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Family Ties #1
Blu, My Protector
Blu
There’s a beast inside me, urging me to kill.
As a psychiatrist, I expect to encounter psycho- and sociopathic patients. I never have the urge to kill them. Until one patient triggers that need inside me. I expect the kill to be easy, just like the others. What I don’t expect is to want to possess my patient’s boyfriend, June. As soon as I lay eyes on June, I know he’s mine. He’ll find out soon enough.
June
Wanting to be happy shouldn’t cost me my life.
I’m happy with my boyfriend and I’m ready to take our relationship to the next level. Until I find out he’s a serial killer and I’m slated to be his next victim. I’m saved by a handsome older man just in the nick of time…the same handsome man that stared into my soul at my coffee shop. Even though he scares me, I feel a connection to Blu York. One I want to deepen.
Blu and June meet under less than ideal circumstances. Can their love prevail? Or will dating a psychopath be too much for June?
Blu, My Protector is a MM dark themed, dual POV, high heat romance. It contains a cute barista and a psychopathic psychiatrist that will kill anyone that tries to hurt his little fox. HEA guaranteed.
Please check trigger warnings in book before reading.
There’s a beast inside me, urging me to kill.
As a psychiatrist, I expect to encounter psycho- and sociopathic patients. I never have the urge to kill them. Until one patient triggers that need inside me. I expect the kill to be easy, just like the others. What I don’t expect is to want to possess my patient’s boyfriend, June. As soon as I lay eyes on June, I know he’s mine. He’ll find out soon enough.
June
Wanting to be happy shouldn’t cost me my life.
I’m happy with my boyfriend and I’m ready to take our relationship to the next level. Until I find out he’s a serial killer and I’m slated to be his next victim. I’m saved by a handsome older man just in the nick of time…the same handsome man that stared into my soul at my coffee shop. Even though he scares me, I feel a connection to Blu York. One I want to deepen.
Blu and June meet under less than ideal circumstances. Can their love prevail? Or will dating a psychopath be too much for June?
Blu, My Protector is a MM dark themed, dual POV, high heat romance. It contains a cute barista and a psychopathic psychiatrist that will kill anyone that tries to hurt his little fox. HEA guaranteed.
Please check trigger warnings in book before reading.
339 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 12, 2024
528 people are currently reading
1470 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 241 reviews
March 14, 2024
❝ God, I've never seen something that hot in my life. Blood is a good color on you. ❞
Pushing against him, getting more blood on me, I kiss the underside of his chin and mutter, ❝ I look good in red, but my favorite color is blue. ❞
This book is written for me aka the gay reader who likes his fictional men dominant and alpha-like. I thought I was over with all the protector-protected mumbo jumbo and yet here I am! I may have salivated reading this. So this is a story about this barrista guy who fell in love with this killer slash psychiatrist. The murder scenes were gory and brutal. They really went in there. It is fast-paced and never boring. I just have to deduct a star because to me it felt like other authors did the he-cant-feel-things trope way effectively. Maybe just only to me. Will surely read the next one!
March 6, 2024
Blu & June
Rating: 4.3 ⭐
- Psychopath
- Serial Killer
- Stalker
- OTT
- Dark Romance
- Demisexual MC
- Psychiatrist/Barista
- Interracial Couple
So apparently there's something wrong with me because this murder couple just made my shoulders shimmy pretty much the whole book. This book has violence, dark themes, cuddles, love, lots of murder, domesticity, kisses, and family.
Blu is a psychopath/sociopath who's become a psychiatrist to further study himself and others like him. He's spent a great deal of time learning to blend in and cover his tracks for any of his kills. Blu has a "beast", his urges not a paranormal beast, that picks his victims and starts his killing ritual. To be in the mind of this serial killer with no emotions is an adventure. I did cackle many times during his work sessions because he was freaking bored to tears listening to normal people complain and cry.
Except for one patient, Alvin, which he can tell is like him which makes him all the more intriguing. He would love to learn more about Alvin's thought processes but he's a sloppy serial killer and Blu's beast has deemed him the next victim, so the ritual begins. During the ritual before the kill Blu meets the guy that Alvin keeps talking about during his sessions, Alvin's next victim, June. Blu is baffled by his intense and immediate response to June when they meet for the first time. Now he knows Alvin definitely has to go, so he can get closer to June and to own him forever.
Poor June is a killer magnet apparently but he has no idea of how his life is about to get turned upside down because of it. June is biracial and is described as able to blend into the crowd, besides the blue stripe in his hair, but also a head turner. I got confused by how he could be both but eh whatever. He's happy with his job, except the horrible manager that sexually harasses him every chance he gets, he has a great best friend (Leo), lovely parents, and a new boyfriend that he wants to take the next step with (Alvin). He never would've thought that the night he finally agrees to go back to Alvin's after a dinner date, could be his last. Blu saves June from being murdered by Alvin, beginning their full-on obsession with each other.
These two are so sweet with each other and they develop an intense obsession quickly. They do have some miscommunication issues that pop up because Blu cannot understand why June is affected by certain things when he doesn't feel these things. Blu will not tolerate anyone touching or saying inappropriate things to his little fox, you will pay with your life. June starts to join in on the ritual to gain a better understanding of his man. I loved that June never tried to change Blu and accepted him fully. June was able to get Blu to change who is selected as his victims though, because Blu and his beast wanted to please June and make him happy. These two are always hot for each other, which is a new experience and feeling for Blu. They screw all the time and when they screwed after a murder.... I'm pretty sure I melted into a puddle and just panted.
It looks like Leo will be next in this world if the author continues this into a series, and I would love to see him find his forever love as well. This was such a dark treat with interesting characters. Watching Blu realize that he can actually feel, even if it's only for June, was fun to see. The twist towards the end snuck up on me and I was pleasantly surprised.
Trigger warnings include:
Murder, stalking, torture past reference of animal, torture, mentions of sexual assault off page and in the past, mentions of child molestation, mentions of rape (all offenders pays for it)
I received a free copy of this book via GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Verse: No
HEA: Yes
3rd Act Breakup: No
POV: Dual
Rating: 4.3 ⭐
- Psychopath
- Serial Killer
- Stalker
- OTT
- Dark Romance
- Demisexual MC
- Psychiatrist/Barista
- Interracial Couple
"I'm not going to kill you. You're not going anywhere. You're mine. No one else's. You belong to me, little fox."
So apparently there's something wrong with me because this murder couple just made my shoulders shimmy pretty much the whole book. This book has violence, dark themes, cuddles, love, lots of murder, domesticity, kisses, and family.
Blu is a psychopath/sociopath who's become a psychiatrist to further study himself and others like him. He's spent a great deal of time learning to blend in and cover his tracks for any of his kills. Blu has a "beast", his urges not a paranormal beast, that picks his victims and starts his killing ritual. To be in the mind of this serial killer with no emotions is an adventure. I did cackle many times during his work sessions because he was freaking bored to tears listening to normal people complain and cry.
Except for one patient, Alvin, which he can tell is like him which makes him all the more intriguing. He would love to learn more about Alvin's thought processes but he's a sloppy serial killer and Blu's beast has deemed him the next victim, so the ritual begins. During the ritual before the kill Blu meets the guy that Alvin keeps talking about during his sessions, Alvin's next victim, June. Blu is baffled by his intense and immediate response to June when they meet for the first time. Now he knows Alvin definitely has to go, so he can get closer to June and to own him forever.
Poor June is a killer magnet apparently but he has no idea of how his life is about to get turned upside down because of it. June is biracial and is described as able to blend into the crowd, besides the blue stripe in his hair, but also a head turner. I got confused by how he could be both but eh whatever. He's happy with his job, except the horrible manager that sexually harasses him every chance he gets, he has a great best friend (Leo), lovely parents, and a new boyfriend that he wants to take the next step with (Alvin). He never would've thought that the night he finally agrees to go back to Alvin's after a dinner date, could be his last. Blu saves June from being murdered by Alvin, beginning their full-on obsession with each other.
These two are so sweet with each other and they develop an intense obsession quickly. They do have some miscommunication issues that pop up because Blu cannot understand why June is affected by certain things when he doesn't feel these things. Blu will not tolerate anyone touching or saying inappropriate things to his little fox, you will pay with your life. June starts to join in on the ritual to gain a better understanding of his man. I loved that June never tried to change Blu and accepted him fully. June was able to get Blu to change who is selected as his victims though, because Blu and his beast wanted to please June and make him happy. These two are always hot for each other, which is a new experience and feeling for Blu. They screw all the time and when they screwed after a murder.... I'm pretty sure I melted into a puddle and just panted.
It looks like Leo will be next in this world if the author continues this into a series, and I would love to see him find his forever love as well. This was such a dark treat with interesting characters. Watching Blu realize that he can actually feel, even if it's only for June, was fun to see. The twist towards the end snuck up on me and I was pleasantly surprised.
Trigger warnings include:
Murder, stalking, torture past reference of animal, torture, mentions of sexual assault off page and in the past, mentions of child molestation, mentions of rape (all offenders pays for it)
I received a free copy of this book via GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Verse: No
HEA: Yes
3rd Act Breakup: No
POV: Dual
May 12, 2024
OMG OMG I forget when I was completely invested in a book this way , that was BRUTAL and I fucking LOVED it
Yoooo I could not put it into words, I'm FLABBERGASTED the last chapters made me forget how to breath , I literally needed to sit my phone down to take a steady breath
Blu and June are just amazing, they were exactly all what I needed , bluuuu myyy man , you made my standards too high , his obsession with his little fox is just soooooo real that. U could reach it out and touch it 💀
Justtttt I needed something unhinged, and this worked out well and bypassed my expectations
Nooooow how I'm supposed to wait for loe's book ????? 😭
Yoooo I could not put it into words, I'm FLABBERGASTED the last chapters made me forget how to breath , I literally needed to sit my phone down to take a steady breath
Blu and June are just amazing, they were exactly all what I needed , bluuuu myyy man , you made my standards too high , his obsession with his little fox is just soooooo real that. U could reach it out and touch it 💀
Justtttt I needed something unhinged, and this worked out well and bypassed my expectations
Nooooow how I'm supposed to wait for loe's book ????? 😭
November 9, 2024
not awful
would’ve liked it more on a good day but i lowkey think i’m depressed
would’ve liked it more on a good day but i lowkey think i’m depressed
February 15, 2025
This wasn’t bad and kept my interest the whole time! Blu was such a strange character and I loved seeing how his twisted mind worked. I also loved how he called June “little fox” I melted every time!
Jules was such a loveable strong character and I really liked him and how he melted for Blu, I also loved how he started picking the targets for Blu.
-I’m knocking a star because Leo the best friend somehow being Blus long lost killer cousin didn’t seem believable in a book about a serial killer and a normie I know I’m being dramatic but sue me.
Jules was such a loveable strong character and I really liked him and how he melted for Blu, I also loved how he started picking the targets for Blu.
-I’m knocking a star because Leo the best friend somehow being Blus long lost killer cousin didn’t seem believable in a book about a serial killer and a normie I know I’m being dramatic but sue me.
March 25, 2024
The concept of the book was good, but it dragged on and became extremely repetitive. I don’t mind insta romance or obsession, but I didn’t really feel the connection between the MC’s.
I had to push myself to not DNF this book multiple times and ended up skipping most of the sex scenes which is shocking since it’s serial killer gfy sex… but was it, really? It was pretty vanilla, in my opinion.
The “reveal” towards the end of the book was eye roll inducing.
I liked the snippets we got of Blu’s patient therapy sessions and the chapters with his POV. He was an interesting character and I wish we could’ve analyzed his brain a little more.
I can’t say I liked June at all. He was one dimensional. I wish the author would’ve explored more on the concept of June subconsciously attracting serial killers. It would’ve definitely been an angle I haven’t read on a book before. But unfortunately, it wasn’t the case.
The book had potential so I will be reading the next in the series to see if the editing and cohesiveness of the plot is better.
I had to push myself to not DNF this book multiple times and ended up skipping most of the sex scenes which is shocking since it’s serial killer gfy sex… but was it, really? It was pretty vanilla, in my opinion.
The “reveal” towards the end of the book was eye roll inducing.
I liked the snippets we got of Blu’s patient therapy sessions and the chapters with his POV. He was an interesting character and I wish we could’ve analyzed his brain a little more.
I can’t say I liked June at all. He was one dimensional. I wish the author would’ve explored more on the concept of June subconsciously attracting serial killers. It would’ve definitely been an angle I haven’t read on a book before. But unfortunately, it wasn’t the case.
The book had potential so I will be reading the next in the series to see if the editing and cohesiveness of the plot is better.
January 19, 2025
3.5
Psycho serial killer falls in obsession with an almost victim and the couple that kills together, stays together, as we all know.
Psycho serial killer falls in obsession with an almost victim and the couple that kills together, stays together, as we all know.
March 15, 2024
Blu had a great start and I was really enjoying it until about half way through where it started to become very repetitive and boring which is surprising considering what the book contains.
It only started to pick up towards the end where Leo’s true identity was revealed but even then it was pretty easy to see what was going to happen early on.
It only started to pick up towards the end where Leo’s true identity was revealed but even then it was pretty easy to see what was going to happen early on.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2024
2.5⭐️
Eh, it was okay.
I started skimming around 58% because it was so repetitive, and I didn’t like Blu's monologue about his inner beast and urges. It was cringey.😵💫
I only finished it because of Leo, and his book seems more interesting.🤷🏽♀️
Safety info:
-No OWD, but there is some OMD. At the beginning of the book, June is seeing an OM1 (they haven’t done anything together except kiss), who becomes Blu’s next victim. Additionally, June’s boss OM2 has harassed him several times at work. But don’t worry, Blu deals with them both.
-No cheating or sharing.
-There’s a HEA.
Eh, it was okay.
I started skimming around 58% because it was so repetitive, and I didn’t like Blu's monologue about his inner beast and urges. It was cringey.😵💫
I only finished it because of Leo, and his book seems more interesting.🤷🏽♀️
Safety info:
-No OWD, but there is some OMD. At the beginning of the book, June is seeing an OM1 (they haven’t done anything together except kiss), who becomes Blu’s next victim. Additionally, June’s boss OM2 has harassed him several times at work. But don’t worry, Blu deals with them both.
-No cheating or sharing.
-There’s a HEA.
August 14, 2024
This book had so much potential in the beginning of being a five star epic read for me but the spark got lost in between somewhere and I had to finish it barely holding back the grimaces on my face
July 31, 2025
the perfect kind of trashy i was looking for
Read
February 26, 2024DNF @ 30% Loved the premise but it’s a little too OTT for me.
dnf
August 21, 2025If it was PNR it would make more sense. Blu refers to “his beast” as if it’s an actual being inside of him. The fact that it isn’t PNR gives me the ick 😂 “the beast” is described as sleeping or purring or flicking its tail or whatever and it really took me out of the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2024
4/5 stars
November 2, 2025
Little fox x Baby
Insta obsession
Literally no one can touch him because they will die.
This was good! Story and spicy on point and LEOOOOO im beyond for your story!
Insta obsession
Literally no one can touch him because they will die.
This was good! Story and spicy on point and LEOOOOO im beyond for your story!
March 22, 2024
Tons of violence and darkness, tons of cuddles, kisses and love.
What an amazing story. These two are just so balanced and fit together like pieces of a puzzle.
Blu (his name's so cute btw) is his own person and does not change for anyone. He is the calculating monster who takes out other people without remorse. He is the perfect morally black character that you cannot help but adore.
June is such a cute cinnamon roll but he has also his own head and is not a push over. I loved the way he slowly started seeing Blu for who he is and loved every second of it.
Definitely check the TWs if you have problems with any darker content because there is tons of it but the romance aspect is not dark. There is tons of kisses, cuddles, touching, and intimacy that I thought I'd combust at certain points. Wow. They just needed to be together all the time.
Their relationship is relatively low angst though in the later part a small complication arises, but it is needed for June's character development.
Cannot wait for the next book!
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
We're lying on the couch, my head in June's lap as he runs his fingers through my hair. No one has done this since my mother started to fear me at the age of eight. It feels phenomenal.
What an amazing story. These two are just so balanced and fit together like pieces of a puzzle.
Blu (his name's so cute btw) is his own person and does not change for anyone. He is the calculating monster who takes out other people without remorse. He is the perfect morally black character that you cannot help but adore.
God, this man will be the death of me. I stop that thought short since he really could kill me.
June is such a cute cinnamon roll but he has also his own head and is not a push over. I loved the way he slowly started seeing Blu for who he is and loved every second of it.
Definitely check the TWs if you have problems with any darker content because there is tons of it but the romance aspect is not dark. There is tons of kisses, cuddles, touching, and intimacy that I thought I'd combust at certain points. Wow. They just needed to be together all the time.
Their relationship is relatively low angst though in the later part a small complication arises, but it is needed for June's character development.
Cannot wait for the next book!
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
March 19, 2024
This is the first book in the Family Ties series. You definitely want to check the trigger warnings on this one! This book is a *dark* romance. (It is also an age gap romance).
Blu is a psychiatrist by trade but a serial killer at heart. He has something he calls a beast inside of him that helps him pick his victims. (Blu’s stalking is top tier). June, a barista at Ray’s Beanery, is dating one of Blu’s patients. Things get wild pretty quickly and Blu and June cross paths. It was interesting seeing how Blu handles experiencing certain emotions for the first time. He is obsessed with June, but he also cares about/loves him. The even more interesting thing was June’s journey throughout the book. He comes off as innocent and pure, but he is definitely a little more complex than initially expected. He is extremely attracted to Blu’s darkness. Both MCs influence one another in some way. Their relationship is very unique, but they accept one another for who they are (especially on June’s part). This pair has passion in spades!
This book is a very engaging read. It is full of violence, murder, and steam. The author tells you upfront that the book is unhinged, and I agree with her, but it works! Somehow, Blu and June figure things out (Blu has no morality and June’s is gray at the very least) and find their way to a HEA that’s fitting for them.
Leo is another surprise as well. I’m excited that his book is next up in the series.
Blu is a psychiatrist by trade but a serial killer at heart. He has something he calls a beast inside of him that helps him pick his victims. (Blu’s stalking is top tier). June, a barista at Ray’s Beanery, is dating one of Blu’s patients. Things get wild pretty quickly and Blu and June cross paths. It was interesting seeing how Blu handles experiencing certain emotions for the first time. He is obsessed with June, but he also cares about/loves him. The even more interesting thing was June’s journey throughout the book. He comes off as innocent and pure, but he is definitely a little more complex than initially expected. He is extremely attracted to Blu’s darkness. Both MCs influence one another in some way. Their relationship is very unique, but they accept one another for who they are (especially on June’s part). This pair has passion in spades!
This book is a very engaging read. It is full of violence, murder, and steam. The author tells you upfront that the book is unhinged, and I agree with her, but it works! Somehow, Blu and June figure things out (Blu has no morality and June’s is gray at the very least) and find their way to a HEA that’s fitting for them.
Leo is another surprise as well. I’m excited that his book is next up in the series.
April 29, 2024
This was terrible. I wanted to DNF it and I should’ve listened to myself. Terrible plot, no character development, even the sex is awful. Even if you can suspend disbelief for the over the top, vapid plot, it’s still so cringe worthy, it’s not worth the effort.
May 6, 2024
The blurb of this book sounded so good and it didn't disappoint. It was a great read with a very interesting plot.
Blu is a psychiatrist by day, psychopath by night. He is a serial killer, he's been murdering people for decades without being caught. Then he meets June, who is about to be killed by another serial killer, Blu rescues him and they start a special and unusual relationship.
I found this book fascinating. The fact that the reader gets both MC's POVs made the story so much better. I enjoyed reading about Blu's thoughts and feelings, his attraction to June and how he accepted he couldn't live without the younger man. On the other hand, June was more than he showed at first. He was confused and scared at the beginning, but eventually he understood his feelings and just as Blu did it, he also accepted his attraction towards the psychopath.
Their relationship was beautiful, somehow they complemented each other. Blue was obsessed with June and he thought that was all about it, until he realised he loved June. As for June, he found in Blu what he'd been searching his whole life. When he came to terms with Blu's activities he decided to have a say in it and Blu was very willing to please him.
This book was a great read, interesting and with some action. I recommend people to read the TWs as there is violence, action and dark scenes, but overall I enjoyed it immensely. It was also very romantic, in a psychopathic way that is, but June and Blu made the perfect couple.
I can't wait to read Leo's book. I'm sure it'll be just as good as this one.
Blu is a psychiatrist by day, psychopath by night. He is a serial killer, he's been murdering people for decades without being caught. Then he meets June, who is about to be killed by another serial killer, Blu rescues him and they start a special and unusual relationship.
I found this book fascinating. The fact that the reader gets both MC's POVs made the story so much better. I enjoyed reading about Blu's thoughts and feelings, his attraction to June and how he accepted he couldn't live without the younger man. On the other hand, June was more than he showed at first. He was confused and scared at the beginning, but eventually he understood his feelings and just as Blu did it, he also accepted his attraction towards the psychopath.
Their relationship was beautiful, somehow they complemented each other. Blue was obsessed with June and he thought that was all about it, until he realised he loved June. As for June, he found in Blu what he'd been searching his whole life. When he came to terms with Blu's activities he decided to have a say in it and Blu was very willing to please him.
This book was a great read, interesting and with some action. I recommend people to read the TWs as there is violence, action and dark scenes, but overall I enjoyed it immensely. It was also very romantic, in a psychopathic way that is, but June and Blu made the perfect couple.
I can't wait to read Leo's book. I'm sure it'll be just as good as this one.
February 18, 2025
2.75⭐️
Blu is a psychologist, but he has a secret: he’s a serial killer. He has a “beast” inside him that gives him the urge to kill. But this changes when he sees June—when Blu lays his eyes on June, he instead has the instinct to protect him.
The pacing of this book was good, and it flowed well beginning to end. The beginning of the book definitely had me hooked and interested about what was going to happen next. The writing style is very clinical, and doesn’t evoke emotions, which makes sense from Blu’s perspective, but leaves June’s point of view fall a little flat, however. June just doesn’t really have much of a personality, and is weirdly okay with all the stuff that Blu says and does. It just kind of feels like things happen around June, and he doesn’t actually have any agency.
Though the premise caught my interest at first, the plot lost steam quickly in my opinion. Though the intimate scenes were interesting due to Blu’s nature, the lack of tension between the MCs made me less invested. I also found the whole concept of Blu’s “beast inside” a little bit cringey.
I love a dark romance, but I don’t think this one was really for me. I think readers who like morally dark characters and don’t mind some gore will enjoy this one, though!
Blu is a psychologist, but he has a secret: he’s a serial killer. He has a “beast” inside him that gives him the urge to kill. But this changes when he sees June—when Blu lays his eyes on June, he instead has the instinct to protect him.
The pacing of this book was good, and it flowed well beginning to end. The beginning of the book definitely had me hooked and interested about what was going to happen next. The writing style is very clinical, and doesn’t evoke emotions, which makes sense from Blu’s perspective, but leaves June’s point of view fall a little flat, however. June just doesn’t really have much of a personality, and is weirdly okay with all the stuff that Blu says and does. It just kind of feels like things happen around June, and he doesn’t actually have any agency.
Though the premise caught my interest at first, the plot lost steam quickly in my opinion. Though the intimate scenes were interesting due to Blu’s nature, the lack of tension between the MCs made me less invested. I also found the whole concept of Blu’s “beast inside” a little bit cringey.
I love a dark romance, but I don’t think this one was really for me. I think readers who like morally dark characters and don’t mind some gore will enjoy this one, though!
August 6, 2024
3.5 stars
This one wasn’t bad. I was really enjoying the beginning. I love watching psychopaths become obsessed with someone and feel something they never felt before. I honestly really liked Blu. He was a great character and he would do absolutely anything for June. I liked that June became equally obsessed with Blu. But then somewhere after halfway it started to get a little boring. There were too many sex scenes and I started to skim a bit because nothing of importance was happening. There was a two day separation that I felt was there just for the sake of some drama. June regretted it the minute he left and yet he still spent two days away from Blu for no reason really. The writing was fine and I liked the characters but I just needed something more.
With that said though I will be reading Leo’s book which is next.
NO CHEATING
NO OM DRAMA (no one touches Blu’s little fox. Super possessive)
TWO DAY SEPARATION (but I wouldn’t call it a break up)
11 YR AGE GAP (27/38)
TOUCH HIM AND DIE
TORTURE
MURDER
This one wasn’t bad. I was really enjoying the beginning. I love watching psychopaths become obsessed with someone and feel something they never felt before. I honestly really liked Blu. He was a great character and he would do absolutely anything for June. I liked that June became equally obsessed with Blu. But then somewhere after halfway it started to get a little boring. There were too many sex scenes and I started to skim a bit because nothing of importance was happening. There was a two day separation that I felt was there just for the sake of some drama. June regretted it the minute he left and yet he still spent two days away from Blu for no reason really. The writing was fine and I liked the characters but I just needed something more.
With that said though I will be reading Leo’s book which is next.
NO CHEATING
NO OM DRAMA (no one touches Blu’s little fox. Super possessive)
TWO DAY SEPARATION (but I wouldn’t call it a break up)
11 YR AGE GAP (27/38)
TOUCH HIM AND DIE
TORTURE
MURDER
March 18, 2024
I loved this book, I love dark mm. Blu was totally obssessed with June from the first moment he laid eyes on him and I was here for it. June wanted to fight his own feelings because of who Blu was but he couldn't. They belonged together and nothing could tear them apart. June was so sweet and cutie pie and he really balanced Blu. Blu would do literaly anything for June, no limits. I love that kind of love. I can't wait for Leo's book who I suspected was Brad, Blu's cousin :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2025
2.5 stars. 2 if I'm feeling picky, and I AM feeling picky. I'm trying to catch up on reviews, and I just finished writing a review for a book that I read a few weeks ago, the same time as this. But while I could vividly remember so much about that other book, this one is just... slipping out of my mind while I try to grasp it. And the things I DO remember aren't the best. So I guess it's definitely a 2.
This was a mostly okay, dark, serial killer m/m romance, over the top in all the ways you would expect, pretty gory, with an obsessive, murdering main character falling for the cute, normie main character. Blu is an amoral sociopath serial killer who successfully LARPs as a therapist. June is a barista. Blu ends up saving June, and for the first time, he starts developing feelings for a person. Meanwhile, June is scared at first, but obsessed right back. It felt formulaic, but that's not necessarily bad. It was fine, I guess; there some moments I ended up really liking. But the writing was either bland or cringe. Blu has a 'beast' inside him that he needs to tame, the personification of his serial killer urges, and the way that was written was so cringey I wanted to die. The characterisation was... haphazard? IDK. I don't mind reading about dark stuff, but it just gets tiresome when the characters act and react in really unbelievable ways. I'm looking at my notes, and I have a bunch of things I thought were silly or didn't make sense... but I genuinely don't even want to spend time complaining about it.
It got a couple laughs out of me. Some of the smut was good. Obsession as a theme always hits at least a little for me (and may all queer black boys get someone who's down bad like this for them). But otherwise, this didn't do much for me.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Michael Dean and Curtis Michael Holland, which I did like. They both have great voices for narration. But the material they were given... eh. I'll probably still read more from this author, but this just wasn't a fave.
This was a mostly okay, dark, serial killer m/m romance, over the top in all the ways you would expect, pretty gory, with an obsessive, murdering main character falling for the cute, normie main character. Blu is an amoral sociopath serial killer who successfully LARPs as a therapist. June is a barista. Blu ends up saving June, and for the first time, he starts developing feelings for a person. Meanwhile, June is scared at first, but obsessed right back. It felt formulaic, but that's not necessarily bad. It was fine, I guess; there some moments I ended up really liking. But the writing was either bland or cringe. Blu has a 'beast' inside him that he needs to tame, the personification of his serial killer urges, and the way that was written was so cringey I wanted to die. The characterisation was... haphazard? IDK. I don't mind reading about dark stuff, but it just gets tiresome when the characters act and react in really unbelievable ways. I'm looking at my notes, and I have a bunch of things I thought were silly or didn't make sense... but I genuinely don't even want to spend time complaining about it.
It got a couple laughs out of me. Some of the smut was good. Obsession as a theme always hits at least a little for me (and may all queer black boys get someone who's down bad like this for them). But otherwise, this didn't do much for me.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Michael Dean and Curtis Michael Holland, which I did like. They both have great voices for narration. But the material they were given... eh. I'll probably still read more from this author, but this just wasn't a fave.
April 22, 2025
ᨳ᭬ ⭑ ⭑ ࿐ྂ
❝ Fuck, Blu. You could have given me flowers or chocolate or something. Not a dead body. ❞
Tilting my head, I quip,
❝ I thought you’d like that more. ❞
It started so strong, but the longer i read the Book, the more i realized it was losing its appeal.
❝ Fuck, Blu. You could have given me flowers or chocolate or something. Not a dead body. ❞
Tilting my head, I quip,
❝ I thought you’d like that more. ❞
It started so strong, but the longer i read the Book, the more i realized it was losing its appeal.
September 30, 2024
I was pleasently surprised by this book. I think I really like the trope of a psycopath learning to feel feelings for someone. And the characters were great. New favorite! :D
March 24, 2024
DNF at 38%
*** UPDATE****
Changing my rating to 5⭐️ because somebody else literally gave this book a 1⭐️ review for the inclusion of Black people. What!?!! Sooo this author gets a free 5⭐️ rating from me just to give a 🖕🏾to the reviewer “Nora” 🙃 She apparently doesn’t tolerate authors including black people in books….. and I don’t tolerate authors getting bad reviews from racists 🙂. Shout to R.S. McKenzie for including black MC ( I just realized June is black, though Nora was mad the author dared to describe an officer as Black 🙄) I can’t help that I didn’t love the book, which is why I’m not deleting my original review. I stand by that. But author’s getting bad reviews for positively representing BIPOC people, LGBTQIA+ people, or any other minority group is trash.
******************
Ugh! So disappointed! I was really looking forward to this book and it just did NOT deliver.
I didn’t love the writing but I could have pushed through that if the plot was better.
First the nickname “Little Fox” 🤮…. That nearly had me DNFing as soon as I read it. I’m so over the corny nickname thing that seems to have taken over the romance genre. And I feel like in a bid to conform but also be memorable… authors are coming up with these ridiculous nicknames that I refuse to believe anybody actually find cute or dare I say sexy.
Second gripe was the insta love. Justin has barely been willing to go on a date outside of meeting for coffee after work …. AT THE COFFEE HOUSE HE WORKS AT …. After months of dating. But with Blu he’s DTF after like a week maybe less. He’s also complete okay with Blu being a serial killer. No hang ups about it at all. Mind you… June is a regular degular happy go lucky coffee shop barista.
Don’t get me wrong, I did not want Blu’s preoccupation with being a serial killer to get in the way of his relationship with June but it also really doesn’t make sense for June not to have any reservations about the fact that Blu kills people at random.
Blu is doing the usual I’m a psychopath that normally feels nothing but now I’m obsessed with you trope… that was fine. But his jump to I want to spend the rest of my life with you less than 40% in was a bit jarring. I am OK with obsession and the idea that like he wants to be around June, that he wants to possess him, but his immediate jump to never letting him go, wanting to cook for him, take care of him and all of the sappy things less than 40% in and Blu’s never cared about anybody before and they’ve had all of like three conversations just doesn’t make sense to me.
Overall, I found the book to be unrealistic, corny, and not well written. Blue was pretty disappointing as an antihero and I think I’m going to stop trying with this author.
*** UPDATE****
Changing my rating to 5⭐️ because somebody else literally gave this book a 1⭐️ review for the inclusion of Black people. What!?!! Sooo this author gets a free 5⭐️ rating from me just to give a 🖕🏾to the reviewer “Nora” 🙃 She apparently doesn’t tolerate authors including black people in books….. and I don’t tolerate authors getting bad reviews from racists 🙂. Shout to R.S. McKenzie for including black MC ( I just realized June is black, though Nora was mad the author dared to describe an officer as Black 🙄) I can’t help that I didn’t love the book, which is why I’m not deleting my original review. I stand by that. But author’s getting bad reviews for positively representing BIPOC people, LGBTQIA+ people, or any other minority group is trash.
******************
Ugh! So disappointed! I was really looking forward to this book and it just did NOT deliver.
I didn’t love the writing but I could have pushed through that if the plot was better.
First the nickname “Little Fox” 🤮…. That nearly had me DNFing as soon as I read it. I’m so over the corny nickname thing that seems to have taken over the romance genre. And I feel like in a bid to conform but also be memorable… authors are coming up with these ridiculous nicknames that I refuse to believe anybody actually find cute or dare I say sexy.
Second gripe was the insta love. Justin has barely been willing to go on a date outside of meeting for coffee after work …. AT THE COFFEE HOUSE HE WORKS AT …. After months of dating. But with Blu he’s DTF after like a week maybe less. He’s also complete okay with Blu being a serial killer. No hang ups about it at all. Mind you… June is a regular degular happy go lucky coffee shop barista.
Don’t get me wrong, I did not want Blu’s preoccupation with being a serial killer to get in the way of his relationship with June but it also really doesn’t make sense for June not to have any reservations about the fact that Blu kills people at random.
Blu is doing the usual I’m a psychopath that normally feels nothing but now I’m obsessed with you trope… that was fine. But his jump to I want to spend the rest of my life with you less than 40% in was a bit jarring. I am OK with obsession and the idea that like he wants to be around June, that he wants to possess him, but his immediate jump to never letting him go, wanting to cook for him, take care of him and all of the sappy things less than 40% in and Blu’s never cared about anybody before and they’ve had all of like three conversations just doesn’t make sense to me.
Overall, I found the book to be unrealistic, corny, and not well written. Blue was pretty disappointing as an antihero and I think I’m going to stop trying with this author.
July 31, 2024
2.5 stars rounded up- this ended up being a disappointing read. I finished because I enjoyed the plot, but ended up skimming most of the second half of the book and skipping 90%of the sex scenes.
The characters' emotional development fell flat for me- there were statements of "you're mine" pr "I'll never let you go," but they felt suddenly thrown into random parts of the book. The "odd feelings" they have for one another when they meet are glossed over, and the "twist" was poorly foreshadowed.
I will see check out Leo's story, and hopefully there will be more character development and emotional world building.
Dual pov
3rd person
Strict
Short 3rd act separation
The characters' emotional development fell flat for me- there were statements of "you're mine" pr "I'll never let you go," but they felt suddenly thrown into random parts of the book. The "odd feelings" they have for one another when they meet are glossed over, and the "twist" was poorly foreshadowed.
I will see check out Leo's story, and hopefully there will be more character development and emotional world building.
Dual pov
3rd person
Strict
Short 3rd act separation
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2024
Dnf'd, oh goodness..... Oh goodness.
October 6, 2024
I want my time back
Objectively speaking (as much as a review can be), this book is mostly fine. And credit or credit is due, there are parts in the very beginning and before that stupid twist at the end that are pretty good. I'll even give the smut a passing grade because it was pretty hot at times. But mama... I can't sugar coat this, I hated this book.
Let's talk about the story. To be clear, I am the audience for this book. I adore dark MM romances and I love psychopathic characters. They make not only great book boyfriends but wonderful basement husbands. You know what makes them not swoony? When they murder animals and torture innocent people. Yes it's in the trigger warning I will get to the innocent people thing but Blue was already in the red for me. The bar was in hell and yet somehow we were still tripping over it.
Yes, June convinces him to only kill people who deserve it but June's apathy regarding human life doesn't really work. These types of books work better when you have the non-suckle about the character either a little worry of the psychopath or at least value human life. As it is, he goes from slightly scared to ready to bone the dude even though he told him he tortured dogs. I'm saying this book taught me I have standards.
The other part that really hurt this book was the writing. It is very stilted. These characters are one dimensional. The things they say sound like the first draft of a CW script. Yes you have to suspend your disbelief with any kind of romance but authors have to do their part and make the world feel lived in and real. None of that happens here. When you don't pad out a story or fully flesh out characters things get boring and the reading becomes a drag.
Speaking of drag, this was a little painful to get through. These two get together way too quickly in the story, the third act break up doesn't happen in the third act, and the twist at the end felt so unnecessary and thrown in just because. All genres have a formula and while you can play fast and loose with it, It exists for a reason. Without it your story comes off messy and nonsensical.
This last point probably won't matter to a lot of people but it's a big deal to me. This book is extremely fatphobic. Every fat character is vilified or somebody were supposed to hate. And every thin character is good and someone were supposed to like. It got old and gross real fast. And while I'm at it, the constant vilification of people who drink or do drugs is also played out. I understand a lot of authors do this but it's 2024. We know these things are real diseases and I'm sick of the vilification of people who are struggling with addiction. Get creative and write something else.
So I kind of hated this. I couldn't get into Blue, June didn't make any sense to me, and there were times I was actually feeling bad for the people being murdered. Especially when they would "interrogate" them and they would talk about how they were trying to turn their life around. Why that was included at all I don't know. This was just a mess. I'm sure someone will love this but she ain't me so two stars because I will never get my time back.
Seriously, why did you make him an animal abuser. There's a reason why people don't put that in books. People are cool with people dying but they're not okay with animals being tortured. It's not a hard concept to understand! We've all seen John Wick, we know what happens when you hurt animals!
Objectively speaking (as much as a review can be), this book is mostly fine. And credit or credit is due, there are parts in the very beginning and before that stupid twist at the end that are pretty good. I'll even give the smut a passing grade because it was pretty hot at times. But mama... I can't sugar coat this, I hated this book.
Let's talk about the story. To be clear, I am the audience for this book. I adore dark MM romances and I love psychopathic characters. They make not only great book boyfriends but wonderful basement husbands. You know what makes them not swoony? When they murder animals and torture innocent people. Yes it's in the trigger warning I will get to the innocent people thing but Blue was already in the red for me. The bar was in hell and yet somehow we were still tripping over it.
Yes, June convinces him to only kill people who deserve it but June's apathy regarding human life doesn't really work. These types of books work better when you have the non-suckle about the character either a little worry of the psychopath or at least value human life. As it is, he goes from slightly scared to ready to bone the dude even though he told him he tortured dogs. I'm saying this book taught me I have standards.
The other part that really hurt this book was the writing. It is very stilted. These characters are one dimensional. The things they say sound like the first draft of a CW script. Yes you have to suspend your disbelief with any kind of romance but authors have to do their part and make the world feel lived in and real. None of that happens here. When you don't pad out a story or fully flesh out characters things get boring and the reading becomes a drag.
Speaking of drag, this was a little painful to get through. These two get together way too quickly in the story, the third act break up doesn't happen in the third act, and the twist at the end felt so unnecessary and thrown in just because. All genres have a formula and while you can play fast and loose with it, It exists for a reason. Without it your story comes off messy and nonsensical.
This last point probably won't matter to a lot of people but it's a big deal to me. This book is extremely fatphobic. Every fat character is vilified or somebody were supposed to hate. And every thin character is good and someone were supposed to like. It got old and gross real fast. And while I'm at it, the constant vilification of people who drink or do drugs is also played out. I understand a lot of authors do this but it's 2024. We know these things are real diseases and I'm sick of the vilification of people who are struggling with addiction. Get creative and write something else.
So I kind of hated this. I couldn't get into Blue, June didn't make any sense to me, and there were times I was actually feeling bad for the people being murdered. Especially when they would "interrogate" them and they would talk about how they were trying to turn their life around. Why that was included at all I don't know. This was just a mess. I'm sure someone will love this but she ain't me so two stars because I will never get my time back.
Seriously, why did you make him an animal abuser. There's a reason why people don't put that in books. People are cool with people dying but they're not okay with animals being tortured. It's not a hard concept to understand! We've all seen John Wick, we know what happens when you hurt animals!
August 20, 2024
4.5 ☆
Well this was some unhinged goodness! It will not be a book for everyone because of the dark themes, but it's also a low angst story that is very interesting.
I really enjoyed getting to know Blu and June. Blu is a psychopath with sociopathic tendecies and has some urges-a beast within- that needs to be satisfied from time to time. June is a barista, who unknowingly attracts unalivers. The story is unhinged and things happen constantly, but it didn't feel rushed. I really enjoyed how sweet Blu was towards June and that he always wanted to protect him and care for him. June was the first guy Blu found attractive and it was nice to see how he didn't shy away from anything and even researched how to do things. It was good to see that even if the feelings Blu was feeling were foreign to him he never second guessed his gut and just leaned into everything that happened. I loved their obssession with each other and how June could steer Blu in a bit of a different direction when it came to his extracurricular activities.
Now i'm excited to read about Leo and I hope there's more Blu and June in the next book.
All in all a really enjoyable book that will deliver the heat, humor, unhingedness and also some sweetness.
Well this was some unhinged goodness! It will not be a book for everyone because of the dark themes, but it's also a low angst story that is very interesting.
I really enjoyed getting to know Blu and June. Blu is a psychopath with sociopathic tendecies and has some urges-a beast within- that needs to be satisfied from time to time. June is a barista, who unknowingly attracts unalivers. The story is unhinged and things happen constantly, but it didn't feel rushed. I really enjoyed how sweet Blu was towards June and that he always wanted to protect him and care for him. June was the first guy Blu found attractive and it was nice to see how he didn't shy away from anything and even researched how to do things. It was good to see that even if the feelings Blu was feeling were foreign to him he never second guessed his gut and just leaned into everything that happened. I loved their obssession with each other and how June could steer Blu in a bit of a different direction when it came to his extracurricular activities.
Now i'm excited to read about Leo and I hope there's more Blu and June in the next book.
All in all a really enjoyable book that will deliver the heat, humor, unhingedness and also some sweetness.
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