lasted a bit longer! My only real criticism is the constant POV switching; I often had to backtrack to figure out whose thoughts I was following. Oh and I found the ending a bit predictable 😅 That said, these characters really grew dear to me, and I adored the tenderness between them :)
July 10, 2025
This was so good. I read this in one sitting. Could not put it down. Fast paced and funny!
October 13, 2024
I thoroughly and immensely enjoyed this book. The chaos, the action, the comedy, the romance, and the spice (hot!). I enjoyed it all. If this book was to ever become a movie, I would totally watch it...and more than once.
Personailty-wise, I identified with Hayes, and he is probably my favorite character of the two, but I loved me some Beckett because even though the dude was chaos personified, he knew how to show up grounded, especially when Hayes needed it, so I loved him for how he made everything happen for him and Hayes.
I annotated all over this book on Kindle Unlimited, which led me to the realization that I am going to buy myself a physical copy because I want to highlight and revisit again at my leisure.
Notable Quotes/Scenes:
“Never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.” -Mark Twain
++++++++++++++++
“For the record, I was perfectly fine.”
++++++++++++++++
“You should sleep,” Beck said, his voice making Hayes jump. He glanced up to the mirror to see that Beck was standing in the doorway. He was favoring his left leg and was using the doorframe to hold himself up, but he seemed to have some measure of control.
“I'm fine,” Hayes replied, shaking his head.
“Ha!” Beck barked, perhaps a little too forcefully, “that's my line, Daisy!” He shot Hayes his best crooked grin.
++++++++++++++++
“I'm straight,” Hayes said, although it sounded more like a question than a statement.
“Me too!” Beckett exclaimed, throwing his hands up like a flailing five-year-old. “Or I was, until your pianist's hands, British accent, and Superman shooting skills kept me alive in the woods!” Beckett added.
Hayes barked a surprised laugh and ran a sexy hand through his equally sexy black hair. “Your life was never really at risk,” Hayes said.
“Semantics,” Beckett answered.
++++++++++++++++
“Anything can become a weapon if you figure out how to wield it,” Beckett answered with a shrug, refusing to meet Hayes’ eyes.
++++++++++++++++
Chapter 20 - Beckett Family Christmas Dinner. Popping Bottles. Chase is not a licensed therapist.
There was a scene that was so immersive. It kind of pulls you in, and you get a little unsettled, but when you realize what happened, it's like, "Oh. Oh, wow."
++++++++++++++++
“Silence is golden unless you have kids. Then silence is suspicious.”
++++++++++++++++
“Sure,” Beck shrugged. “I got a loaded 9mm for any b*tch who comes for my boyfriend!” he added, with a surprising amount of sassitude.
“Ha! Exactly!” Sherry scoffed in approval, as Hayes turned to stare at Beck, eyes wide with shock.
++++++++++++++++
The discord between them was evident. They were weaving individual scenarios in their heads and treating them like they were concrete realities.
++++++++++++++++
Chapter 28 - The communication was everything.
++++++++++++++++
It was proof that while they could be vulnerable and open with each other, at the end of it all, Beckett was still an @sshole, Hayes was still emotionally stunted, and they were still calculated chaos. It was the most reassuring thought he’d ever come across.
++++++++++++++++
[Gill to Beckett]
Beckett’s jaw was on the floor. His eyes blown open wide like he’d just witnessed a resurrection.
“I have a million questions,” he said.
“You get one,” the older man said. He seemed to be enjoying this dramatic reveal because although his face remained a cold mask of ice, there was a definite sparkle in his eyes.
Beckett turned to Hayes then, his eyes still wide.
“I don’t know which one,” he whispered conspiratorially like a toddler trying to choose an ice cream flavor.
Hayes shrugged and chuckled.
++++++++++++++++
“Thank you,” he whispered. Hayes didn’t bother with the whys, and Beckett didn’t ask. They knew perfectly well why they thanked each other when no one could hear.
Personailty-wise, I identified with Hayes, and he is probably my favorite character of the two, but I loved me some Beckett because even though the dude was chaos personified, he knew how to show up grounded, especially when Hayes needed it, so I loved him for how he made everything happen for him and Hayes.
I annotated all over this book on Kindle Unlimited, which led me to the realization that I am going to buy myself a physical copy because I want to highlight and revisit again at my leisure.
Notable Quotes/Scenes:
“Never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.” -Mark Twain
++++++++++++++++
“For the record, I was perfectly fine.”
++++++++++++++++
“You should sleep,” Beck said, his voice making Hayes jump. He glanced up to the mirror to see that Beck was standing in the doorway. He was favoring his left leg and was using the doorframe to hold himself up, but he seemed to have some measure of control.
“I'm fine,” Hayes replied, shaking his head.
“Ha!” Beck barked, perhaps a little too forcefully, “that's my line, Daisy!” He shot Hayes his best crooked grin.
++++++++++++++++
“I'm straight,” Hayes said, although it sounded more like a question than a statement.
“Me too!” Beckett exclaimed, throwing his hands up like a flailing five-year-old. “Or I was, until your pianist's hands, British accent, and Superman shooting skills kept me alive in the woods!” Beckett added.
Hayes barked a surprised laugh and ran a sexy hand through his equally sexy black hair. “Your life was never really at risk,” Hayes said.
“Semantics,” Beckett answered.
++++++++++++++++
“Anything can become a weapon if you figure out how to wield it,” Beckett answered with a shrug, refusing to meet Hayes’ eyes.
++++++++++++++++
Chapter 20 - Beckett Family Christmas Dinner. Popping Bottles. Chase is not a licensed therapist.
There was a scene that was so immersive. It kind of pulls you in, and you get a little unsettled, but when you realize what happened, it's like, "Oh. Oh, wow."
++++++++++++++++
“Silence is golden unless you have kids. Then silence is suspicious.”
++++++++++++++++
“Sure,” Beck shrugged. “I got a loaded 9mm for any b*tch who comes for my boyfriend!” he added, with a surprising amount of sassitude.
“Ha! Exactly!” Sherry scoffed in approval, as Hayes turned to stare at Beck, eyes wide with shock.
++++++++++++++++
The discord between them was evident. They were weaving individual scenarios in their heads and treating them like they were concrete realities.
++++++++++++++++
Chapter 28 - The communication was everything.
++++++++++++++++
It was proof that while they could be vulnerable and open with each other, at the end of it all, Beckett was still an @sshole, Hayes was still emotionally stunted, and they were still calculated chaos. It was the most reassuring thought he’d ever come across.
++++++++++++++++
[Gill to Beckett]
Beckett’s jaw was on the floor. His eyes blown open wide like he’d just witnessed a resurrection.
“I have a million questions,” he said.
“You get one,” the older man said. He seemed to be enjoying this dramatic reveal because although his face remained a cold mask of ice, there was a definite sparkle in his eyes.
Beckett turned to Hayes then, his eyes still wide.
“I don’t know which one,” he whispered conspiratorially like a toddler trying to choose an ice cream flavor.
Hayes shrugged and chuckled.
++++++++++++++++
“Thank you,” he whispered. Hayes didn’t bother with the whys, and Beckett didn’t ask. They knew perfectly well why they thanked each other when no one could hear.
Read
March 26, 2025DNF-31%: I think this book had a lot of potential but was poorly executed. It felt like the MCs attraction for one another came of nowhere. All of a sudden , they went from being just colleagues to having romantic feelings for one another. I know that it was said that Beck found Hayes to be a very attractive man, but that's all it was; finding someone attractive. I think the author was banking on the fact that they knew each other for three years. I personally think this book would've worked better as a slow burn with pining. Additionally, I had a problem with the POV in this book. I didn't like that it kept changing every other sentence. It tends to get confusing at a certain point. Honestly, I was saddened that I didn't personally enjoy this book, but I'm still willing to give this author another chance. 🫶
June 30, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Waited a long time to read this book. And it was certainly worth the wait!!
I had heard so many good things about it and it. certainly did not disappoint.
Think I may be slightly obsessed with Beckett and Hayes.
Love the dynamic between the extrovert and the introvert. Also love Hayes internal dialogue and also how Beckett never questions his decision about falling for Hayes.
Oh an damn the banter. This is some top tier banter. When you read a book with great banter it elevates it to a new high and does not disappoint. Fingers crossed book 2 continues on as book 1 finished off.
🌶️🌶️
Waited a long time to read this book. And it was certainly worth the wait!!
I had heard so many good things about it and it. certainly did not disappoint.
Think I may be slightly obsessed with Beckett and Hayes.
Love the dynamic between the extrovert and the introvert. Also love Hayes internal dialogue and also how Beckett never questions his decision about falling for Hayes.
Oh an damn the banter. This is some top tier banter. When you read a book with great banter it elevates it to a new high and does not disappoint. Fingers crossed book 2 continues on as book 1 finished off.
August 30, 2024
Very fun book, the banter is cute and enjoyable. Unrealistic at times and a bit insta love. But it was fun. I had a hard time with the POV at times, since it would switch up randomly. But the charm of the characters far outweighed my issues with it.
Also poorly formatted on my kindle at least, like the line breaks would be in the middle of a paragraph coming down both sides of the image? And sometimes text would be almost? centered and other times left aligned. It was weird but by no means a deal breaker.
Also poorly formatted on my kindle at least, like the line breaks would be in the middle of a paragraph coming down both sides of the image? And sometimes text would be almost? centered and other times left aligned. It was weird but by no means a deal breaker.
November 18, 2024
Done!!!
Ohmygod this is such a great read!
I really love action packed mm romance.
Im just so happy w how these two communicate and im glad they both have the maturity to accept to themseleves that theyre falling for one another
Btw, i already guessed who the villain is in this story even before it was revealed. I just like how the story goes , though im not sure, there seem to have a lot of typos but its all good coz i truly undeestand what it means onset.
Anyway, the name Pantouffle is jst so adorable!
Alright... am gonna read right away to the book 2!
Ohmygod this is such a great read!
I really love action packed mm romance.
Im just so happy w how these two communicate and im glad they both have the maturity to accept to themseleves that theyre falling for one another
Btw, i already guessed who the villain is in this story even before it was revealed. I just like how the story goes , though im not sure, there seem to have a lot of typos but its all good coz i truly undeestand what it means onset.
Anyway, the name Pantouffle is jst so adorable!
Alright... am gonna read right away to the book 2!
August 12, 2021
This book has an interesting plot but the mistakes in spelling and grammar make it almost unreadable. I love new authors and I was looking forward to reading this because it will be the beginning of a series. I almost DNF at 15% and again at 30% but I found the characters enjoyable so I kept going. I’m hoping that the author will fix the problems with the second book because I’m willing to give Beck and Hayes another chance.
May 4, 2025
Sadly, I can only give this book one star due to the disturbingly high number of similarities to Abigail Roux’s Cut & Run series.
I am a huge fan of the Cut & Run series and have read the series countless times over the years to the point that I can quote parts of the books. Straight away, I noticed similarities in characters, events and even sentences and phrases (and t-shirts with funny slogans just like Ty) to the point that it can not be denied. It’s not cool to copy things from other authors’ books.
It’s a shame because this could have been a good series without taking from other people’s work. I discovered this author when their book “Uncharted Terrain” was recommended to me. I loved that book and gave it five stars. But this is very disappointing.
I am a huge fan of the Cut & Run series and have read the series countless times over the years to the point that I can quote parts of the books. Straight away, I noticed similarities in characters, events and even sentences and phrases (and t-shirts with funny slogans just like Ty) to the point that it can not be denied. It’s not cool to copy things from other authors’ books.
It’s a shame because this could have been a good series without taking from other people’s work. I discovered this author when their book “Uncharted Terrain” was recommended to me. I loved that book and gave it five stars. But this is very disappointing.
Read
August 29, 2024This book has potential. It has a great premise, but it felt like reading an A03 fanfiction. Not that there's not a lot of well written fanfiction out there, but the style is not what I expected from a published book.
Mind you I didn't even make it through the first chapter, so maybe it gets better but until there's an audiobook version I'll never know.
Mind you I didn't even make it through the first chapter, so maybe it gets better but until there's an audiobook version I'll never know.
November 10, 2021
Good characters but needs an editor
The book needs a complete overhaul, too many misspelled words, bad grammar and loopholes. I would have enjoyed the book however the errors brought me out of the story.
Please author get yourself another editor and a spellchecker
The book needs a complete overhaul, too many misspelled words, bad grammar and loopholes. I would have enjoyed the book however the errors brought me out of the story.
Please author get yourself another editor and a spellchecker
August 21, 2021
3 - 3.5 stars
Quite enjoyed this. Could have been a bit tighter in regards to editing and there were a few loose ends (what's the deal with Chance?) But I would definitely read more from this author
Quite enjoyed this. Could have been a bit tighter in regards to editing and there were a few loose ends (what's the deal with Chance?) But I would definitely read more from this author
September 9, 2024
Enjoyable but needs editing. The plot holes were wide and deep. Someone needed to read for continuity.
September 16, 2024
Absolutely loved it. Obsessed.
September 29, 2024
This book was such an entertaining read.
What a wild ride. I was so here for it.
*Note - there were a few grammar errors, though nothing major.
What a wild ride. I was so here for it.
*Note - there were a few grammar errors, though nothing major.
December 18, 2024
what a delight
Loved it from beginning to end , eagerly downloaded the second book and will immediately start after this review. Hot , sassy and action packed great read
Loved it from beginning to end , eagerly downloaded the second book and will immediately start after this review. Hot , sassy and action packed great read
December 26, 2024
This was a fun, with depth and some heat read.
April 15, 2025
Absurdly similar to Cut and Run...which isn't to say I didn't enjoy it, more just shocked at the level of semi-plagerism.
May 9, 2024
Perfectly Fine is one of the best books of 2021. Maybe one of the best books of the 21st century. The first edition has been heavily edited and is all the better for it. Enormously entertaining from the very first sentence to the last. For those of you who have not yet purchased this divine text, you might want to consider the best "hook" ever in modern fiction from the Prologue: "There is nothing quite like watching two grown men play rock, paper, scissors, in a drunk tank on a dreary Monday morning to make you reconsider all of your life choices." What??!!!??? Crazy, right??!!! Well, if you love a solid dash of outrageously clever humor in your books, then go ahead and hit "add to cart." I fell in love with the two main characters, Hayes and Therault, immediately and irrevocably well before I made it to Chapter 1. The second book in the series of Calculated Chaos is anxiously being awaited by the fans of M.W. Gold. Of course, re-reading Book 1 is not a bad thing. But maybe 5 times is excessive . . .
May 9, 2024
M.W. Gold's writing talents are unique and stand out in the genre of m/m fiction. Amazingly clever dialogue and fast paced storyline make this an absolute "must read" for fans of books about gay law enforcement agents. Intelligent and extraordinarily well-developed characters who form an unlikely but amazingly successful partnership that surprises them as much as the reader! Action, adventure, drama, humor, fast pace, crisp dialogue--I just can't sing the praises of this book enough. When I got to the last page, I just couldn't put it down. So, I turned back to the Prologue and just re-read the whole darn thing because it is just that much fun. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book. M.W. Gold is a rising star in the world of m/m fiction, and this book is a fine example of exactly why!
September 18, 2024
This was a really good reading. This book took me to much time to read, but it was not his fault. A story about a Marine and a SEAL that had nothing to go right, but they just did. A big mouth manly man act first think second and a quiet, methodic overthinker. I liked the way they love in different ways, but they find common ground and try to be better to one another. Loved the fact that they just clicked, they got from straight to gay for one another and even tho that was new to both of them, they just let it go, and tried with each other and didn't get crazy with the revelation... They were just casual, like "I was straight, but this man makes me feel things, and I like it". Very cute story with some action, a good book overall
September 21, 2024
3.5 stars. I found beck super funny but man I just wish they would’ve communicated before the 90% mark of the book💀 there were a lot of words though. I don’t mean that as a bad thing, but really I had to skip some pages because it was just too much thought. Like in the middle of a conversation the character would have an internal monologue that went on for 2-3 pages like I don’t care. And how come no one else thought their pause in conversation took too long? I also kinda wish the chapters were labeled with whose head we’re inside. Like it was obviously 3rd person and idc about that but I really just didn’t like it skipping around. It was like limited 3rd person while also being partly omniscient. It was hard to keep track of
May 4, 2025
Sadly, I can only give this book and series one star due to the disturbingly high number of similarities to Abigail Roux’s Cut & Run series.
I am a huge fan of the Cut & Run series and have read the series countless times over the years to the point that I can quote parts of the books. Straight away, I noticed similarities in characters, events and even sentences and phrases (and t-shirts with funny slogans just like Ty) to the point that it cannot be denied. It’s not cool to copy things from other authors’ books.
It’s a shame because this could have been a good series without taking from other people’s work. I discovered this author when their book “Uncharted Terrain” was recommended to me. I loved that book and gave it five stars. But this is very disappointing.
I am a huge fan of the Cut & Run series and have read the series countless times over the years to the point that I can quote parts of the books. Straight away, I noticed similarities in characters, events and even sentences and phrases (and t-shirts with funny slogans just like Ty) to the point that it cannot be denied. It’s not cool to copy things from other authors’ books.
It’s a shame because this could have been a good series without taking from other people’s work. I discovered this author when their book “Uncharted Terrain” was recommended to me. I loved that book and gave it five stars. But this is very disappointing.
August 16, 2021
After reading the review I was hesitant, but since the available version mentioned being re-edited, I took a risk, and boy am I glad I did. I loved this book! The plot was fun, but it was the characters that really made it for me. Beckett is hilarious and Hayes is just different enough from Beckett to keep it fresh and their relationship interesting. I can't wait for the second novel in this series. A new favourite for sure <3
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews