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Chains #1
Reckless Endangerment
Drugs, murder, and blackmail. And, if he's lucky, an A in philosophy.
Kip Morales has sworn off dating. He’s had two back-to-back relationships that ended in disaster, and it’s not only impacted his life, but his grades. He’s bound and determined to make it through the semester without so much as looking at a man. That is until he walks into his first class and runs into the tall, brooding deliciousness that is Baxter Griffin.
Still dealing with the aftermath of a rough breakup, Detective Baxter Griffin is not thrilled to be undercover as a professor at Elmbrook Community College. He’s even less thrilled that Uber!Brat Kip Morales is in his class, flirting with him at every turn.
When the faculty member Griffin is investigating is murdered right in front of Kip and then Kip starts being stalked and threatened, Griffin quickly runs out of excuses to ignore him. The more Kip insinuates himself into Griffin’s investigation and life, Griffin isn’t sure whether he wants to kiss him or spank him. Lucky for Griffin, Kip is up for either.
Reckless Endangerment is a slow burn age-gap gay romance between a sassy, meddling brat and an exasperated, grumpy detective. It includes forced proximity, domestic discipline, spanking, a love of chocolate mint, and an inordinate amount of sticky notes. It is the first book in the new Chains series, a set of interconnected romantic suspense standalones that are set in the fictional Clancy County, North Carolina, all with a connection to the local fetish club, Chains.
Kip Morales has sworn off dating. He’s had two back-to-back relationships that ended in disaster, and it’s not only impacted his life, but his grades. He’s bound and determined to make it through the semester without so much as looking at a man. That is until he walks into his first class and runs into the tall, brooding deliciousness that is Baxter Griffin.
Still dealing with the aftermath of a rough breakup, Detective Baxter Griffin is not thrilled to be undercover as a professor at Elmbrook Community College. He’s even less thrilled that Uber!Brat Kip Morales is in his class, flirting with him at every turn.
When the faculty member Griffin is investigating is murdered right in front of Kip and then Kip starts being stalked and threatened, Griffin quickly runs out of excuses to ignore him. The more Kip insinuates himself into Griffin’s investigation and life, Griffin isn’t sure whether he wants to kiss him or spank him. Lucky for Griffin, Kip is up for either.
Reckless Endangerment is a slow burn age-gap gay romance between a sassy, meddling brat and an exasperated, grumpy detective. It includes forced proximity, domestic discipline, spanking, a love of chocolate mint, and an inordinate amount of sticky notes. It is the first book in the new Chains series, a set of interconnected romantic suspense standalones that are set in the fictional Clancy County, North Carolina, all with a connection to the local fetish club, Chains.
347 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 20, 2025
6 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Crystal D. Budy
12 books39 followersCrystal D. Budy has a Master's degree in psychology and utilizes her knowledge to develop flawed, layered characters and enjoys writing books full of mystery, romance, and snarky brats.
She lives just outside Cleveland, Ohio with her husband of nearly twenty years and their clingy black cat.
An avid reader and writer since she was old enough to pick up a pen, she enjoys writing (and reading) about romance and mystery, particularly when they're combined.
She looks forward to sharing stories of love, laughter, mystery, and kinky spice (sometimes all at the same time!) with you, and hopes you'll enjoy her quirky characters as much as she does.
She lives just outside Cleveland, Ohio with her husband of nearly twenty years and their clingy black cat.
An avid reader and writer since she was old enough to pick up a pen, she enjoys writing (and reading) about romance and mystery, particularly when they're combined.
She looks forward to sharing stories of love, laughter, mystery, and kinky spice (sometimes all at the same time!) with you, and hopes you'll enjoy her quirky characters as much as she does.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 27, 2025
Happy release day!!! 🥳🎉✨
Polaris Mysteries friends will recognize some familiar faces in Kip and Griffin, amongst others in town. I’ve only just started but chapter 1 has me hooked (and cackling! Kip is going to make me bust a spleen 😂). Can’t wait to continue on this romantic suspense adventure!
Polaris Mysteries friends will recognize some familiar faces in Kip and Griffin, amongst others in town. I’ve only just started but chapter 1 has me hooked (and cackling! Kip is going to make me bust a spleen 😂). Can’t wait to continue on this romantic suspense adventure!
July 7, 2025
***3.5 Stars***
December 25, 2025
A fun, kinky romance with a suspense subplot
June 27, 2025
Mystery + MM romance + Domestic Discipline Brat dynamic! Really enjoyed it, longer review to come!
June 20, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews