Cracks in His Armor: Straight to Gay MM Romance Part 1

by D.J. Love

Cole Steele is brilliant behind a keyboard and brutal with his words. He's used to being underestimated but hates to fail. After getting burned by a dumb straight jock once before, he definitely isn’t falling for the unreadable scowl and square jaw of the SWAT captain he’s now stuck with in the field. But when put face-to-face with danger, his carefully controlled world begins to crack.

Travis McAllister is all muscle, control, and buried emotion. Bound by duty, he thrives on precision in the field, even if it means his personal life is littered with a string of failed relationships because the job always comes first. Working with a reckless, sharp-tongued analyst wasn’t in his plans. Neither was pretending to be his boyfriend. But the more time he spends with Cole, the harder it gets to keep his armor intact and hide from his own emotions.

Thrown into close quarters and even closer encounters, their clashing personalities give way to slow-burning chemistry neither man is ready to admit. But desire doesn’t wait for permission, and soon, their partnership begins to blur the lines between professional and personal.

As the case intensifies, secrets crack through Travis’s carefully guarded walls, and Cole’s façade begins to falter. Just when they finally stop running from what’s between them… one impulsive kiss threatens to ruin everything.

Will the mission slip through their fingers?

Part 1 ends on a cliffhanger—but the explosive conclusion lands next week (April 23, 2025).


Forced Proximity
Grumpy/Sunshine
Slow Burn
Fake Relationship
Straight to Gay
First Time
Protectiveness disguised as professionalism
Cliffhanger Ending

115 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 16, 2025

About the author

Hi, I’m DJ Love. Thanks for taking the time to read my stories. I hope they make you smile, but more than anything, I hope they remind you that love always finds a way.

I won’t sugarcoat it: the world feels heavy right now. As a queer person, I’m scared about what the future might hold. But I still believe in the healing power of love, compassion, and empathy. So I’m going to write about love and keep spreading that message until the tide changes… or until they try to silence voices like mine.

Make no mistake: these are scary times. The forces of fear think they can erase queerness the way King Canute thought he could command the tides. They want to ban books like mine. But we’re still here. We’re still loving. And we’re not going away, even if they ban us and our books, we're not going anywhere.

This isn’t about politics. It’s about the fundamental right to live and love freely.

So if my books give you even a flicker of hope in a dark moment, I’m glad. Remember that every storm passes. The sunshine always comes back, sometimes when we least expect it.

Reviews

[Ed Davis]

I’m not going to leave a rating because this isn’t finished. It’s my own fault because I didn’t read the description and find out that this ends in a cliffhanger. I won’t be reading any more books by this author. I was really enjoying it, but I refuse to read books that end this way. They don’t make me want to read more. They just make me mad.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Travis and Cole . . .

The team was gathering for the FBI-SWAT joint task force briefing. Travis McAllister knew most of them in the room, but the new guy held his attention. His glasses made him look like part of a tech startup and not fit for this dangerous operation. But he sure did capture Travis’ gaze. He wore jeans, a hoodie, and sneakers while Travis wore a black tactical shirt, cargo pants, and heavy-duty boots. Commander Harris called Travis (the SWAT Captain) and Cole (the hacker) to the front of the room. SWAT and Cybersecurity would be working together targeting the Whitaker gang and their drug operation -- and already Travis had his doubts about his rookie partner. Even so, he noticed his protective instinct toward the man kick into gear. Apparently Travis was to be Cole’s guard, his babysitter to get him as close as he needed to be while staying safe. But with the bad guys’ network locked down as tight as it is, they can’t break in from a distance and Cole needs to be physically close to bypass their security in real-time. Cole is tired of being underestimated and he won’t allow for failure. So when Travis gave him “the talk”, he responded that the confidence he exhibits isn’t recklessness; he knows exactly what he is capable of. Travis was even more sure that working with Cole Steele was going to test his patience in more ways than one.

True to their word, both men are good at their jobs and can respect each other. But with danger all around, finally giving into those feelings and what they might mean, were they putting their mission at risk? Travis literally ran out of the room after their kiss. Would they no longer be able to finish their critical assignment together? The answer would have to come even sooner. When Travis rushed away from Cole and Commander Harris now has to reach him immediately, how would Cole find him to deliver the information? Would Travis respond to the message Cole sends? Could Travis be captured or hurt and unable to respond? What should he do?

[Patti Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to Read!! This book is hard to put down once you get started. This book finds Cyber Security and Swat working together. Travis McAllister is a SWAT Captain, ready to go at all times. Cole Steele is a Hacker in Cyber Security and fresh out of the Academy. Cole is more at home in front of his Laptop instead of outside in the middle of everything. Since they are Targeting the Whitaker Gang it requires both of them to be out in the field. First they get setup on the stakeout in a Van next to a utility box, trying to break the code and access the encrypted texts. After the first day they find an apartment that they set up in. Cole is in front of the Laptop all the time trying to break the code, Travis is keeping watch out the window to see what is happening. Travis tries to keep his mind clear, and not think about Cole. In the next video meeting Cole tells Commander Harris that he has got through a few messages and Denton is running five different drops and handling all the logistics. Denton is a key player to watch. A time and location was set for a meeting between Denton and the supplier, Travis and Cole are to go and observe and get pictures only then report back. Sitting at the location Travis gets antsy and Cole cannot be quiet. Finally cars show up and the people go inside the abandoned factory. Travis and Cole are to far away to get good pictures so they go closer. Taking pictures of license plates and then going inside the building to get a clearer picture Cole bumps into the shelf and a pipe falls and makes a noise. They hide further in the closet until the coast is clear then they run to the van and leave. Cole and Travis fight and Cole goes out for a run. When he gets back they fight some more and Travis runs out. What will happen now????.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Miss · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's definitely potential here.

This is a new to me author that I found through this part being made available for free during a period where I saw and snagged it. I love me some freebies! The writing in this is very good, with no noticeable grammatical errors. World and character building have some pros and cons, but ultimately really good. I don't dislike anything except that it's just part 1 of 3 for the whole story of Cole and Travis. Some elements felt a little rushed, given there are 2 more parts to develop their relationship over, while a few things felt a little drawn out.

The strongest parts are definitely the tropes. How the kiss to not blow a cover/op, fake relationship and confined spaces tropes were used in this were delicious. Cole's backstory definitely needs expanded and explored in regard to his falling for a straight jock issues. Travis's conflicted interest also needs more work to explore how much his interest in men has always been there but stifled and repressed by his father's rigid beliefs and the upbringing/indoctrination Travis had. Lots of interesting avenues to explore if properly developed. Hopefully, we'll get everything brought together by the close of the final part. I look forward to reading all 3 parts.

[Tony Farnden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cracks in His Armor is a ten chapter read about breaking down barriers but do not expect a happy ending this time. It concerns FBI agents collecting information on a drug gang with a view to taking them down. There are two main characters, the experienced captain Travis McAllister and the inexperienced but ace hacker Cole Steele. They rub each other up the wrong way from the start but they begin to respect each other's skill set and dedication before it all goes wrong. Travis, the straight man, begins to feel attracted to Cole while Cole, the gay man tries to resist his own attraction due to a past experience.

The characters are well drawn and their interactions sparkle with wit, humour and suppressed feelings including anger.

This is a tense piece of writing with the two MCs dicing with death on a couple of occasions. When Travis finally gives into his feelings for Cole it is a disaster and leads to a cliffhanger of an ending. It left me wanting resolution and I just hope that will materialise some time soon.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Winnie Quick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew there would be a major cliffhanger. I KNEW it! I mean, it has Part 1 in the title. But somehow, I still found myself caught off guard and groaning when the book ended. I wanted a resolution so badly. Really, I’m just relieved Part 2 comes out in about a week. I’m going to check for the ARC in hopes I can immediately find out what happens next.

This is my kind of slow burn, where there’s humor and angst sprinkled in with the push and pull. “Walking protein shake” still has me giggling. I want to call someone that to their face now lol. I love Cole. I really do. Travis is great, but Cole just has this chip on his shoulder that really endears me. And I relate to the whole “never again” vibe to boot.

I received a copy of this book directly from the author via Booksprout and this is my honest review. Currently trying to figure out time travel so I can speed ahead to Part 2. I promise I won’t break the space/time continuum! 4.75 stars for having me so engrossed that I didn’t take a single note.

[Margaret Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled onto this one on booksprout and I have to say I'm glad I did. I'm also glad that I only need to wait until next week for part 2.

I liked that it was more about the FBI / SWAT operation than it was about Travis and Cole getting it on. I liked that by the end of the book it was just a confusing kiss and not full on fun times. I only hope that Travis is ok.

I did get a tiny tad bit annoyed that Cole wouldn't let Travis get a word in so we have no idea how he feels about the whole thing and now they can't get a hold of him. I worried that something has happened to him by the Whitaker gang.

[GreenPhoenix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cracks in His Armor is a slow-burn undercover romance that cleverly plays with fake relationships turning all too real. When the protagonist’s carefully constructed defenses begin to show imperfections, love starts seeping in through every vulnerable crack. With witty twists and a touch of undercover intrigue, this story proves that sometimes, the faults in our defenses are exactly what make us irresistibly human.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew this was a cliffhanger before I read it, but I will have a difficult time waiting for book two to be released. This was phenomenal. The author wrote the characters with depth, I could picture them vividly.
The storyline is captivating and exciting. The love story part of this romance is an unbelievably slow-burn that fits into the storyline seamlessly.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cole is a hacker assigned to work with an FBI SWAT team to take down a fentanyl gang. Travis is the straight SWAT Captain that has his back. With a slight age gap and size difference, these two strike sparks from the get go. This ends in a cliffhanger right when it's getting good and since there are two more novellas, hurry and get them out! I received a copy of this through BookSprout and this is my voluntary opinion.

[Sara Sigler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Travis was part of the FBI-SWAT team and was to cover Cole so Cole could hack into their computer system for intel to take down a gang. They had to move into an apartment across from the warehouse so Cole could do his magic in cybersecurity. Travis was conflicted on his feelings so he left after they had kissed and Cole had to go to a rendezvous without Travis.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jocelyn Whaley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cracks in His Armor is only the second book I've read by DJ Love. I was caught up from the beginning. I loved the fact that it is a slow burn. I was able to get to know the MC's. I hated that it ended on a cliff hanger, but I can't wait for part two.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[la review bleu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved to read this longer story of DJ Love! However, it ends on a cliffhanger – can't wait to see where those two men go. Luckily we don't have to wait long. I enjoyed reading this. I really like Travis character. Seeing his struggle to accept his feelings for Cole – hugs! There were some parts I personally didn't like, but overall a great read! I am excited for part 2 !

[Laora · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first read by this new to me author and I did like the pacing and story building.
A quick read with some chemistry in the mix, but no heat, yet. It is to me an opposite attract story. A stake out not realky going as planned. What a cliff, which was mentioned. I want book two quickly and my question is answered.

[Deb Kel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book did everything it should do! Pulled me in to the fast paced storyline with plenty of action. Brilliant characters and relationship build that kept you completely engaged. Plenty of fun moments too and an ending that leaves you avidly awaiting the next book!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Way better than five stars. Smoking hot chemistry. Steamy scenes were detailed and amazing!!! Characters relationship was exciting to read about and I loved their commitment to one another. Loved every second of this awesome story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Travis and Cole are assigned to work together undercover. However their attraction is causing problems. I'm curious how this will work out in the next book.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cole is a hacker assigned to work with FBI Swat, Travis is the FBI Swat Captain. This is the first part of their story, and I can't wait for part 2.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this a lot

I'm not good at writing reviews, but this was good. I usually don't like when one of the mc's is being childish and Cole was definitely that, but he wasn't that bad. I'm about to tackle part 2.

[Amanda Reeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cracks in his Armor is the first book in this trio about Cole and Travis. I really enjoyed this action packed, slow burn read and can't wait for the next in the series.

[Cynthia Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Travis and Cole go undercover as a couple to break up a drug ring. This is part one and ends in a cliff hanger. I really enjoyed this book.

[Tammy · Rating 1 out of 5]

not believable

I only made it through a couple of chapters. There’s attraction…then there’s stupidity. Sorry, but this just wasn’t a believable story line.