From the Bookshelf of Q&A with Josh Lanyon…

Zero at the Bone (Zero at the Bone #1)

Jane Seville

Start date: January 1, 2012

Finish date: January 31, 2012

Discussion: Book of the Month Club

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What Members Thought

Jun 10, 2010 Oco added it

Shelves: m-m

I tend to not like panning books; would rather simply not review at all. Writing is hard work, it's a labor of love, and I dislike tromping on people who are honing their craft (new authors), especially in a field as tight as m/m romance.

But this book has received so much positive press that I think I'd be doing a certain segment of readers a favor by speaking my thoughts. And if I do give a low rating, I feel I really should explain myself. So if the points below are ones that are important to I tend to not like panning books; would rather simply not review at all. Writing is hard work, it's a labor of love, and I dislike tromping on people who are honing their craft (new authors), especially in a field as tight as m/m romance.

But this book has received so much positive press that I think I'd be doing a certain segment of readers a favor by speaking my thoughts. And if I do give a low rating, I feel I really should explain myself. So if the points below are ones that are important to you, beware.

I couldn't finish this. I give two stars ('it was okay') because the concept and plot were good, and technically speaking, the prose is good (well edited, no head-hopping or other aggravating issues). Every once in a while there was a stretch I truly enjoyed (if I was closing my eyes to problem #2, below). Main problems (in order of importance to me):

1. Putting a gun in a man's hand does not make him manly. These guys were girls. Not women--adolescent girls. Jack especially was a drama queen, but both of them. Ugh. FAR too cutesy. Far too 'lets talk about the relationship'. Far too 'I was just shot at, but all I can think about is whether what we have is true love' (not a spoiler, just a random example). It was this eye-rolling stuff that had me finally close the file for good at pg 215 (out of 300ish).

2. D sounded like an idiot. The constant 'accent' dialogue made him sound like a stupid thug. And no, that's not redneck prejudice; half of my very smart family has a Texas drawl so thick it oozes, and I did NOT hear this in the mangled prose of D's constant 'got ta's.

3. I disliked Jack. He was an intrusive, manipulative, emotional narcissist. IMO. If I were D, I would've put my cigarette out in his eye. Probably about the third time he demanded that I spill my sorrow to him.

4. Self-lubing sphincters (especially the first time). Nuff said.

5. Sometimes this read like show-off. Especially medical stuff, though sometimes guns and a couple of other minor things. Either the author is a nurse/doctor, or she did a lot of thorough research and didn't realize that most of that research should've stayed backstory.

Unfortunate, because I liked the concept a lot. I love bad boys. I love moral ambiguity, and there is plenty to work with in this story. I love the 'closed off loner finds a lover' trope. Just the execution didn't work for me, and I'm sorry for that. ...more

11 likes · Like · see review

Feb 01, 2011 SueM rated it it was amazing

Shelves: m-m, romantic-suspense, favorites, cop-agent-military-pi

Re-reading this novel is a bit like catching up with a long-lost friend. Things have changed a tad from how you remember, but it's also finding that you hadn't realized just how much you had missed them.

This book is one of my all-time favorites -- the unlikely pair finding each other in adversity -- and making the other realize just how empty their lives (although for different reasons and in different ways) had been before they had met. The snarky banter between the two, as well as D's slow tr ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Oct 16, 2010 Noughty rated it really liked it

Shelves: lenght-long, t-angst, d-oposites, p-outlaw, g-mystery, t-funny, g-suspense, g-thriller, q, p-medic

3,5 took awhile to finish. It was good, but just didn't drew me in in the story and characters.

Review written in parts while reading.

Overall. So far I like it. It has some minuses, but overall ok. See below for more.

The book itself is quite developed - characters, plot, supporting characters. That's very important. Just because it is very developed, doesn't mean it is done right on all accounts. There were some things I didn't like. It mostly lacks realism, relationship too fast (most common pr ...more

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Jun 19, 2011 Jane rated it it was amazing

Excellent murder mystery. Great character development. The writer took his time and let us flesh out his characters and get to know them. I appreciated this.

I love the fact that the writer was in no hurry to have his characters 'get into the sack' right away. I love the ying and yang of the relationship......and also that there was some doubt as to whether it would even happen!

The mystery was involved which kept this reader interested. ...more

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Aug 02, 2010 Meggie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audio-book, crime-police-mystery, m-m-romance-romance

Gosh I love this coupled pair, Jack and D were super together. Love this story!
2016/December/29 - 5 star rating
On a whim I decided to re-listen Zero at the Bone in audiobook edition. Great fun, Loved it!
2014/April/24 - 5 star rating
Finally I listened to, an unabridged audio formatted edition of this story and I loved it! As always, this is an amazing story, and'll always be!!
2010/08/02
I read the book many times and every time, I loved it. The storyplot is rich and really well written. This book ...more

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Nov 23, 2010 Celine rated it it was amazing

Shelves: effing-amazing, e-book, m-m

Hotdamn this was beyond good!
fantastic!!!

this story moved me in so many ways...i choked up a few times and that is a LOT for me!

as a European i had a bit of difficulties with D's accent but everything else was just perfect, perfect perfect amazing spine shivering freaking superb!!!!! ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Aug 02, 2010 Claudia rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

I absolutely loved this book. I can't recommend it highly enough. I just loved the characters. I read about 3 times now...obssessed much? Anyway, I had to add this review. If you are thinking about buyiong it, go for it. It won't disappoint. ...more

1 like · Like · see review