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polarbear2023's review
why u keep tryna read somance and it's always so disgusting ew
bailey_trees28's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
teesh_a13's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This is my second Rien book and I really enjoy the cadence of story telling and writing style. They all seem to have a “good for her/them” theme and honestly that’s all I ever want.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Alcohol, Infidelity, and Death
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexism, and Sexual content
Minor: War, Gun violence, Gaslighting, and Grief
rogue_lurker's review against another edition
4.0
I’m really not sure how I stumbled across Rien Gray’s Fatal Fidelity books – likely someone posted something about it and it stuck randomly in my mind. I am glad that I remembered it as I was really quite intrigued with the characters, the writing and the plots. It just goes to show that you don’t know what’s out there unless you start looking outside your normal reading parameters.
These books are published through Ninestar Press – a smaller publisher that has been impressing me quite a bit over the last year or so. They publish LGBTQ+ novels that have a bit of an edge to them – they can be diverse, quirky, dark and quite often quite steamy (okay, just about everyone book I’ve read from Ninestar is pretty heavy on the sex and usually has a bit of kink) but they are always distinct and original. They also have some of the most gorgeous covers out there.
Gray’s books are an homage to the noir and hardboiled genres. There’s moral ambiguity to the characters and their actions that Gray pulls off without making the characters irredeemably flawed or the story nihilistic. The result is a simmering story of vengeance and passion with a contract killer and the woman who hires them to kill her husband that sucks you right in.
Campbell is a sophisticated and urbane character – sharply dressed, charming and confident – but there’s also an underlying danger lingering in every word and action. Methodical and organized, they research and plan out the smallest detail to create the perfect murder with cold and precise calculation and total confidence in their ability. Beneath the self-assurance and polite veneer, there’s a vulnerability of guilt and rage that they keep tightly leashed which broadens the character and enhances the air of mystery around the motivations and allows Justine to glimpse behind the implacable wall of professionalism.
Justine is a successful art gallery owner who sacrificed a career as an artist to support her husband while he pursued his education. She has become little more than a trophy wife that Richard treats with disdain through infidelity and isolating her from friends and family. Over their marriage, he has insidiously undermined Justine’s confidence and self-assurance through years of psychological, emotional and physical abuse. Despite his efforts she retains a steel core of self that survives his campaign and she finally decides to end things. But Justine wants more than escape through a divorce, she wants vengeance. Once the decision is made, she’s resolved to see it through. That steely core is further stoked through her interactions with Campbell, with her confidence returning and allowing her to acknowledge her own wants and desires.
Murder for hire may seem tawdry, but the characters are sharp and complex, with the narrative and dialogue full of innuendo and charisma that tantalizes. There’s a sizzling energy between the characters from the outset and that chemistry boils over pretty quickly. I found myself completely invested in the two characters and eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.
Love Kills Twice – Rien Gray
The first book is a novella, but it gives enough time and space to introduce the characters and has a nice neat plot to keep things moving along. Though it is short, the pacing is perfect – there’s just enough to hook the reader without bloating the story with angst or unnecessary exposition.
The story starts with a civilized dinner at a nice restaurant where Justine meets Campbell to finalize the contract and details around her husband’s imminent demise (at Campbell’s hands and Justine’s behest). From there the die is cast, and the two are drawn inexorably closer by a simmering attraction that provides more than enough steamy fodder for the reader.
There’s a dark undertone with a murder plot bringing the characters together, but that’s what makes noir noir – and when you mix moral ambiguity, implied violence and sex, you get a pretty explosive result.
These books are published through Ninestar Press – a smaller publisher that has been impressing me quite a bit over the last year or so. They publish LGBTQ+ novels that have a bit of an edge to them – they can be diverse, quirky, dark and quite often quite steamy (okay, just about everyone book I’ve read from Ninestar is pretty heavy on the sex and usually has a bit of kink) but they are always distinct and original. They also have some of the most gorgeous covers out there.
Gray’s books are an homage to the noir and hardboiled genres. There’s moral ambiguity to the characters and their actions that Gray pulls off without making the characters irredeemably flawed or the story nihilistic. The result is a simmering story of vengeance and passion with a contract killer and the woman who hires them to kill her husband that sucks you right in.
Campbell is a sophisticated and urbane character – sharply dressed, charming and confident – but there’s also an underlying danger lingering in every word and action. Methodical and organized, they research and plan out the smallest detail to create the perfect murder with cold and precise calculation and total confidence in their ability. Beneath the self-assurance and polite veneer, there’s a vulnerability of guilt and rage that they keep tightly leashed which broadens the character and enhances the air of mystery around the motivations and allows Justine to glimpse behind the implacable wall of professionalism.
Justine is a successful art gallery owner who sacrificed a career as an artist to support her husband while he pursued his education. She has become little more than a trophy wife that Richard treats with disdain through infidelity and isolating her from friends and family. Over their marriage, he has insidiously undermined Justine’s confidence and self-assurance through years of psychological, emotional and physical abuse. Despite his efforts she retains a steel core of self that survives his campaign and she finally decides to end things. But Justine wants more than escape through a divorce, she wants vengeance. Once the decision is made, she’s resolved to see it through. That steely core is further stoked through her interactions with Campbell, with her confidence returning and allowing her to acknowledge her own wants and desires.
Murder for hire may seem tawdry, but the characters are sharp and complex, with the narrative and dialogue full of innuendo and charisma that tantalizes. There’s a sizzling energy between the characters from the outset and that chemistry boils over pretty quickly. I found myself completely invested in the two characters and eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.
Love Kills Twice – Rien Gray
The first book is a novella, but it gives enough time and space to introduce the characters and has a nice neat plot to keep things moving along. Though it is short, the pacing is perfect – there’s just enough to hook the reader without bloating the story with angst or unnecessary exposition.
The story starts with a civilized dinner at a nice restaurant where Justine meets Campbell to finalize the contract and details around her husband’s imminent demise (at Campbell’s hands and Justine’s behest). From there the die is cast, and the two are drawn inexorably closer by a simmering attraction that provides more than enough steamy fodder for the reader.
There’s a dark undertone with a murder plot bringing the characters together, but that’s what makes noir noir – and when you mix moral ambiguity, implied violence and sex, you get a pretty explosive result.
kaithroars's review
dark
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Woot woot enby representation! Overall a quick read, the plot moved at a decent pace. I don't feel particularly feel attached to the characters as I saw little growth imo but they're likable. You like who you're meant to like and hate who you're meant to hate (and hate I did)
natsora's review against another edition
5.0
This is a compelling read. I've blazed through this book in two nights and it's been a while since I've done that. The pace keeps me moving along, prompting me for just one more page, one more chapter. Campbell — a perfect blend of mystery, angsty backstory and competence. Justine — the stand in for the reader, her plight, her anger and her interest in Campbell — it's oh so delicious. The smut is excellently written and that rush to the end made it impossible to put the book down. Oh and one important thing I've forgot to mention — a nonbinary main character? Sign me up! Well done and I look forward to the next book!
lezreadalot's review against another edition
4.0
My eyes drift across her skin, every inch that I’ve touched and learned. The difference between life and the end is an escalation of pressure.
I loved the heck out of this. A super sexy romantic suspense novel between an artist and the suave assassin that she hires to kill her cheating, abusive husband. The only catch? Her husband hired the same assassin to kill her.
This had me hooked from the very beginning, with smooth prose and compelling dialogue. I sympathised and identified with Justine so much, and omg Campbell. I fell head over swoon for them from the first moment. They felt dangerous but charming, and you really understood why Justine was drawn to them. This is a pretty short book, and I have to admire the character work that Gray does in so little time? Both characters are grappling with different types of trauma, and I love how they bonded and clicked. There was so much intensity between them, and it was sooooo good. This is kiiiiiiinda insta-lovey, but I don't mind, seeing as I enjoyed it overall so much.
The plot was really fun; I would have probably enjoyed it ever more in a longer book, but I did so enjoy what the author managed to deliver here. Even though the intrigue wasn't that deep, my eyes were still glued to the pages. The readers are aware of the double-hire twist from the beginning, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment at all. And I don't read a lot of suspense/intrigue/spy-esque stuff, so for me at least, it was all really refreshing and fun, and seemed well researched!
I didn't love how the ending wrapped up; it was just a teensy bit anticlimactic? And I did love the romance, but I wanted more, at least in the ending, to give a better sense of fullness/completeness.
But I still really really liked this! I think it was my first f/nb romance, and I'm super looking forward to whatever the author writes next. Serious kudos!
☆ Review copy provided via NetGalley.
Content warnings:
Spoiler
light BDSM, breathplay/asphyxiation.sopie's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0