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Destined to Fail #3
Explicit Transactions
I’m the prince of the night; the fulfillment of every one of your desires; the human form of every dirty thought you’ve ever had.
If you can afford me, of course.
Luca DiMarco can afford me. The flashy socialite and the hottest face of the upper echelon, he’s loaded enough that entire weekends with me are nothing more than pocket change.
Luca is relentless. I gave him something in our encounters which he can’t live without. And he’s doing everything in his near-infinite power to keep it. He’s going out of his way to make me feel good.
It almost feels like he cares. And he's making it really hard to resist the attention.
Boys like me don’t go around falling in love with their clients. They don’t expect a Prince Charming to carry them away. Yet both of those things seem to be happening to me.
But there are greater forces at work trying to tear us apart. And I’m not brave enough to face them.
Explicit Transactions is the third standalone installment in the Destined to Fail series. It features a strictly transactional relationship between one very independent contractor (cough, cough) and one wealthy crime empire princeling who has more in common with his escort than either imagines. Get ready for a rags-to-riches, forbidden romance full of heat and heart, with a guaranteed happy ending.
If you can afford me, of course.
Luca DiMarco can afford me. The flashy socialite and the hottest face of the upper echelon, he’s loaded enough that entire weekends with me are nothing more than pocket change.
Luca is relentless. I gave him something in our encounters which he can’t live without. And he’s doing everything in his near-infinite power to keep it. He’s going out of his way to make me feel good.
It almost feels like he cares. And he's making it really hard to resist the attention.
Boys like me don’t go around falling in love with their clients. They don’t expect a Prince Charming to carry them away. Yet both of those things seem to be happening to me.
But there are greater forces at work trying to tear us apart. And I’m not brave enough to face them.
Explicit Transactions is the third standalone installment in the Destined to Fail series. It features a strictly transactional relationship between one very independent contractor (cough, cough) and one wealthy crime empire princeling who has more in common with his escort than either imagines. Get ready for a rags-to-riches, forbidden romance full of heat and heart, with a guaranteed happy ending.
218 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 8, 2023
121 people are currently reading
296 people want to read
About the author
Hayden Hall
67 books742 followersGay. Sweet. Steamy.
Hayden Hall writes MM romance novels. He is a boyfriend, a globetrotter, and an avid romance reader.
Hayden's mission is to author a catalog of captivating and steamy MM romance novels which gather a devoted community around the Happily Ever Afters.
His stories are sweet with just the right amount of naughty.
You can get in touch with Hayden on Facebook or through his website at haydenhallwrites.com
Hayden Hall writes MM romance novels. He is a boyfriend, a globetrotter, and an avid romance reader.
Hayden's mission is to author a catalog of captivating and steamy MM romance novels which gather a devoted community around the Happily Ever Afters.
His stories are sweet with just the right amount of naughty.
You can get in touch with Hayden on Facebook or through his website at haydenhallwrites.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
June 17, 2023
4.5 stars
This book was soooo good. It's my favorite of the series. It starts off quickly and doesn't slow down. And that twist at the end?! Didn't see that coming.
It was as if I only truly existed when we merged and became one. Moments spent with him had become the only moments in which I knew any happiness at all.
Austin is a high-end rent boy who is introduced to Luca through a former client, who also happens to be one of Luca’s only trusted friends.
Luca and Austin have more in common than they initially know and it's heartbreaking when they realize it.
I loved how both of the MCs didn't run away from their feelings. They just went with them and embraced the relationship as it progressed from rent boy to more.
This act shattered all the prejudice and brought us into being one and the same. He served me; I served him. We were beyond the bounds of rules. This was companionship and desire.
*** I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest opinion. ***
This book was soooo good. It's my favorite of the series. It starts off quickly and doesn't slow down. And that twist at the end?! Didn't see that coming.
It was as if I only truly existed when we merged and became one. Moments spent with him had become the only moments in which I knew any happiness at all.
Austin is a high-end rent boy who is introduced to Luca through a former client, who also happens to be one of Luca’s only trusted friends.
Luca and Austin have more in common than they initially know and it's heartbreaking when they realize it.
I loved how both of the MCs didn't run away from their feelings. They just went with them and embraced the relationship as it progressed from rent boy to more.
This act shattered all the prejudice and brought us into being one and the same. He served me; I served him. We were beyond the bounds of rules. This was companionship and desire.
*** I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest opinion. ***
June 8, 2023
4.5 stars. Austin is a high-class rent boy, he just lost his best customer Jack, yeah they never stay, Austin is always the one who stays behind, alone. Jack promised to send a new customer his way.
Austin needs the money, not for himself, but for Maddy, his sister in all but blood.
Luca is the rich, adopted son of a mafia boss, he’s the lawyer of the family. He doesn’t want a relationship, too much work, he wants just the fun side of it, when his best friend Jack offers a number of a rent boy who knows what he’s doing and works among the wealthy men, Luca decides to make the call.
What are the odds, love your work and also doing it with a delicious man who seems to like you too. Win-win!
What Austin didn’t expect was the desire he felt for Luca.
They are incredibly compatible, Luca loves to control and Austin loves to be controlled.
Austin knows it’s only physical, he gave up hope to be really loved. Still, he wants to enjoy Luca’s company to the fullest.
Gosh, I was holding my breath when they had their first time together, jeez, the attention to detail was so good, it was hot AF and heart melting. Not only their first is hot, all their time together was.
Thin lines are vanishing, there’s something strong growing.
Austin knows he’s falling and heartbreak is waiting. Luca for his part is willing to pay the highest price to keep Austin.
The story goes deeper than just their encounters, and it is really well done.
There’s also some action, because yeah mafia.
Overall, the story was quite sensual, steamy, emotional, and super romantic, well structured. Both men were sweethearts, their characters were nicely layered.
A delicious story that deserves a recommendation.
Austin needs the money, not for himself, but for Maddy, his sister in all but blood.
Luca is the rich, adopted son of a mafia boss, he’s the lawyer of the family. He doesn’t want a relationship, too much work, he wants just the fun side of it, when his best friend Jack offers a number of a rent boy who knows what he’s doing and works among the wealthy men, Luca decides to make the call.
What are the odds, love your work and also doing it with a delicious man who seems to like you too. Win-win!
What Austin didn’t expect was the desire he felt for Luca.
They are incredibly compatible, Luca loves to control and Austin loves to be controlled.
Austin knows it’s only physical, he gave up hope to be really loved. Still, he wants to enjoy Luca’s company to the fullest.
Gosh, I was holding my breath when they had their first time together, jeez, the attention to detail was so good, it was hot AF and heart melting. Not only their first is hot, all their time together was.
Thin lines are vanishing, there’s something strong growing.
Austin knows he’s falling and heartbreak is waiting. Luca for his part is willing to pay the highest price to keep Austin.
The story goes deeper than just their encounters, and it is really well done.
There’s also some action, because yeah mafia.
Overall, the story was quite sensual, steamy, emotional, and super romantic, well structured. Both men were sweethearts, their characters were nicely layered.
A delicious story that deserves a recommendation.
July 18, 2023
⭐︎
4.5 Stars Rounded Up!
⭐︎
This series continues to impress.
In this we get the story of Austin, who is a rent boy and Parrish's friend we see briefly in book one, and Luca, an adopted son of the DiMarco family, a family the dabbles in criminality. Not quite the mafia, but...close. They are something to that affect. Not doing every business deal legally. And are quite wealthy because of that fact. Or maybe they were the mafia but have declined? Idk, it wasn't 100% clear. They don't feel like a true crime family, more like...mafia-lite, if that makes sense?
Anywho, the connection to the second book is that Albie, the oldest of the three DiMarco boys, is Megan's boyfriend now and are the seemingly shady family - which is 100% right - that Garret suspected they were.
Luca is the youngest - and only adopted - son, who was part of the same orphanage that Austin was at. Luca was just lucky - or unlucky in some ways? - to get adopted (but a somewhat criminal family) while Austin never was. And we see how different their lives turned out based on getting a leg up in life, not only with family but with money too.
Luca works as a lawyer exclusively to his family, as they have not only groomed him to be working in the more criminal side of their family, but he has been practically forced into it. And he doesn't like it and it getting more and more done with it all. He's also feeling restless as far as sex and dating goes. His last relationship didn't work out - and the guy is still pestering him even 6 months after they broke up - and he's gone that long without sex with something other than his right hand.
When his friend, Jack, comes to him to suggest the rent boy he's been using - but is now done with as he wants to look for something serious - it doesn't take Luca long to take him up on his offer.
Austin is a little down on his luck, as Jack was a well paying regular and now he's going to be without reliable regular payments to not only keep a roof over his and his best friend's head, but also to help Maddy bodily transition, as she's trans and is in the process of transitioning and thus doesn't go out much, and Austin practically forced her into accepting his help financially for it, as Maddy has done so much for him that all he wants is for her to be happy in her body, with who she truly is.
But when Luca calls him pretty soon after Jack ends their arrangement, things change irrevocably for both of them.
There is an instant connection between these two, I absolutely loved their chemistry. And the sex, as it has been through this series, has been astounding. From their first meeting, I was falling in love with these two.
Not only was their sexual chemistry off the charts, but it was as easy to fall in love with them as a couple as it was for them to fall in love with each other.
It doesn't take long into their arrangement for it to become more. A Pretty Woman-esque romance, with rent boy determined not to fall in love doing so anyway, and the wealthy businessman whose closed off but opens up with the sex worker they're with. Although this does happen over a little more time, maybe between a month or two. With a small criminal element woven into it.
The only real plot aside from them falling in love is near the end, when one of Albie's blunders comes back to haunt them, and it's a race to save the day for these two to get their happy ending, as well as for Luca's father to allow him to leave the family business and live as normal a life as possible, with the man he loves.
I'm only giving .5 stars off this for a few typos here and there (not many at all, but still noticeable) and some confusion with their ages and time. Because Austin says he's 27 in one chapter, then Luca says he's the same age in the next chapter, but then after they meet Austin says Luca is a year older him as though it's fact. And then later on when Austin is telling Luca about how he got into sex work, he says he started about 6 and a half years back and then Luca is like "so before you turned 20?" and Austin confirms that.
But that means he'd only be about 25 or 26? So which is it, is he 27 or not? It was a little confusing for me, so i gave .5 stars off. Also added to that .5 is I felt the sex scene in their epilogue was actually a little unnecessary? It felt a little excessive and I actually skipped most of it, surprisingly. Not because they aren't hot together, but only because we'd already gotten enough sex scenes between them by that point and I didn't need another one in their epilogue *shrug*
But in the end, none of that's too big a deal so I only gave a little bit off.
Otherwise this was perfect, I absolutely loved this, and their HEA was *chefs kiss* perfection. Can't wait for more from this author, whether it's a part of this series or not. I think perhaps Jack could be next in the romance department? I hope so 😘 Guess we'll see.
My Ratings for the Destined to Fail Series:
☀️ Destructive Relations: 5 stars (my review)
☀️ Shameless Affairs: 5 stars (my review)
☀️ Explicit Transactions: 4.5 stars
This series continues to impress.
In this we get the story of Austin, who is a rent boy and Parrish's friend we see briefly in book one, and Luca, an adopted son of the DiMarco family, a family the dabbles in criminality. Not quite the mafia, but...close. They are something to that affect. Not doing every business deal legally. And are quite wealthy because of that fact. Or maybe they were the mafia but have declined? Idk, it wasn't 100% clear. They don't feel like a true crime family, more like...mafia-lite, if that makes sense?
Anywho, the connection to the second book is that Albie, the oldest of the three DiMarco boys, is Megan's boyfriend now and are the seemingly shady family - which is 100% right - that Garret suspected they were.
Luca is the youngest - and only adopted - son, who was part of the same orphanage that Austin was at. Luca was just lucky - or unlucky in some ways? - to get adopted (but a somewhat criminal family) while Austin never was. And we see how different their lives turned out based on getting a leg up in life, not only with family but with money too.
Luca works as a lawyer exclusively to his family, as they have not only groomed him to be working in the more criminal side of their family, but he has been practically forced into it. And he doesn't like it and it getting more and more done with it all. He's also feeling restless as far as sex and dating goes. His last relationship didn't work out - and the guy is still pestering him even 6 months after they broke up - and he's gone that long without sex with something other than his right hand.
When his friend, Jack, comes to him to suggest the rent boy he's been using - but is now done with as he wants to look for something serious - it doesn't take Luca long to take him up on his offer.
Austin is a little down on his luck, as Jack was a well paying regular and now he's going to be without reliable regular payments to not only keep a roof over his and his best friend's head, but also to help Maddy bodily transition, as she's trans and is in the process of transitioning and thus doesn't go out much, and Austin practically forced her into accepting his help financially for it, as Maddy has done so much for him that all he wants is for her to be happy in her body, with who she truly is.
But when Luca calls him pretty soon after Jack ends their arrangement, things change irrevocably for both of them.
There is an instant connection between these two, I absolutely loved their chemistry. And the sex, as it has been through this series, has been astounding. From their first meeting, I was falling in love with these two.
Not only was their sexual chemistry off the charts, but it was as easy to fall in love with them as a couple as it was for them to fall in love with each other.
It doesn't take long into their arrangement for it to become more. A Pretty Woman-esque romance, with rent boy determined not to fall in love doing so anyway, and the wealthy businessman whose closed off but opens up with the sex worker they're with. Although this does happen over a little more time, maybe between a month or two. With a small criminal element woven into it.
The only real plot aside from them falling in love is near the end, when one of Albie's blunders comes back to haunt them, and it's a race to save the day for these two to get their happy ending, as well as for Luca's father to allow him to leave the family business and live as normal a life as possible, with the man he loves.
I'm only giving .5 stars off this for a few typos here and there (not many at all, but still noticeable) and some confusion with their ages and time. Because Austin says he's 27 in one chapter, then Luca says he's the same age in the next chapter, but then after they meet Austin says Luca is a year older him as though it's fact. And then later on when Austin is telling Luca about how he got into sex work, he says he started about 6 and a half years back and then Luca is like "so before you turned 20?" and Austin confirms that.
But that means he'd only be about 25 or 26? So which is it, is he 27 or not? It was a little confusing for me, so i gave .5 stars off. Also added to that .5 is I felt the sex scene in their epilogue was actually a little unnecessary? It felt a little excessive and I actually skipped most of it, surprisingly. Not because they aren't hot together, but only because we'd already gotten enough sex scenes between them by that point and I didn't need another one in their epilogue *shrug*
But in the end, none of that's too big a deal so I only gave a little bit off.
Otherwise this was perfect, I absolutely loved this, and their HEA was *chefs kiss* perfection. Can't wait for more from this author, whether it's a part of this series or not. I think perhaps Jack could be next in the romance department? I hope so 😘 Guess we'll see.
My Ratings for the Destined to Fail Series:
☀️ Destructive Relations: 5 stars (my review)
☀️ Shameless Affairs: 5 stars (my review)
☀️ Explicit Transactions: 4.5 stars
July 26, 2023
2.75/5 stars
This wasn’t what I was expecting. I was actually excited for this, but there were so many things that threw me off. I didn’t like the agreement they had. Also the writing style was meh. There was a twist at like 75% that didn’t need to be there at all?
This wasn’t what I was expecting. I was actually excited for this, but there were so many things that threw me off. I didn’t like the agreement they had. Also the writing style was meh. There was a twist at like 75% that didn’t need to be there at all?
June 11, 2023
I’m sure I said this last time, and the time before, but Hayden’s books just keep getting better, I love them so much! Not sure what I was expecting with this book but my god did it keep me on my toes!! He turned a very sexy read into a suspense with a great twist! I was having heart palpitations reading it!!
I loved the rags to riches story but it was laced with so much emotion and the reasons behind the life style was so touching. It was full of twists that I didn’t see coming, with all the damn feels!
I loved Austin and Luca they complimented each other, they were exactly what each other needed. I loved the cameos from the found family too, such a great read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🧡Billionaire
🧡Escort
🧡Steamy
🧡Rags to riches
I loved the rags to riches story but it was laced with so much emotion and the reasons behind the life style was so touching. It was full of twists that I didn’t see coming, with all the damn feels!
I loved Austin and Luca they complimented each other, they were exactly what each other needed. I loved the cameos from the found family too, such a great read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🧡Billionaire
🧡Escort
🧡Steamy
🧡Rags to riches
June 16, 2023
4.3⭐
Aaah, another male-gaze cover! 😏
That's Austin and this is his book.
If you remember Austin, he was in Parrish and Levi's book near the end, he's a rent boy that lives in Parrish's neighbourhood, a beautiful, well put-together kinda guy and I was interested in his story from the moment he was first mentioned.
And yes, his book did not disappoint.
The story is about Austin, a 25-year old guy who's a rent boy and lives with Maddy, his adopted sister (a trans-woman) and best friend.
Austin caters to the wealthier men and when his long-term client, Jack, breaks up their arrangement and suggests him to a friend, his life as a lonely rent boy takes a turn.
Luca is a 27-years old adopted son to the DiMarco mafia family, he's their lawyer and cleans up their legal mess all the time. He's lonely, although he has plenty of options not to be, but he doesn't feel like being serious with anyone, he never can really let go or find someone to move him, make him want to have a serious relationship or change anything in his life, his upscale corrupted life, that's suffocating him.
When Luca decides to rent Austin, they have immediate insane chemistry. They're pretty much the same age, but Luca is taller, more educated, wealthier and also a bit more dominant. They really fit.
Luca also becomes Austin's only client, they're exclusive , which was a nice perk and a bit unusual, but added a sexy, promising undertone to their arrangement.
🟣 What I absolutely loved is that they hit it off as friends too. They hang out, they laugh together, they have amazing sex, they go places together, Luca meets Austin's friends and doesn't impress Austin with his money, but with himself, just as he is.
They're being real together, brutally honest and themselves and in that, they fall in love.
🌶️ The spice was, as is typical in this series, completely amazing, but what I didn't appreciate was the part where they had sex for the first time and after that, a week or so went by and everything was off-page, while most of the future sex scenes were on-page.
I absolutely wanted to read more about their first days or weeks together much more than the rest, so that threw me off a little bit.
What made the story really interesting and deep was the part of them already crossing paths as children , that was a really good addition to the story and it only made me feel more for and with the MCs.
Such a wonderful, exciting and deeply emotional story between two young men, who found love where there was almost no chance of finding it, much less making it permanent.
🟢 The epilogue was fantastic. Just wonderful. I am expecting to read more about Austin and Luca, this was a book with only 218 pages, and I say only, because I wanted to read so much more about this amazing love story.
There's a touch of mafia in this story, but it's not prevalent , I think it was just a taste of what's to come - or rather, what I certainly hope will come, because I definitely want Albie's book!
I can't wait for the next installment.
Aaah, another male-gaze cover! 😏
That's Austin and this is his book.
If you remember Austin, he was in Parrish and Levi's book near the end, he's a rent boy that lives in Parrish's neighbourhood, a beautiful, well put-together kinda guy and I was interested in his story from the moment he was first mentioned.
And yes, his book did not disappoint.
The story is about Austin, a 25-year old guy who's a rent boy and lives with Maddy, his adopted sister (a trans-woman) and best friend.
Austin caters to the wealthier men and when his long-term client, Jack, breaks up their arrangement and suggests him to a friend, his life as a lonely rent boy takes a turn.
Luca is a 27-years old adopted son to the DiMarco mafia family, he's their lawyer and cleans up their legal mess all the time. He's lonely, although he has plenty of options not to be, but he doesn't feel like being serious with anyone, he never can really let go or find someone to move him, make him want to have a serious relationship or change anything in his life, his upscale corrupted life, that's suffocating him.
When Luca decides to rent Austin, they have immediate insane chemistry. They're pretty much the same age, but Luca is taller, more educated, wealthier and also a bit more dominant. They really fit.
Luca also becomes Austin's only client, they're exclusive , which was a nice perk and a bit unusual, but added a sexy, promising undertone to their arrangement.
🟣 What I absolutely loved is that they hit it off as friends too. They hang out, they laugh together, they have amazing sex, they go places together, Luca meets Austin's friends and doesn't impress Austin with his money, but with himself, just as he is.
They're being real together, brutally honest and themselves and in that, they fall in love.
🌶️ The spice was, as is typical in this series, completely amazing, but what I didn't appreciate was the part where they had sex for the first time and after that, a week or so went by and everything was off-page, while most of the future sex scenes were on-page.
I absolutely wanted to read more about their first days or weeks together much more than the rest, so that threw me off a little bit.
What made the story really interesting and deep was the part of them already crossing paths as children , that was a really good addition to the story and it only made me feel more for and with the MCs.
Such a wonderful, exciting and deeply emotional story between two young men, who found love where there was almost no chance of finding it, much less making it permanent.
🟢 The epilogue was fantastic. Just wonderful. I am expecting to read more about Austin and Luca, this was a book with only 218 pages, and I say only, because I wanted to read so much more about this amazing love story.
There's a touch of mafia in this story, but it's not prevalent , I think it was just a taste of what's to come - or rather, what I certainly hope will come, because I definitely want Albie's book!
I can't wait for the next installment.
June 12, 2023
“Perhaps, if Austin enjoyed himself greatly with me, I could just keep him. It would solve a great many problems for me.”
4⭐️3.5🌶️
Austin is a rent boy in need of a solid regular since his old one “broke up” with him & he has himself and his childhood best friend to take care of.
Luca is a lawyer for his family and so busy he really has no time/energy/desire to be someone’s boyfriend properly but he still longs for that connection.
They’re introduced by Austin’s previous client (who is Luca’s close friend) and make an arrangement…
I enjoyed it immensely! It’s like the thrill of fake dating but literally no one was faking anything and then the external drama was OTT and exciting 👌🏻 Also this has one of the hottest rimming scenes I’ve ever read 🥵🥵🥵 Some parts certainly could’ve been fleshed out more but I enjoyed the easy connection, the fun spice, and the drama of it all!
I received an advanced copy for review - all opinions are my own.
4⭐️3.5🌶️
Austin is a rent boy in need of a solid regular since his old one “broke up” with him & he has himself and his childhood best friend to take care of.
Luca is a lawyer for his family and so busy he really has no time/energy/desire to be someone’s boyfriend properly but he still longs for that connection.
They’re introduced by Austin’s previous client (who is Luca’s close friend) and make an arrangement…
I enjoyed it immensely! It’s like the thrill of fake dating but literally no one was faking anything and then the external drama was OTT and exciting 👌🏻 Also this has one of the hottest rimming scenes I’ve ever read 🥵🥵🥵 Some parts certainly could’ve been fleshed out more but I enjoyed the easy connection, the fun spice, and the drama of it all!
I received an advanced copy for review - all opinions are my own.
June 8, 2023
Explicit Transactions is far more steamy from the start compared to previous books in the Destined to Fail series. Just the nature of Austin's job really, and the physical side of things happens before the emotional side does. Luca and Austin had explosive chemistry and I really felt like they slowly fell in love.
Some outside action and drama courtesy of Luca's family which made the pair confront their feelings. That part I really enjoyed as well as the visits with Parish and the mention of the center that Luca helps fund.
Sweet HEA
Some outside action and drama courtesy of Luca's family which made the pair confront their feelings. That part I really enjoyed as well as the visits with Parish and the mention of the center that Luca helps fund.
Sweet HEA
June 14, 2023
"We were stuck in this position of pure ecstasy where sighs said more than millions of words ever could. Cut short, strained, our breaths were echoes of the joy we could only ever discover when we were united."
Despite its steamy content and escort/millionaire mafia prince trope, Explicit Transactions by Hayden Hall is actually a really sweet, MM, rags to riches romance with a good story line, some action and a gorgeous HEA.
This is the third instalment in the Destined to Fail series of standalones and I loved it. Hayden Hall always delivers!
4 steamy stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Despite its steamy content and escort/millionaire mafia prince trope, Explicit Transactions by Hayden Hall is actually a really sweet, MM, rags to riches romance with a good story line, some action and a gorgeous HEA.
This is the third instalment in the Destined to Fail series of standalones and I loved it. Hayden Hall always delivers!
4 steamy stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
October 28, 2023
𝑬𝒙𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒕 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒃𝒚 𝑯𝒂𝒚𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝑯𝒂𝒍𝒍
𝕃𝕦𝕔𝕒 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝔸𝕦𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕟
« He's like fire and ice. Can there be such thing as flaming ice? If there could, that's him. »
x ᴍᴍ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ
x ʀᴀɢꜱ ᴛᴏ ʀɪᴄʜᴇꜱ
x ᴇꜱᴄᴏʀᴛ/ᴄʟɪᴇɴᴛ
x ᴍɪʟᴅ ᴀɴɢꜱᴛ
x ᴀʟʟ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴘɪᴄᴇ
x ʜᴇᴀ
Rating: 5/5 ⭐
Steam: 3/5 🔥
𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘
I like to think I am Hayden Hall's number one fan because he pumps out book after book and I am obsessed with every single one! Explicit Transactions is my favourite of his to date, and once I started it, I couldn't put it down for even a moment. It had everything you could want in a book, characters with great chemistry, all the delicious spice, and a delightful amount of angst. From the get-go, I was really hoping Austin would find his perfect match, someone worthy of all his love, and Luca could not have been more perfect! Luca is from a very wealthy shady family but despite this, he is so down to earth, and the perfect match for Austin, our lovable escort. From the moment they meet, they are intertwined, unable to stay away, and despite trying to fight the feelings, end up giving in. They experience so much together, and full of twist and turns, we see them overcoming the complications of Luca's family business. Overall this was an epic end to the series, and a bittersweet one at that. I cannot wait to read more from Hayden!
𝕃𝕦𝕔𝕒 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝔸𝕦𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕟
« He's like fire and ice. Can there be such thing as flaming ice? If there could, that's him. »
x ᴍᴍ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ
x ʀᴀɢꜱ ᴛᴏ ʀɪᴄʜᴇꜱ
x ᴇꜱᴄᴏʀᴛ/ᴄʟɪᴇɴᴛ
x ᴍɪʟᴅ ᴀɴɢꜱᴛ
x ᴀʟʟ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴘɪᴄᴇ
x ʜᴇᴀ
Rating: 5/5 ⭐
Steam: 3/5 🔥
𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘
I like to think I am Hayden Hall's number one fan because he pumps out book after book and I am obsessed with every single one! Explicit Transactions is my favourite of his to date, and once I started it, I couldn't put it down for even a moment. It had everything you could want in a book, characters with great chemistry, all the delicious spice, and a delightful amount of angst. From the get-go, I was really hoping Austin would find his perfect match, someone worthy of all his love, and Luca could not have been more perfect! Luca is from a very wealthy shady family but despite this, he is so down to earth, and the perfect match for Austin, our lovable escort. From the moment they meet, they are intertwined, unable to stay away, and despite trying to fight the feelings, end up giving in. They experience so much together, and full of twist and turns, we see them overcoming the complications of Luca's family business. Overall this was an epic end to the series, and a bittersweet one at that. I cannot wait to read more from Hayden!
June 12, 2023
Tropes: Escort/client, rich/poor, found family
Feels: 3/5
Steam*: 4/5
Kinks: no
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content themes: orphaned, sex work to survive, past suicide attempt, trans minor character, kidnapping, attempted murder
Austin is poor, raised in an orphanage, has formed a family bond with Maddy, who he grew up with in the orphanage. She is trans, and that adds a little conflict in that they struggle a bit more for money to pay for her treatments. Austin is working as an escort to make ends meet. He's 26 and gay.
Luca is 27, he was also in an orphanage but he was adopted by a super wealthy family. But he didn't exactly have it easy, the family keeps their wealth by shady methods and he was really being used throughout his life and never had choices. He had siblings that were his parents biological children and he was always supposed to protect them. He's a lawyer and he's not happy about covering up for his family's messes and bad deeds.
They get set up by one of Austin's former clients and are instantly enamored with each other. It turns into more pretty quickly.
This was a good premise, a good story. I know Luca is a stuffy lawyer, but the language in the book was overly formal and a bit over narrated. I found it a bit hard to get immersed in the book, I just felt like an observer and it came off over dramatic and distant. Out of nowhere, there were two big twists at the 75% mark. I thought the twists were a little over the top but I will say the 25% of the book that remained afterwards connected a bit more with me because of how it was told. I liked the comments they made at the end about their relationship, it was nice how they really knew each other and Luca was still trying hard to make Austin happy. That was sweet. I wish Austin had had more ideas or dreams for his future beyond just being with Luca. The epilogue was 18 months in the future and he's no longer an escort, it would make more sense for him to have started being more than just Luca's boyfriend.
Some notable moments:
"We knew one another’s core. We knew each other’s secrets and kinks. There was nothing that separated us at all."
"“You’re grinning,” he said. Just then, I felt my muscles burn from the duration of this smile. I hadn’t even realized. “Oh, it’s just…” I looked into his blue eyes. How had I ever thought of them as cold? “You make me incredibly happy.” He grinned at that, cocking his head a little. “And you know what? I’ll try even harder tomorrow.”"
*FYI, I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink."
Feels: 3/5
Steam*: 4/5
Kinks: no
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content themes: orphaned, sex work to survive, past suicide attempt, trans minor character, kidnapping, attempted murder
Austin is poor, raised in an orphanage, has formed a family bond with Maddy, who he grew up with in the orphanage. She is trans, and that adds a little conflict in that they struggle a bit more for money to pay for her treatments. Austin is working as an escort to make ends meet. He's 26 and gay.
Luca is 27, he was also in an orphanage but he was adopted by a super wealthy family. But he didn't exactly have it easy, the family keeps their wealth by shady methods and he was really being used throughout his life and never had choices. He had siblings that were his parents biological children and he was always supposed to protect them. He's a lawyer and he's not happy about covering up for his family's messes and bad deeds.
They get set up by one of Austin's former clients and are instantly enamored with each other. It turns into more pretty quickly.
This was a good premise, a good story. I know Luca is a stuffy lawyer, but the language in the book was overly formal and a bit over narrated. I found it a bit hard to get immersed in the book, I just felt like an observer and it came off over dramatic and distant. Out of nowhere, there were two big twists at the 75% mark. I thought the twists were a little over the top but I will say the 25% of the book that remained afterwards connected a bit more with me because of how it was told. I liked the comments they made at the end about their relationship, it was nice how they really knew each other and Luca was still trying hard to make Austin happy. That was sweet. I wish Austin had had more ideas or dreams for his future beyond just being with Luca. The epilogue was 18 months in the future and he's no longer an escort, it would make more sense for him to have started being more than just Luca's boyfriend.
Some notable moments:
"We knew one another’s core. We knew each other’s secrets and kinks. There was nothing that separated us at all."
"“You’re grinning,” he said. Just then, I felt my muscles burn from the duration of this smile. I hadn’t even realized. “Oh, it’s just…” I looked into his blue eyes. How had I ever thought of them as cold? “You make me incredibly happy.” He grinned at that, cocking his head a little. “And you know what? I’ll try even harder tomorrow.”"
*FYI, I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2023
Do you ever read a book and it's not what you're expecting - in a good way? That's what happened to me with this book! Not that I didn't expect it to be good, but I didn't expect the honesty with their feelings and squishy wonderful feels from Luca and Austin. I knew the chemistry would be off the charts - and it certainly was - but I didn't go in thinking I was going to find the emotional sweetness that is there. I was there for it!
This is the story of Luca, the wealthy adopted son of an infamous, nefarious family of New York, and Austin, the orphan rent boy surviving with his wits and sex appeal. I thought Luca would be cold and detached - nope. He is a big softie right from the get go, loving his moments with Austin more than anything else in his life. And I expected more fight from Austin - nada. He doesn't fight the pull either, giving in to it although he expects it will end in heartbreak for a boy like him.
I loved this story and these 2 MCs - great storytelling by Hall with an exciting climactic scene near the end. My favorite thing about this scene is that it wasn't used as a plot point to make the 2 realize how they feel about one another - they were already there and came to it on their own. It would have been so easy for Hall to write it that way - many books go that route - but he didn't. It was such a better story the way he did it - authentic and not forced at all. I loved that and it felt so grown up of them! Adored it! 4.5/5 stars
I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
This is the story of Luca, the wealthy adopted son of an infamous, nefarious family of New York, and Austin, the orphan rent boy surviving with his wits and sex appeal. I thought Luca would be cold and detached - nope. He is a big softie right from the get go, loving his moments with Austin more than anything else in his life. And I expected more fight from Austin - nada. He doesn't fight the pull either, giving in to it although he expects it will end in heartbreak for a boy like him.
I loved this story and these 2 MCs - great storytelling by Hall with an exciting climactic scene near the end. My favorite thing about this scene is that it wasn't used as a plot point to make the 2 realize how they feel about one another - they were already there and came to it on their own. It would have been so easy for Hall to write it that way - many books go that route - but he didn't. It was such a better story the way he did it - authentic and not forced at all. I loved that and it felt so grown up of them! Adored it! 4.5/5 stars
I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
June 16, 2023
Explicit Transactions is book three in Hayden Hall's Destined to Fail series. If you're looking for a romance with rich/poor themes or s e xworker/client or made for each other vibes - look no further!
Austin is doing everything he can to keep himself and his bff Maddy afloat. [This backstory is amazing and heartbreaking and perfectly found family] After one arrangement with a client ends, another one begins. Luca is a man who has no time for dating or feelings and arranges to pay for the services of a weekend companion. When these two men's paths collide, it's sparks and raspy voices and seduction.
Austin and Luca at first glance have nothing in common, but that doesn't remain the case. These two catch feelings hard, secretly, practically blinded by their own chemistry.
I don't want to give too much of the story away. Just read the book! There were hidden pockets of delicious angst scattered throughout this story, with snapshots of Parrish and Levi from book one.
"In a perfect world, I would have curled up in my lover’s arm and allowed myself to doze off. I would have slept on the floor, my cheek on his chest, and he would have held me like it was all that mattered. But this world was far from perfect."
*sigh... deep dramatic sighs.* Honestly, Austin deserves the whole world. When they realize [redacted!!!!] and that whole conversation happens I was crying and just knew ------ would happen. I'm so glad it didn't! The [redacted] element of the story was a surprise, though. This was an HEA I was so happy to read!
Definitely recommend this entire series!
Austin is doing everything he can to keep himself and his bff Maddy afloat. [This backstory is amazing and heartbreaking and perfectly found family] After one arrangement with a client ends, another one begins. Luca is a man who has no time for dating or feelings and arranges to pay for the services of a weekend companion. When these two men's paths collide, it's sparks and raspy voices and seduction.
Austin and Luca at first glance have nothing in common, but that doesn't remain the case. These two catch feelings hard, secretly, practically blinded by their own chemistry.
I don't want to give too much of the story away. Just read the book! There were hidden pockets of delicious angst scattered throughout this story, with snapshots of Parrish and Levi from book one.
"In a perfect world, I would have curled up in my lover’s arm and allowed myself to doze off. I would have slept on the floor, my cheek on his chest, and he would have held me like it was all that mattered. But this world was far from perfect."
*sigh... deep dramatic sighs.* Honestly, Austin deserves the whole world. When they realize [redacted!!!!] and that whole conversation happens I was crying and just knew ------ would happen. I'm so glad it didn't! The [redacted] element of the story was a surprise, though. This was an HEA I was so happy to read!
Definitely recommend this entire series!
June 20, 2023
4 stars
Austin is a rent boy under contract to Jack, a millionaire who only wants to use him for sex once a week. Until the night Jack arrives and severs that contract, leaving Austin without a steady income and a phone number of another potential client.
Gathering his courage, Austin calls the number. The man on the other end invites him to his home, a luxurious penthouse. From the first meeting between Austin and Luca, the rent boy has no expectations of more than one night's "interaction".
However, Luca, an attorney for a family who does business "down and dirty," decides to retain Austin exclusively, at triple the young man's rate. Needing the money to help his longtime friend, Maddy, complete her gender alteration, Austin agrees to Luca's contract.
Neither man knows what to expect as they begin seeing each other every weekend. Astonishing revelations from their past lives both bind then closer and threaten to tear them apart. Austin believes no one could ever love a rent boy, while Luca's family business becomes more stressful.
When tragedy befalls the pair, a true understanding of their relationship dawns on the duo, leading to both men to complete acts they never assumed themselves capable of.
Wonderfully written by a brilliant author, this story has it all: tragic pasts, both real and imagined love, mystery, dangerous situations and humor at just the needed moments. The one thing that prevented me from rating this book higher was, you guessed it, editing errors. Ugh! Why does it seem all the truly great books come complete with editing snafus near the climax of the story?? Totally disrupts my reading flow.
Mistakes aside, this is a book I highly recommend for readers of a combination of growing true love, shared pasts, dangerous presents and bright futures. Mr. Hall composed a remarkable plot that held my interest until the last word. Kudos, sir!
Austin is a rent boy under contract to Jack, a millionaire who only wants to use him for sex once a week. Until the night Jack arrives and severs that contract, leaving Austin without a steady income and a phone number of another potential client.
Gathering his courage, Austin calls the number. The man on the other end invites him to his home, a luxurious penthouse. From the first meeting between Austin and Luca, the rent boy has no expectations of more than one night's "interaction".
However, Luca, an attorney for a family who does business "down and dirty," decides to retain Austin exclusively, at triple the young man's rate. Needing the money to help his longtime friend, Maddy, complete her gender alteration, Austin agrees to Luca's contract.
Neither man knows what to expect as they begin seeing each other every weekend. Astonishing revelations from their past lives both bind then closer and threaten to tear them apart. Austin believes no one could ever love a rent boy, while Luca's family business becomes more stressful.
When tragedy befalls the pair, a true understanding of their relationship dawns on the duo, leading to both men to complete acts they never assumed themselves capable of.
Wonderfully written by a brilliant author, this story has it all: tragic pasts, both real and imagined love, mystery, dangerous situations and humor at just the needed moments. The one thing that prevented me from rating this book higher was, you guessed it, editing errors. Ugh! Why does it seem all the truly great books come complete with editing snafus near the climax of the story?? Totally disrupts my reading flow.
Mistakes aside, this is a book I highly recommend for readers of a combination of growing true love, shared pasts, dangerous presents and bright futures. Mr. Hall composed a remarkable plot that held my interest until the last word. Kudos, sir!
June 6, 2023
This was my first book by Hayden Hall, and I really enjoyed it. Austin grew up in an orphanage where he met his sister in everything but in blood. She was undergoing gender affirming care and Austin was working as a rent boy for the wealthy to take care of them both. He was a very sweet MC who had long ago given up on love because he didn’t see his worth properly.
Luca, who was part of the DiMarco family, was the perfect example of why money isn’t everything. He was struggling with loneliness but also with the guilt and shame he caried because of his family’s business. His friend Jack recommended Austin to him, so their relationship came from an arrangement that quickly turned into more, even though they were only subconsciously aware of the change. From the very beginning, we could see how their bond went beyond that of a rent boy and his client. Not only did they spend a lot of time together cuddling, talking, and just enjoying each other’s company, but they also longed to be together when they were apart.
I appreciated that Luca never treated Austin as less than for his work, but instead wanted to please him and treat him to as many pleasures as he could. He soon realised that contrary to many of his past relationships, Austin enjoyed simple things and didn’t need fancy restaurants to want to spend time with Luca, he just wanted to feel loved.
I really enjoyed this book, it was sweet but also the chemistry between them was off the charts 🔥.
**I received and advanced copy of this book and these are my honest thoughts**
Luca, who was part of the DiMarco family, was the perfect example of why money isn’t everything. He was struggling with loneliness but also with the guilt and shame he caried because of his family’s business. His friend Jack recommended Austin to him, so their relationship came from an arrangement that quickly turned into more, even though they were only subconsciously aware of the change. From the very beginning, we could see how their bond went beyond that of a rent boy and his client. Not only did they spend a lot of time together cuddling, talking, and just enjoying each other’s company, but they also longed to be together when they were apart.
I appreciated that Luca never treated Austin as less than for his work, but instead wanted to please him and treat him to as many pleasures as he could. He soon realised that contrary to many of his past relationships, Austin enjoyed simple things and didn’t need fancy restaurants to want to spend time with Luca, he just wanted to feel loved.
I really enjoyed this book, it was sweet but also the chemistry between them was off the charts 🔥.
**I received and advanced copy of this book and these are my honest thoughts**
June 1, 2023
This story is book 3 in the Destined to Fail series, and it has a totally different vibe. I loved that we got to hear from Parrish and Levi as they are Austin's friends. This is a story of two people with an arrangement, but when you look at it, the arrangement was never really enforced after their first proper 'date'. Two men who quickly fell for each other and we get swept along in their sexy times together. The word 'adore' is how I would describe how Luca feels about Austin; you can feel the joy and lightness that Austin emits and helps to distract Luca from his family stresses. They didn't voice their feelings until the wrong use of wording nearly ends it all. We watch their love story unfold and fall in love, the intimate scenes were very hot and steamy and felt very real. Austin is accidentally caught up in Luca's underground world and this is when we see Austin's true strength. There is some angst in the storyline, but not between the two MC's, they are far too gone for each other. The epilogue leaves with a HFN as their relationship develops and you feel it will be forever. This quote sums it up beautifully "There was no Austin without Luca, or the other way around. He was half of my soul."
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 15, 2023
I am a fan of this series by the author so I had high expectations and this story did not disappoint. It was hot, interspersed with sweetness and had loads of surprising twists that just didn’t let me put the book the down.
Expect:
* Escort /client
* Hurt comfort
* Billionaire MC
* Found family
* dominant in the bedroom
* Steamy
* Criminal enterprise undertones
Austin is loyal, sweet, resilient and down on his luck trying to do the best he can to grow out of the circumstances he was born into and support his friend on her journey. Luca is sensitive and has a big heart but is burdened by the guilt that comes with being a part of his family. When Austin’s services are hired by Luca on the recommendation of a friend they find themselves irrevocably attracted and connected to each other and its insta lust that keeps on building into something more. But there is a whole lot more that they have to navigate through than just a difference in their circumstances and the author keeps sprinkling in the twists till it concludes in an explosive ecstatic end, making for a throughly enjoyable read.
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Swoon: ♥️♥️♥️♥️
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Angst: ❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹
Humour: 🤣🤣
While this is part of a series and we do see characters from the previous book make an appearance, it can be read as a stand-alone.
TW: childhood abandonment and trauma, suicide ideation, violence.
Thank you to @grr and the author for an opportunity to read the ARC and share an honest review.
Expect:
* Escort /client
* Hurt comfort
* Billionaire MC
* Found family
* dominant in the bedroom
* Steamy
* Criminal enterprise undertones
Austin is loyal, sweet, resilient and down on his luck trying to do the best he can to grow out of the circumstances he was born into and support his friend on her journey. Luca is sensitive and has a big heart but is burdened by the guilt that comes with being a part of his family. When Austin’s services are hired by Luca on the recommendation of a friend they find themselves irrevocably attracted and connected to each other and its insta lust that keeps on building into something more. But there is a whole lot more that they have to navigate through than just a difference in their circumstances and the author keeps sprinkling in the twists till it concludes in an explosive ecstatic end, making for a throughly enjoyable read.
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Swoon: ♥️♥️♥️♥️
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Angst: ❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹
Humour: 🤣🤣
While this is part of a series and we do see characters from the previous book make an appearance, it can be read as a stand-alone.
TW: childhood abandonment and trauma, suicide ideation, violence.
Thank you to @grr and the author for an opportunity to read the ARC and share an honest review.
June 17, 2023
Rating: 4
Steam: 3
PoV: dual, 1st person
Explicit Transactions was a great client / escort story, with lots of both sweet and steamy moments!
Luca and Austin had so much chemistry and were practically made for each other! I liked how their "transactions" were more than just sex, they got along great together and had so many sweet moments together throughout the story. It was adorable how they both looked forward to the weekends spent together, and despite a bit of fake dating and the whole client / escort thing, there wasn't really any angst within their relationship.
The mafia thing was pretty vague in my opinion, but the plot that came with it added some action to the story. I liked little twists and turns that it added, but overall it felt more like a way to set up for coming books. I really hope so! I also loved seeing Austin with Madde, their friendship was absolutely precious and their support for each other was just so heartwarming to read.
I enjoyed reading about Luca and Austin, their story was a bit sweeter than I initially thought it would be, but their chemistry was really amazing. Some of the plot felt a little over dramatic and sudden for me, but overall it was a great read with plenty of steamy moments, some drama and a sweet HEA.
Steam: 3
PoV: dual, 1st person
Explicit Transactions was a great client / escort story, with lots of both sweet and steamy moments!
Luca and Austin had so much chemistry and were practically made for each other! I liked how their "transactions" were more than just sex, they got along great together and had so many sweet moments together throughout the story. It was adorable how they both looked forward to the weekends spent together, and despite a bit of fake dating and the whole client / escort thing, there wasn't really any angst within their relationship.
The mafia thing was pretty vague in my opinion, but the plot that came with it added some action to the story. I liked little twists and turns that it added, but overall it felt more like a way to set up for coming books. I really hope so! I also loved seeing Austin with Madde, their friendship was absolutely precious and their support for each other was just so heartwarming to read.
I enjoyed reading about Luca and Austin, their story was a bit sweeter than I initially thought it would be, but their chemistry was really amazing. Some of the plot felt a little over dramatic and sudden for me, but overall it was a great read with plenty of steamy moments, some drama and a sweet HEA.
June 5, 2023
So. Darn. Good.
The rent boy and the millionaire. Austen is struggling for every meal while trying to help his best friend and keep a roof over their heads. He's fine the best way to ensure all of these is to become a rent boy. Thankfully, he's recently been introduced to a higher clientele. And then he meets Luca.
The rent boy and the cleaner. Luca is a member of a very exclusive family. He's not only a millionaire, he's the 'cleaner' for any messy issues his family creates. He's so tired of the life he's living, but family ties are hard to break. And then he meets Austen.
The sparks fly in this wonderful story that does my heart out and put it back together! It is such a good read and probably my favorite of the Destined To Fail novels.
The rent boy and the millionaire. Austen is struggling for every meal while trying to help his best friend and keep a roof over their heads. He's fine the best way to ensure all of these is to become a rent boy. Thankfully, he's recently been introduced to a higher clientele. And then he meets Luca.
The rent boy and the cleaner. Luca is a member of a very exclusive family. He's not only a millionaire, he's the 'cleaner' for any messy issues his family creates. He's so tired of the life he's living, but family ties are hard to break. And then he meets Austen.
The sparks fly in this wonderful story that does my heart out and put it back together! It is such a good read and probably my favorite of the Destined To Fail novels.
June 5, 2023
I am always delighted to read a Hayden Hall book. I can't put it down, reading the entire book in two setting at most.His characters are strong, intense, emotional. And that goes for Austin and Luca too. They have an instant chemistry that just build and build till they realize what they have is not an arrangement anymore. And when the worst happens, they're there for each other. Now let's wait, hopefully, for Jack's story.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
June 5, 2023
Austin is an escort Luca hires exclusively for his weekends. They are so attracted, they can't get enough. There is danger, family troubles and so much sexy times along with a lot of romance. This is one of Hayden's most romantic books he's written I felt and I loved it! Austin and Luca clearly were made for each other and I enjoyed the book as I love all of Hayden's books. He puts his heart into each one. I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
June 16, 2023
Austin has been a rent boy for awhile now, and thankfully he has one client called Jack who is lots of fun and pays well over the odds that keeps him and his best friend Maddie going. But he has just learnt that Jack is not going to be able to see him anymore. Instantly, Austin is trying to think of ways to make sure him and Maddie are safe with a roof over their head, but thankfully Jack has asked if he can pass his number on to a friend who really needs someone like Austin in his life right now Austin agree straight away.
Lucas DiMarco is a lawyer for his family’s firm. But he doesn’t like the way his family conduct business. If he could get out he would, but he knows his father would not agree. When Jack leaves a phone number of a man who could make him forget everything While they spend time together, Luca happily takes his number. You see he’s still having problems with his ex so he’s off relationship so this could be the perfect way to have some fun without strings. And to be honest Lucas has loads of money that he wouldn’t miss so he set a meeting up with Austin.
When these two meet it is lust at first sight. Austin knows that he won’t have to fake anything because he finds Luca extremely handsome when Lucas sees Austin he knows that he is going to have some fun with this young man. They’re about the same age actually. But he can tell already that Austin likes it when he calls him boy. And Austin is extremely happy when Luca wants to be exclusive with him and see him every weekend from Friday evening to Sunday. Austin and Maddie are going to be okay while this lasts, and Austin isn’t thinking about the money for once he wants Luca.
These two stole my heart. I enjoyed their banter. I enjoyed their passion. You could see these two slowly becoming something real, and that was just breathtaking. There are some twists and turns in this book, and one hell of a twist for both of them. When these two are alone, it’s like nobody else matters. Do you have a deep connection and I just found myself smiling through most of this book. there is danger in this book. I must admit I went through most emotions reading this book. But Luca and Austin just made my heart sing I really enjoyed this book. And it was great to see the guys from the tattoo shop again. I can’t wait to read the next book.
Lucas DiMarco is a lawyer for his family’s firm. But he doesn’t like the way his family conduct business. If he could get out he would, but he knows his father would not agree. When Jack leaves a phone number of a man who could make him forget everything While they spend time together, Luca happily takes his number. You see he’s still having problems with his ex so he’s off relationship so this could be the perfect way to have some fun without strings. And to be honest Lucas has loads of money that he wouldn’t miss so he set a meeting up with Austin.
When these two meet it is lust at first sight. Austin knows that he won’t have to fake anything because he finds Luca extremely handsome when Lucas sees Austin he knows that he is going to have some fun with this young man. They’re about the same age actually. But he can tell already that Austin likes it when he calls him boy. And Austin is extremely happy when Luca wants to be exclusive with him and see him every weekend from Friday evening to Sunday. Austin and Maddie are going to be okay while this lasts, and Austin isn’t thinking about the money for once he wants Luca.
These two stole my heart. I enjoyed their banter. I enjoyed their passion. You could see these two slowly becoming something real, and that was just breathtaking. There are some twists and turns in this book, and one hell of a twist for both of them. When these two are alone, it’s like nobody else matters. Do you have a deep connection and I just found myself smiling through most of this book. there is danger in this book. I must admit I went through most emotions reading this book. But Luca and Austin just made my heart sing I really enjoyed this book. And it was great to see the guys from the tattoo shop again. I can’t wait to read the next book.
June 10, 2023
I haven't read a rent boy romance in such a long time, and this story absolutely hooked me on the fantasy of a rich lawyer falling for his escort. Austin was an instantly relatable, lovable character to me, and seeing his struggle to provide for himself and his best friend Maddy only made me hope even harder for something to work out for him. I wasn't expecting Austin and Luca to have sparks right away, but even their first night together was overwhelming with passion and chemistry. It was so easy to forget that their arrangement was paid, especially when Luca seemed entirely devoted to treating Austin like a treasure and Austin was barely holding himself back from falling head over heels in love. As the two of them spent weekends together, going out on sweet dates, getting to know each other, and spending long hours learning each other's bodies in bed, that warm connection only grew larger and larger. Despite all his protests, Luca ended up being such a sweetheart for the right guy, and god was it sweet to see him working so hard in the background to find a way to keep Austin without putting him at risk. When the two of them realized their pasts had crossed in a very concrete way years earlier, it was a bit of a wake-up call, but nothing that ever made me feel like their relationship was at risk. The real threat to their happiness turned out to be something neither of them had anticipated, and what a whirlwind those last few chapters turned out to be. There's nothing quite like staring death in the face to make you realize what matters most, and boy did Luca and Austin get uncomfortably close to knowing what a life without each other would look like. Thankfully it didn't take too long for them to be back in each other's arms again, and that sweet epilogue showed how blissful Austin and Luca's future turned out to be.
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
June 25, 2023
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I liked this one better than I even expected! I wasn't feeling it at first but as soon as Austin and Luca met I got myself hooked and couldn't stop reading.
Here we have Austin, a rent boy who loses his regular client and is afraid of not being able to make enough money to take care of his best friend and life saver, Maddie. But then Jack, his not client anymore, introduces him to Luca.
Luca is the youngest of a well known business family, he's the lawyer and the one who must ensure the business stays clean even when his big brother makes it as difficult as possible.
Luca isn't looking for a serious relationship, since they bring too many issues to his life, but he needs closeness and release, and when his friend Jack introduces him to Austin, he finds what he was looking for.
I'm not the biggest fan of rent love tropes. They usually have too much emotional drama that you can definitely see coming, but this wasn't like that at all!
I loved how tender these two are, and hot, too!!
Their relationship is money related, yes, but there's something beautiful brewing between the two since the beginning. I loved how it was not only physical between them, and how they are so confortable together all the time.
It's nice seeing them falling in love and becoming boyfriends even without saying so, and also that it stayed low-angst most the time. Yes, we have a bit of drama to spice things a bit, but nothing too much.
So far, I'm liking all the stories in this series, each romance's been different form the one before and I can't wait to see what more will the author bring us. Will Jack have his own story? I would love to read that one!!
I liked this one better than I even expected! I wasn't feeling it at first but as soon as Austin and Luca met I got myself hooked and couldn't stop reading.
Here we have Austin, a rent boy who loses his regular client and is afraid of not being able to make enough money to take care of his best friend and life saver, Maddie. But then Jack, his not client anymore, introduces him to Luca.
Luca is the youngest of a well known business family, he's the lawyer and the one who must ensure the business stays clean even when his big brother makes it as difficult as possible.
Luca isn't looking for a serious relationship, since they bring too many issues to his life, but he needs closeness and release, and when his friend Jack introduces him to Austin, he finds what he was looking for.
I'm not the biggest fan of rent love tropes. They usually have too much emotional drama that you can definitely see coming, but this wasn't like that at all!
I loved how tender these two are, and hot, too!!
Their relationship is money related, yes, but there's something beautiful brewing between the two since the beginning. I loved how it was not only physical between them, and how they are so confortable together all the time.
It's nice seeing them falling in love and becoming boyfriends even without saying so, and also that it stayed low-angst most the time. Yes, we have a bit of drama to spice things a bit, but nothing too much.
So far, I'm liking all the stories in this series, each romance's been different form the one before and I can't wait to see what more will the author bring us. Will Jack have his own story? I would love to read that one!!
June 11, 2023
The minute Luca lays eyes on Austin, he’s a goner. Yes, he’s paying Austin for weekends spent together. Yes, they’re basically boyfriends, but if you’re paying for that person’s attention and ignore the fact that you’re growing real feelings for your rent boy, you can pretend that isn’t true.
The minute Austin sees Luca, he’s a goner. Yes, he’s being paid to spend his weekends with Luca, but it isn’t like it’s hard… Um… difficult. Because it’s definitely hard – and Austin doesn’t need to fake that for Luca. He feels things for Luca that he’s never felt for a client before. He’s feeling all the real things – and that’s a dangerous way to feel for a paid escort.
Luca and Austin both started out as orphans, but Luca was adopted by the DiMarco family, loved and groomed to take over the role of the “cleaner-upper”, aka the lawyer. He wants companionship without the mess that comes with a real relationship – but clearly, he’s failing at avoiding it from the very first minute they lock eyes. Austin wasn’t as lucky as Luca and this is why he’s a prince of the night, selling himself to keep himself and his best friend/adoptive sister afloat and safe.
When the DiMarco family’s business dealings put Luca, and Austin by association, in danger, will the two ever have their chance to be together for real or will Austin’s Prince Charming turn into a frog?
I received a complimentary copy of this book and, as always, my review is honest and unpaid.
Explicit Transactions
Hayden Hall
The minute Austin sees Luca, he’s a goner. Yes, he’s being paid to spend his weekends with Luca, but it isn’t like it’s hard… Um… difficult. Because it’s definitely hard – and Austin doesn’t need to fake that for Luca. He feels things for Luca that he’s never felt for a client before. He’s feeling all the real things – and that’s a dangerous way to feel for a paid escort.
Luca and Austin both started out as orphans, but Luca was adopted by the DiMarco family, loved and groomed to take over the role of the “cleaner-upper”, aka the lawyer. He wants companionship without the mess that comes with a real relationship – but clearly, he’s failing at avoiding it from the very first minute they lock eyes. Austin wasn’t as lucky as Luca and this is why he’s a prince of the night, selling himself to keep himself and his best friend/adoptive sister afloat and safe.
When the DiMarco family’s business dealings put Luca, and Austin by association, in danger, will the two ever have their chance to be together for real or will Austin’s Prince Charming turn into a frog?
I received a complimentary copy of this book and, as always, my review is honest and unpaid.
Explicit Transactions
Hayden Hall
June 2, 2023
I literally do not know where to begin with this book. There is so much to say. Like, so many good things, but I don't want to give away any spoilers either. This is the final book in the Destined to Fail series and it did not disappoint. Hayden really went all out with this one. To top that off, this cover is so swoony!!!
We meet Austin who is so sweet, caring, super sexy, and he just so happens to be a rent boy. Enter Luca. Rich, handsome, compassionate, and is essentially part of a family of mafia royalty. Luca is so busy with his family business that he doesn't have time for a relationship. So, with a little help from a mutual friend, Luca and Austin are introduced and have a consistent weekend arrangement.
Together, these two are explosive! Besides being soooo hot together, they also build an incredible friendship that turns into a whole lot more on top of everything else. You are just cheering them on from their first encounter (which is TOO hot for words!) and that declaration during the chaos at the end......I about died from how sweet it was. Of course being in a family business such as this, there are bound to be some surprises and intense moments along the way as well, so there is that too. Again, I do not want to spoil anything! Just read it!
This book really was fantastic! One of Hayden's best. Truly. He branched out to add a little action and suspense and I loved every second of it! I am definitely putting this up there with my favorites from him. While I am super sad to see this series coming to its close, I do look forward to what comes next. I highly recommend this book! 5/5 very bright and shiny stars!
We meet Austin who is so sweet, caring, super sexy, and he just so happens to be a rent boy. Enter Luca. Rich, handsome, compassionate, and is essentially part of a family of mafia royalty. Luca is so busy with his family business that he doesn't have time for a relationship. So, with a little help from a mutual friend, Luca and Austin are introduced and have a consistent weekend arrangement.
Together, these two are explosive! Besides being soooo hot together, they also build an incredible friendship that turns into a whole lot more on top of everything else. You are just cheering them on from their first encounter (which is TOO hot for words!) and that declaration during the chaos at the end......I about died from how sweet it was. Of course being in a family business such as this, there are bound to be some surprises and intense moments along the way as well, so there is that too. Again, I do not want to spoil anything! Just read it!
This book really was fantastic! One of Hayden's best. Truly. He branched out to add a little action and suspense and I loved every second of it! I am definitely putting this up there with my favorites from him. While I am super sad to see this series coming to its close, I do look forward to what comes next. I highly recommend this book! 5/5 very bright and shiny stars!
June 9, 2024
old post reposted
Another day, another deviation to my reading plans. ANYway. This is Hayden Hall's "Explicit Transactions," the third book in her Destined to Fail series.
["I’m the prince of the night; the fulfillment of every one of your desires; the human form of every dirty thought you’ve ever had.
If you can afford me, of course.
Luca DiMarco can afford me. The flashy socialite and the hottest face of the upper echelon, he’s loaded enough that entire weekends with me are nothing more than pocket change.
Luca is relentless. I gave him something in our encounters which he can’t live without. And he’s doing everything in his near-infinite power to keep it. He’s going out of his way to make me feel good.
It almost feels like he cares. And he's making it really hard to resist the attention.
Boys like me don’t go around falling in love with their clients. They don’t expect a Prince Charming to carry them away. Yet both of those things seem to be happening to me.
But there are greater forces at work trying to tear us apart. And I’m not brave enough to face them."]
It took me a while to read this one, mostly due to the perceived angst. I really thought there’d be more. Not that I’m complaining.
It wasn’t easy for them, not until they both accepted what they felt from the start, instant companionship and attraction and rightness. I cried a bit, probably could have more if I was breathing during the third-act suspension.
#destructiverelations #shamelessaffairs #explicittransations #haydenhall #destinedtofail #destinedtofailseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
Another day, another deviation to my reading plans. ANYway. This is Hayden Hall's "Explicit Transactions," the third book in her Destined to Fail series.
["I’m the prince of the night; the fulfillment of every one of your desires; the human form of every dirty thought you’ve ever had.
If you can afford me, of course.
Luca DiMarco can afford me. The flashy socialite and the hottest face of the upper echelon, he’s loaded enough that entire weekends with me are nothing more than pocket change.
Luca is relentless. I gave him something in our encounters which he can’t live without. And he’s doing everything in his near-infinite power to keep it. He’s going out of his way to make me feel good.
It almost feels like he cares. And he's making it really hard to resist the attention.
Boys like me don’t go around falling in love with their clients. They don’t expect a Prince Charming to carry them away. Yet both of those things seem to be happening to me.
But there are greater forces at work trying to tear us apart. And I’m not brave enough to face them."]
It took me a while to read this one, mostly due to the perceived angst. I really thought there’d be more. Not that I’m complaining.
It wasn’t easy for them, not until they both accepted what they felt from the start, instant companionship and attraction and rightness. I cried a bit, probably could have more if I was breathing during the third-act suspension.
#destructiverelations #shamelessaffairs #explicittransations #haydenhall #destinedtofail #destinedtofailseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
June 14, 2023
𝙒𝙚 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙬𝙤 𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙡. 𝙊𝙣𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙪𝙨, 𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙬𝙤 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙨 𝙥𝙪𝙢𝙥𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙙.
EXPLICIT TRANSACTIONS by Hayden Hall is the third book in the Destined to Fail series and is Austin and Luca's story.
Austin is an escort trying to make a living and when his main client leaves him, he is worried he'll be in trouble until he is hired by Luca who is willing to pay triple to have him all to himself.
Austin and Luca's story is a steamy and suspenseful journey of two men who start in the same place, take separate paths and end up together. I love how under everything happening, both Austin and Luca slowly realized they are more than just a transaction. The twists and turns the book take, keep you on the edge of your seat.
EXPLICIT TRANSACTIONS contains... mm, sex worker (escort), lawyer, suspense, rags to riches, and dual first-person point of view.
Content... suicide (ideation), kidnapping, violence
4.5 Maple Leafs | 4 Flames
*A copy was kindly provided to Canadian Girl Book Blog*
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EXPLICIT TRANSACTIONS by Hayden Hall is the third book in the Destined to Fail series and is Austin and Luca's story.
Austin is an escort trying to make a living and when his main client leaves him, he is worried he'll be in trouble until he is hired by Luca who is willing to pay triple to have him all to himself.
Austin and Luca's story is a steamy and suspenseful journey of two men who start in the same place, take separate paths and end up together. I love how under everything happening, both Austin and Luca slowly realized they are more than just a transaction. The twists and turns the book take, keep you on the edge of your seat.
EXPLICIT TRANSACTIONS contains... mm, sex worker (escort), lawyer, suspense, rags to riches, and dual first-person point of view.
Content... suicide (ideation), kidnapping, violence
4.5 Maple Leafs | 4 Flames
*A copy was kindly provided to Canadian Girl Book Blog*
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July 1, 2023
LOVED THIS! LOVE THIS WHOLE SERIES SO FAR! Hayden Hall has done an exceptional job making each book different enough as to not be repetitive and giving us characters that are just linked enough for us to consider this a series. And I have to say that I didn't think he could do much better after the Destructive Relations & Shameless Affairs but I thinnnkkk Austin and Luca's story has been my favorite so far! I adored them, there was this intense attraction that burned through them both.
Austin is our sexy, charming, and very pretty rent boy (escort) and Luca is our wealthy, strong willed, and very possessive lawyer. Austin is in between clients and needs his cash flow to continue in order to help his dear friend and roommate Maddy. Luckily Austin's last client just so happens to know a friend who would be looking for companionship of the non-commitment type, perfect for both our guys. MAN, the first time they met, that scene in Lucas's penthouse above Manhattan was so freaking charged with super sexy low simmer flirting and then RIDICULOUS chemistry! The way they fell so easily into a companionship they both benefited from and valued was great. I LOVED them together. That freaking dance scene in Lucas' living room where he literally swept Austin off his feet after he made sure he was in his favorite "comfy clothes" was so romantic. They were just and easy couple to read. Austin was charmed by Lucas from the stat and Lucas wanted nothing more than to see Austin smile and treat him better thanall the rest. They met, they trusted, they played, and then they fell.
There was a little twist about 75% in which I saw coming from a mile away though I don't' think Hayden was trying to hide it? It just made us see how different yet how incredibly similar our MC's really were. And then we even got a little bit of action! This part of the story was quick and suspenseful and then we see their uber sexy HEA. There were supporting characters that were important and some family issues that added some definite angst. Despite that fact this was a shorter read it was still well rounded and again SO sexy!!!
I so enjoyed this third book in the Destined to Fall series and am hoping and praying for more to come! I have loved this series so hard! Hayden's attention to detail is stunning and so appreciated as a reader. And again the chemistry, let's just say it, he writes some of the hottest scenes ever!
giving this a 4.5 stars!
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, provided by Gay Romance Reviews.
Austin is our sexy, charming, and very pretty rent boy (escort) and Luca is our wealthy, strong willed, and very possessive lawyer. Austin is in between clients and needs his cash flow to continue in order to help his dear friend and roommate Maddy. Luckily Austin's last client just so happens to know a friend who would be looking for companionship of the non-commitment type, perfect for both our guys. MAN, the first time they met, that scene in Lucas's penthouse above Manhattan was so freaking charged with super sexy low simmer flirting and then RIDICULOUS chemistry! The way they fell so easily into a companionship they both benefited from and valued was great. I LOVED them together. That freaking dance scene in Lucas' living room where he literally swept Austin off his feet after he made sure he was in his favorite "comfy clothes" was so romantic. They were just and easy couple to read. Austin was charmed by Lucas from the stat and Lucas wanted nothing more than to see Austin smile and treat him better thanall the rest. They met, they trusted, they played, and then they fell.
There was a little twist about 75% in which I saw coming from a mile away though I don't' think Hayden was trying to hide it? It just made us see how different yet how incredibly similar our MC's really were. And then we even got a little bit of action! This part of the story was quick and suspenseful and then we see their uber sexy HEA. There were supporting characters that were important and some family issues that added some definite angst. Despite that fact this was a shorter read it was still well rounded and again SO sexy!!!
I so enjoyed this third book in the Destined to Fall series and am hoping and praying for more to come! I have loved this series so hard! Hayden's attention to detail is stunning and so appreciated as a reader. And again the chemistry, let's just say it, he writes some of the hottest scenes ever!
giving this a 4.5 stars!
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, provided by Gay Romance Reviews.
July 14, 2023
I'm really loving the Destined to Fail series so far and this one did not disappoint. I loved the rent boy/billionaire trope and I loved that they did exclusive from the start. Luca's reasons for wanting exclusivity (mainly that he can get possessive) made sense and I liked that he paid more than enough to cover any lost jobs that Austin may have had.
I loved the two main characters, but I do kind of wish we'd seen more of what goes on when they're not together. I wanted to see a little more of Luca's family business before the explosions at the end. I wanted to see more of Austin's struggles and especially more of his relationship with Maddy.
I actually wanted to see more of Maddy in general. She's written as this great savior in Austin's life and his raison d'etre, but we don't get to know her as much. She feels almost like a prop to the story and not a character in her own right. I think if we would've gotten more depth to her and the other side characters as well then this would've easily been a five star read.
I also would've liked to see a bit more of the AFTER they got together officially parts. Mainly what Austin is doing
Still, I would highly recommend it.
I loved the two main characters, but I do kind of wish we'd seen more of what goes on when they're not together. I wanted to see a little more of Luca's family business before the explosions at the end. I wanted to see more of Austin's struggles and especially more of his relationship with Maddy.
I actually wanted to see more of Maddy in general. She's written as this great savior in Austin's life and his raison d'etre, but we don't get to know her as much. She feels almost like a prop to the story and not a character in her own right. I think if we would've gotten more depth to her and the other side characters as well then this would've easily been a five star read.
I also would've liked to see a bit more of the AFTER they got together officially parts. Mainly what Austin is doing
Still, I would highly recommend it.
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