In the dark streets of Soho, London, where the nightlife pulses with energy and hidden dangers, Langdon is striving to carve out a life of his own. Having endured a tough childhood, marked by a mother who never valued him, he has found solace in the company of his four best friends, who feel like brothers. Although he thrives working in a bar, Langdon is haunted by his past, feeling like a dirty secret to the men he dates.
When Eric's world crumbles after a disastrous wedding, he loses both his home and job, forcing him to seek refuge with his brother. It’s here that he encounters Langdon, and an undeniable connection sparks between them. As their chemistry ignites, they begin to explore a love that feels both thrilling and terrifying.
But their growing bond faces a sinister threat. Someone is determined to tear them apart, willing to go to any lengths, including violence, to ensure they never find happiness together. As Langdon and Eric navigate the complexities of their relationship and confront the demons of their pasts, they must also fight to protect one another from a force that seeks to destroy them.
In “Dangerous Attraction,” love becomes a battleground where trust is tested, and survival is at stake. Will Langdon and Eric find the strength to overcome the shadows that haunt them, or will they pay the ultimate price for their desire to be together?
I’m a few days late on this review. This is my first book by this author and this was a nice fun read. Love Eric and Langdon’s relationship most importantly the minute they started dating and how good the communication between them was. I also love how this wasn’t really angsty, no third act breakup and we just got to see Eric and Langdon being absolute sweethearts.
Love all the side characters and I’m honestly intrigued for all their stories. Jason and Grant because I have a feeling those two know each other but also I’m excited for Paolo and Max’s story. March 2025 seems like a really long time.🙂
Overall this was a nicely put together story. Loved it. 💖💖
Dangerous Attraction is the second book in the Soho Knights series. This book could be read as a standalone but I feel it is better after reading Perfect Night the first book in the series. This is the story of Langdon and Eric. I loved watching these two figure everything out in their relationship. I loved all the twists and turns in the story also. I loved the steam once the guys got together. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. I would definitely recommend this book and series.
This is the first book I read by this author and I enjoyed it so much. There was so much going on all the time and I just couldn't put it down. Eric needs a change in his life after his wedding doesn't happen. He goes to his brother who offers him a job at his bar, and that's where he meets Langdon. The sparks ignite from the start but things won't be easy for them. I loved this book! It started off with a wedding disaster but it soon became an amazing love story. Langdon was a big guy with a heart of gold and he couldn't resist the attraction he felt towards his boss's brother. Eric didn't think he needed someone so soon but Langdon was exactly what he'd been lacking in his life. The moments they spent together were full of love and trust, it was beautiful to see how their relationship evolved into something that touched my heart. There was also so much suspense in this story and danger for both the MCs. It felt like I was navigating a world of mystery not knowing who was doing what and when something bad would happen. This book is about love, but there is also violence depicted (read the TWs if you think you might be triggered by it) and mobsters doing their stuff, which made the story very interesting. There were a couple of twists that I honestly didn't expect and made me gasped! Overall, this was a great read. It's long but it's worth every single page because there is always something happening and the MCs fought hard to get their HEA. Very recommended!
Dangerous Attraction (Soho Knights 2) By Oliver Takely Published by the author, 2024 Four stars
The second in the Soho Knights series, this book tracks the life of Langdon, one of the group of former college chums who cohabitate a glam Soho duplex flat in London. The common backstory is that each of these men has a troubled past, and they have become a found family of brothers.
In this chapter, Langdon is paired by fate (because we romantics believe in Fate) with Eric, the redhead little brother of the owner of Madame Hoes, a big gay bar that serves as a community center in Soho. Eric has his own troublesome backstory, which piggybacks onto the latest of Langdon’s misadventures in romance.
It’s a classic gay rom-com, but with a pretty significant streak of darkness, and several plot twists along the way the keep the reader guessing as Eric and Langdon try to sort out their feelings for each other and the trauma in their lives.
What makes this story work so nicely is the way both of these men are presented to us as complex, damaged, but ultimately worthy guys, both of whom deserve the love they so keenly desire. Oliver Takely presents this series as reflecting the real struggles that many gay men face in growing up, coming out, and finding happiness. It’s an interesting parallel from the growing body of gay men who are writing in this mode—a literary genre essentially created by straight women for other straight women. There’s an element of fantasy for both audiences, but in the case of Takely’s intended readers, it’s a personal connection to lived experience.
Takely, a Brit author, is not quite as smooth a writer as, say, Charlie Cochrane (who is one of those straight women I mentioned—and one of my favorite writers). Nonetheless, his stories are winning because he loves the guys he writes about, and makes us love them too.
Dangerous Attraction, the second book in the Soho Knights series, dives deep into the emotional complexities of Langdon and Eric's burgeoning relationship. Langdon, haunted by his tragic past and a series of failed romances, decides to abandon love altogether after a string of ill-fated affairs with unavailable partners. However, everything changes when he meets Eric, his boss's brother, who is trying to rebuild his life after being left at the altar. Despite Eric's initial reluctance to pursue anything serious, the undeniable connection between the two men sparks a new hope for both. The novel expertly weaves a tale of romance and suspense, with a darker edge introduced by the presence of a menacing stalker. The narrative cleverly intertwines with the first book, enriching the reader's experience. The vibrant side characters add depth and promise that has me eagerly anticipating future stories. Dangerous Attraction is performed duet style by Ben Hart and William Macleod, and they delivered exceptional performances. Their ability to embody distinct personalities and bring depth to their characters is impressive. Hart's portrayal of a vulnerable yet cheeky Eric contrasts beautifully with MacLeod's dark and broody interpretation of Langdon, creating a dynamic and engaging listening experience. Their versatility in voicing multiple side characters further showcases their talent and adaptability. Their collaboration brought the story to life in a captivating way, making them a memorable duo.
Dangerous Attraction is the second audiobook in Oliver Takely’s Soho Knights MM romance series. Although this is the second book in the series, I don’t feel it’s necessary to listen to book one first as each book centers on a different couple’s story. The characters in each book do overlap as well as some storylines, but there is no overarching plot that continues from book to book. I, personally, have not read or listened to the first book, and it did not impact my enjoyment of this audiobook at all. First off, as a listener, you should know this story is written in third person dual POV. For me, personally, I don’t feel like most stories written in third person format translate as well to audio as those written in first person. It just feels like it creates a bit of distance between the listener and the story and characters. I have a much harder time connecting with the story and becoming invested in the characters’ lives. And that, unfortunately, was the case for me here even though I did enjoy the story. The plot was good and the characters were all likable. The dialogue was especially well written, I thought, with excellent banter among the core group of friends. The duet-style narration from Ben Hart and William Macleod was very well done. Both narrators were new to me, so I don’t know who voiced which characters, but both actors gave excellent performances, in my opinion. I would definitely be up for giving the next audiobook in the series a listen!
This is the second book in the Knights Of Soho series and I’m really enjoying this gang of misfits. In book one we got Charlie’s story, now in book 2 Dangerous Attraction we get Langdon’s story.
Langdon seems to be unlucky when it comes to love. He always seems to date the ones who are either unattainable or already in a relationship. Not that Langdon is aware of either until the relationship eventually fails. So he decides it’s time to swear off relationships all together. And then he meets Eric, his bosses brother who comes to work at the club after being jilted at the alter by his fiancé. Eric’s not looking for anything series after the wedding fiasco, but for Langdon he’d be willing to make an exception.
Honestly there is so much more happening in this book, including a stalker … and not the good kind either. The angst and tension between Landon and Eric was palpable and you could honestly hear it in the narrators voices. I also loved the fact the storyline between book 1 and 2 overlap slightly. Also the side characters, who will get their own stories as well, are sooo much fun. I’m very, very, very interested in Jason’s story.
This book is narrated in duet by Ben Hart & William Macleod both of which are new to my ears. I think both Ben and William did a fantastic job showcasing their talents and voicing Langdon and Eric.
Story - ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Spice - 🌶🌶🌶🌶 Narration - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dangerous Attraction is book #2 in the Soho Knights series. This series about a group of misfit friends who become brothers in a found family is just amazing! Langdon has a tragic past as well as a long line of failed relationships. Eric escaped a loveless marriage (at the altar no less), lost his job and his apartment, and is now trying to piece his life back together at his brother's bar. Just so happens that Langdon works there, too. They have instant chemistry, but Langdon is cautious about diving back into a relationship again, especially with Eric. Oh, the angst between these two is palpable! Langdon's self-esteem is as low as Eric's body image issues. Yes, a man who is shy about his body...loved it. So much more going on in this story that I couldn't stop listening. We even got a Charlie and Sebastian (from book #1) visit as well. Excited for the next book in this spicy series!!
The duet narration was so dang good. Ben Hart and William MacLeod were so perfectly cast! Ben Hart gave us the vulnerable and cheeky Eric with William MacLeod bringing the dark and broody Langdon to life as well. Loved this duo! 5/5 stars!!
Eric consents to being left at the altar, but he refuses to be labeled a cheater, so he now works at his brother’s bar while attempting to rebuild his life. Langdon has reached his limit with dishonest partners and tries to suppress his feelings for Eric, but this becomes increasingly difficult as he learns more about him.
This story juggles numerous elements, including Eric's personal turmoil, Langdon's concealed history, and a variety of supporting characters who each have their own dynamics with the protagonists.
This story contained more fascination and enigma than I anticipated, yet it came together remarkably well.
I enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about Langdon’s siblings. They represent a wonderful chosen family.
I appreciate how interconnected the plots are throughout this series. When you finish the first book, you witness Langdon and Eric's playful interaction, making it enjoyable in this installment to discover what transpired behind the scenes in that prior book. Additionally, I find myself intrigued by Jason and Paolo, who are two of Langdon’s housemates and siblings
Audiobook Review of Dangerous Attraction by Oliver Takely, Performed in duet by Ben Hart and William Macleod . Produced by Blue Nose Audio.
Dangerous Attraction is an MM romance set in London. There's deception, lies, secrets and a little bit of violence, but most of all, there's love. The love of the found family for Langdon with his 'brothers', and love that makes things 'tingle' between Langdon and Eric. The two main characters are so sweet despite the challenges they face. Someone tries to come between them, and I thought that was quite predictable, but the showdown when it comes to light is great! The variety of personalities of the different characters was a nice touch. I loved some of the side characters as much as the MMCs!
The performance by the narrators was fantastic! The accents from different parts of the UK and tone changes for different characters were great and the emotion really came through.
Overall an enjoyable listen!
This book is definitely high on the spice scale! If they're not getting jiggy, they're thinking or talking about it! However there's plot weaved throughout that keeps you gripped.
I really enjoyed Langdon and Eric. Langdon has a troubled past that he’s ashamed of that holds him back in many ways. Eric has a messed up ex and a breakup messing with his life. These things hold them back, causing more complications, but all along they are drawn to each other. I like how even when they have made bad decisions regarding opening up to each other, they realize their mistakes and work hard to make it right, right away.
There was more intrigue and mystery in this story than I was expecting, but it worked really well.
I loved seeing more of Langdon’s brothers. They are a great found family.
I like how overlapping the stories in this series are. If you read Book 1, you got to see Langdon and Eric flirting, so it’s fun in this one to see what was going on in the background of that first book. And now I am curious about Jason and Paolo, two of Langdon’s roommates and brothers.
The editing was a bit of a problem as it threw me out of the story multiple times.
4.5 Stars for story and characters 3 Stars for editing
Second in series (Soho Knights), but can be read as a standalone. Coworkers. Found family. Slow burn. Dual POV. Heed content warnings.
Eric agrees to be left at the altar, but not being called a cheater, so now he has a job working at his brother’s bar while trying to scrape his life back together. Langdon has had his fill of cheaters, and tries to ignore his attraction to Eric, but that slowly becomes impossible when he learns more about Eric.
This story had a lot of balls in the air with Eric’s personal upheaval, Langdon’s hidden past, and a bunch of secondary characters that had their own interactions with the main characters. I appreciated that the mutual attraction between Eric and Langdon took a while to get heated, as there were a lot of trust issues and they both had recently gotten out of relationships. For this series the found family aspect really drives a lot of the emotional support the characters receive and I really like the group of Soho Knights. Eric and Langdon ended up bringing the love and the steam and I look forward to the next book of the series.
What an incredible story Oliver Takely has crafted! This book is the second in the Soho Knights series and follows the lives of two main characters, Eric and Langdon, whose chemistry is electric.
Langdon has had a challenging childhood, but with the support of his amazing friends, he’s managed to accomplish a lot. On the other hand, Eric’s life took a drastic turn when his wedding fell apart, leaving him without a job or a place to live. That’s when their paths cross, and the adventure truly begins!
I couldn’t put the book down; it pulls you into the story and keeps you hooked the whole way through. There’s plenty of suspense, a touch of mystery, great humor, mobsters, and unexpected twists. You can practically feel the vibrancy of the streets of Soho.
This book is wonderfully written and comes highly recommended. It deserves more than five stars! I’m now diving into the first book, Perfect Night (Soho Knights #1).
Eric (MC) Getting left at the alter is one thing but knowing you're going to be left at the alter is crazy. It was your idea and she twisted it up on you 😆 and left you hanging out to dry my friend. Bunking with your older brother was a wise choice and even wiser choice to start working for him ... it'll work out Langdon (MC) High five for the name, I love this name. Big guy, big feelings and somewhat insecure with how you overthink things. Fall in love to fast and your boss little brother shouldn't be in the radar ... but ... This is the second book in the Soho Knights Series and I think it can be a stand alone since I didn't read the first one but didn't have any issues following along. This is a first time author for me and I enjoyed it, not usually what I read but it was fast paced and didn't lag.
Book2 in the Soho series, if you are looking to start reading MM or in need of a fun and bingeable MM series, this is the one for you, lovable, characters, this will have you belly laughing, from the start. 5 brothers (Found Family) all different, but in a way, all the same there love, and dedication to each other are goals.
This story follows Eric & Langdon, both with a difficult and hard past. Which comes knocking, but which way will it come???? With instant connection. They soon find them self's in the receiving end of someone one out to try and destroy what they have together but the question is, who????
Slow Burn untill its not 🔥
Ben Hart & William Macleod were brilliant at narrating this story.
Langdon has spent his life battling the scars of a tumultuous childhood and the indifference of a mother who never valued him. With the unwavering support of his tight-knit group of friends, he’s managed to carve out a stable life for himself, thriving in his job at a local bar. Yet, despite his outward success, Langdon remains plagued by insecurities, often feeling like nothing more than a "dirty secret" to the men he dates.
Eric’s life is upended when a disastrous wedding leaves him jobless and homeless. With nowhere else to turn, he moves in with his brother, only to meet Langdon, a man who challenges everything he thought he knew about attraction and connection. Sparks fly immediately, but the path to love is anything but easy. Their growing relationship is filled with thrilling highs and terrifying uncertainties as they navigate their vulnerabilities and fears.
As Langdon and Eric begin to open their hearts to one another, their fragile bond is tested by a violent and mysterious threat determined to shatter their happiness. In the face of looming danger, the pair must confront not only the shadows of their pasts but also the very real menace that seeks to destroy them.
Oliver Takely masterfully weaves a tale of romance and suspense in Dangerous Attraction. The chemistry between Langdon and Eric is palpable, balancing moments of tenderness with raw vulnerability. Langdon’s journey of self-worth and Eric’s quest for stability are beautifully written, making their connection feel authentic and deeply emotional.
The tension builds as the danger escalates, keeping readers on edge while rooting for Langdon and Eric to overcome the odds. The story skillfully balances the emotional complexities of their relationship with the suspenseful plot, making it a compelling read from start to finish.
Dangerous Attraction, the second book in the Soho Knights series, is a gripping romance filled with passion, suspense, and the enduring strength of love. Perfect for readers who enjoy a mix of heartwarming connection and edge-of-your-seat drama. Highly recommended!
Langdon and Éric’s journey to their HEA is anything but smooth. Langdon carries a painful past that holds him back, and Éric faces challenges from his ex and stepfather. Sparks fly instantly between them, and their chemistry is undeniable.
I really enjoyed their story, and the narration by Ben Hart and William Macleod is fantastic—those British accents are a delight! It was also great to catch up with Charlie, Sebastian, and the other friends from book 1.
A fun, emotional read that makes me eager for book 3, Paolo’s story!
I'm loving this series about the found family of brothers finding love and an HEA and this story focusing on Langdon and Eric was excellent. These two have been unlucky in the lovers they've chosen in the past but their attraction to each other makes them decide to explore a relationship. The baggage each is carrying makes things bumpy at times but things start to work. A dangerous stalker provides an external threat and was a plot line the author handled very well. It kept me on edge. Very much looking forward to the rest of this series.
Book Two in the Soho Knights series was as good as the first one.
Eric gets left at the altar and his life explodes and he is forced to find a new job. At his brother's bar, he meets Langdon: a man with secrets of his own.
This story really moved along and there was never a break in the action. The characters were so interesting, and I was invested in the story.
I listened on audio. I'd never listened to Ben Hart or William Macleod before and they are both wonderful performers.
OK, a bit of an up and down feeling as I read this, some parts were great, a good plot with a real tense effect, and, of course, there was sweet and sexy moments. But there were times I found it a touch bogged down and slow. I mean, we're all different, my tolerance level is different from others, but I must admit I skimmed a wee bit here and there. BUT it was a good read, lots of names which befuddled my ancient brain but still a darn good read.
heartfelt MM romance with strong emotional beats and a satisfying slow-burn between two damaged but likeable leads. The found-family dynamic adds warmth, and the writing handles trauma and vulnerability with care. However, the plot leans on familiar tropes, and the suspense subplot felt more like background noise than a driving force. A solid, if not groundbreaking, read for fans of emotional romance.
This was an ok MM romance. There is ALOT happening here and I found myself drifting focus at points having to rewind to figure out what was happening exactly. It is told in 3rd person POV.
I liked the characters but again I struggled to stay focused and to feel invested in their story.
Overall, it’s a very detailed story and I am sure most will enjoy it but I felt it was just ok.
This couples hea is very hard won. They both have had a difficult past and deserve so much better. This has a good dose of suspense along with a slow burn that eventually catches fire. I also enjoyed getting to know the other characters more and eager for their stories. Good read.
This is a cute story and the entire series seems like a great plot into a group of 'brothers' with trauma trying to find love. Lan is cute and he was growing on me throughout the book, their relationship was nice although a bit simple. The plot leaves a little to be expanded on, yet all the characters were well written and drew you in.
I absolutely loved reading about Eric and Langdon. This book was as amazing as the first book. The chemistry between the characters was really well written. I had the opportunity of listening to it on audio and let me tell you the cast that was chosen was perfect. Ben Hart and William Macleod really brought the characters and story to life.
Found family is often better. Langdon and Eric were proof of that. Being in love with your boss's brother can be problematic but worked out for the best. Excellent and I can't wait to see what's next in the series.
I received this arc from GRR for my honest feedback
It took me a little bit of time to get into this one. I think it was more of a me issue. Once I really got into it, I found Eric and Langdon's story to be very entertaining to read.
Thoroughly enjoyed this one from a new to me author. It held my interest from the very beginning. I do plan to go back and read the first one as I feel as though it was missing a few things that I'm sure are in the first book. Overall a great read and I look forward to reading the next one!
This is Langdon's book. We meet Langdon managing a bar, which is all he thinks he can do. Josh owns the bar and appears in drag as an attraction, and he has a younger brother, Eric, who's attracted to Langdon. It works out, with many complications on the way to a happy ending.
This series always has me in my feels!!! And absolutely love all of the boys!! I fall in love with every single one more and more. Ohh Landonnn🥹 and Eric was just perfect for him! I’m so glad they got their hea!