What Could Go Wrong?

Subparheroes #10

by Toshi Drake

All Ezra has to do is deliver a message to retired clean-up agent, Chauncey Adams, and he'll become the go-to person for SPAM's Canadian office. Drive to Chauncey's, hand off the papers. That's the mission.

What could go wrong?

Everything. Everything could go wrong. A random phone call, unexpected magic words and a grumpy retired agent are just the beginning. The end? Finding Bigfoot on the Bruce Peninsula.

Between dead bodies popping up and being kidnapped by incompetent bad guys, Ezra and Chaz have to solve the mystery of what happened before they get stomped out for good. These secret agents are more laughable than lethal, but they'll have to rely on each other--and the growing spark between them--if they want to survive.

What Could Go Wrong? is a part of the multi-author Subparheroes MM romance series.

Genres: Romance, Paranormal, M M Romance, Fantasy

194 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 6, 2024

About the author

A Canadian author exploring the world of books, Toshi Drake has been dabbling with the idea of writing since they were a young child. An avid fan of all things speculative fiction, they began their journey of creating worlds and books just this past year. While thoroughly loving writing high science fiction, they also dabble in the speculative romance side of queer fiction.

A rabid geek, they spend their weekends playing video games or watching any of the Stars and dreaming of creating a better world for all

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't love it, but I can't say it was bad. There is a lot of ambiguity when it comes to powers, the mission Ezra wanted to complete versus what SPAM needed to get done, why Ezra was kept in the dark, and what the villain hoped to achieve with the stunt. It may bring interest to some but I get bored if I don't have answers. Plus Ezra and Chaz are kind of a hot and cold couple, which isn't my vibe.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

While I liked the potential and idea of the story, the execution didn’t work for me. Although parts of it were like a comedy of errors, which I’ve enjoyed in the past, I found their personalities inconsistent, the plot convoluted and unnecessarily vague, and I’m still not sure what either of their “powers” actually do. The phrase “what could go wrong” was a jinx sometimes, but not others. The villain was underwhelming, Ezra’s response to sex was confusing and not really explained, and I felt like half the information needed to really grasp the story ended up edited out - like I was missing something I should have known.

I really liked this author’s novel Entity so I’m hoping this was a case of “it’s me not the book”

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

a lovely romance and Ezra and Chaz make the story entertaining and sweet, the rest is a bit of a bungled plot

Rating: 3.25🌈

What Could Go Wrong? By Toshi Drake is another in the multi-author series about a group of people labeled subpar superheroes who work for the secret agency SPAM.

Most of them have abilities that are considered less essential or powerful to society or the agency, hence the label.

In Drake’s book, What Could Go Wrong?, the best elements of this story are the two main characters and their new developing relationship. It starts with Ezra, an awkward records clerk for SPAM. Enthusiastic about his unseen employer, April, naive about exactly SPAM does, and sort of unaware about his own weird powers, Ezra’s attempts to prove himself to himself and his boss powers the events.

And it’s how he accidentally but not really meets Chauncey “Chaz” Adams, retired subpar agent with a weird power of his own.

It’s a case of goofy, enthusiastic , out of his depth employee meets grumpy, bitter retired agent, they have a instant attraction, get ensnared in a muddled investigation involving Big Foot, that further develops into just a narrative plot line quagmire.

What does work here is the dynamic between Ezra and Chaz. It’s built slowly as they get to know each other under adverse conditions, further adjusting to each other’s expectations and differences in sexualities. It’s developed around respect and mutual understanding. They treat each other as responsible adults and with support for each other’s issues, whatever they feel they might be.

It’s a lovely romance and Ezra and Chaz make the story entertaining and sweet.

But the investigation and case they fall into is a narrative bungle. It makes little sense, it’s choppy in execution, and its overall plot is muddled. Even their powers aren’t clearly defined.

So read this if you’re a fan of the author, the series, and for the relationship, which is lovely.

Subpar Heroes series- 15 books:
🔷The Accidental Necromancer by Liv Rancourt
🔷Behind the 8-Ball by A. E. Wasp
🔷Transparent Is a Color by Kaje Harper❤️
🔷Impossible Things by Alexa Land
🔷My Not-So-Super Blind Date by Allison Temple ❤️❤️
🔷An Ex-Hero's Guide to Axe Handling by Jenn Burke ❤️❤️
🔷In The Nick of Time by Elle Keaton
🔷Static/Cling by Jaimie Samms
🔷Spiritual Guidance Not Required by Jacy Braegan 8/1/2024
🔷What Could Go Wrong? By Toshi Drake
🔷License to Chill by Chantal Mer 8/8/2024
🔷Code Name Dolittle by Lynn Michaels. 8/22/2024
🔷Signed, I’m Yours! By Rhys Lawless 8/29/2024
🔷A Taste of Danger by Morgan Brice. 9/5/2024

[Marion · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is part of the multi-author Subpar Heroes series. This is the story of Ezra and Chaz. Ezra is an office worker whose goal is to become the manager of the SPAM Unit in Ontario. His boss April, isn't as enthusiastic about the idea and puts him on vacation. Deciding that he needs to be proactive and show his bosses that he can do all facets of the job; he heads out into the field. Chaz is a retired field agent that April keeps dragging back to do one more job. The story starts when Ezra shocks himself by actually finding Chaz to pass on mission information. This is their story. I am going to be vague because I don't want to ruin surprises for future readers. While I really liked the chemistry that eventually developed between Ezra and Chaz, I was not as happy with the book itself. This is my least favourite book in this series to date. I had a hard time following all the actions and interchanges between villains and our wannabe heroes. I didn't understand their boss Aprils behavior at all. I found the "evil" men to be underwhelming. And the way the job was ended lost me completely. They themselves were not happy with the outcome. So while I enjoyed Ezra and Chaz, the rest didn't read well for me. The book itself is written well. It just wasn't my cup of tea.

I received a complementary advanced review copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 - 3.5 Stars

I thought this was a fun and interesting read, I found both Chaz and Ezra intriguing and amusing but I do have to admit I spent a good amount of this book a bit confused by what was really going on. I think that may be the point, but still I spent a lot of time just wondering about things. I did very much enjoy the dynamic between Chaz and Ezra and how things developed between them. It was the sweetness I really needed with the story.

I feel like I would have liked a bit more explanation about SPAM itself along with their abilities and I felt like I wanted more from the ending but I did enjoy reading and found it to be overall amusing and sweet. I’m definitely curious about the whole series now, the idea of it is very fun!

[Megan McGrath · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story and plot. I loved the interactions between the MCs, Ezra & Chaz. They worked off one another well and in a very sweet manner most of the time.

I had a bit more trouble with the flow of the story. It seemed to jump around in the wording a lot, and I found myself having to go back and forth between pages and reread different sections.

I've liked the variety that the authors go to in this Subparheroes series. Toshi Drake's take on what is essentially a bad luck "skill" was interesting to consider. Even Ezra's special skill was more unique than I would have thought, and actually connected the two MCs even more than just their involvement with SPAM in general.

What Could Go Wrong? is a great addition to the multi-author Subparheroes series. It's quirky, fun, fairly unpredictable, and plenty sweet as we move along the story with our heroic (mostly 😉) characters.

I received an advance copy of this book and am volunteering my honest review.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun and interesting read. Ezra desperately wants to join the organisation known as SPAM and sets out to prove himself by tracking down one of their agents and delivering mission information to him. Chauncey is that agent, and when they meet there is annoyance but also instant chemistry. Their journey in undertaking the mission and finding Big Foot is full of things going wrong, fun, intrigue and distracting feelings which lead to first times. This was an enjoyable read though it ended a little abruptly for me.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Tony Farnden · Rating 3 out of 5]

What Could Go Wrong is part of the Subpar Heroes multi author series with superpowered protagonists who are quite literally subpar. In this case not only do they have subpar superpowers but they seem to be unwilling to state what they are even to themselves. The main characters are likeable enough but the plot is a bit vague and laboured as well as not really hanging together. The romance side of things is fine with two unwilling participants making a connection against their inclinations and giving into their feelings in time to save the day.

An okay read but not one I’d return to.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zany

Ezra and Chaz have some pretty unique abilities: one is compelled to answer every question that he gets asked and the other is essentially a jinx. But Bigfoot is on the loose, or is he? On a mission to track down the mysterious figure, Ezra and Chaz get caught up in one of the zaniest situations I have ever read. There was humor, excitement, and I really liked how patient Chaz was with Ezra when it came to being intimate.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A SWEET AND FUN READ! A GREAT ADDITION TO THE SUBPARHEROES SERIES!

Ezra and Chaz are really good together, and I enjoyed reading their story. Great action in the story with interesting characters.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Welp, what could go wrong?? Quite a bit in this entry in the subparheroes series. I forced myself to finish but, dang, it was like pulling teeth. A disjointed narrative, MC's that didn't really click for me, still not sure what the mystery was, and the bad guy that got away. Nope.

[Lee Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Could Go Wrong

This was a wonderful addition to the series! Tossing Drake has a way with words that puts me in the middle of the story and keeps me guessing! I really enjoyed reading this book. Highly Recommended

[Golden Child · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ezra & Chaz

I liked these two but would’ve liked to get to know them a bit better. And find out how Ezra moved forward with SPAM and if Chaz ever truly got out. Sent in a wild goose chase the two discover feelings for each other along with being hunted. Mr Jones was a nut job but these two seemed to have dampened his plans.

[Bottom Of · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dnf 58%

The premise was ok. But the characters were both wishy washy. Their back and forth just didnt make sense. I just stopped caring and quit reading.

[Lina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first book I read in the subparheroes series. While the first part of the book built up an interesting story about Bigfoot being spotted I never really understood the part about the superpowers. I thought the book was entertaining. However, the romance part felt a bit stressed and the last part of the book was a bit too short for my taste.

[DeeNeez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this Supbar story and whirlwind adventure between these two. Both had weird unlucky powers, yet they made it work. Overall and OK read.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be delightful--a bit confusing at times, but I loved the humor and the sweetness between Chaz and Ezra. The story was definitely different and kept my attention. Recommend reading.

[She Who Shall Remain Nameless · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me

I really want to like the books in this series as the premise is such an original one; however, this book just did not work for me. I’m not sure if it was the author’s writing style or what, but this just felt very disjointed to me. It was definitely not a smooth read. Additionally, I did not buy the romance between the two MCs at all. Their interactions really just seemed more awkward than anything else. Overall, I did not enjoy this book, but that is my opinion and perhaps it will suit your tastes much better. The following quote actually summed up my feelings about this book pretty well:

“I’ll share if you explain why you’re being all romantic. This morning, you barely tolerated the sight of me, and now…” Ezra paused as he became stumped by his thought process. “I don’t get it.”

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Could Go Wrong? By Toshi Drake is part of the Subpar Heroes multi author series.  Ezra, an office worker who desperately wants to be manager of the SPAM unit in Ontario. After a meeting and was summarily put on vacation decided that he will show them he can be a great manager by going out into the field. Chaz, a retired field agent, was enjoying his time fishing and hiking and being left alone. Enter Ezra looking for Chaz to help him with the mission. And as the saying goes, what could go wrong usually does.  I really loved Chaz and Ezra together. They are sweet to one another yet can hold their own when pushed. This story was a sweet, action packed love story that will make your heart melt.