Trust. It is the basis on which we build our relationships. When we trust someone, we allow that person control over our lives and our emotions. But if that trust is lost, it can lead us down a dark and lonely path.
Diesel
25, Stripper, emotionally damaged and just about as selfish as one can be.
Never trust anyone. I learned that lesson the hard way. After suffering the ultimate betrayal, I came to realize that life is nothing but a dark and lonely place. Am I guarded? Yes. Do I care only about myself? Also, yes. So why is it a surprise when I sneak out of the house to find myself a random hookup? Do I wish I hadn’t? Of course. But not because I feel guilty for what I did or for the fact that I treated the guy like dirt. I regret my decision because now I have to see my hookup's smug face every day! It’s like I’m being punished for having a one-night stand and running off before the other guy even had a chance to… well, you know how it goes.
Zero
30, Private investigator… devilishly handsome and a hunter of evil men.
Bad decisions. We all make them. We spend countless hours hating ourselves and wondering how we could have made such a horrible mistake. And I’m no exception. My bad decision is sitting right across from me, eating breakfast. He’s got that egotistical and sly look on his face. Seriously, I’ve never met a more selfish person in my entire life. So, when I’m forced to work with him, I realize that perhaps it’s time that someone taught this selfish bloke a lesson.
Content Violence, alcohol and substance abuse, foul language, and loads of steamy scenes.
Matthew Dante is a Canadian Indie Author who writes MM Dark Romance and MM Contemporary Romance. He is an avid reader, world traveler, lover of all things Marvel and DC, and a romantic at heart.
You can follow Matthew on: Instagram at MatthewDanteBooks Facebook at Matthew.dante.73
Diesel Pratt had a reputation: druggie, low life, pathetic and loser. In and out of rehab, he caused his share of worry for Matteo. He did make friends with the other guys but things had changed before his eyes. Jared became a good friend but when he and Isaac’s relationship began there was little time spent with Jared. Then there was Chase and Livi and even Matteo now had his former ex-lover back Daddy A aka Ares. Although, he saw them all as family, he still felt a certain jealousy. Just trying to find someone to hang with wasn’t working, seemed everyone was with their significant other and he was, once again, alone. That alone feeling brought back memories of a stepfather and mother who didn’t have the time for him. His stepbrother Jordan, had turned eight and they were going to a skating rink and Diesel had hopes that his stepfather would teach him how to skate, like other fathers and sons. His stepfather was cruel and his mother was useless. But Diesel learned another hard lesson. He spiraled and left the chateau, headed for a place he could feel. Days later he awoke, feeling good and then sick. He heard the voices, voices that really cared about him. Discussions around him: hospital, home, doctor, being arrested were being voiced. He finally, felt the: warmth, love, care and being safe. Once recovered and because of Matteo’s, very big heart, he found he wasn’t back in a rehab facility. Matteo was laying down the law with Diesel, he was a powerful man and in control but with Diesel was vulnerable. But Matteo knows Diesel has some dark issues and feelings and tells him he needs to start seeing a specialist. Maybe Diesel, could show Matteo he’s really going to try. He asks Matteo if he could go to London on Chases next assignment from the “Book of Sin”. Matteo is all for it, but he has a plan. He will make appointment with Dr. Annetta Bloom, therapist, in the heart of London for Diesel. Diesel had two secure things in his life; his hoodie and Bruno the smiling demon.
Six months ago, Zero was in NYC, playing the shell game. He was a conman, he duped people out of their money with his specialty cons. His real expertise was confidence and being able to adapt to changing situations. His only down fall was controlling his anger, hence, the name “Zero patience”. By the age of ten he was pulling all types of scams with his father. B&E (breaking and entering) was just one of his skills. Now, he was in London working for Marc Bodin. He felt Marc had made a mistake and should have hired an investigator, but little does he know, Marc doesn’t make mistakes. His job for Marc is watching a doctors house and the routine at the lab, which is a high security facility for biology and chemistry projects. For right now, he was one man, doing the investigating, which wasn’t his thing. At least help was on the way, Chase and Jared would be there soon.
First night in London Diesel is restless. He sneaks out and finds a local pub, in hopes of having a hook-up. What he finds, is being shot down and a snarky dude watching him. Diesel doesn’t know what to make of the dude, but he takes a chance and follows him out the back door of the pub. Diesel thinks he’s slick and leaves the snarky dude hanging, even though he feels a little bad about it. The next morning Diesel is in for an embarrassing surprise.
As Marc has come to London to work alongside the guys with this difficult investigation, they start to make head way. But as one of them is in danger, he has someone that won’t ever leave him alone.
Matthew Dante creates another terrifying and dark theme story with “The Chemist” book four in the “Book of Sin” series. It’s Diesel Pratt’s turn to open up about his traumatic upbringing that brought on so many of his mental health issues, drug and alcohol issues. It also addresses his loneliness and pushing away the need for family. I really liked Diesel, he was “little boy lost”. He has two means of security: his black hoodie and the sweet demon Bruno. But I will give credit to Matteo because he took time and any means he could to save Diesel as with all the boys.
Zero was a great new add to the series. He’s had a life that was rocky too but he learned and accepted how to stay calm and in control. He also has a big heart especially when it comes to Diesel. Has Diesel finally met his match? The snarky moments between them are funny and hot.
What makes the “Book of Sin” series interesting is: Matteo’s boys have all dealt with hard lives before he found them. Most of them at times seem to not take life so seriously. They all have a weird sense of banter, snark and humor. They love to drive Matteo crazy. But most of all, when anyone of them is in trouble, they come together to protect and save their family members.
I highly suggest “The Chemist” from the “Book of Sin” series. As always, Matthew Dante brings out a thriller of a story, with suspense, danger, tragedy, humor, love and high power steamy moments with Matteo’s boys. Dante makes this series even better with Marc Bodin, who made the “Book of Sin” front and center of all the stories and created some of the most evil, dark and nasty characters. I have to give Alex Sanders a mention too, because without Alex there wouldn't be a Marc and vice-versa. I don’t know what Matthew Dante has in store for readers next, but it will be fun to find out, as always.
'His heart, on the other hand, was telling him a different story. This, right here, was not like all the other one-night stands. This man, the one with his arm around you, holding you and comforting you, has the potential of becoming something great.'
A visit to La Maison de M and the cast of colourful, crazy, and completely loveable characters who live there never disappoints!
And this time, it's the troubled Diesel's story in book 4 of Matthew Dante's fabulous Book of Sin series.
In previous books, we've seen that Diesel has struggled with drug addiction and been the source of worry for his father figure, Matteo, and his brothers at La Maison. But now we get to know the man himself and learn his heartbreaking back story.
In learning about his past, I definitely understood Diesel so much more, and I fell totally in love with him and was rooting for him to get the HEA he deserved.
Diesel had a really tough upbringing and has gone through some despicable betrayals that saw him build his walls so high and firm to protect himself - with the help of Bruno, his creepy, but loyal, tattoo, of course!
When Diesel relapses, Matteo sends him on a job to London with Chase and Jared to try to help him keep his mind off his vices and undergo the therapy he - reluctantly - needs.
In London, our guys are searching for the Chemist, a doctor who is written about in the Book of Sin. Can they find the evidence they need to stop his evil deeds?
Diesel also meets Zero, a sexy GQ tradie, who ends up being the one night stand that won't go away when he happens to be part of the team hunting the Chemist 🤣
The initial banter between Diesel and Zero is hilarious 😂 but the more they get to know each other, the more they begin to understand each other and see how much they have in common.
I adored how protective of Diesel Zero became, how he constantly cared for him, and encouraged Diesel to open up. Zero is such a great guy. He's just what Diesel deserves.
The way their relationship developed was written to perfection by Matthew Dante, and there was, of course, plenty of spice mixed in with their growing love. Although the trip to the fair was my favourite part 😍
Matthew Dante's books wouldn't be the same without the twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat to see what happens to our beloved characters, mixed in with the heroics of the stripper guild and the humour and antics they bring with them! These guys never fail to have me laughing out loud, even in the most dire of circumstances 🤣🤣
I loved how Diesel learned the true meaning of family and realised that he had already had the perfect family by his side over the past few years. Family isn't always blood, but it's the people you choose, who stand by you and love you, no matter what.
Another fantastic book from Matthew Dante, who has become a must-read author for me. I definitely hope we'll have many more visits to La Maison!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
'Diesel was his man. His person. Fate might have brought them together, but it was the love that they shared that kept them together.'
4.8⭐️ This turned out to be my favourite book in this series. Having met Diesel in the previous books, I really wasn’t sure if I’d like him. However, after reading his book, I wouldn’t change a thing about him and Zero.
I love the way their characters were written, and the depth their characters possessed. Both boys broken in different ways, each caused by their parents. While Diesel was the grumpy stripper who struggled with his addiction, and attachment issues. Zero was the Sunshine who kept trying to reach for Diesel.
This was a really good slow burn that kept my attention from the very point where Zero gave Diesel a blowjob in the bar alley and Diesel left him with blue balls. One of the things I loved was how the author didn’t immediately rush them into having sex once both boys realised they were under the same roof.
While Diesel might appear as a man whore who was after meaningless hookups, we got to see that it was his own way of shielding himself from getting hurt. And I couldn’t blame him, not with the kind of parents he had. It was pretty obvious he had abandonment issues and he’d rather not get attached. But Zero managed to warm his way into Diesel’s heart by paying attention to him and showing him affection.
While Diesel was scared to love and had a fear of being abandoned. Zero on the other hand, needed someone to need him—want him. At least that’s what I think. He was a kid who tried his darnest to please his father, to be seen by the father who simply used him to con people. Despite what he felt for Diesel, he tried not to think too much of what was happening between them because he feared rejection. And he masked with jokes, being the funny one.
I’m glad these two found each other. They deserved to be happy and I’m glad they found their happiness with each other. They made me smile a lot. 🥰🥰🥰
The Chemist is the latest in the thrilling Book of Sin series by @matthew_dante_author and oh boy is it a wild ride! Diesel, troubled skater boy and La Maison de M dancer takes center stage. After another bender (the set up for what sends him spiraling is so well done), Mateo sends Diesel to London to help the crew try and take down The Chemist -a truly heinous man. Following an -ahem - unconventional meeting with their newest team member, surveillance expert Zero, they have an uneasy relationships taut with innuendo and heaps of sexual tension. They’re both a bit over the top in their bravado, hinting at the painful pasts they’re both hiding. And good grief, poor Diesel has had quite a life… finding out how he became part of Matteo’s orbit is heartbreaking. You see his braggadocious for what it is - a mask for a broken little boy just trying to survive. I wanted to hug this infuriating man and tell him it would be ok. Zero didn’t have great parents, either, but he’s managed to get through relatively unscathed. Watching these two circle sound each other, assessing, wanting, calculating, was fascinating. And who would have thought a tuna sandwich would be akin to a declaration of love? The takedown of The Chemist is a thrilling, pulse-pounding interlude with Diesel taking center stage. The unexpected intimacy Zero and Diesel share gives way to an unconventional love story that I enjoyed the heck out of. And THAT’S how you do an epilogue. Karmic justice and unconditional love for the win. I hope Matthew plans to keep this series going for a long time. The villains are creepy and you’re cheering for their takedown. And the mix of action and romance, with liberal dashes of humor and found family is fantastic. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A visit to La Maison and the crazy, loveable characters who live there is always a treat.
It’s always sad when a series you have really enjoyed, with characters you have become invested in, comes to a close but Matthew left the stroppy, sarcastic, drug addict Diesel until last and wow did the series go out with a bang!
After one too many stints in rehab and a seemingly total disregard for his life, Matteo makes Diesel accompany Chase and Jared to London to help solve another one of Marc and Alex’s cases from the Book of Sin, he also insists he attend therapy. Understanding Diesel’s terrible past made me love the snarky prickly character more.
When they arrive in London it doesn’t take Diesel long to get into trouble and meeting the lovely Zero gradually brought about a change in him, one that terrified him. The initial banter between them was hilarious and Zero was up for the challenge and Diesel had met his match, he couldn’t rattle Zero no matter how hard he tried and it was fun watching Zero wear him down and lovely to watch how invested and protective he became in Diesel.
There were the usual twists and turns, plenty of spice and humour and I have to say that right from the start there was a creepy undertone and the hairs on the back of my neck were on end as I waited for the evil chemist to make his move!
Special shoutout to Bruno, Diesel’s creepy devil tattoo that Zero swore watched his every move.
Loved the book and Matthew remains one of my favourite authors. I highly recommend you read it but you should really read the first 3 books before delving into this one. I really hope we catch up with La Maison and these colourful crazy characters again in the future.
💕 Diesel has the most beautiful character arc of the series. We first meet Diesel part way through book 1. A long lost “son/brother” of La Maison; a drug addict. A man that Matteo saved and took into his home many years ago. A man who calls Jared his best friend. A man whose life revolves around sex, drugs and alcohol. In this 4th book of the series, we finally get to know the story behind Diesel.
It’s a sad tale, as you would expect from one of Matteo’s boys. Treated as though he was worthless, Diesel survived by building walls around himself. Learning that letting people in and trusting them would only end in pain.
Zero has his own story as he learned the art of hustling from a young age. Their love story is one that takes time, and Zero is a patient man. He has to be. He has learned to read cues and wait for the perfect moment. And breaking down Diesel’s walls is a slow and tedious process. This story takes us through their journey, from enemies to friends to lovers. And Matthew Dante could not have done it better. Diesel’s story is not one that could be rushed.
Bruno? You ask. Well, yes. Of course Diesel’s creepy tattoo will be watching over him, freaking everyone out. Oh, how I love Bruno 😂
As for the Book of Sin and the man referred to as The Chemist? This Matthew Dante book will not disappoint in this instalment of bad men doing bad things. Cameos from other books? Naturally 😏 By now, that’s to be expected.
Diesel has ever been an easy person to like throughout this series , he’s sarcastic and rude and doesn’t care who he upsets. When he’s found out of his head in a drug house Matteo has had enough so he sends him with Chase on a job in London. I loved the sarcasm between Zero & Diesel he finally met his match and it was funny when Zero left him speechless with his comebacks . Diesels young life wasn’t easy his family treated him worse than you would treat an animal the cared for no one but themselves . Diesel has a lot of pent up anger with his family especially his mother who took his step father and stepbrothers side before his. I hope this isn’t the final book I’m trying to think who’s left of Matteo’s boys who might be getting a book but only the twins come to mind .
Both live with situations from their past that carries forward into their present yet.
Diesel is a hard character to like. Even though he has friends or “family” that care about him, he still likes to keep walled up. Then his life takes an unexpected turn and Zero throws a few unexpected interactions at him.
Zero has a huge heart. He has not had an easy life but appears to roll with the punches. When he interfaces with Diesel nothing goes as expected. Diesel can’t hide from Zero and Zero won’t give up on Diesel.
I love the interaction between these characters. I enjoyed how protective they became of each other. I was happy to have previous characters involved in the story.
It was nice to read Diesel’s story. He and Zero both had crappy childhoods and had lived without proper loving families. They are both guarded. They first meet accidentally and then find themselves working together on a case.
I liked that the other men from La Maison were involved in this book. There were a few twists and turns at the end but I enjoyed the whole book. One of my favourites in this series.
Make sure you cw before starting to decide if this book is right for you, adorable always your mental health comes first. I always say- you should read this series in sequential order. This series has come full circle, and you need all the valuable intel. You need to know your characters and lore. Following Diesel through the series and knowing his struggles is important. Diesel has a history of substance abuse and alcohol use. He uses substances and sex to hide from his trauma. It was Matteo and being with his found family at La Maison d M that saved Diesel's life. Another is the Marc of it all. Marc is Chase's (also Zero ) boss. He sent Chase on a job to La Maison de M; ah good times.To get more of his story, check out the Fractured series; a must.
You'll find the stakes are higher, the villain more deadlier, and another two lovers finding perfection within eachothers arms. Diesel joins Chase, Jared, and Zero on the lastest Book of Sin mission; code name The Chemist. Zero is new to the game, and that's exactly what we need in this installment. Between multitasking between an unforgettable one night stand, therapy, and stake outs; a deep connection blooms between Diesel and Zero. These two men have only been "seen" by each other. These new feelings are powerful enough to defy logic, sanity, and reason. Both are ride or die, and I love that for Diesel.
It wouldn't be a Matthew Dante book without the best bits. Here's to a new big, bad, and more in-depth look into Bruno.The twists, turns, and surprises into the storyline. Eyes on you Matteo and Ares for best in comedic gold and witty banter of the series. And heres to the ultimate found family at La Maison de M. The best to ever do it. The family that has loyalty, trust, and acceptance. A hot, sexy, kick ass family that performs daring rescues on the side, has your back, and loves you through it all. A brilliant beautiful world, and it's awesome.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Diesel couldn't pick who his mother, stepfather, and stepbrother were or his loveless up bringing. After a rough time and loneliness, He did end up with a new father figure, lots of great brothers, and a loving partner. All of whom loved, cared, and had his back to make his life better than ever. WHO COULD ASK FOR MORE! THANK YOU, MATHEW! ENJOY!
Diesel and Zero were a fun bickering coupling in this wild world Matthew has created. Our poor Diesel with his past traumas that still cause him pain and despair broke my heart. Zero was not without his own past trauma but Diesel is the one who had my heart in this book. This book has not changed my opinion that this is my favorite series from Matthew ever.
The Chemist is a thrill ride you won’t ever forget as we follow Diesel finding his match. Perfect on paper and in the bedroom, Zero doesn’t hesitate to protect what’s his. But Diesel has issues. Issues he doesn’t want to work through. Will Diesel be able to overcome his pride and become the best man he can be for the man he’s slowly falling for?
The Chemist is the fourth book in the Book of Sins series, I recommend reading in order. This is an opposites attract, steamy, dark read about Zero and Diesel. I loved the characters and the storyline, I have really loved this series so much.
This found family is everything! I love that we got Diesel's story this time. His was an emotional one for sure. I just wanted to hug him and ruin his mother for him. Such a horrible character. I loved Zero for him so much.
All the boys are damaged but Diesel seemed more so than the others so it was so good to see him get his HEA. Zero is a good addition to the group. I loved that Diesels parents got their due. I have loved all the books in this series.
I always knew there had to be more to Diesel than party boy/junkie and here we get to find out what that is. If your heart doesn’t break even a little for 8 year old Diesel then are you even human?
Diesel has always been an enigma I would love to know more about and finally here we are.
Then there’s Zero who is literally a one night stand that stuck to Diesel like glue.
Don’t forget Bruno, he’s here as well.
I love the way we see two men who obviously didn’t have the greatest upbringing finding out that blood isn’t what makes a family but love is.
This book put mental health and wellness at the forefront and it shows just how not being judgmental towards what someone’s demons are is the greatest support one can have.
These books continue to show that no matter how a family looks or lives it’s the love that makes the people within the family well a family.