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Devious Love: Six Stories
Everyone needs love, whatever they have to do to get it. And it ain‘t always pretty.
Characters senator’s beautiful but brainy trophy wifeA guru with a shtick you won’t believeA reformed fatso with a sure-fire way to lose weightA couple of Fifties car culture love birdsAn artist who really gets into her art with her new neighborA TV news reporter covering the story to end all storiesContains sex, violence, bad language, etc.
Characters senator’s beautiful but brainy trophy wifeA guru with a shtick you won’t believeA reformed fatso with a sure-fire way to lose weightA couple of Fifties car culture love birdsAn artist who really gets into her art with her new neighborA TV news reporter covering the story to end all storiesContains sex, violence, bad language, etc.
197 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2025
3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 24, 2025
Devious Love is a collection of satirical short stories that are engaging, well-crafted, and memorable. The writing is strong, the characters, while often larger than life (literally so in the case of my favourite story, “Weight Loss Wizard”) are well-drawn and believable.
“Weight Loss Wizard” made me chuckle many times (I even highlighted passages to read again), while “Wife and Heir” and “The Blind Mammographer” read like exposés of real-life scandals.
The author does not shy away from darker subjects but rather puts an interesting spin on inflammatory topics such as sex and religion. More conservative readers should note that a couple of stories (esp. “Convenient Neighbours”) are X-rated, as are some of the images at the beginning of each story.
The author’s deep understanding of human nature brings his characters to life, and while a couple of the stories may appall us, they are all utterly plausible. Satire highlights vices, human flaws and foibles, holding them up to scorn, but Devious Love does more than ridicule; it makes us think.
Bookending the collection are two stories that appear very different. “Wife and Heir” is about a self-serving politician whose sordid double life catches up with him, while “Last Try” is a speculative account of Jesus’s reception when he returns to the modern world.
But underlying both appears to be a common theme: As humans, we are constantly telling ourselves stories that are not true – lies about ourselves, about other people, about the world we live in. We hypnotize ourselves with false beliefs, push other people down or out of our way so we can get ahead. We keep ‘othering’ to make ourselves feel better, more special, more deserving. We numb ourselves with work, with food, with sex, just so we don’t have to sit with oursevles and introspect, feel our pain, and face our deepest fears.
When we persist in ignoring the obvious, the universal truths that bind us and remind us of our shared humanity, what are our chances? The author seems to be saying: Not so good, unless we take the deviousness out of love.
“Weight Loss Wizard” made me chuckle many times (I even highlighted passages to read again), while “Wife and Heir” and “The Blind Mammographer” read like exposés of real-life scandals.
The author does not shy away from darker subjects but rather puts an interesting spin on inflammatory topics such as sex and religion. More conservative readers should note that a couple of stories (esp. “Convenient Neighbours”) are X-rated, as are some of the images at the beginning of each story.
The author’s deep understanding of human nature brings his characters to life, and while a couple of the stories may appall us, they are all utterly plausible. Satire highlights vices, human flaws and foibles, holding them up to scorn, but Devious Love does more than ridicule; it makes us think.
Bookending the collection are two stories that appear very different. “Wife and Heir” is about a self-serving politician whose sordid double life catches up with him, while “Last Try” is a speculative account of Jesus’s reception when he returns to the modern world.
But underlying both appears to be a common theme: As humans, we are constantly telling ourselves stories that are not true – lies about ourselves, about other people, about the world we live in. We hypnotize ourselves with false beliefs, push other people down or out of our way so we can get ahead. We keep ‘othering’ to make ourselves feel better, more special, more deserving. We numb ourselves with work, with food, with sex, just so we don’t have to sit with oursevles and introspect, feel our pain, and face our deepest fears.
When we persist in ignoring the obvious, the universal truths that bind us and remind us of our shared humanity, what are our chances? The author seems to be saying: Not so good, unless we take the deviousness out of love.
January 21, 2025
Having very much enjoyed Ray Gregory’s Curves and Twists, I was pleased to discover his latest collection of short stories Devious Love. It didn’t disappoint: this book is another box of jewels — sparkling, bright, at times hard-edged enough to cut.
These six tales are deftly, fluently and elegantly written, with nimble, almost-under-the-radar wordplay and sly, slanting humour as the author pokes gentle, articulate but deadly bulls-eye fun at conventions and expectations.
As with Curves and Twists, intrigues, conspiracies, and underhand machinations abound. The stories play cleverly with various manifestations of love in all its guises, threaded with nemesis and payback, transgression and surprise. There are delightfully original premises, irony (dramatic and otherwise), and indeed twists, but not so many as to give the reader whiplash — just one or two per story, in just the right place, and unexpected enough to take one’s breath away on occasion.
My one caveat, as other reviewers have also suggested, is that the penultimate story (Convenient Neighbours) is more sexually explicit and, shall we say, non-vanilla than readers may expect; I suspect that some will regard it as going beyond the author’s generic warning of ‘Contains sex, violence, bad language, etc.’ But Gregory’s treatment of the subject is never disrespectful and the story’s arc is as unpredictable as, paradoxically, is to be expected from this gifted writer.
A final plus is the author’s striking and imaginative illustrations on the cover and introducing each story.
These six tales are deftly, fluently and elegantly written, with nimble, almost-under-the-radar wordplay and sly, slanting humour as the author pokes gentle, articulate but deadly bulls-eye fun at conventions and expectations.
As with Curves and Twists, intrigues, conspiracies, and underhand machinations abound. The stories play cleverly with various manifestations of love in all its guises, threaded with nemesis and payback, transgression and surprise. There are delightfully original premises, irony (dramatic and otherwise), and indeed twists, but not so many as to give the reader whiplash — just one or two per story, in just the right place, and unexpected enough to take one’s breath away on occasion.
My one caveat, as other reviewers have also suggested, is that the penultimate story (Convenient Neighbours) is more sexually explicit and, shall we say, non-vanilla than readers may expect; I suspect that some will regard it as going beyond the author’s generic warning of ‘Contains sex, violence, bad language, etc.’ But Gregory’s treatment of the subject is never disrespectful and the story’s arc is as unpredictable as, paradoxically, is to be expected from this gifted writer.
A final plus is the author’s striking and imaginative illustrations on the cover and introducing each story.
September 2, 2025
A Raw and Riveting Exploration of Love
'Devious Love: Six Stories' is an unforgettable collection that immediately grabs you and doesn't let go until the very last page. True to his raw approach toward universal themes, Ray Gregory delivers yet another unflinching look at human connection, love, and desire in a way that feels like a slap in the face you didn't know you needed. Each of the six stories is a masterclass in modern storytelling, offering a biting, sometimes disturbing, but always gripping look at the deceptions we embrace to get what we want.
The characters are as varied as they are compelling, and the prose is ever sharp and direct, with a biting wit that makes the dark reality of each tale surprisingly digestible. In this book, Gregory captures a twisted, exaggerated truth that feels more real than fiction, proving that life's complexities often exceed our wildest imagination. It boldly explores the full spectrum of human desire, peeling back layers of nature in a way that is both powerful and profound.
For readers tired of beautified stories and predictable plots, 'Devious Love' is a breath of fresh, albeit unsettling, air. Brilliant!
'Devious Love: Six Stories' is an unforgettable collection that immediately grabs you and doesn't let go until the very last page. True to his raw approach toward universal themes, Ray Gregory delivers yet another unflinching look at human connection, love, and desire in a way that feels like a slap in the face you didn't know you needed. Each of the six stories is a masterclass in modern storytelling, offering a biting, sometimes disturbing, but always gripping look at the deceptions we embrace to get what we want.
The characters are as varied as they are compelling, and the prose is ever sharp and direct, with a biting wit that makes the dark reality of each tale surprisingly digestible. In this book, Gregory captures a twisted, exaggerated truth that feels more real than fiction, proving that life's complexities often exceed our wildest imagination. It boldly explores the full spectrum of human desire, peeling back layers of nature in a way that is both powerful and profound.
For readers tired of beautified stories and predictable plots, 'Devious Love' is a breath of fresh, albeit unsettling, air. Brilliant!
January 8, 2025
This collection was a great find. Each of the stories was well-crafted with an imaginative premise which drew me right in and kept me guessing about where the story might go. Some of the twists I didn’t see coming, particularly the ending of ‘Weight Loss Wizard’ and ‘The Blind Mammographer’ which were satisfying as well as clever, and the ending of ‘Last Try’ was a great thought-provoker to finish with. The stories touch on transgressive themes and some are quite graphic, but without verging into the overly shocking or crude – a fine balancing act which has been done with skill. I would definitely recommend this book as one to pick up in the evenings when you’re looking for a satisfying story that will fit nicely into an hour or so, that will be easy to get into, and which will leave you wanting to read more of the author’s work.
January 25, 2025
Ray Gregory’s, "Devious Love: Six Stories" is a daring and captivating exploration of love in its most unfiltered, unpredictable forms. Through six distinct and thought-provoking tales, Gregory delves into the complexities of human relationships, highlighting the various ways love can manifest. Sometimes beautiful, sometimes disturbing, and always compelling. The characters in this collection are as diverse as their stories, ranging from a senator’s beautiful yet brainy trophy wife to a guru with an unbelievable shtick, a reformed man offering a controversial weight-loss method, and a couple lost in the world of 1950s car culture. Each story brings something unique to the table, allowing readers to experience love through different lenses, including those of art, lust, and even violence. Gregory’s unapologetic approach to depicting love as a multifaceted, often messy, and sometimes controversial force sets this book apart. The rawness and intensity of these stories, which include explicit content, strong language, and challenging themes, might not be for everyone, but for readers willing to step out of their comfort zone, Devious Love offers a deeper, more nuanced understanding of human desire and connection. While the book’s boldness may confront conventional beliefs or sensitivities, it provides an enriching, unforgettable reading experience that pushes the boundaries of what we expect from stories about love. Gregory’s ability to provoke thought and leave a lasting impression makes this collection a must-read for those seeking literature that challenges and excites. Devious Love is a book that lingers in the mind long after the final page.
February 3, 2025
Ray Gregory delivers six compelling tales of devious love - manipulative, vengeful, obsessive, and, at times, unexpectedly tender, with his signature sharp wit, biting satire, and an unflinching gaze into the human psyche.
Having enjoyed Dark Treats and Curves & Twists, I loved this electrifying collection even more.
My favorite story was Wife and Heir. Ten (a perfect name for the perfect 10 senator’s wife) orchestrates a masterfully satisfying act of revenge with the help of a trusted PI friend. It felt deeply cathartic to me in a revenge-is-sweet kind of way.
The characters in Devious Love are as colorful as they are morally ambiguous. From a guru with an absurdly manipulative philosophy to an artist whose passion for her work takes on an erotic edge, each protagonist is vividly drawn and disturbingly believable.
Gregory breathes life into his characters, exposing their flaws, desires, and Machiavellian tendencies in humorous and unsettling ways. His prose is razor-sharp, his wordplay and pacing immaculate.
Themes of power, deception, lust, and retribution laced with irony in perfectly-timed twists, made for a deliciously dark read.
Yes, the book has some explicit content, strong language, and graphic scenes, particularly in Convenient Neighbors, but it never felt gratuitous.
To my mind, this collection cements Gregory's reputation as a master of dark fiction. If you enjoy clever and audacious stories, you’ll love Devious Love. Prepare to be shocked, amused, and utterly captivated. I was!
Having enjoyed Dark Treats and Curves & Twists, I loved this electrifying collection even more.
My favorite story was Wife and Heir. Ten (a perfect name for the perfect 10 senator’s wife) orchestrates a masterfully satisfying act of revenge with the help of a trusted PI friend. It felt deeply cathartic to me in a revenge-is-sweet kind of way.
The characters in Devious Love are as colorful as they are morally ambiguous. From a guru with an absurdly manipulative philosophy to an artist whose passion for her work takes on an erotic edge, each protagonist is vividly drawn and disturbingly believable.
Gregory breathes life into his characters, exposing their flaws, desires, and Machiavellian tendencies in humorous and unsettling ways. His prose is razor-sharp, his wordplay and pacing immaculate.
Themes of power, deception, lust, and retribution laced with irony in perfectly-timed twists, made for a deliciously dark read.
Yes, the book has some explicit content, strong language, and graphic scenes, particularly in Convenient Neighbors, but it never felt gratuitous.
To my mind, this collection cements Gregory's reputation as a master of dark fiction. If you enjoy clever and audacious stories, you’ll love Devious Love. Prepare to be shocked, amused, and utterly captivated. I was!
March 12, 2025
Ray Gregory has two major virtues as a writer, he writes clearly and he wants the reader to have a good time.
In this collection, I had a clear favourite—the tale of weight loss guru, Ron. This story is a fun critique of how appetite, avarice, and lust interplay and control the lives of Americans. When overweight Ronald loses his appetite for food, it gives him an opportunity to satisfy his carnal and acquisitive appetites.
Gregory casts a satirical eye over the sex lives of the kind of Americans we often see on TV: those with established careers, financial stability, and time to get into trouble. We have vain Angelinas looking for spiritual guidance from a dodgy blind man, an in-the-closet conservative Texan politician in Washington, and a middle-aged successful business owner dabbling in S&M with the artist next door. All these tales were amusing but I found the characters somewhat generic and the ground covered familiar.
Although not stated, and perhaps not intended, these stories have a late twentieth century feel to them.
The last story is about the second-coming of Jesus. The man himself tells Americans what they’ve got wrong about his teachings. Not surprisingly, he gets labeled a commie. This story was quite ambitious and tied the collection together.
The author himself designed the cover and added an image to the beginning of each story. I thought he did a top notch job of this.
In this collection, I had a clear favourite—the tale of weight loss guru, Ron. This story is a fun critique of how appetite, avarice, and lust interplay and control the lives of Americans. When overweight Ronald loses his appetite for food, it gives him an opportunity to satisfy his carnal and acquisitive appetites.
Gregory casts a satirical eye over the sex lives of the kind of Americans we often see on TV: those with established careers, financial stability, and time to get into trouble. We have vain Angelinas looking for spiritual guidance from a dodgy blind man, an in-the-closet conservative Texan politician in Washington, and a middle-aged successful business owner dabbling in S&M with the artist next door. All these tales were amusing but I found the characters somewhat generic and the ground covered familiar.
Although not stated, and perhaps not intended, these stories have a late twentieth century feel to them.
The last story is about the second-coming of Jesus. The man himself tells Americans what they’ve got wrong about his teachings. Not surprisingly, he gets labeled a commie. This story was quite ambitious and tied the collection together.
The author himself designed the cover and added an image to the beginning of each story. I thought he did a top notch job of this.
January 17, 2025
Ray Gregory's Devious Love: Six Stories offers an exploration of love in its broadest and most unconventional forms. Through six distinct tales, Gregory examines the nuances of human relationships, desire, and the emotional complexities that tie us together. The diverse cast of characters and their stories truly captivated me, as each brought an intriguing perspective on what love can mean.
What I particularly appreciated about this book was the author’s daring approach to tackling love not just as a romantic ideal, but as a force that influences us in unexpected, sometimes even unsettling, ways. Gregory isn’t afraid to push boundaries, presenting love in its raw, unfiltered, and often controversial forms.
That said, a word of caution to potential readers: the stories include some themes that may challenge conventional beliefs. If you’re squeamish about sexual topics or have strong religious sensitivities, you might find certain elements confronting—or even blasphemous. For me, these aspects added depth and boldness to the stories, but they certainly won't be for everyone.
Overall, Devious Love is a thought-provoking read for those open to an unflinching look at the intricacies of love, lust, and human connection. It’s a book that lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the final page.
What I particularly appreciated about this book was the author’s daring approach to tackling love not just as a romantic ideal, but as a force that influences us in unexpected, sometimes even unsettling, ways. Gregory isn’t afraid to push boundaries, presenting love in its raw, unfiltered, and often controversial forms.
That said, a word of caution to potential readers: the stories include some themes that may challenge conventional beliefs. If you’re squeamish about sexual topics or have strong religious sensitivities, you might find certain elements confronting—or even blasphemous. For me, these aspects added depth and boldness to the stories, but they certainly won't be for everyone.
Overall, Devious Love is a thought-provoking read for those open to an unflinching look at the intricacies of love, lust, and human connection. It’s a book that lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the final page.
February 15, 2025
Having previously read Dark Treats by this author, I was delighted to come across more of his short stories. Both the title and book cover promised an interesting read, and I was not disappointed. Ray Gregory's prose flows effortlessly throughout these six short stories. Humanity's weaknesses and sometimes obsessive nature is laid bare with no holds barred. Explicit content, obsession and challenges to conventional beliefs are displayed in well crafted characters. The writing style is strong and compelling.
I particularly liked the last short story, The Last Try, which is perfectly placed at the end. The author exposes the fatal flaws of humanity which will lead to extinction. I felt the author was portraying his own assessment of human behavior albeit in a zany way. This is cleverly broached by introducing alien technology in the second coming of Jesus, who returns in an attempt to save planet earth from its own foibles. Jesus himself challenges the religious beliefs that have been intentionally manipulated and misrepresented throughout history since his death.
Each story is refreshingly different. You do need to be aware that some scenes are disturbingly explicit and definitely an adult only read.
I particularly liked the last short story, The Last Try, which is perfectly placed at the end. The author exposes the fatal flaws of humanity which will lead to extinction. I felt the author was portraying his own assessment of human behavior albeit in a zany way. This is cleverly broached by introducing alien technology in the second coming of Jesus, who returns in an attempt to save planet earth from its own foibles. Jesus himself challenges the religious beliefs that have been intentionally manipulated and misrepresented throughout history since his death.
Each story is refreshingly different. You do need to be aware that some scenes are disturbingly explicit and definitely an adult only read.
January 30, 2025
As I delved into the pages of this collection of short stories by Ray Gregory, I was immediately captivated by his clever and engaging writing style. Each story was filled with unexpected twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. With six unique and diverse offerings, Gregory showcases his wit, imagination, and mastery of storytelling. From thrilling adventures to heartfelt tales, this collection has something for every reader to enjoy and savor.
The author boldly delves into controversial themes, unafraid to explore the complexity of subjects such as sex and religion. The way these topics are handled is thought-provoking and is wildly balanced in terms of how he approaches them. Rather than shying away from the controversial, the author fearlessly confronts them with an intriguing spin that captures the reader's attention.
The writing for the most part was sharp and quick-witted, capturing the raw human behaviors which included their flaws. Envy, greed, gluttony, and lust danced among the pages, but there were also moments of humor, tenderness, and love that added depth to the characters.
The author boldly delves into controversial themes, unafraid to explore the complexity of subjects such as sex and religion. The way these topics are handled is thought-provoking and is wildly balanced in terms of how he approaches them. Rather than shying away from the controversial, the author fearlessly confronts them with an intriguing spin that captures the reader's attention.
The writing for the most part was sharp and quick-witted, capturing the raw human behaviors which included their flaws. Envy, greed, gluttony, and lust danced among the pages, but there were also moments of humor, tenderness, and love that added depth to the characters.
February 11, 2025
Devious Love by Ray Gregory
The author is obsessed with women characters. That’s not a bad thing. In fact, it made for six very different odd-ball stories. The first story, “Wife and Heir,” leads us along the garden path while wondering ‘when is that main male character going to get his comeuppance?’ Will he? Does He? I leave that to the reader to decide.
“The Blind Mammographer” made clear the author has a ‘thang’ for big-breasted women. Well, he's a guy. No question of that.
The last two short stories were the most interesting and different. “Convenient Neighbors” resembled a story you might hear every day in divorce court, and yet it was far and away a unique story. Ray is inventive and tells an excellent tale of obsession, sex, love, and introspection.
“Last Try” I absolutely loved. It created a joyous fixation to read Gregory’s interpretation of a second coming. It took me back to the pleasure of reading the Gears’ book The Betrayal. Gregory’s is based on current-day using fictional advanced science, yet the basic sentiment is strikingly similar but uniquely his own and a genuine delight to read.
The author is obsessed with women characters. That’s not a bad thing. In fact, it made for six very different odd-ball stories. The first story, “Wife and Heir,” leads us along the garden path while wondering ‘when is that main male character going to get his comeuppance?’ Will he? Does He? I leave that to the reader to decide.
“The Blind Mammographer” made clear the author has a ‘thang’ for big-breasted women. Well, he's a guy. No question of that.
The last two short stories were the most interesting and different. “Convenient Neighbors” resembled a story you might hear every day in divorce court, and yet it was far and away a unique story. Ray is inventive and tells an excellent tale of obsession, sex, love, and introspection.
“Last Try” I absolutely loved. It created a joyous fixation to read Gregory’s interpretation of a second coming. It took me back to the pleasure of reading the Gears’ book The Betrayal. Gregory’s is based on current-day using fictional advanced science, yet the basic sentiment is strikingly similar but uniquely his own and a genuine delight to read.
June 12, 2025
Edgy, Witty, Bold, with Unexpected Twists
This book contains a thrilling collection of six sharply inventive short stories centered on the fact that everyone needs love, and sometimes the circumstances are not ideal. It shows up the dynamics of being and having a trophy wife, a weight-loss guru and an intrepid TV reporter.
Each of the stories was well‑crafted with an imaginative premise. Some of the twists I didn’t see coming, a fine balancing act which has been done with skill. It has sharp wit and audacious characters, with not too raw adult themes.
There is a blend of humour, sex, violence, and sharp dialogue into engaging narratives with satisfying, and sometimes surprising twists. There are high emotional stakes and crisp and accessible storytelling. The diversity of themes, from lust to ambition, keeps each tale fresh and unpredictable.
While occasionally graphic, the tone never veers into gratuitous territory. Instead, it’s a bold exploration of love in all its messy forms. It’s an entertaining and thought-provoking read that showcases the author’s talent for twisting expectations.
This book contains a thrilling collection of six sharply inventive short stories centered on the fact that everyone needs love, and sometimes the circumstances are not ideal. It shows up the dynamics of being and having a trophy wife, a weight-loss guru and an intrepid TV reporter.
Each of the stories was well‑crafted with an imaginative premise. Some of the twists I didn’t see coming, a fine balancing act which has been done with skill. It has sharp wit and audacious characters, with not too raw adult themes.
There is a blend of humour, sex, violence, and sharp dialogue into engaging narratives with satisfying, and sometimes surprising twists. There are high emotional stakes and crisp and accessible storytelling. The diversity of themes, from lust to ambition, keeps each tale fresh and unpredictable.
While occasionally graphic, the tone never veers into gratuitous territory. Instead, it’s a bold exploration of love in all its messy forms. It’s an entertaining and thought-provoking read that showcases the author’s talent for twisting expectations.
July 4, 2025
This is the third book by Ray Gregory I’ve explored, and it’s another compelling collection. The subjects he tackles include desire, deception, control, belief systems, and the often chaotic ways people pursue connection. Each story operates in its own space, but they’re all tied together by the theme that love isn’t always clean or kind. Some pieces are unsettling, others are oddly humorous, and a few manage to be both. My favorites were “Wife and Heir” and “Weight Loss Wizard.” The characters in those stood out, and the endings left a strong impression. Gregory’s prose is direct and sharp, with just enough wit to make the darker moments digestible. The pacing is tight, and the ideas hit without dragging. He doesn’t shy away from taboo or controversial material, which I appreciated. Some scenes are very graphic, so it’s not for sensitive readers, but nothing felt out of place or gratuitous. It all served a purpose. If you’re interested in offbeat, thought-provoking stories about human nature and the ways we distort love and truth, this is a worthwhile read. Not my absolute favorite of his, but definitely impressive.
January 19, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of short stories by Ray Gregory. His writing is clever, engaging, witty, imaginative and always delivered with an unexpected twist. There are seven stories in total and all very different offerings. The two that stood out for me were ‘Wife and Heir’ and ‘Convenient Neighbors.’ Both explore the concept of marriage and relationships, which Gregory excels at, having also read his other short story collections. He doesn’t shy away from taboo subjects either. In fact, everything is on the table - infidelity, incest, greed, religion, homosexuality - highlighting the ways in which the sexes deceive each-other. I found ‘Convenient Neighbors’ particularly entertaining and despite the undercurrent of cynicism and detachment between the two protagonists at the beginning (and without giving away any spoilers) love seems to - shock, horror - prevail in the end. A recommended read if you enjoy stories delivered a little on the dark side. You won’t be disappointed.
February 1, 2025
I'm usually leery of short story collections by authors I'm not familiar with, but the descriptions of the short stories in the blurb caught my attention. I concur with much of what other reviewers have pointed out: Gregory explores love from very distinct angles. The characters, their mannerisms, and ways of thinking are all completely different from each other from story to story. That's not an easy thing to accomplish, and I was pleasantly surprised with every piece that I read. I did feel, though, that the writing was uneven. There were some inspired lines, certainly. I laughed out loud at, "Could an editor/novelist and his weird, standoffish wife be more boring than the rest of the new neighbors?" In other places though, I felt like actions were skipped, referred to with a vague description, or a bit overdone in terms of how characters were described. All things considered though, this was an interesting read. The stories kept my attention, and I closed the book (Kindle) feeling glad that I read them.
April 26, 2025
'Devious Love' is a well-written and memorable collection of short stories, each offering a sharp, often dark glimpse into the flaws of human nature. The characters are vividly drawn and stay with you long after reading - although many of them aren’t especially likeable. Thankfully, most get their just desserts in satisfyingly clever ways.
Among the collection, 'The Weight Loss Wizard' stood out as a particular favourite for me, with a clever twist at the end.
It’s worth noting that while sex is a theme throughout the stories, Convenient Neighbours is significantly more sexually explicit - and at times, a very uncomfortable read. Readers sensitive to such content might want to approach with caution.
Additionally, those with strong religious beliefs may find the final story, centred around the second coming of Jesus, potentially offensive. That said, it’s written with a level of cleverness that matches the rest of the collection.
Overall, 'Devious Love' is a very clever, striking read - memorable for its boldness, its twists, and its willingness to push boundaries.
Among the collection, 'The Weight Loss Wizard' stood out as a particular favourite for me, with a clever twist at the end.
It’s worth noting that while sex is a theme throughout the stories, Convenient Neighbours is significantly more sexually explicit - and at times, a very uncomfortable read. Readers sensitive to such content might want to approach with caution.
Additionally, those with strong religious beliefs may find the final story, centred around the second coming of Jesus, potentially offensive. That said, it’s written with a level of cleverness that matches the rest of the collection.
Overall, 'Devious Love' is a very clever, striking read - memorable for its boldness, its twists, and its willingness to push boundaries.
June 24, 2025
I do like short stories because I can get quick satisfaction in a fast resolution. The pace of these stories was well done, and they did keep me engrossed to a point. The first story, Wife and Heir, was satisfying with the revenge trope, though there were some scenes I had to scroll through. Gregory’s characters in this book were the kind who you enjoy disliking as the worst antagonists. I could not really find one character in these tales that I would classify as a protagonist, as everyone seemed to epitomize the worst in human nature. The Blind Mammographer was a bit humorous, and it felt like a true representation of how Hollywood is. These stories had a lot of tropes I don’t normally like, so I did find myself scrolling through portions I’d rather not read with the overly explicit content. That’s on me, as the book description does warn of it. Readers of satire fiction and contemporary fiction who enjoy a debased edginess in the story, Devious Love is for you. It was 3.5 stars for me.
April 25, 2025
I’ve previously read and reviewed ‘Old Souls’ by this author, which I really liked, so had some idea what I would get.
Yes, the writing style is familiar and the stories are nicely ‘out there’ and highly imaginative, but they’re quite varied. Politics, religion, business and sex all get covered, as love is explored from many directions.
The stories are out of the mainstream and keep you guessing until the end, while the humour is great. Each of the six stories can be tackled in less than 45 minutes, so it’s perfect for an evening read. If anything, the longer stories worked better for me than the short ‘Love on Wheels’. My favourite was ‘Wife and Heir.’
The warning about the sex, violence and bad language was fine for me. I’ve read far more graphic stuff and I don’t think it will be offensive to many, but it’s not one for the children.
Yes, the writing style is familiar and the stories are nicely ‘out there’ and highly imaginative, but they’re quite varied. Politics, religion, business and sex all get covered, as love is explored from many directions.
The stories are out of the mainstream and keep you guessing until the end, while the humour is great. Each of the six stories can be tackled in less than 45 minutes, so it’s perfect for an evening read. If anything, the longer stories worked better for me than the short ‘Love on Wheels’. My favourite was ‘Wife and Heir.’
The warning about the sex, violence and bad language was fine for me. I’ve read far more graphic stuff and I don’t think it will be offensive to many, but it’s not one for the children.
January 21, 2025
Impressively imaginative plots (some raunchy) with delightfully audacious characters.
This is the second short story collection I've read by Ray Gregory, and this latest one really impressed me with the ingenuity of the plots. There's a warning on the book description that says “Contains some sex, violence, bad language, etc. — but nothing worse than you can see on TV any day.” That's mostly true, although the penultimate story contains X-rated erotically graphic and sexual scenes with adult language to go with it. It's all part of the storyline of two neighbours who indulge in some very earthy and sexual extra-marital activities, all in the name of 'art'. It's also a funny and quite touching story and by the end I could see what the author was trying to show. However, some readers may find the sex scenes in that one just too graphic, so perhaps the warning in the description needs to be a little clearer or stronger.
I appreciated the sharp-witted writing and the finely observed human behaviours displayed in all their flawed glory here. There's envy, greed, gluttony and lust ,but also humour, tenderness and love. Some of the storylines had me laughing out loud as the larger-than-life characters pulled off some truly audacious stunts. I found the last story particularly thought-provoking in it's theme, which I won't reveal here as I found it a wonderful surprise and a news story to end all news stories. If you've read any of Ray Gregory's other short stories I'm sure you'll appreciate this collection, but do take note of the very adult content.
This is the second short story collection I've read by Ray Gregory, and this latest one really impressed me with the ingenuity of the plots. There's a warning on the book description that says “Contains some sex, violence, bad language, etc. — but nothing worse than you can see on TV any day.” That's mostly true, although the penultimate story contains X-rated erotically graphic and sexual scenes with adult language to go with it. It's all part of the storyline of two neighbours who indulge in some very earthy and sexual extra-marital activities, all in the name of 'art'. It's also a funny and quite touching story and by the end I could see what the author was trying to show. However, some readers may find the sex scenes in that one just too graphic, so perhaps the warning in the description needs to be a little clearer or stronger.
I appreciated the sharp-witted writing and the finely observed human behaviours displayed in all their flawed glory here. There's envy, greed, gluttony and lust ,but also humour, tenderness and love. Some of the storylines had me laughing out loud as the larger-than-life characters pulled off some truly audacious stunts. I found the last story particularly thought-provoking in it's theme, which I won't reveal here as I found it a wonderful surprise and a news story to end all news stories. If you've read any of Ray Gregory's other short stories I'm sure you'll appreciate this collection, but do take note of the very adult content.
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