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North Shore Stories #related
Misconduct: A North Shore Stories and Chronicles of Oleander Crossover
Maxie has left Florida to come back home to help his newly-widowed mother. He's found a fantastic law firm to work for, and while celebrating, Derek, a hot silver fox to warm his bed. Or possibly the other way around. It's been one of those nights. There wasn't supposed to be brunch the next day. Maxie was never supposed to see Derek again. The course of supposedly uncomplicated one-night stands, however, does not always run smoothly.
The following romance novella
* One sparkly twink. He wears make-up and there are panties under his bespoke suits. Be careful. He's a lawyer.
* One GenX aging gay silver fox with a terrible ex (may he rot in hell) and a taste for pretty men.
* A loyal, if bossy, best friend
* Banter for days
* A defiled dildo
* Gobs of hot sex
* Pastry theft
* Eomma
* Suit porn
* Probably a HEA if these guys ever get their act together MISCONDUCT can be read as a stand-alone, but it does bridge the gap between The North Shore Stories series and The Oleander Chronicles. It contains Ryan from DAMAGE CONTROL and DADDY ISSUES as well as Jacob from REUNION and REBOUND . It is also related to STRAIGHT TO THE HEART and the upcoming STRAIGHT TO THE POINT. This novella was originally available in the Your Book Boyfriend's Boyfriend giveaway in 2022.
The following romance novella
* One sparkly twink. He wears make-up and there are panties under his bespoke suits. Be careful. He's a lawyer.
* One GenX aging gay silver fox with a terrible ex (may he rot in hell) and a taste for pretty men.
* A loyal, if bossy, best friend
* Banter for days
* A defiled dildo
* Gobs of hot sex
* Pastry theft
* Eomma
* Suit porn
* Probably a HEA if these guys ever get their act together MISCONDUCT can be read as a stand-alone, but it does bridge the gap between The North Shore Stories series and The Oleander Chronicles. It contains Ryan from DAMAGE CONTROL and DADDY ISSUES as well as Jacob from REUNION and REBOUND . It is also related to STRAIGHT TO THE HEART and the upcoming STRAIGHT TO THE POINT. This novella was originally available in the Your Book Boyfriend's Boyfriend giveaway in 2022.
204 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 25, 2023
23 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
June 9, 2023
Alright, so I originally picked this up in a desperate attempt to read something for AAPI month (the main guy’s Asian) but I missed the deadline horribly (sorry ancestors), I don’t know why I thought I could finish it in three days. I feel bad. Anyway, this book definitely wasn't bad. I didn’t hate reading it but I also didn’t love it. I don’t know, I guess I’m just not a big fan of office romances? I did enjoy how the book was structured and how it had a “day-in-the-life” quality. It was cool how the timeline would never jump more than a day at a time (no epilogue, woohoo!), as it made it feel like we were simply looking at a brief moment in two people’s lives where they fall in love. I think where the whole thing falls short was the chemistry between Maxie and Derek. It was rather shallow. They’re both super-hot and have a lot of sex. The end. The story is so dependent on their relationship, so I think it was extremely important to get their back-and-forth done correctly! I mean, where’s the sizzle in their dialogue!? Also, I felt a little uncomfortable about how often Maxie is infantilized by Derek. I know this is… like, a thing in books like this, but because Maxi is Asian, it emulated some harmful Asian stereotypes. Otherwise, I hope it doesn’t seem like I hated this book, because I didn’t. It actually reminded me a little of the movie About Last Night, and just like that movie, Misconduct: A North Shore Stories and Chronicles of Oleander Crossover (phew.. long title) is a perfectly serviceable story and a worthwhile way to spend an afternoon! It’s just… the book is only a couple hundred pages, so I wish it didn’t feel so much like I was crawling through minutes.
May 24, 2023
4.25**** stars
One of the classic plot lines I enjoy so very much —an anonymous hookup turns workplace relation (or some other kind of real-life-relation, I don’t care). And on top we get a feisty but beautiful and smart man in lace panties as well as flawless make up and high heels that would probably lead me to serious injuries.
Maxie wasn’t an overly likable character tho, but his sass and attitude was very entertaining, so it kinda made up for it.
I can imagine Derek probably suffered a lot of whiplash with this one but was fortunately perfectly able to handle Maxie.
Two strangers and a one-night-stand, two new-to-each-other lawyers and a shared corporate bathroom. Is all I’m saying.
The writing and storytelling wasn’t all that great but I had too much fun with this sexy age-gap novella, to rate it any less. (sexy = there was a lot of sex happening)
Their dynamic wasn’t at all kinky, but I loved all the Daddy names Maxie gave Derek, like shower Daddy, silver Daddy, spoilsport Daddy or even asshole Daddy. It was funny. But also —pity! Maxie would make for a fine (maybe the finest) kitten. I also loved the lawer-like-talk they got going on. Overall I can very much recommend - 200 pages with all the sass and great entertainment.
One of the classic plot lines I enjoy so very much —an anonymous hookup turns workplace relation (or some other kind of real-life-relation, I don’t care). And on top we get a feisty but beautiful and smart man in lace panties as well as flawless make up and high heels that would probably lead me to serious injuries.
“Are we going to keep playing twenty questions out here in the hall or are you going to take me inside your home and fuck me so good I'll want to have your babies? We're wasting moonlight, mister.”
Maxie wasn’t an overly likable character tho, but his sass and attitude was very entertaining, so it kinda made up for it.
I can imagine Derek probably suffered a lot of whiplash with this one but was fortunately perfectly able to handle Maxie.
Two strangers and a one-night-stand, two new-to-each-other lawyers and a shared corporate bathroom. Is all I’m saying.
The writing and storytelling wasn’t all that great but I had too much fun with this sexy age-gap novella, to rate it any less. (sexy = there was a lot of sex happening)
Their dynamic wasn’t at all kinky, but I loved all the Daddy names Maxie gave Derek, like shower Daddy, silver Daddy, spoilsport Daddy or even asshole Daddy. It was funny. But also —pity! Maxie would make for a fine (maybe the finest) kitten. I also loved the lawer-like-talk they got going on. Overall I can very much recommend - 200 pages with all the sass and great entertainment.
“This is what you signed up for, buddy, Get used to it.”
Derek laughed, seeming completely unfazed by his fate. “Truth. It's too late now, anyway.” […] “I'm hopelessly smitten.”
That made Maxie feel ridiculously happy. “Are you now?”
“Yep.” […] “I've decided to keep you.” […] “You're mine now, pretty boy. Get used to it.”
January 7, 2022
It's a freebie but has 190 pages so definitely not a novella. But, I was not sure while reading it and, hours later I am still not sure whether to laugh or cringe.
First of all, there is a thing called an eye for details and then there is TMI.
1. I am okay with knowing the colour of MC's pubic hair, the shape, smell, the curve of his dick BUT I am not ready to know his Parking spot (its 8C🤣🤣), the brand name of his shampoo, soap, makeup remover and even lube.
2. It's my 1st book by the author so please let me know if she has the habit of using 'Time, place stamp' for every fucking scene.
Saturday, July 10,
Derek’s Massive Bathroom
River North
Saturday, July 10
Inside an Uber Car
Albany Park
In one scene, they are waiting for Uber…STAMP
5 minutes later, they are in Uber...again time, place, STAMP 😕 😕
3. Then comes the world-class OTT banter, sometimes funny, sometimes cringy.
"Where on earth did you get those shoulders? It sure as fuck wasn't IKEA.”Derek laughed again. “No. Not IKEA."
4. I picked it because it has femme MC but I was sure, not aware of daddy kink. Sorry, sorry, every possible way the word daddy could be used kink.
Corporate daddy, lawyer daddy, cradle-snatching daddy, ...evil, bottom..blah blah daddy oh!! And, daddy honor 😒😒. Max even called once 'Papa' to Derek. 🙄🙄
5. And, most of their banter was related to their age difference.
Now, the most important Q, why the hell I picked it ….uuu mmm let's start...
1. I love femme MCs.
that's it...Done, no other reason.
And, maybe this was entertaining in a bad way, I am annoyed but entertained...🤣🤣
P.S- Word daddy is used 79 times....not that I counted😈😈
First of all, there is a thing called an eye for details and then there is TMI.
1. I am okay with knowing the colour of MC's pubic hair, the shape, smell, the curve of his dick BUT I am not ready to know his Parking spot (its 8C🤣🤣), the brand name of his shampoo, soap, makeup remover and even lube.
2. It's my 1st book by the author so please let me know if she has the habit of using 'Time, place stamp' for every fucking scene.
Saturday, July 10,
Derek’s Massive Bathroom
River North
Saturday, July 10
Inside an Uber Car
Albany Park
In one scene, they are waiting for Uber…STAMP
5 minutes later, they are in Uber...again time, place, STAMP 😕 😕
3. Then comes the world-class OTT banter, sometimes funny, sometimes cringy.
"Where on earth did you get those shoulders? It sure as fuck wasn't IKEA.”Derek laughed again. “No. Not IKEA."
4. I picked it because it has femme MC but I was sure, not aware of daddy kink. Sorry, sorry, every possible way the word daddy could be used kink.
Corporate daddy, lawyer daddy, cradle-snatching daddy, ...evil, bottom..blah blah daddy oh!! And, daddy honor 😒😒. Max even called once 'Papa' to Derek. 🙄🙄
5. And, most of their banter was related to their age difference.
Now, the most important Q, why the hell I picked it ….uuu mmm let's start...
1. I love femme MCs.
that's it...Done, no other reason.
And, maybe this was entertaining in a bad way, I am annoyed but entertained...🤣🤣
P.S- Word daddy is used 79 times....not that I counted😈😈
Read
January 17, 2022DNF. Couldn't get into it. Might try again one day.
January 30, 2022
Question: Where can this book be found? Thanks!
* Found it at Prolific Works through a Goodreads reviewer who posted the link at an Eli Easton thread. RTC
DNF What a disappointment. I didn’t like Max/Maxie from the beginning. I liked Derek and thought it would get better, but Max’s constant criticism and complaining wore me out. In one scene the MCs were in the shower and Maxie recoiled in horror when Derek tried to wash him. “I don’t use soap!” Poor Derek was trying to remember the soap ingredients to placate this character who had no humility or appreciation. This was not enjoyable to read. At that moment, I understood the phrase, ‘first world problems’. Max needed his annoying ass to be shown the door. I like a sassy twink. Max was not one. Found out I dislike the constant use of the endearment ‘sugar’.
* Found it at Prolific Works through a Goodreads reviewer who posted the link at an Eli Easton thread. RTC
DNF What a disappointment. I didn’t like Max/Maxie from the beginning. I liked Derek and thought it would get better, but Max’s constant criticism and complaining wore me out. In one scene the MCs were in the shower and Maxie recoiled in horror when Derek tried to wash him. “I don’t use soap!” Poor Derek was trying to remember the soap ingredients to placate this character who had no humility or appreciation. This was not enjoyable to read. At that moment, I understood the phrase, ‘first world problems’. Max needed his annoying ass to be shown the door. I like a sassy twink. Max was not one. Found out I dislike the constant use of the endearment ‘sugar’.
January 5, 2022
I've had extremely variable experiences with this author's works, so I went into this one a bit tentatively, but I ultimately really enjoyed it. This was definitely more substantial/not as short as the other works in this giveaway (at 200 pages, I'd consider this a novel), and it definitely felt well paced and fleshed out. It acts as a sort of "bridge" between this author's two main series, one of which I read ages ago, and one of which I DNF'd, and while it worked fine as a standalone, it was clear you'd get more out of it if you were familiar with the other series, particularly the one I DNFd... But ultimately I enjoyed the dynamic here and the connection between the two characters was fun and compelling.
November 9, 2022
That was pretty bad.
It’s not fan service if it
sucks. So much sucking.
It’s not fan service if it
sucks. So much sucking.
April 30, 2025
3.5 rounded up
Maxie and Derek were cute. Not a lot of meat, pretty light and fluffy.
Maxie and Derek were cute. Not a lot of meat, pretty light and fluffy.
January 7, 2022
Oh Maxie! Such a complex and deep character - you deserved your own book and this did not disappoint. All your sharp edges hide that marshmallow inside and I'm so glad Derek could find it.
A sassy, emotional and delightful read - best read after the Oleander books so you get a good idea of who Maxie is and for the sense of Jacob's personality. It will make the book richer for you, I promise.
A sassy, emotional and delightful read - best read after the Oleander books so you get a good idea of who Maxie is and for the sense of Jacob's personality. It will make the book richer for you, I promise.
February 2, 2022
4 - 4.5 stars
You know, this was way more enjoyable than I was expecting. I am semi-new to this author (only ever read one of their standalone books) and I’ve never read the two series that this novella bridges. Perhaps if I had, I would have loved this even more, but I didn’t really feel like I had any unanswered questions.
Maxie is an outrageous character, and I bet he’s like marmite: you either love him or hate him. I happened to love him, so fucking high maintenance and sassy!!
Derek, the daddy who is not a daddy, falls head over heels with this bossy twink after an incendiary encounter. When they both realise that they’re going to be working together, compromises need to be made.
Overall very enjoyable. My main criticism is the constant change of POV due to very short chapters. Also, the inclusion of date and place at the top of each section was unnecessary. Some extra formatting would have been welcomed too, as sometimes there was no differentiation of who was talking.
You know, this was way more enjoyable than I was expecting. I am semi-new to this author (only ever read one of their standalone books) and I’ve never read the two series that this novella bridges. Perhaps if I had, I would have loved this even more, but I didn’t really feel like I had any unanswered questions.
Maxie is an outrageous character, and I bet he’s like marmite: you either love him or hate him. I happened to love him, so fucking high maintenance and sassy!!
Derek, the daddy who is not a daddy, falls head over heels with this bossy twink after an incendiary encounter. When they both realise that they’re going to be working together, compromises need to be made.
Overall very enjoyable. My main criticism is the constant change of POV due to very short chapters. Also, the inclusion of date and place at the top of each section was unnecessary. Some extra formatting would have been welcomed too, as sometimes there was no differentiation of who was talking.
January 3, 2022
When I say I have been waiting for this book since Rebound was released it is not a lie! I fell in love with Maxie when he first turned up in the Oleander Chronicles. How could I resist? A heart of gold and a brilliant mind, wrapped in a designer label and guarded with a tongue like a razor! I knew his partner was going to have to be amazing and I was right! Derek is every bit as smart as Maxie but he is unflappable, cool and steadfast. The two of them are magic! Derek loves Maxie enough to let him have his space to be his fabulous self but knows when to call him on his BS!
January 27, 2022
I'm conflicted by this novel. I liked it but I didn't love it. The daddy teasing was a double-edged sword. It's fun for the MCs but for me, as a lover of daddies and true daddy kink, it seemed to tease me without following through. More than once, the MC says he's not a daddy. Any daddy dreams I had for this story died. Also, spanking teasing! Daddies and spanking is my jam! I think that's the problem, the teasing made me want something this story isn't. It's not necessarily the novel, it's what the novel made me want/think about. It probably didn't help I was expecting a novella.
January 14, 2022
A must read for Oleander fans. Maxie, the sassy lawyer twink, gets his own love story. It's a very short story so no time for character depth or a slow burn, which was disappointing. In the span of 2 weeks they go from one night stand to 'I love you's. But plenty of sex and the occasional laugh. I loved Derek to bits and was so glad he out right demanded groveling when Maxie was apologizing for being an @$$.
January 29, 2022
Not sure what it was, but this book was impossible for me to find anything I enjoyed about either of the MC’s. It just fell super flat for me.
dnf
February 8, 2022Dnf middle. Banter gets tiring after awhile. Maxie is irritatingly snippy.
April 29, 2022
Maxie moves home to Chicago and gets a job at a law firm. His sister takes him to a drag show to celebrate. Derek goes to a drag show to celebrate his birthday and his friend man-handles Maxie and offers him as a birthday present. Fast Forward through a partial weekend together, Max shows up at his new office and the lawyer in charge of reviewing his work is Derek.
I'm just not sure about this story. We, the reader, find out a bit why Maxie is the way he is, but that information is never shared with Derek. Maxie treats him weirdly, hot then cold, then gets mad when Derek choses to not engage in that. Then Maxie's friend Jacob arrives and while he tries to get Derek to give Maxie another shot, he's very vague and doesn't just stay it.
This whole book was frustrating to me.
I'm just not sure about this story. We, the reader, find out a bit why Maxie is the way he is, but that information is never shared with Derek. Maxie treats him weirdly, hot then cold, then gets mad when Derek choses to not engage in that. Then Maxie's friend Jacob arrives and while he tries to get Derek to give Maxie another shot, he's very vague and doesn't just stay it.
This whole book was frustrating to me.
January 4, 2022
3.5 stars
Max/Maxie was annoying af and I have no idea why a grown man would want him. He was more tolerable than Jacob. At least the banter was quite funny at times and the only reason I didn’t mind this kind of Daddy talk at all.
Max/Maxie was annoying af and I have no idea why a grown man would want him. He was more tolerable than Jacob. At least the banter was quite funny at times and the only reason I didn’t mind this kind of Daddy talk at all.
April 18, 2022
The scene settings (date/location) at the beginning and throughout the chapters was super annoying...
Also, Max has all of the emotional maturity of an infant... or possibly be bipolar because he is supposed to be this amazing lawyer, but I wouldn't trust him to sit through a meeting much less a deposition.
The whole Daddy thing was just CRINGE. It was used as a joke or to get a rise out of Derek, but if someone tells you that they don't like to be called something and you willfully ignore that and call them that name continuously, you're not going to be very convincing in the I love you department.
First time reading this author I think, and I don't know if I am up for giving another book of hers a decent shot. OTT characters can be ok for me, just not this one.
Also, Max has all of the emotional maturity of an infant... or possibly be bipolar because he is supposed to be this amazing lawyer, but I wouldn't trust him to sit through a meeting much less a deposition.
The whole Daddy thing was just CRINGE. It was used as a joke or to get a rise out of Derek, but if someone tells you that they don't like to be called something and you willfully ignore that and call them that name continuously, you're not going to be very convincing in the I love you department.
First time reading this author I think, and I don't know if I am up for giving another book of hers a decent shot. OTT characters can be ok for me, just not this one.
February 27, 2022
I wanted more of Maxie and Derek!
Lynn Van Dorn is one of my favourite authors because whether it is Jacob being charged with birdslaughter, or Maxie being flamboyant and fabulous in red sequins, her books are just plain fun to read!
Misconduct is a novella (probably closer to a short book size wise) that incorporates the worlds of two of the author's series with a character from each featuring in the story: North Shore Stories (Ryan) and The Oleander Chronicles (Jacob). I absolutely loved catching up with Jacob again. He's such a great character, and it was fun to watch him interact with Maxie.
Maxie and Derek are complete opposites personality-wise. Derek is steady and stable. He is older and more confident in his place in the world, he provides stability to Maxie's more flamboyant world. Their chemistry was electric and immediate, with neither of them able to ignore the draw to the other.
Lynn Van Dorn has a beautiful writing style. Her words grab you from the first sentence and keep you enthralled to the end. I really enjoy her ability to weave a story with a lot of humour and heart, and enough heat to make your eReader steam!
My only complaint was that I wanted more!
I would have happily read another hundred or so pages of this story and still felt that it was too short. It was just so much fun to read!
There was no need to have any prior knowledge of either series to which Misconduct is related. Although I have North Shore Stories on my TBR, I haven't read them. While I have read the two books of The Oleander Chronicles, and characters in the second book, Rebound, feature in the story, it's not a huge disadvantage not to have this background. Of course, if you have read these other series, particularly Rebound, then it does add an extra layer of humour when Maxie and Jacob discuss characters and situations from that world, but it's certainly not essential.
On a side note, Rebound was one of the funniest books I read in 2021, and I highly recommend it!
Misconduct is the ultimate opposites attract, workplace romance. It is a story packed with heartwarming emotion, plenty of humour to keep a grin on your face, and more than enough heat to keep your cheeks pink. It's a fantastic and fun read, and I highly recommend it!
This book is featured on YBBB Reviews Group 2 post. See what else is in the list here
All my reviews can be found on my blog: The Word Nerd Reviews
Follow Me: Facebook , Twitter & Instagram
The Word Nerd Reviews is currently looking for reviewers to join the team. If you are interested, visit the blog for more information.
Lynn Van Dorn is one of my favourite authors because whether it is Jacob being charged with birdslaughter, or Maxie being flamboyant and fabulous in red sequins, her books are just plain fun to read!
Misconduct is a novella (probably closer to a short book size wise) that incorporates the worlds of two of the author's series with a character from each featuring in the story: North Shore Stories (Ryan) and The Oleander Chronicles (Jacob). I absolutely loved catching up with Jacob again. He's such a great character, and it was fun to watch him interact with Maxie.
Maxie and Derek are complete opposites personality-wise. Derek is steady and stable. He is older and more confident in his place in the world, he provides stability to Maxie's more flamboyant world. Their chemistry was electric and immediate, with neither of them able to ignore the draw to the other.
Lynn Van Dorn has a beautiful writing style. Her words grab you from the first sentence and keep you enthralled to the end. I really enjoy her ability to weave a story with a lot of humour and heart, and enough heat to make your eReader steam!
My only complaint was that I wanted more!
I would have happily read another hundred or so pages of this story and still felt that it was too short. It was just so much fun to read!
There was no need to have any prior knowledge of either series to which Misconduct is related. Although I have North Shore Stories on my TBR, I haven't read them. While I have read the two books of The Oleander Chronicles, and characters in the second book, Rebound, feature in the story, it's not a huge disadvantage not to have this background. Of course, if you have read these other series, particularly Rebound, then it does add an extra layer of humour when Maxie and Jacob discuss characters and situations from that world, but it's certainly not essential.
On a side note, Rebound was one of the funniest books I read in 2021, and I highly recommend it!
Misconduct is the ultimate opposites attract, workplace romance. It is a story packed with heartwarming emotion, plenty of humour to keep a grin on your face, and more than enough heat to keep your cheeks pink. It's a fantastic and fun read, and I highly recommend it!
This book is featured on YBBB Reviews Group 2 post. See what else is in the list here
All my reviews can be found on my blog: The Word Nerd Reviews
Follow Me: Facebook , Twitter & Instagram
The Word Nerd Reviews is currently looking for reviewers to join the team. If you are interested, visit the blog for more information.
December 17, 2023
THIS JUST BLEW MY MIND
I've burned through hundreds of MM romance stories all my life, the lot of them good enough to enjoy casually and move on from right away, very few of them amazing enough to leave a lasting hangover, but even rarer still manage to reach my criteria of earth-shatteringly memorable the way this one did. Right from the start, I could tell that the mood and vibes of this one was going to be an utterly devastating mind fuck. I got such a burst of natural high right from their first meeting, that all I could do was hang on and hope to high heaven that the dopamine-inducing intensity didn't wane or drop entirely midway (as it sadly happens often with other books that start out great). While this isn't the first time I've read an MM romance that is as thoroughly intellectually stimulating as it is sexually, that's not what made this starkly stand out from the rest for me, it's how the writing style and the characters' personalities appealed to my inner crazy freak, and that for me, is what cranked the heat levels on this one right through the fucking roof. This book wasn't afraid to pull out all the stops and just let the freak flag and all the delicious madness that comes with it fly! Except this does it in sexy sparkly style.
It's basically about two souls who, contrary to most romance leads, don't have love in their sights due to some unshed past baggage, but are unexpectedly ambushed by love when they least expect or want it—quite literally. Maxie is a baby-faced 28-year old femme-boy (still every bit male) who is equal parts drop-dead beauty, brains, and sassy snark, while Derek is the weirdly perfect Prince Charming, equal parts dangerous gentleman and elegant bad boy, made all the more perfect by his ridiculously dreamy too-good-to-be true body, intoxicating-as-it-is-infuriating sex appeal, and of course, his irresistible-to-twinks-and-women-alike 40-something tsundere (aka not)-Daddy energy (LOL). The plot is sweet and simple but it has its fair sprinkling of drama and angst, and does touch upon some very real and relatable woes that come with relationships and romantic love. It's a light and feel-good read, as it revolves more around the main characters coming to terms with their internal conflicts than overcoming external ones. But being 100% character-orientated, that's exactly my cup of tea! Fascinating and deeply layered main characters are the drugs that keep me hooked on a story. Beware though (to expound a little more on what it says in the description): there's lots of steamy sex, kinky hilarity, hate-lovemaking, and (to the geek in me) some of the most orgasmic dirty talk I've ever come across (not necessarily in that order), and it's all so sufficiently—and delectably—explicit (and artfully well-written)!
I gotta say, I love Maxie, he's impossible not to love, but it's Derek that did it for me. (Yes, I admit it! Hot AF Daddies of age-gap MM romance are a weakness of mine!! Guilty as charged, your honour!)(Plus, he's Gen X, how can I not love him?? Best generation EVER.) For Derek alone, I would have given all the stars in the universe, and that's not even factoring in Maxie who owns all the stars in the universe; then they're backed up by an equally charming ensemble of supporting characters (I mean, who can beat Eomma, right? Haha. She's the BEST.)(And side characters like Jacob, Ryan, and Chad? I don't usually like characters like them, but, wow, I loved them to bits here). I already had a feeling early on that this book was going to be hands down, right up there among my very choice favourites of all time. So when I finally (regrettably) wrapped up the story where it then had me wholly wrapped up in a blitzed-out bubble of bliss from its sheer unfaltering perfection to the very last page, I was left hopelessly bereft of more Derek and Maxie and friends but more of Derek really, if I'm being honest (and maybe also a wee bit vexed at how my already stupidly sky-high standards in men have once again been elevated to even more stupidly unattainable heights and proportions by yet another shiny beyond-perfect book boyfriend. Alas, what can I do? To quote Maxie:Derek, er, I mean— This book has broken me. I'm happily doomed).
Thank you for this delightfully witty, quirky cute, and perfectly insane—absobloodylutely mind-blowingly exhilarating story!
I've burned through hundreds of MM romance stories all my life, the lot of them good enough to enjoy casually and move on from right away, very few of them amazing enough to leave a lasting hangover, but even rarer still manage to reach my criteria of earth-shatteringly memorable the way this one did. Right from the start, I could tell that the mood and vibes of this one was going to be an utterly devastating mind fuck. I got such a burst of natural high right from their first meeting, that all I could do was hang on and hope to high heaven that the dopamine-inducing intensity didn't wane or drop entirely midway (as it sadly happens often with other books that start out great). While this isn't the first time I've read an MM romance that is as thoroughly intellectually stimulating as it is sexually, that's not what made this starkly stand out from the rest for me, it's how the writing style and the characters' personalities appealed to my inner crazy freak, and that for me, is what cranked the heat levels on this one right through the fucking roof. This book wasn't afraid to pull out all the stops and just let the freak flag and all the delicious madness that comes with it fly! Except this does it in sexy sparkly style.
It's basically about two souls who, contrary to most romance leads, don't have love in their sights due to some unshed past baggage, but are unexpectedly ambushed by love when they least expect or want it—quite literally. Maxie is a baby-faced 28-year old femme-boy (still every bit male) who is equal parts drop-dead beauty, brains, and sassy snark, while Derek is the weirdly perfect Prince Charming, equal parts dangerous gentleman and elegant bad boy, made all the more perfect by his ridiculously dreamy too-good-to-be true body, intoxicating-as-it-is-infuriating sex appeal, and of course, his irresistible-to-twinks-and-women-alike 40-something tsundere (aka not)-Daddy energy (LOL). The plot is sweet and simple but it has its fair sprinkling of drama and angst, and does touch upon some very real and relatable woes that come with relationships and romantic love. It's a light and feel-good read, as it revolves more around the main characters coming to terms with their internal conflicts than overcoming external ones. But being 100% character-orientated, that's exactly my cup of tea! Fascinating and deeply layered main characters are the drugs that keep me hooked on a story. Beware though (to expound a little more on what it says in the description): there's lots of steamy sex, kinky hilarity, hate-lovemaking, and (to the geek in me) some of the most orgasmic dirty talk I've ever come across (not necessarily in that order), and it's all so sufficiently—and delectably—explicit (and artfully well-written)!
I gotta say, I love Maxie, he's impossible not to love, but it's Derek that did it for me. (Yes, I admit it! Hot AF Daddies of age-gap MM romance are a weakness of mine!! Guilty as charged, your honour!)(Plus, he's Gen X, how can I not love him?? Best generation EVER.) For Derek alone, I would have given all the stars in the universe, and that's not even factoring in Maxie who owns all the stars in the universe; then they're backed up by an equally charming ensemble of supporting characters (I mean, who can beat Eomma, right? Haha. She's the BEST.)(And side characters like Jacob, Ryan, and Chad? I don't usually like characters like them, but, wow, I loved them to bits here). I already had a feeling early on that this book was going to be hands down, right up there among my very choice favourites of all time. So when I finally (regrettably) wrapped up the story where it then had me wholly wrapped up in a blitzed-out bubble of bliss from its sheer unfaltering perfection to the very last page, I was left hopelessly bereft of more Derek and Maxie and friends but more of Derek really, if I'm being honest (and maybe also a wee bit vexed at how my already stupidly sky-high standards in men have once again been elevated to even more stupidly unattainable heights and proportions by yet another shiny beyond-perfect book boyfriend. Alas, what can I do? To quote Maxie:
Thank you for this delightfully witty, quirky cute, and perfectly insane—absobloodylutely mind-blowingly exhilarating story!
January 23, 2022
Maxie gets his HEA!!
I adored Maxie when I read him in Rebound and very much wanted to read his story, and even more delightful it was free in the YBBB giveaway.
This was so funny! Maxie was amazing (as per usual) but it was the insight into Max that was really cool to read. And Derek – I thought the way in which he handled Maxie, the difficult situation with regard to their working arrangement and let’s be frank, Maxie’s occasionally abrasive behaviour was so cool. They matched extremely well and I loved reading about them. The sex was off the wall hot, although I certainly appreciated Maxie’s feelings about getting his suit dirty!
Jacob from Rebound returned in all of his sassy, loveable glory, providing Maxie with a helpful kick up the butt to prove that he was a true friend; Maxie’s mother and sister (as well as the other women in the salon) were a riot, and I truly loved reading the whole thing – even the heart-breaking parts. I think, perhaps, my favourite was Maxie’s rant at Derek’s (non-existent) twink – that was just class! A lovely read that I would heartily recommend. You don’t have to have read Rebound or any of the other related books, but I recommend them too!
This was free as part of the Your Book Boyfriend’s Boyfriend group giveaway.
I adored Maxie when I read him in Rebound and very much wanted to read his story, and even more delightful it was free in the YBBB giveaway.
This was so funny! Maxie was amazing (as per usual) but it was the insight into Max that was really cool to read. And Derek – I thought the way in which he handled Maxie, the difficult situation with regard to their working arrangement and let’s be frank, Maxie’s occasionally abrasive behaviour was so cool. They matched extremely well and I loved reading about them. The sex was off the wall hot, although I certainly appreciated Maxie’s feelings about getting his suit dirty!
Jacob from Rebound returned in all of his sassy, loveable glory, providing Maxie with a helpful kick up the butt to prove that he was a true friend; Maxie’s mother and sister (as well as the other women in the salon) were a riot, and I truly loved reading the whole thing – even the heart-breaking parts. I think, perhaps, my favourite was Maxie’s rant at Derek’s (non-existent) twink – that was just class! A lovely read that I would heartily recommend. You don’t have to have read Rebound or any of the other related books, but I recommend them too!
This was free as part of the Your Book Boyfriend’s Boyfriend group giveaway.
June 10, 2023
Maxie is out clubbing with his sister. A big, drunk oaf picks him up and presents him to his birthday having silverfox friend, proclaiming, "I got you the prettiest one". And the rest, as they say, is history.
I loved everyone in this book, even Derek's bitchy paralegal. He was just looking out for his friend. Oh yeah, and it's really funny, even in the middle of sex a few times, and it had me laughing out loud.
I loved everyone in this book, even Derek's bitchy paralegal. He was just looking out for his friend. Oh yeah, and it's really funny, even in the middle of sex a few times, and it had me laughing out loud.
“My donut.” Derek pointed to the sad remainder of it. “You stole it. And half of it is in your gullet.”
“My gullet?” Maxie's eyebrows raised. “Have we been transported to a Dickens novel? Is this Bleak House or The Pickwick Papers?”
“Changing the subject won't make my donut any less stolen.”
“Shouldn't that be purloined?” Maxie asked in a silky tone. “Or do you prefer pilfered?”
May 6, 2022
"Misconduct" received TWO AND A HALF stars.
I liked it in the beginning then Maxie became too much.
The novel gained *stars* for these items:
* gained for: "The book caught my interest in the first five pages."
* gained for: "I thought about the book when I was forced to set it down and re-enter society."
* gained for: "There were no info dumps, poor writing, or copy edit mistakes that jerked me out of the story."
The novel failed to gain stars for this item:
NO STAR gained for: "I was sad when the book ended. I wanted more!"
NO STAR gained for: "That's it. I'm hooked on this author. I will automatically try anything she/he/they writes."
I liked it in the beginning then Maxie became too much.
The novel gained *stars* for these items:
* gained for: "The book caught my interest in the first five pages."
* gained for: "I thought about the book when I was forced to set it down and re-enter society."
* gained for: "There were no info dumps, poor writing, or copy edit mistakes that jerked me out of the story."
The novel failed to gain stars for this item:
NO STAR gained for: "I was sad when the book ended. I wanted more!"
NO STAR gained for: "That's it. I'm hooked on this author. I will automatically try anything she/he/they writes."
January 29, 2022
I tried Wild By Nature by this author and it wasn't my cup of tea. But I liked the idea of a bossy femme and grabbed this off prolific works and gave it a shot.
Solid 3.5 I know some people didn't enjoy the banter but I thought it was hilarious. I actually appreciated that the couple was vers and and thought the insta love fit it with the sort of snarky romcom feel of the story. Though the word Daddy is used a lot this is really not a Daddy story, it's more a teasing thing so fans of DD stories don't go in thinking that's gonna be a thing.
Solid 3.5 I know some people didn't enjoy the banter but I thought it was hilarious. I actually appreciated that the couple was vers and and thought the insta love fit it with the sort of snarky romcom feel of the story. Though the word Daddy is used a lot this is really not a Daddy story, it's more a teasing thing so fans of DD stories don't go in thinking that's gonna be a thing.
May 2, 2025
I love fem men and I also love age gap romance, so this tale was so right for me. Maxie and Derek are absolutely adorable in this captivating story, although I did have a few moments of uncertainty courtesy of Maxie. The constant push and pull between these two makes this a wonderful but very angsty read, but, come on! we all love angst. This is wonderful story that holds you in thrall all the bloody way through it.
March 22, 2022
Interesting. It was kind of weird to read about a mellower, reformed, happily married Ryan. (Ryan was one of the main characters in Daddy Issues, North Shore Stories book 2.) The love story here is quite good. I liked these two - there is excellent chemistry, opposites attract, office romance, one night stand turned WTF-you’re-my-new-boss.
Freebie from author
Freebie from author
January 23, 2023
I.. enjoyed this book. But at the same time I was pretty annoyed the whole time. Maxie was immature and should have just opened his damned mouth and had a conversation like an adult. Derek was less annoying but.. come on, he's a lawyer and can't adequately use his words? I get that miscommunication is a whole thing in romance books but this one just irked me.
Read
January 7, 2022She is wordy and her books are filled with uber -high-maintenance twinks who think they are God's gift to mankind. And Ryan, who will NEVER be redeemed, never. But... But... I love them. The sex is hot and unlike any other, and the irony is delicious, if always OTT.
Part of the YBBB giveaway.
Part of the YBBB giveaway.
January 17, 2022
4.5 STARS
FREE SHORT - MAXIE’S STORY
So we finally get Maxie’s story! He finally finds his daddy -who’s not really a daddy- and Derek was simply perfect!
We also get to see Jacob and Ryan which was a great plus!
Absolutely loved it!
Snarky and completely sexy!
FREE SHORT - MAXIE’S STORY
So we finally get Maxie’s story! He finally finds his daddy -who’s not really a daddy- and Derek was simply perfect!
We also get to see Jacob and Ryan which was a great plus!
Absolutely loved it!
Snarky and completely sexy!
January 23, 2022
Quick read with a very naughty Twink and Derek. Maxie steals the show however with his drama and over the topness. It’s a cute story if you like drama queen twinks that wear makeup, heels, and sexy panties.
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