Scan barcode
imme_van_gorp's review
4.0
|| 3.5 stars ||
At the start of this book, I honestly felt really disappointed because I just wasn’t enjoying it much. For me, it dragged a little and the plot just didn’t grip me. I was a bit bored and it also didn’t help that the writing for these books just isn’t that great.
However, after a little while, the story definitely picked up, and most importantly, so did Seth and Dom’s relationship. The moment the drama between them started happening again, was the moment I was once again enjoying the hell out of this book.
I know these two are so toxic together and their relationship is beyond crazy, but I just love the tumultuous and angsty energy between them. Even though they fight all the damn time, they can also be so sweet and gentle with each other, and I love how they combine those two things in their relationship.
My favourite part will forever be how insanely obsessed Dom is with Seth; I never would have guessed things would turn out this way between them from how everything started in the first book in the series, but somehow the previously cold and cruel Dom has just become so utterly whipped for his man, and I love that. Every time Dom gets jealous, possessive or insecure about Seth’s affection just has me in a chokehold. It’s so damn good.
P.S. I really don’t like Mark. I know he’s supposed to be their adopted son or whatever, but it doesn’t feel that way. The age-gap between them isn’t big enough, and Mark only really seems to respect Dom. I think I could get behind Mark’s addition to the family more of he also developed an actual bond with Seth, but unfortunately I don’t see that happening anytime soon… As it is right now, I mostly just find Mark annoying.
'Guns n' Boys' series:
1. He Is Poison - 3.0 stars
2. He Is Mine - 4.0 stars
3. Homicidal Instinct - 2.5 stars
4. Swamp Blood - 3.0 stars
5. Chokehold - 3.5 stars
6. Bloodbath - 2.0 stars
7. Gilded Agony - 1.5 stars
8. A Breath of Innocence - 3.0 stars
Novella:
2.1. Paris - 2.5 stars
At the start of this book, I honestly felt really disappointed because I just wasn’t enjoying it much. For me, it dragged a little and the plot just didn’t grip me. I was a bit bored and it also didn’t help that the writing for these books just isn’t that great.
Before Seth, Domenico had sometimes found himself wondering if he could ever feel the way other people seemed to when they were in love, but now he understood that what he’d needed was a very special man. Someone who could accept Domenico the way he was without being hard as a block of marble himself.
However, after a little while, the story definitely picked up, and most importantly, so did Seth and Dom’s relationship. The moment the drama between them started happening again, was the moment I was once again enjoying the hell out of this book.
I know these two are so toxic together and their relationship is beyond crazy, but I just love the tumultuous and angsty energy between them. Even though they fight all the damn time, they can also be so sweet and gentle with each other, and I love how they combine those two things in their relationship.
“You both fucking betrayed me, so cut the bullshit. We’re stuck together anyway, but that doesn’t mean anything’s changed since yesterday.”
Mark gasped. “I’m sorry! It’s my fault. I should have said something, but you told me I shouldn’t get in between you two if anything happened. I panicked!”
Seth slammed his fist against the table so hard each of their cups bled coffee. “He cuffed me to the fucking bed, Mark!”
Domenico bit into his lip, and his mouth filled with a metallic taste. He clutched at his shirt. It’d been less than a day without Seth’s affection, and it was already taking such toll on his mind he’d agree to anything Seth wanted. “I made a mistake.”
Seth’s eyes met his, and Dom had never seen those brows eyes so cold. “Fuck you. You’re just doing damage control because shit didn’t go your way. You’d do it all over again given half the chance.”
Domenico swallowed hard. “What do you want me to do?”
“I want nothing from you. I can’t even deal with you being here right now.” Seth took a deep breath and curled his shoulders. “You’ve broken me so bad I don’t even know where to go from here.”
Domenico stood up and grabbed the back of Seth’s chair. “What is it that you want, damn it? I love you! I would do anything for you. Being away from you makes me physically sick! Haven’t we been through worse times and survived?”
Seth nodded, and quickly got up to avoid touching Dom. “Maybe we shouldn’t have.”
What seemed like a bad dream before was now becoming a nightmare. Seth truly was questioning their relationship. Domenico had assumed that yesterday’s argument was one of Seth’s typical, rash decisions, yet after so many hours apart, Seth was only more bitter.
Domenico took a deep breath, resisting the sting of pain deep in his chest. “You can’t mean that. We will always be together. You know this.”
“Do I?” Seth whispered.
My favourite part will forever be how insanely obsessed Dom is with Seth; I never would have guessed things would turn out this way between them from how everything started in the first book in the series, but somehow the previously cold and cruel Dom has just become so utterly whipped for his man, and I love that. Every time Dom gets jealous, possessive or insecure about Seth’s affection just has me in a chokehold. It’s so damn good.
P.S. I really don’t like Mark. I know he’s supposed to be their adopted son or whatever, but it doesn’t feel that way. The age-gap between them isn’t big enough, and Mark only really seems to respect Dom. I think I could get behind Mark’s addition to the family more of he also developed an actual bond with Seth, but unfortunately I don’t see that happening anytime soon… As it is right now, I mostly just find Mark annoying.
'Guns n' Boys' series:
1. He Is Poison - 3.0 stars
2. He Is Mine - 4.0 stars
3. Homicidal Instinct - 2.5 stars
4. Swamp Blood - 3.0 stars
5. Chokehold - 3.5 stars
6. Bloodbath - 2.0 stars
7. Gilded Agony - 1.5 stars
8. A Breath of Innocence - 3.0 stars
Novella:
2.1. Paris - 2.5 stars
meatloafqueen's review
5.0
This one is one of my favorites in the series so far! A couple of lingering issues are addressed and put to rest and at the end Seth & Don’s relationship feels stronger than ever.
I really enjoy when Seth is forced to be in control and gets a chance to show that he is capable of doing what needs to be done.
The bad beginning of their relationship is finally acknowledged and put to bed. I loved how Dom came up with their “fresh start”. It was incredibly cute and really sweet to imagine how things could have been between them in an alternate reality
My favorite part of the series is how the humor is so subtly sprinkled in alongside violence. Seth & Dom are hilarious, even when they are fighting with each other or getting shot at. Then they have incredibly romantic moments together when it’s like they’re in their own bubble of love and you almost forget how they are constantly in danger
I like the addition of Miguel to Seth & Dom’s little family. I like how Mark’s character is growing up and becoming more involved and I’m looking forward to seeing Dana again in the next one!
I really enjoy when Seth is forced to be in control and gets a chance to show that he is capable of doing what needs to be done.
The bad beginning of their relationship is finally acknowledged and put to bed. I loved how Dom came up with their “fresh start”. It was incredibly cute and really sweet to imagine how things could have been between them in an alternate reality
My favorite part of the series is how the humor is so subtly sprinkled in alongside violence. Seth & Dom are hilarious, even when they are fighting with each other or getting shot at. Then they have incredibly romantic moments together when it’s like they’re in their own bubble of love and you almost forget how they are constantly in danger
I like the addition of Miguel to Seth & Dom’s little family. I like how Mark’s character is growing up and becoming more involved and I’m looking forward to seeing Dana again in the next one!
bookish_notes's review
4.0
It was so much fun to return to this book as an audiobook. It's been a hot minute (three years) since I've read this, and I've forgotten a LOT. I remember the characters as they are at the end of the series, and you could say I've forgotten their journey there. This is the book where we first meet Miguel, and the Miguel I know at the end of the series and through shorts the authors have written is not necessarily the super intimidating guy we meet here. So, I find it interesting to be going back to this book now that I've read the series and see how the characters are introduced and first come to interact with Dom and Seth.
Content notes include homomisia, bimisia, violence, gore, murder, deaths, tunnel collapse, mentions of torture, claustrophobia, forced drug use, hints of alcoholism, mentions of child sexual assault, and mentions of rape.
This book is very intense, especially if you're reading this book for the first time. I think there's a lot more moments where I could find humor in what's happening reading this the second time around only because I know where the series ends up? But the first read for this was definitely rough. Dom and Seth are on the run, and this time they have a teenager traveling with them (Mark). At this point, they've basically adopted Mark as their son. Mark has never had great parental figures, and even though Dom and Seth have never really talked about having children together, they do feel very responsible for him and I think they're a cute little family. Mark comes out of seemingly nowhere and now they're all family.
Most of this book does take place in a small border town in Mexico, and I WAS worried how the audiobook narration was going to go for this. Wyatt Baker is a fabulous narrator, so I shouldn't have worried. He's done brilliantly with the Italian, German, British, (okay maybe a little shaky) southern US accent, and I think half a second of Russian, but he has blessedly been smart to stay away from Chinese accents in book 1 and now stays away from accents for all the Mexican characters in this book. It's more of a neutral American accent for the characters and I really like that. I want to say the next two books take place in Columbia if I remember correctly, which hopefully also continues this neutral accent for. I'm really excited to hear what the voice will be for Nero and hear his scenes specifically with Miguel. And then books 6, 8, and 10 will have British characters (Charlotte and Griffith) who I do hope we will have the posh British accents for. All this to say Wyatt Baker continues to do a great job with the narration and I have nothing bad to say.
So, I mentioned a character named Miguel and it does take awhile before we meet him in this book, but I forgot how SCARY he can be. The tunnel scene was scary. But reading his first encounters with Seth is unnerving. I think the one question I have about him in this series is whether or not it's possible he's asexual? He's obviously attracted to men, and I don't know if it's because he's asexual or maybe it's due to his childhood trauma that we never see him WITH anyone (that I can remember). It's already been confirmed that him and another character we meet later on will get a book together, so I'm looking forward to seeing Miguel's sexuality explored more. I've gotten confirmation from the authors that Dana IS asexual, which I really love, so it'll be interesting to see where the story goes with Miguel.
And speaking about Dana...she is out of the picture in this book. In the last book, she was left in Louisiana with the Coffin Nails motorcycle club and to find out more about what she's going through while everyone else has headed to Mexico, I would recommend reading One Step Too Close, which is book 6 in the Sex & Mayhem series. Unlike this series, you don't need to read that series in order. That book ties more closely with the events of the Guns n' Boys series than the rest of the Sex & Mayhem series in my opinion.
I think the only point I would make about this book that I found odd is how much Seth put his trust in Dom to get them to Mexico. Like, he didn't ask Dom for any of the particulars and let Dom handle everything. I thought after what happened in book 3 where Dom lost all his memories that Seth was determined to never let that happen again and to be included in all the planning. But here, we see where everything goes awry again because Seth let Dom take care of it all. So this I did find a bit confusing.
Outside of that, I do like that this series does circle back to a very important point. Here, we go back to book 1 and how Seth and Dom's relationship really began. It was NOT a pretty start. I was really surprised that we do hear Seth call what happened between them was rape and that it wasn't consensual, and this is something that Dom has to address and apologize for. It was a topic that's been hinted at from time to time throughout the books up until now, but never confronted head-on. I do like how this was handled and that Dom is greatly ashamed of his actions and truly regrets it, and apologizes to Seth for what he did. Obviously, this is a dark romance mafia series so how things are resolved between them I do find acceptable for what this subgenre is. If this was a normal contemporary romance, I would've been screaming at Seth to leave Dom. And even in a blink-and-you-miss-it scene, we do see that Dom gets tested to see if he has STDs and realizes how incredibly careless he's been with unprotected sex. This is a book of revelations. We never really see these kind of moments where a character reflects and truly regrets their actions from other dark romance books, and I think it's important to acknowledge what important moments these are in this book. So, major props to the authors for circling back to these issues.
This book does have SOME lighthearted moments where we see Dom trying to be a role model to Mark, and just seeing Mark be a teenager. I feel like this sereis is mainly dark humor, and that's my thing so YMMV. Like, I find the fact that Dom is so wholeheartedly Catholic and wants to confess to all his sins to the priest so funny? Despite all the things going on in the town, the priest is not at all prepared for Dom's confessions and how could he be? Then we see some of MY favorite characters again - Santo and Lucrezia. I think the voice Wyatt Baker chose for Santo is not quite as gruff as I associate in my mind with Santo, but it's acceptable. It's not like the man speaks much in Dom and Seth's presence. I think it's fun we get to see Santo and Lucrezia in a new light, and it's nice to see new alliances formed with the new generation. Don't quote me, but I think Santo is the oldest? So him looking on at his family of misfits (Seth, Dom, and Mark) is really funny to me. Like, he is in charge of these fools. I think he is equal parts wary and exasperated by them. Can you all tell that I just really, really like Santo?
I enjoyed this book immensely. And as intense as I found this book, I know that there's MUCH worse for our faves to come. I'm worried about all the things to come in the next book, but I can't wait to see what Wyatt Baker does with the narration and I can't wait to listen to it!
Content notes include homomisia, bimisia, violence, gore, murder, deaths, tunnel collapse, mentions of torture, claustrophobia, forced drug use, hints of alcoholism, mentions of child sexual assault, and mentions of rape.
This book is very intense, especially if you're reading this book for the first time. I think there's a lot more moments where I could find humor in what's happening reading this the second time around only because I know where the series ends up? But the first read for this was definitely rough. Dom and Seth are on the run, and this time they have a teenager traveling with them (Mark). At this point, they've basically adopted Mark as their son. Mark has never had great parental figures, and even though Dom and Seth have never really talked about having children together, they do feel very responsible for him and I think they're a cute little family. Mark comes out of seemingly nowhere and now they're all family.
Most of this book does take place in a small border town in Mexico, and I WAS worried how the audiobook narration was going to go for this. Wyatt Baker is a fabulous narrator, so I shouldn't have worried. He's done brilliantly with the Italian, German, British, (okay maybe a little shaky) southern US accent, and I think half a second of Russian, but he has blessedly been smart to stay away from Chinese accents in book 1 and now stays away from accents for all the Mexican characters in this book. It's more of a neutral American accent for the characters and I really like that. I want to say the next two books take place in Columbia if I remember correctly, which hopefully also continues this neutral accent for. I'm really excited to hear what the voice will be for Nero and hear his scenes specifically with Miguel. And then books 6, 8, and 10 will have British characters (Charlotte and Griffith) who I do hope we will have the posh British accents for. All this to say Wyatt Baker continues to do a great job with the narration and I have nothing bad to say.
So, I mentioned a character named Miguel and it does take awhile before we meet him in this book, but I forgot how SCARY he can be. The tunnel scene was scary. But reading his first encounters with Seth is unnerving. I think the one question I have about him in this series is whether or not it's possible he's asexual? He's obviously attracted to men, and I don't know if it's because he's asexual or maybe it's due to his childhood trauma that we never see him WITH anyone (that I can remember). It's already been confirmed that him and another character we meet later on will get a book together, so I'm looking forward to seeing Miguel's sexuality explored more. I've gotten confirmation from the authors that Dana IS asexual, which I really love, so it'll be interesting to see where the story goes with Miguel.
And speaking about Dana...she is out of the picture in this book. In the last book, she was left in Louisiana with the Coffin Nails motorcycle club and to find out more about what she's going through while everyone else has headed to Mexico, I would recommend reading One Step Too Close, which is book 6 in the Sex & Mayhem series. Unlike this series, you don't need to read that series in order. That book ties more closely with the events of the Guns n' Boys series than the rest of the Sex & Mayhem series in my opinion.
I think the only point I would make about this book that I found odd is how much Seth put his trust in Dom to get them to Mexico. Like, he didn't ask Dom for any of the particulars and let Dom handle everything. I thought after what happened in book 3 where Dom lost all his memories that Seth was determined to never let that happen again and to be included in all the planning. But here, we see where everything goes awry again because Seth let Dom take care of it all. So this I did find a bit confusing.
Outside of that, I do like that this series does circle back to a very important point. Here, we go back to book 1 and how Seth and Dom's relationship really began. It was NOT a pretty start. I was really surprised that we do hear Seth call what happened between them was rape and that it wasn't consensual, and this is something that Dom has to address and apologize for. It was a topic that's been hinted at from time to time throughout the books up until now, but never confronted head-on. I do like how this was handled and that Dom is greatly ashamed of his actions and truly regrets it, and apologizes to Seth for what he did. Obviously, this is a dark romance mafia series so how things are resolved between them I do find acceptable for what this subgenre is. If this was a normal contemporary romance, I would've been screaming at Seth to leave Dom. And even in a blink-and-you-miss-it scene, we do see that Dom gets tested to see if he has STDs and realizes how incredibly careless he's been with unprotected sex. This is a book of revelations. We never really see these kind of moments where a character reflects and truly regrets their actions from other dark romance books, and I think it's important to acknowledge what important moments these are in this book. So, major props to the authors for circling back to these issues.
This book does have SOME lighthearted moments where we see Dom trying to be a role model to Mark, and just seeing Mark be a teenager. I feel like this sereis is mainly dark humor, and that's my thing so YMMV. Like, I find the fact that Dom is so wholeheartedly Catholic and wants to confess to all his sins to the priest so funny? Despite all the things going on in the town, the priest is not at all prepared for Dom's confessions and how could he be? Then we see some of MY favorite characters again - Santo and Lucrezia. I think the voice Wyatt Baker chose for Santo is not quite as gruff as I associate in my mind with Santo, but it's acceptable. It's not like the man speaks much in Dom and Seth's presence. I think it's fun we get to see Santo and Lucrezia in a new light, and it's nice to see new alliances formed with the new generation. Don't quote me, but I think Santo is the oldest? So him looking on at his family of misfits (Seth, Dom, and Mark) is really funny to me. Like, he is in charge of these fools. I think he is equal parts wary and exasperated by them. Can you all tell that I just really, really like Santo?
I enjoyed this book immensely. And as intense as I found this book, I know that there's MUCH worse for our faves to come. I'm worried about all the things to come in the next book, but I can't wait to see what Wyatt Baker does with the narration and I can't wait to listen to it!
blibli's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Bitch they are married!!!
Ok so this book didn't lower the quality of the previous one. There was an explanation of how Dom sees and experiencies his religion which was interesting and he also taked acountability and full responsability of his past mistakes in their relathionship.
Also, LUCREZIA AND SANTO APPEAR!!!!!! I was shocked. And there was a realy cool scene where Seth had gone with Miguel (new character) and then BOOM is Santo BITCH whith fucking Dom Girl. I normally don't do faces while reading but i did It for this book.
I did miss Mark's chapters. Miguel has intriged me, can we have a book about him??
This book included: Seth pissing in a bucket, Dom with a Broken leg, Mark fucking whit a boy Who sells vegetables, a donkey called Pamela and a priest Who does(unwillingly) a gay weeding and is shoot in the face (It fucking explodes BITCH) right after It.
The post-credit scene with Dana??? Girl you have fucked Up. (Also does someone know where to read the other post-credit scenes that they have made for the past books?? They give you a link but It is nor working)
Ohhh, and Dom's mother has married Federico!And Lady Gaga is mentioned(not by name, Dom calls ger the lady Who wore meat but It was nice to see her there)
Ok so this book didn't lower the quality of the previous one. There was an explanation of how Dom sees and experiencies his religion which was interesting and he also taked acountability and full responsability of his past mistakes in their relathionship.
Also, LUCREZIA AND SANTO APPEAR!!!!!! I was shocked. And there was a realy cool scene where Seth had gone with Miguel (new character) and then BOOM is Santo BITCH whith fucking Dom Girl. I normally don't do faces while reading but i did It for this book.
I did miss Mark's chapters. Miguel has intriged me, can we have a book about him??
This book included: Seth pissing in a bucket, Dom with a Broken leg, Mark fucking whit a boy Who sells vegetables, a donkey called Pamela and a priest Who does(unwillingly) a gay weeding and is shoot in the face (It fucking explodes BITCH) right after It.
The post-credit scene with Dana??? Girl you have fucked Up. (Also does someone know where to read the other post-credit scenes that they have made for the past books?? They give you a link but It is nor working)
Ohhh, and Dom's mother has married Federico!And Lady Gaga is mentioned(not by name, Dom calls ger the lady Who wore meat but It was nice to see her there)
haletostilinski1's review against another edition
5.0
Whew, what a fifth installment to this crazy good series.
5 books in, and Seth and Dom (and Mark) finally cross the border. Although, since it's this series...it doesn't go as planned.
When Dom gets injured and has to be laid up for a few months (and they lose their money, which you have to find out how and why when you read), they're strapped for cash and Dom, who sees himself as the provider of their little family - and generally is - wants to find work even while injured, but Seth is not having it.
Seth feels like he is useless (he isn't) when Dom gets injured because Dom usually takes care of everything, but he doesn't want to be useless anymore, so Seth goes out to look for a job. Only, they're in Mexico now and Seth can't speak Spanish, and the only guy that hires him for "construction work" is Miguel, who is seemingly the head of the local cartel and who is able to speak English so Seth can communicate effectively with him.
Not the smartest thing to do, but Seth is determined to provide for their family when Dom can't. He wants to be able to do as much for Dom as Dom does for him.
But Dom...is Dom. And he doesn't like that Seth is going out there and being worked to the bone and then when he finds out exactly who Seth works for, being in such a dangerous situation.
This whole situation brings up old scars, things these two haven't truly dealt with. Like what happened in the first book with their first time, and another time.
I like how what happened was acknowledged, and that Dom took full responsibility for it. Even if Seth wasn't sure if he wanted it - like he wasn't completely opposed to it - him not being 100% on board should have stopped Dom and he didn't. I think Dom needed to take responsibility for it and show how regretful and sorry he was for them to move past it.
Because when Dom goes way too far in his overprotectiveness of Seth, it brings up some bad memories for Seth and these two actually spend a few weeks apart. Not fully, they're still around each other, but they're not exactly....together. Dom isn't allowed to touch Seth and Seth just isn't sure if he can continue being with Dom.
This book, so far, was their toughest battle as a couple. It wasn't easy, and if they hadn't talked eventually then they for sure would have fractured. But the important thing is that they did talk, really talk, about what happened in the first book that hangs over them and hasn't fully gone away.
Relationships are fucking hard. Throw in being a part of a mafia family and one character especially being very morally gray (and yet still somehow devoutly religious...) and them being on the run and you've got and even more complicated relationship, and even harder one.
And these two don't exactly hold back when fighting - harsh words are said, nasty words are said, and both get hurt by those words. But the wonderful thing about these two is how they make up as well. How they talk to each other, eventually.
I also loved how this book acknowledged what Dom did to Seth in book one was not okay. And yeah, circumstances were different and at the time they barley tolerated each other, but that still doesn't make it okay.
But Dom now...now he treats Seth like a king, like the most precious thing. It's beautiful to see how far they've come.
Definitely a great book, I loved it. Whew, what a series this is. I love Seth and I love Dom (even with his misogynistic bullshit and how he thinks "real men" should act and...I hate him at times, but I love him. Oh how these are able to to do that is astounding. I feel like if another character acted like how Dom sometimes acts...I would hate them. But not Dom...*sigh*)
Whew, onto the next book. I know I'm nearing #7, which several reviews said was the hardest on Seth and Dom's relationship, so....fun times! lol. Here we go!
5 books in, and Seth and Dom (and Mark) finally cross the border. Although, since it's this series...it doesn't go as planned.
When Dom gets injured and has to be laid up for a few months (and they lose their money, which you have to find out how and why when you read), they're strapped for cash and Dom, who sees himself as the provider of their little family - and generally is - wants to find work even while injured, but Seth is not having it.
Seth feels like he is useless (he isn't) when Dom gets injured because Dom usually takes care of everything, but he doesn't want to be useless anymore, so Seth goes out to look for a job. Only, they're in Mexico now and Seth can't speak Spanish, and the only guy that hires him for "construction work" is Miguel, who is seemingly the head of the local cartel and who is able to speak English so Seth can communicate effectively with him.
Not the smartest thing to do, but Seth is determined to provide for their family when Dom can't. He wants to be able to do as much for Dom as Dom does for him.
But Dom...is Dom. And he doesn't like that Seth is going out there and being worked to the bone and then when he finds out exactly who Seth works for, being in such a dangerous situation.
This whole situation brings up old scars, things these two haven't truly dealt with. Like what happened in the first book with their first time, and another time.
I like how what happened was acknowledged, and that Dom took full responsibility for it. Even if Seth wasn't sure if he wanted it - like he wasn't completely opposed to it - him not being 100% on board should have stopped Dom and he didn't. I think Dom needed to take responsibility for it and show how regretful and sorry he was for them to move past it.
Because when Dom goes way too far in his overprotectiveness of Seth, it brings up some bad memories for Seth and these two actually spend a few weeks apart. Not fully, they're still around each other, but they're not exactly....together. Dom isn't allowed to touch Seth and Seth just isn't sure if he can continue being with Dom.
This book, so far, was their toughest battle as a couple. It wasn't easy, and if they hadn't talked eventually then they for sure would have fractured. But the important thing is that they did talk, really talk, about what happened in the first book that hangs over them and hasn't fully gone away.
Relationships are fucking hard. Throw in being a part of a mafia family and one character especially being very morally gray (and yet still somehow devoutly religious...) and them being on the run and you've got and even more complicated relationship, and even harder one.
And these two don't exactly hold back when fighting - harsh words are said, nasty words are said, and both get hurt by those words. But the wonderful thing about these two is how they make up as well. How they talk to each other, eventually.
I also loved how this book acknowledged what Dom did to Seth in book one was not okay. And yeah, circumstances were different and at the time they barley tolerated each other, but that still doesn't make it okay.
But Dom now...now he treats Seth like a king, like the most precious thing. It's beautiful to see how far they've come.
Definitely a great book, I loved it. Whew, what a series this is. I love Seth and I love Dom (even with his misogynistic bullshit and how he thinks "real men" should act and...I hate him at times, but I love him. Oh how these are able to to do that is astounding. I feel like if another character acted like how Dom sometimes acts...I would hate them. But not Dom...*sigh*)
Whew, onto the next book. I know I'm nearing #7, which several reviews said was the hardest on Seth and Dom's relationship, so....fun times! lol. Here we go!
kenznelz's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
reading_rainy's review
5.0
He was a deeply spiritual man, but he never doubted that a lot of what the ancient bishops had chosen to make canonical was a stinking load of crap. Like that bit about homosexuality being sinful. Or that one shouldn’t eat shrimp. Shrimps were fucking delicious, and so were dicks.
My favorite of the series so far! From the opening scene of them shopping in the mall, to that steamy af bathroom you’d-better-keep-quite scene...to the last scene in the bathtub. My poor kindle didn’t know what to do with herself!!
Seth was steel. But Dom was fire, and the heat he produced could melt Seth into any shape.
Mark is 17 now and Dom has completely taken him under his tutelage.
Mark would be the son he and Seth would not otherwise never have, so he needed to be a perfect specimen of the man the two of them could raise.
The humor, the banter, the HEAT, the utter devotion and love that Seth and Dom have for one another is so much fun to read.
It’s not all fluffy fun, this is GnB after all. This book brought out their painful beginning, ripped all those hurts wide open, and healed them into a better couple than they were before. The raw vulnerability and honesty from Seth broke my heart, and Dom’s response to him made me know without a doubt, these two were meant to be.
These authors kicked my emotional ass in this story and I am SO DAMN impressed with their skills.
My favorite of the series so far! From the opening scene of them shopping in the mall, to that steamy af bathroom you’d-better-keep-quite scene...to the last scene in the bathtub. My poor kindle didn’t know what to do with herself!!
Seth was steel. But Dom was fire, and the heat he produced could melt Seth into any shape.
Mark is 17 now and Dom has completely taken him under his tutelage.
Mark would be the son he and Seth would not otherwise never have, so he needed to be a perfect specimen of the man the two of them could raise.
The humor, the banter, the HEAT, the utter devotion and love that Seth and Dom have for one another is so much fun to read.
It’s not all fluffy fun, this is GnB after all. This book brought out their painful beginning, ripped all those hurts wide open, and healed them into a better couple than they were before. The raw vulnerability and honesty from Seth broke my heart, and Dom’s response to him made me know without a doubt, these two were meant to be.
These authors kicked my emotional ass in this story and I am SO DAMN impressed with their skills.
weathersreadsgarbage's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Why did the filler book have to be so fucking long? Oh my god I coulda read a Cassandra Clare in the same amount of time and had to read significantly fewer sexual roleplays.
That being said, major points go to Seth for calling Dom's bitch ass out on his shitty behavior. I like Seth with a spine and frankly I wish we got more of it. I feel like it really helped even out something that's been bothering me since the first book. It's not ideal and frankly if I were Mark I would have tried to shoot Dom dead for the very AUDACITY of the shit he pulls but I've long since forgiven how much sus shit is going on in these books.
For a filler (really, we could have cut like half the book or maybe made a little novella for a certain scene) I'm kind of satisfied. Things are cooking up and I think the next book is going to be juicy as hell. Between Seth's new role as someone who has a spine that's not made of instant pudding, Dom's newfound realization that he's kind of the worst, actually, and Dana's whole thing... I'm super excited to see where things go.
That being said, major points go to Seth for calling Dom's bitch ass out on his shitty behavior. I like Seth with a spine and frankly I wish we got more of it. I feel like it really helped even out something that's been bothering me since the first book. It's not ideal and frankly if I were Mark I would have tried to shoot Dom dead for the very AUDACITY of the shit he pulls but I've long since forgiven how much sus shit is going on in these books.
For a filler (really, we could have cut like half the book or maybe made a little novella for a certain scene) I'm kind of satisfied. Things are cooking up and I think the next book is going to be juicy as hell. Between Seth's new role as someone who has a spine that's not made of instant pudding, Dom's newfound realization that he's kind of the worst, actually, and Dana's whole thing... I'm super excited to see where things go.
veritytease's review
5.0
If by some cruel twist of fate you haven't even started this series, don't go another day without experiencing for yourself what all the hoopla is about!
I am just going to call it- this is the best of the five books of the series, and that's saying a lot!
![]()
Just when you though things were pretty difficult for Dom & Seth, an accident turns everything topsy turvy and established roles get shredded, much to the dismay of the MC's.
A new reality triggers desperation and helplessness brings on anger that cannot be contained.
Don't they say you always hurt the one you love?
![]()
There's a shift in the balance of the relationship which rakes up old grievances and brings old resentments of abuse to the surface.
There's no moving forward without dealing with the painful past.
On top of that the two are joined by a permanent addition to their team and observing Dom take on a father/mentor role to Mark is just priceless.
When daddy and daddy fight, it's inevitable that the child always suffers.
![]()
Love, which was the one constant in turbulent times, becomes a ticking time bomb, a barrel of gun powder and once the fuse is lit the reader is left waiting for the aftermath while the dust settles, with their gob hanging open in shock (like an otter that's realised it may somehow be related to Benedict Cumberbatch).
![]()
In the midst of Seth & Dom's relationship dramas, we have a mega thrilling fast-paced plot that brings back a few familiar faces and sets the board for the next book (which couldn't come too soon, if you ask me).
Mayhem & madness, the mafia & a carpenter, religious pious & a poor innocent headless chicken, this is all riveting stuff!
![]()
Ultimately, what makes this book the best of the series is that it's the most beautiful love story for Dom & Seth. If you're a sucker for these two, you are going to melt because the one thing we know about K.A. Merikan is that they do their characters justice.
I just couldn't recommend this book more even if I tried.
Update:
I GOT AN ARC COPY!!!! Oh so generously provided by the authors!
I'm dropping every muther truckin' thing, life as I know it is put on hold and I'm diving right in!
![]()
Update:
So, I'm on FB (which I rarely do, but there are a few people Istalk follow to get all my intel), and info pops up on my feed that ARC copies for this book are available.
I'm wetting myself with joy as I press the link (all too firmly) to fill out the form.
I get this message:
The form "Guns n' Boys: Chokehold" by K.A. Merikan - ARC signup form" is now closed. Sorry, that filled up quick!
![]()
Update:
Not to sound needy, but do we know when this comes out?
![]()
The thought of this book coming out soon makes my girl parts tingle...
![]()
I am just going to call it- this is the best of the five books of the series, and that's saying a lot!
Just when you though things were pretty difficult for Dom & Seth, an accident turns everything topsy turvy and established roles get shredded, much to the dismay of the MC's.
A new reality triggers desperation and helplessness brings on anger that cannot be contained.
Don't they say you always hurt the one you love?
There's a shift in the balance of the relationship which rakes up old grievances and brings old resentments of abuse to the surface.
There's no moving forward without dealing with the painful past.
On top of that the two are joined by a permanent addition to their team and observing Dom take on a father/mentor role to Mark is just priceless.
When daddy and daddy fight, it's inevitable that the child always suffers.
Love, which was the one constant in turbulent times, becomes a ticking time bomb, a barrel of gun powder and once the fuse is lit the reader is left waiting for the aftermath while the dust settles, with their gob hanging open in shock (like an otter that's realised it may somehow be related to Benedict Cumberbatch).
In the midst of Seth & Dom's relationship dramas, we have a mega thrilling fast-paced plot that brings back a few familiar faces and sets the board for the next book (which couldn't come too soon, if you ask me).
Mayhem & madness, the mafia & a carpenter, religious pious & a poor innocent headless chicken, this is all riveting stuff!
Ultimately, what makes this book the best of the series is that it's the most beautiful love story for Dom & Seth. If you're a sucker for these two, you are going to melt because the one thing we know about K.A. Merikan is that they do their characters justice.
I just couldn't recommend this book more even if I tried.
Update:
I GOT AN ARC COPY!!!! Oh so generously provided by the authors!
I'm dropping every muther truckin' thing, life as I know it is put on hold and I'm diving right in!
Update:
So, I'm on FB (which I rarely do, but there are a few people I
I'm wetting myself with joy as I press the link (all too firmly) to fill out the form.
I get this message:
The form "Guns n' Boys: Chokehold" by K.A. Merikan - ARC signup form" is now closed. Sorry, that filled up quick!
Update:
Not to sound needy, but do we know when this comes out?
The thought of this book coming out soon makes my girl parts tingle...
haletostilinski1's review
5.0
Whew, what a fifth installment to this crazy good series.
5 books in, and Seth and Dom (and Mark) finally cross the border. Although, since it's this series...it doesn't go as planned.
When Dom gets injured and has to be laid up for a few months (and they lose their money, which you have to find out how and why when you read), they're strapped for cash and Dom, who sees himself as the provider of their little family - and generally is - wants to find work even while injured, but Seth is not having it.
Seth feels like he is useless (he isn't) when Dom gets injured because Dom usually takes care of everything, but he doesn't want to be useless anymore, so Seth goes out to look for a job. Only, they're in Mexico now and Seth can't speak Spanish, and the only guy that hires him for "construction work" is Miguel, who is seemingly the head of the local cartel and who is able to speak English so Seth can communicate effectively with him.
Not the smartest thing to do, but Seth is determined to provide for their family when Dom can't. He wants to be able to do as much for Dom as Dom does for him.
But Dom...is Dom. And he doesn't like that Seth is going out there and being worked to the bone and then when he finds out exactly who Seth works for, being in such a dangerous situation.
This whole situation brings up old scars, things these two haven't truly dealt with. Like what happened in the first book with their first time, and another time.
I like how what happened was acknowledged, and that Dom took full responsibility for it. Even if Seth wasn't sure if he wanted it - like he wasn't completely opposed to it - him not being 100% on board should have stopped Dom and he didn't. I think Dom needed to take responsibility for it and show how regretful and sorry he was for them to move past it.
Because when Dom goes way too far in his overprotectiveness of Seth, it brings up some bad memories for Seth and these two actually spend a few weeks apart. Not fully, they're still around each other, but they're not exactly....together. Dom isn't allowed to touch Seth and Seth just isn't sure if he can continue being with Dom.
This book, so far, was their toughest battle as a couple. It wasn't easy, and if they hadn't talked eventually then they for sure would have fractured. But the important thing is that they did talk, really talk, about what happened in the first book that hangs over them and hasn't fully gone away.
Relationships are fucking hard. Throw in being a part of a mafia family and one character especially being very morally gray (and yet still somehow devoutly religious...) and them being on the run and you've got and even more complicated relationship, and even harder one.
And these two don't exactly hold back when fighting - harsh words are said, nasty words are said, and both get hurt by those words. But the wonderful thing about these two is how they make up as well. How they talk to each other, eventually.
I also loved how this book acknowledged what Dom did to Seth in book one was not okay. And yeah, circumstances were different and at the time they barley tolerated each other, but that still doesn't make it okay.
But Dom now...now he treats Seth like a king, like the most precious thing. It's beautiful to see how far they've come.
Definitely a great book, I loved it. Whew, what a series this is. I love Seth and I love Dom (even with his misogynistic bullshit and how he thinks "real men" should act and...I hate him at times, but I love him. Oh how these are able to to do that is astounding. I feel like if another character acted like how Dom sometimes acts...I would hate them. But not Dom...*sigh*)
Whew, onto the next book. I know I'm nearing #7, which several reviews said was the hardest on Seth and Dom's relationship, so....fun times! lol. Here we go!
5 books in, and Seth and Dom (and Mark) finally cross the border. Although, since it's this series...it doesn't go as planned.
When Dom gets injured and has to be laid up for a few months (and they lose their money, which you have to find out how and why when you read), they're strapped for cash and Dom, who sees himself as the provider of their little family - and generally is - wants to find work even while injured, but Seth is not having it.
Seth feels like he is useless (he isn't) when Dom gets injured because Dom usually takes care of everything, but he doesn't want to be useless anymore, so Seth goes out to look for a job. Only, they're in Mexico now and Seth can't speak Spanish, and the only guy that hires him for "construction work" is Miguel, who is seemingly the head of the local cartel and who is able to speak English so Seth can communicate effectively with him.
Not the smartest thing to do, but Seth is determined to provide for their family when Dom can't. He wants to be able to do as much for Dom as Dom does for him.
But Dom...is Dom. And he doesn't like that Seth is going out there and being worked to the bone and then when he finds out exactly who Seth works for, being in such a dangerous situation.
This whole situation brings up old scars, things these two haven't truly dealt with. Like what happened in the first book with their first time, and another time.
I like how what happened was acknowledged, and that Dom took full responsibility for it. Even if Seth wasn't sure if he wanted it - like he wasn't completely opposed to it - him not being 100% on board should have stopped Dom and he didn't. I think Dom needed to take responsibility for it and show how regretful and sorry he was for them to move past it.
Because when Dom goes way too far in his overprotectiveness of Seth, it brings up some bad memories for Seth and these two actually spend a few weeks apart. Not fully, they're still around each other, but they're not exactly....together. Dom isn't allowed to touch Seth and Seth just isn't sure if he can continue being with Dom.
This book, so far, was their toughest battle as a couple. It wasn't easy, and if they hadn't talked eventually then they for sure would have fractured. But the important thing is that they did talk, really talk, about what happened in the first book that hangs over them and hasn't fully gone away.
Relationships are fucking hard. Throw in being a part of a mafia family and one character especially being very morally gray (and yet still somehow devoutly religious...) and them being on the run and you've got and even more complicated relationship, and even harder one.
And these two don't exactly hold back when fighting - harsh words are said, nasty words are said, and both get hurt by those words. But the wonderful thing about these two is how they make up as well. How they talk to each other, eventually.
I also loved how this book acknowledged what Dom did to Seth in book one was not okay. And yeah, circumstances were different and at the time they barley tolerated each other, but that still doesn't make it okay.
But Dom now...now he treats Seth like a king, like the most precious thing. It's beautiful to see how far they've come.
Definitely a great book, I loved it. Whew, what a series this is. I love Seth and I love Dom (even with his misogynistic bullshit and how he thinks "real men" should act and...I hate him at times, but I love him. Oh how these are able to to do that is astounding. I feel like if another character acted like how Dom sometimes acts...I would hate them. But not Dom...*sigh*)
Whew, onto the next book. I know I'm nearing #7, which several reviews said was the hardest on Seth and Dom's relationship, so....fun times! lol. Here we go!