Distraction

Mobsters + Billionaires #4

by Kelly Fox, Declan Winters (Narrator)

An MM Murder Swoon Romance

From USA Today Bestselling Author Kelly Fox comes a uniquely unhinged Mafia romance.

Look, no one's ever accused me of being sane, y'know? So when I say that I am crazy over this RICO agent, know that I mean business.

Sure, I'm responsible for getting him fired from the job he's wanted his whole life, but his grandfather just died and left him 13.1 billion dollars. Dude deserves a break, is all I'm saying. And yeah, I'm a violent mobster with a savior complex, but that shouldn't get in the way of our epic love story.

Besides, a little gunplay in the bedroom is good for the soul.

Distraction is a Mafia romance that features a frustrated RICO agent-slash-reluctant billionaire, a delightfully deranged mob enforcer with questionable boundaries, and a simple takedown that ends up a little...explosive.
As with all of my morally gray do-gooder romances, there are no cliffhangers, and the HEA is guaranteed.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Crime, Contemporary, Enemies To Lovers, Dark, Mafia Romance

8 pages, Audiobook

Published May 16, 2023

Reviews

[Kati *☆･ﾟ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5***** stars

“Fuck, Hop.” With the same wonder in his eyes, Liam’s voice cracks. “Why does this…?”
“Work?” I ask, kissing him. […] “Because I’m what you’ve always needed,”

This was a fantastic ending to the series. I’ve been looking forward to getting into Hopper’s head and story since book one. And he did not disappoint. And he got his RICO agent. Imagine that! *heart eyes


I really can’t stress this enough. I LOVE Kelly Fox’s way of writing. Always so full of heart and love and amusement, not taking everything so serious. But also so warm when things actually are serious.


Hopper is something else. *lmaooo imagine a lunatic waving happily at you and saying “Love you, honey. See you soon.“. Totally sincere. But as crazy and morally grey as he may be, you also want to hug him real real tight!


my favorite moments:

♡ the paintings
♡ the blue whale
♡ the friends-attack**
♡ the gun play
♡ their devotion and protectiveness

They’ll put you in a cell, but it’ll only be for a few hours. I’m coming for you, baby.

**imagine something bad is happening to you and you get messages from ALL the people who care about you with death-wishes and ideas to kill for the person who’s responsible you were hurting. *swoon



Loved Hopper and Liam and their story so so much! ♡ So much so that, despite the hard decision, Rand & Joe from book one had to hand over their title for favorite couple of the series.


**********
mobsters + billionaires series:

Book 1 - Extradition - 4.5 stars
Book 2 - Protection - 3 stars
Book 3 - Attraction - 4.25 stars
Book 4 - Distraction - 4.5 stars ♡

[BookSafety Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book safety, content warnings and tropes & tags down below.

“You threatened my mother. With a smile on your face.” I open my hands, deadly serious. “Of course. You must enjoy what it is you do in life.”

Hopper has been such a fun side character the entire series, and I was super excited to get to his book and see him finally wear down his RICO agent. Agent Hughes has the patience of a saint, honestly lol. Their relationship and the entire stalker/reverse-stalking situation wouldn’t have worked if Hopper hadn’t been such a sweetheart. The tragic backstory helps.

And no one will ever, ever be as good at murder as you.” My cheeks flush and I press my face into his neck. “That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me. Thank you.”

The book is, like every other in the series completely OTT, but I dig it. I had very high expectations after getting to know the MCs over the entire series, but it thankfully didn’t disappoint me. I guess I expected a little more murder just because of how Hopper is, but I liked seeing his sweet side and to learn about his history just as much. Liam definitely had some good character development going (over the entire series, really), and I appreciate that he learned to understand Hopper. I also adore the audiobook. I recently watched the narrator panel at GRL where Declan Winters talks about this book, and Hopper specifically, being one of the most challenging books and characters to narrate emotionally, and I thought that just made the book even better. He really did a fantastic job with book 2-4.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a person look more alone. Except sometimes when I look in the mirror.

⚠️ Spoiler alert ⚠️
Book safety

Cheating: No
OM drama: No
Third-act breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Genre: Contemporary romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile

Content warning

Murder
Graphic violence
Grief
Gun violence
Mentions of forced prostitution
Mentions of child sex trafficking (MC)
Mentions of FASD
Claustrophobic event
Death of a family member (off page)
Stalking (friendly)
Gun play (sexual)
Explicit sexual content
MC imprisoned
Alcohol consumption
Death of family member (off page, recent past)

Tropes & tags

FBI agent
Mafia enforcer
Serial killer
Morally grey MC
Docking
Mild blood play
Gun play
Mild cum play
Possessive and protective and obsessive
Past trauma
Friendly stalking
Found family

She is wary about my love for Liam. To be fair, I do stalk him, but not in a bad way. Also, he started it. That’s when she points out Liam had been running a government-led investigation at the time, which doesn’t count as stalking.

[Cat the bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Went in with high expectations, smiled through the entirety of the book about two very murderous, adorable men.

Hopper, Luca Stefano’s enforcerer, has a knack for sneaking up on people and showing up when things are about to get difficult - and for killing bad guys left and right to save the ones he cares about. His (found) family adores him, and his enemies fear his reputation. But the guy whom Hopper loves more than anyone else is Liam, the RICO FBI agent who’s been a fixture in this series, and whom we got to know a bit more in every book.

Liam is a mystery even the very skilled hacker who works for Mads (and for Luca) can’t solve, and given the title of this series, I don’t consider it a spoiler to reveal that he turns out to be a (reluctant) billionaire.

What IS a surprise though, is that he can be as murderous as Hopper. But I digress.

The finale of this series is everything I could have hoped for. We get to know (and love) both Hop and Liam, and all of the loose strands that we got in the series are tied up with a neat (albeit bloody) bow. It’s not quite perfect - I just can’t help but to my eyes at this author’s preference to make her characters cry during sex scenes when they’re overwhelmed with emotions 🙄. But other than some minor issues, I ate it up.

Considering I’m a quite mild mannered, peace loving person in real life, it surprised me how much I enjoyed the action scenes/murder sprees this duo took me with. Turns out, I REALLY wanted the bad guys getting what they deserved.

As for the narration: Declan Winters finally lived up to his potential, delivering a narration that’s equally good as the one on book 1, where we had Blake Lockhart.

4.5 stars rounded up, because how could I not?

[≪ ◦•◦ cait ◦•◦ ≫ · Rating 5 out of 5]

🖤

"“Well… my love is unconditional and a little murdery. Get used to it,” I pout." - p. 148

🖤

I started this series because of a niche need for a challenge (the first book & this one actually has cock-docking 🤷🏼‍♀️).
From the very first book, I was very clear on two things - the writing was subpar (my standards) and I needed to know everything about Hopper anyways.
Luca and Ford's book intrigued me a bit too (book 3), but unfortunately the writing didn't mesh well with the story being told and ultimately it was cute but it just... didn't fit.

Now, if you've read my reviews or seen my updates before, you know that I cannot read things out of order. In fact, I will read however many books I need to in order to get to the one I want if it is an interconnected series in any way (thanks autism).
That's the case for this series, and while I did not enjoy most of my time with this series I am glad I did, and ultimately because of the world and character building done before this book, I was able to more thoroughly enjoy this one.

And boooooy did I enjoy this one.
Listen, Hopper went through some shit okay. Dark shit. And he's a serial killer, technically. He likes killing, he thinks he's justified because he kills bad people (and he is lol).

However, there is no real depth to Kelly Fox's writing. He doesn't go through deeeeeep, complex thinking etc. (I mean, I don't know that Hop can anyways lol).
What she did well is love these characters enough to give them the absolute beautiful love story they deserve, anyways.
I, personally, didn't feel like I was missing anything.

If you read the series, the main build up and burn of their relationship has been throughout. The way this leads them into falling in love was perfectly timed for me.
And once Liam realizes he needs Hopper, like Hopper has been telling him he does the whole time... fuck. They're beautiful together.
Hopper's POV, the way she writes his mind, character... couldn't have been better.
The only thing I wish I knew was what his actual diagnoses is.
I appreciate so much that even though he could have been a broken, evil evil evil man.... he has this beautiful soul which searches for love and light and joy and healing and yeah, of course murder too.

Their sex is hot af, the passion between them... out of this world.
It wasn't the most well-written I've read, but I could feel what they did coming off the page and that's the most important part when the story itself is already doing its job well enough.

The snorkeling scene might be my favorite in the book, completely unexpected and beautiful.

I actually really liked Liam as a character too, and he's the absolute perfect compliment for Hopper.
It's just... Hopper literally stole my heart from book 1 and will be a character I think about after reading this.
I will read this again, for sure.
He was always gonna be my focus.

One thing for sure - Liam & Hopper have secured themselves a spot as an all time favorite couple (though this author has definitely not.🫣)

memorable quotes

" He leans in, and I inhale sharply, anticipating a kiss. He swerves at the last second, leaving a delicate peck on the muzzle of my gun. My cock jumps at the obvious visual, and I curse under my breath. I have lost my fucking mind. "- p.28 - 29

"“That’s why we love you, Hop. You want better for people than what you got, right? You don’t want people to feel all alone.” I nod. “I think my mom did the best she could for me, but when she died, I was left feeling like the smallest little atom in a big wide world.”" - p. 39

"I wave, happy to know he’s coming back to us. “Love you, honey. See you soon.” Liam pinches his brows together and shakes his head as he walks away. Anthony chuckles under his breath. “I’m getting him used to me saying it. He’ll give in. Just you wait.” “Of that, Hop, I have no doubt.”" - p. 52

"“Hop, focus. What are we going to do with the body? What if there are cameras? Witnesses?” I scratch my head, confused by the questions and all the stress in his voice. “Baby, are you trying to mansplain murder to me?”"- p. 142

trigger warnings
claustrophobia - Content warning: Hopper has claustrophobia and speaks very frankly about the abuse that led to this condition. There are scenes in which he makes adjustments to avoid a reaction and one scene in which he does have a severe reaction.
gun play - hot af, apparently. i say apparently bc i genuinely never knew i would find reading guns & sex hot, but when the characters enjoy it... it's so hard not to, as well. (very few hard no exceptions)
stalking in the sweetest way possible
hopper being hopper - iykyk
graphic depictions of violence.

(this review is kinda rambly, without structure rn. will try and come back to fix that when i go to transfer this review to amazon).

[Theseus *Chaotic Reader* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hop deserves the world and I am so happy Liam got his head out of his ass and decided to give it to him. Liam is the best boyfriend and I love how he cares for Hop and wants him to thrive. This series is so fucking good and funny and it gives me all the feels. 🤌🏽💙

[Aղցela W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was book 4 in the "Mobsters and Billionaires" series. I have been waiting for this book on Hopper and Liam and I was not disappointed. Hopper a mob enforcer has been obsessed with his Rico agent Liam for over a year. FBI agent Liam first met Hopper when he was trying to, bring down Luca only he couldn't find anything on him somehow he became friends with the group and when his grandfather dies they are there for him and he gets a shock his grandfather leaves him 13.1 billion dollars I would have been shocked also. In this book we get to know Hopper and the things that happened to him and how Luca and Anthony found him. When Hopper gets him fired Liam is really mad but he did it to protect him. As they begin spending more time together Liam begins to see a different side to Hopper. Hopper is very loveable and loyal and would do anything, to protect those he loves he reminded me of a big kid who never got to be a kids because of the things he had to do as a kid. Liam has been estranged from his mother and father since he was a teen. His brother Fallon married a mob boss who wants the money he inherited. I loved that Liam took Hopper on a trip and he got to swim with sharks and whales and other marine mammals. This was a really good read I loved all the books in this series with this book I laughed and cried. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling. This was the last book in this series I am going to miss these characters.


"“Well…my love is unconditional and a little murdery. Get used to it,” I pout."

"a little gunplay in the bedroom is good for the soul."

[⋆｡°✮ Lucy InTheSky ✮°｡⋆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is definitely the best in the series. With a bit more work it could've been really, really good, because Hopper is a fantastic character and stands out in this series.
I expected his book to be more (personal) plot driven, have more depth and in general give a more spectacular love story, but even if things didn't work for me as much, Hopper and Liam were a good couple, so 3.75⭐ from me and I'm rounding it down, simply because the book just isn't well written.

🟢 RICO agent/mobster (enforcer)
🟣 Both gay
🟡 Both about 30/35
🔵 Pining
🟣 Love the cover
🟢 Hurt/comfort (could be more developed)
❗Underage prostitution, child neglect, ADHD, trauma
🌶️ Good smut, not that much of it, descriptive; oral, penetrative, sensual; both vers

Hopper's story had so much potential. He's an amazing character. Not psycho, not insane, but very traumatized, lethal, but gentle with a heart of gold. I found it to be the perfect combination.

I liked how Liam and Hopper had this humorous dynamic in the previous book and that's what this story lacked. They were quick to get together - which I kind of get, because Hopper has been in love with Liam for quite some time, but Liam caved a bit too soon. He should've fought back a bit more, give us more of their witty dialogues

“Are you telling people we’re boyfriends?”
I scratch my jaw. “Maybe.”
“And you don’t think that’s something we should’ve talked about ahead of time?”
“You already know I love you. You’ve already indicated that a relationship is something you’d be interested in pursuing. You’re not in love with me yet, but you’ll get there. What is that if not boyfriends?”

and more of their time together; the hurt/comfort was well done, but again I think Hopper had much more depth than any of the other main characters in this series and him and Liam definitely needed to get even closer. They needed to experience a lot more together, so that little something was missing.
I'd like more of them on-page and less of the mafia drama at the end.

There were some blissful moments that I liked

“Thank you,” I whisper. “I’m sorry it took me so long to see you, Hop.”
“But you see me now?” he asks, his vulnerability wrapping itself around my heart.
“I do, Hop. Worse,” I say, chuckling as I nibble his ear. “I can’t unsee you. And I don’t want to.”

but they were very rare. They were very comfortable and living together soon enough - too soon, the chase was missing, more of their funny interactions - and the billionaire aspect was completely forgotten in this book.

Liam was an actual billionaire but the money wasn't even touched. It's life changing and since Hopper didn't grow up with big money, I thought they were going to change their lives at least a bit, Hopper was going to be spoiled, but the author gave the rest of the guys this upscale lifestyle while Liam and Hopper just got the old house renovated. Oh, and the whale watching. I'm not saying it wasn't good, but give Hopper more, come on.

And no definite word on how the fortune was going to be spent. A lot was said about how the money has to go to charity and only the good causes and again it felt like making the guy feel guilty because he even has the money and if he were to splurge, that'd be the end of the world, apparently.

"Ryder rolls her eyes, super judgmental. “By all means, hoard your coins, dragon. Because rich people who do only selfish things with their ill- gotten gains has always worked out well for the peons.”"



The stories just didn't work in this series, I don't know what happened here, but I see a pattern of the author making up really good characters for their series, but just one book per series turns out to be really good.

What surprised me in this series was the very amateurish storytelling, I was shocked, I've read a few books from this author but none of them were such a ridiculous miss.


Bonus stories :

• Gio and Darnell -- no, thank you. A silly insta-love story that didn't work. Another guy in this series just randomly crying.

• Grayson, Harlan and Kej - yes, yes and yes. Could've been longer with more smut. They were fire together.

[Nic · Rating 5 out of 5]

From book one in this series I fell in love with Hopper, so naturally I was super excited to get to his book. I was not disappointed. Hopper is our super sweet, excitable unaliver. You can't fault his unhinged logic. And Liam, oh Liam. He struggled with so many changes and grief, but he was perfect for Hopper. Their story was absolutely amazing. This one was just way too good!!

[ELK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good:
+ I liked that Hopper wasn’t a sociopath. It was a nice change to have a serial killer character who has feelings.
+ Hopper and Liam were both very well-developed characters.
Bad:
- It was frustrating that Liam was working a case with a clear conflict of interest and lied to get his job. He should have been fired way sooner and I didn’t feel bad for him when he was.
- I was happy when the only Texas characters who showed up were Hedy (in a minor way) and Anders/Omar (as side characters related to the plot) and then there was a mention of a bunch of irrelevant characters from the series set in Texas that didn’t need to be mentioned. I really enjoy Kelly Fox’s writing, but the same characters showing up over and over for no reason is really frustrating.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Well...my love is unconditional and a little murdery, Get used to it."

Sometimes when I anticipate a specific character's book in a series I end up disappointed and I am so very glad that's not the case with Distraction. Hopper and Liam's story was everything I wanted for it. Hopper exceeded my expectations and he completely owns my heart. He's a man who fully takes joy in killing bad guys but he has an innocent childlike personality and a long list of vulnerabilities from his traumatic childhood, his ADHD, and his severe claustrophobia. He is simply precious and needs to be protected at all costs. I really love the found family aspect of this entire series. All the couples are a family of their own and fiercely protective of each other. This was a fantastic romance between a mobster and a billionaire former RICO agent with danger, steam, gun play, swimming with the sea life, reverse stalking and stopping the bad guys.

"I'm sorry it took me so long to see you, Hop." "But you see me now?" he asks, his vulnerability wrapping its way around my heart.

[Emmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️

"You're a bad influence my love", He blushes pushing my shoulder, "You say the nicest things to me".
....

Narrator: Declan Winters

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know I say things like "OMG this book was everything" or "I wasn't expecting it to be that good." but here I go again and I really truly mean it.

This book was everything I wanted and more. I wanted Hopper's story from the moment he was introduced in Extradition. Kelly didn't disappoint. Hopper is a sweet, shy, vulnerable, joyous ball of ADHD. He's also a serial killer (hence the Murder Swoon) who makes Anders Fucking Bash look meek.

Full disclosure, I wasn't expecting to like Liam. There was one part where I really didn't like him at all. And I was fully on board with Luca and Anthony doing whatever they wanted with him. I wasn't ready at all for what actually happened. Made me love Hopper even more though.

There is more kink in this book than in others by the author. Gun and knife play specifically. If that's not your thing then pass on this one.

I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my honest review

[Rαιɳ · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/2.75⭐️

I liked Liam and Hop, it's just that something seemed off to me, i don't know if it was the writing style or the story itself, it wasn't a bad read but it could have been better imo.

[Kate · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book doesn’t know whether it wants to be cute and cheesy and ridiculously sappy or disturbingly violent and dirty.

Not the book for me.

[Megan (feral hearts club) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so sad that I’m done with this series! I loved all of these crazy monsters and their sweet Billionaires! Definitely going to be reading more Kelly Fox! I had such a fun time with these books.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet, violent and funny mafia romance.

What happens when murderous mafia enforcer Hopper falls for the RICO agent investigating his family? What happens when the RICO agent suddenly becomes a billionaire, loses his job and is targeted by his brother in laws mafia family?

Hopper is genuinely so sweet and fun and carefree with an absolutely tragic background. He’s loyal and protective and obsessive and artistic and very kinky. Liam wants to do good in the world and make a difference through the FBI but that all changes and leaves him lonely and sad and frustrated with the murderer he can’t seem to get out of his head. Liam is also so sweet and precious and needs to be protected. Together they are a dynamic and dangerous duo who are both a little insane and totally in love.

I loved this book! It’s definitely my favorite of the four.

Favorite quotes:
“I was left feeling like the smallest little atom in a big wide world.”

“Okay, how adorable is this? You blushed when Rand complimented your murder ethics.”

“I’ve worked too damn hard to be told that I didn’t feel every fucking cut.”

“You…absolute nightmare.” This time the words are murmured softly, like a benediction…accompanied by the press of cold steel against my temple.

“Joy and desire and this undercurrent of…not sane…vibrate under his skin.”

“I imagine this feeling in my chest must be what a bird feels the first time it takes flight. Both are the most natural thing in the world and are entirely exhilarating.”

“Baby, are you trying to mansplain murder to me?”

[Santy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've read any book in this series, you would’ve encountered the bundle of sweet/danger/adorable/crazy that is Hopper. He’s been a fave since book 1 and when I heard his book was coming out, OF COURSE I was super excited. Finding out who he was being paired with made it even better 😂😂

Hopper does NOT care for boundaries and although Liam fought against it, he was slowly but surely won over by Hopper's unique brand of charm.

These two were unsurprisingly funny together. Hopper's one-liners were fantastic and I even through the sad parts of the book, his positivity was incredible.-" are you trying to mansplain murder to me?" was one of my faves. Oh and we had some cameos from my fave Anders which made the book even better.

If, like me, you've been waiting for this book, go get it. It might not be perfect but it certainly was enjoyable.

[Addicted2M/M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hopper-->sweetheart...sigh.

Audio ups this one to a 5. If this doesn't make you tear up, you have no soul.

[🦉Maggie Whitworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋💋

Finally the agent and the serial killer. Wow what a mix. MM romance that will take some doing to pair these two, but they are made for each other.

[Gabs (gaybism) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hop will forever be my favourite precious murderous baby🥹

[Romance Recs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally a book in this in this series that I enjoyed and even swooned over. Hopper! He broke my heart, he made me laugh and smile and touched me in so many ways my little Hopper.

Brother to Mafia Don Luca from book 3, Hopper is his younger brother who Luca found too late. Hopper went through so many terrible tragedies in his life and it’s truly unique to what we are used to in novels so that’s refreshing to read.

Key Fox created this romantic and beautiful story displaying the romance between Hopper and his RICO agent Huges aka Liam. They were so freaking cute together! I loved the way Liam grew to know Hopper and as his feelings bloomed, we learned things about Hopper that endear us to him.

In the background, while Liam and Hopper are falling in love, as usual trouble finds the monsters and billionaires. When one of them needs help, they all chip in. We even see Anders and Omar who are one of my favorites couples from a prior series. I really enjoyed their appearance.

Overall, I think the author went too far in regards to writing about the injustices of the world in this billionaires to romance series.

I myself am as liberal as it gets and proud. I’m an American who wishes they lived in Canada for the free healthcare and overall better quality of life. That being said, sometimes books in this series dragged and dragged and went on and on and onnn about politics, human rights, how being a billionaire is unethical, examples of why, what’s to fix it, etc.

I get it, the world especially the US sucks. Trust me I know. That’s why I read romance novels. To escape the world and real life.

That being said I hope Kelly never stops writing such emotional vulnerable men. My favorite part is that her heroes show such real human emotion.

[Petra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably my most favorite book of the series!
I absolutely loved Extradition and the following books did not really surpass the chemistry of the first couple. But here, Liam and Hopper? Charming, full of love, chemistry, fun and most importantly swoon!
This book is definitely the funniest, less cheesy than Attraction but I love Hopper as the unhinged and swoony man. He definitely reminded my of Grim from His Favorite Color Is Blood: Coffin Nails MC by K.A. Merikan in the best way possible. (love me some Grim 🥹 I miss him!)

I also loved them as the less generic gay couple. They are verse and you have NO idea who will be in charge in every bedscene. Which was really great after Protection and Attraction which were more predictable and unoriginal in the bedroom (still mad that Luca did not use multiple vibrators on Ford to pleasure his man, smh.). (Still, I love Rand and Joe and their D/s dynamic to bits!).

Anyway, I walked outside, and there he was, clear as day, looking like a runway model in a cheap suit and Clark Kent glasses. It was like having a blowjob and a rim job at the same time.

I have to say I loved this book mainly because of Hopper and his honesty, but also vulnerability. He really needs to be protected at all cost!
quotes from Hop's POV:

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a person look more alone. Except sometimes when I look in the mirror.

I rest my temple on Anthony’s broad shoulder. “Anthony always takes such good care of me.” Anthony raises his hand and pats my cheek. “Always, Hop. Always.”

Liam also undergoes transformation and his feelings for Hop develop fairly realistically.

I know I love this book the most because I have the most highlights from it, lol.

[Amos24601 · Rating 4 out of 5]

All Hopper, all the time.

Oh, my, Hopper. I haven’t fallen in love with a character so hard in awhile. Hopper was just…everything. This murderous little stalker was everything I wanted and more.

Hopper has been known to us for awhile, since the beginning of this series, really. He’s always been an adorable murder monkey, but he really takes the cake in Distraction. Learning more of his backstory makes me feel even more protective of him. That’s why I had such beef with Liam.

I didn’t like Liam for the first 50% of this book. He was extremely hard to come to terms with. I know he had his own grief and issues to deal with, but his disregard and treatment of Hopper made me so mad. Frankly, I don’t think Liam even deserved Hopper. Don’t get me wrong, once Liam turns the tide and gets on the right side, he’s certainly more tolerable, but maybe I just held a grudge against for his previous behavior. (Cheers to Kelly Fox for creating a character that evokes such a reaction and lingering effect.)

There were plenty of wonderful moments in Distraction. Getting to see the previous billionaires and their men was nice and even an Omar and Anders cameo wasn’t unwelcome. Fox really does have a great writing style that I just connect with. While there were a few bumps with Liam, this story was delightful. Definitely recommended on Hopper’s personality alone.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another story we have all been waiting for by the incredible Kelly Fox. We finally get to share how Hopper and his RICO agent find their way to their own kinky version of an HEA. Hopper has been fascinated with Liam since the first day he laid eyes on him and has slowly worked his way into his mind, if not yet his heart. When Liam suffers a huge loss that turns his world totally upside down, who is there to support him through the difficult changes than Hopper and the rest of the Billionaire/Gangster Group. I truly adored this story. I can’t count how many times I cried happy tears over different moments in their relationship. One particular incident was a dream encounter Hopper had that was just perfection. I was just so overjoyed to see Hopper get everything he’s always dreamed of. It was also an honor to see Liam come into the man he was always meant to be. Like every story she brings us, Kelly Fox again gives us the opportunity to share in life, love, tears and joy of the characters that she brings to life and choose to share with us, her adoring readers. We get to see old friends and hope to make some new ones in the future stories that she chooses to share with us in the future,

[Demetra Roussakis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving this series and hoping there is more. I was waiting for Hopper’s story from the first time we met him and this did not disappoint. Liam is an FBI agent who is investigating them and met Hopper. The story starts with Liam losing his grandfather and Hopper helping him. You learn more of Hopper’s childhood and just wow. Love the dynamics between them and how they got closer and learning to be together. Loved loved loved it and recommend this series; you will not be disappointed.

I received a copy of this book for my honest review.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rounded up, though I wish we got more of the sexual tension and/or hate sex stuff before they got all mushy official boyfriends on us.
It sets up interesting conflicts with the moral gray area, feelings of obligation to a career in the FBI, unfinished business, etc. but it’s all pushed aside quickly and doesn’t serve as a point of relationship conflict, personal struggle, etc. in a meaningful way.

[therese ˃ᴗ˂ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the dyanmics. I love both the mcs. It took me a while to warm up to Hughes. I love Hopper so much in this series. He is my favorite character next to Joe. I love the setting of this. While sometimes it's OTT, I dont care. I am having a great time. Them being both verses is such a bonus. Also, I didn't read Book 2 cause I wasn't interested enough. But maybe I will soon.

[Monikat · Rating 4 out of 5]

And that's a wrap for this series filled with golden hearted mafia boys and diamond hearted billionaires. This did not disappoint. Fun darkness with a glob of adventure, a twist of video game-like mob take downs, sexy get aways and swoon. The brotherhood is completed in the best way.

[Caroline Forrester · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️

[Cedestria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wanted to give a four star but then I realized I still didn't like how easy everything is resolved. I suppose given it's... type... of romance one can't spend too much time on other things besides the well..romance.

I liked Liam and Hopper more than Ford and Loca though.