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Unholy Bad Decisions

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TOMMY
I might be a little crazy. I just tried to bribe a priest with a good time. In my defense, he’s not just a priest. He’s Nikolas Stavros—an ex-mercenary, supposedly dead, and the only man who can keep me alive.
I stole from the wrong people, and now I’m on the run. Niko is hot, dangerously capable, and very much not interested in helping a disaster like me. Too bad for him, because when I show up at his church, I’m not exactly giving him the option to say no.
NIKO
A decade of peace shatters the moment a sassy troublemaker lands on my church steps after midnight. I should send him away. The mercenary he’s looking for no longer exists. I’m a man of the cloth now.
But Tommy has zero survival instincts. Without me, he’s as good as dead. The people hunting him aren’t the forgiving type. Protecting him isn’t my job, but the brat is pure temptation. He makes it impossible to say no. And who knows, maybe the crazy mess he drags me into is the kind of out-of-this-world plot twist I’ve been secretly hoping for.

This is a low-angst, action & mystery-packed steamy MM romance with a fun & paranormal-flavored plot twist. It packs size difference (in all the ways that matter), a smartass troublemaker with a non-existent sense of self-preservation, a morally grey ex mercenary with a golden heart, first times, hurt/comfort, forced proximity, a mystery to keep you turning the pages and a gem with a secret that might just change the rules of the world.

257 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 6, 2026

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About the author

J.F. Miev

13 books71 followers

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
Profile Image for ivanareadsalot.
863 reviews272 followers
Did Not Finish
May 4, 2026
I would like to thank GRR for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

DNF @ 29%

I can appreciate this kind of unserious, lighthearted vibe for when a mood calls for goofy, slapstick fluff. But, unfortunately, this narrative didn't work for me at all.
Profile Image for Catarina Águas.
2,438 reviews210 followers
May 8, 2026
ARC review

This was so fun, I love this author.
Tommy was so innocent and dirty when he wanted, loved him.
Niko was all alpha male and so possessive over Tommy, they both were.
They made a formidable couple, they had each other's back.
I love the premise of this book and I need more books in this universe, especially Isidoro's book, I guessed the marriage thing and I'm so glad I got what I wanted.
Profile Image for Karen Bowness.
228 reviews7 followers
May 4, 2026
I went into Unholy Bad Decisions not entirely sure what to expect, but wow… this one leans into messy choices, morally grey chaos, and that “just one more chapter” energy

Nick and Tommy absolutely carry this story. Nick is an ex-mercenary who’s been hiding out as a priest for the last ten years, trying to bury his past and keep his head down until Tommy quite literally storms into his life and blows that fragile peace to pieces. Nick is controlled, guarded, and constantly at war with himself, while Tommy is all intensity and unpredictability, with a loyalty that runs deep even when everything else is falling apart.

There’s an MM romance at the centre, woven right through the mafia chaos and a supernatural element (which I won’t touch on for spoiler reasons). I’ll be honest - the insta-love wasn’t totally my thing - it felt a bit rushed given everything going on. BUT once I settled into the story, the connection between them started to feel more believable amidst the madness.

What really kept me hooked was how fast-paced everything is. There’s constant tension, high stakes, and a cast of interesting side characters who add so much depth and unpredictability to the plot. It’s gritty, emotional, a little unhinged, and definitely addictive.

I received this as an ARC in exchange for an honest review, and I’m really glad I picked it up - perfect if you’re in the mood for something dark, chaotic, and character-driven.
Profile Image for Em (Diversify Your Shelf).
293 reviews30 followers
Review of advance copy
May 5, 2026
*I got an arc.*

CW: age gap; younger MC is a virgin; insta-love; ritual stabbings; graphic sex; secondary character with cancer

TLDR: Sometimes you watch someone get ritually stabbed, steal the dagger they used because it seems pricey, and try to get a former assassin (who faked his own death) turned priest to help you because now people kinda sorta want to kill you. Oops.

~

This book is absolutely ridiculous in the best way. Probably the best way to describe it is the literary equivalent of Sharknado: the enjoyment is not in spite of how illogical and playful the narrative is but rather because of it. The juxtaposition of the fake priest but real assassin falling in love with a little chaotic gremlin is truly joyous. While I was a bit unclear on one character's motivations at the end (are they evil are they not?) and felt the climax was a bit rushed, this didn't take away from my utter joy of reading it.

Unfortunately, my favourite chaotic thing about this book is much too spoilery to mention but I did make my dad listen to me talk about it for twenty minutes in the car today. I've seen reviews say that some parts are confusing and it's not that I disagree, I simply think that's part of what makes this book work: it is a smutty fever dream that works because the entire premise is illogical.

I genuinely cannot wait for the sequel!
Profile Image for Lena.
84 reviews
May 6, 2026
I went into “Unholy Bad Decisions” expecting chaos, and wow—it absolutely delivered in the best way. Tommy is an unfiltered disaster with zero survival instincts and a mouth that never quits, and I loved him instantly. Pairing him with Niko—this broody, morally grey ex-mercenary-turned-priest who’s trying (and failing) to stay detached—was just too good!

The dynamic between them is so fun: equal parts tension, banter, and “you’re going to be the death of me.” The forced proximity and hurt/comfort hit all the right notes, and the chemistry? Yeah… very much there without feeling overdone. It leans steamy, but it’s balanced with action and a genuinely intriguing mystery that kept me hooked.

I also really appreciated the low-angst vibe—it never drags, and even when things get dangerous, there’s this underlying sense of fun and momentum. And that paranormal twist? Didn’t see it coming, but it added a cool layer that made the story stand out.

Overall, it’s a fast, entertaining read with lovable chaos, sharp dialogue, and a romance that just works. Definitely one I’d recommend if you’re in the mood for something spicy, funny, and a little bit wild.
Profile Image for isthisakink.
1,345 reviews26 followers
April 22, 2026
3/5. I have notes.

Okay, but hear me out before you string me up by my toes. The story was chaotic, fast-paced, and did not throw punches. There was all of the trope-y goodness you expect when it comes to instalove in any form. There was steam, and there was sweetness, and there was action and adventure and one hell of a plot.

But it was also disjointed asf. It was messy, the dialogue was choppy and didn’t fit the characters well at times (looking at you, odd lack of contractions for a college kid in the states), and it made it really hard to read through it all. And yeah, that mess added to the vibe of the story, but again, that’s just hard to read. It takes you out of it to have to sit there and reread or correct in your head. The choppy speech made sense for Niko, but not for Tommy. The messiness is just standard messiness these days because I guess it really do be like that in 2026. Shit happens and you deal with it and move on.

In no way am I saying I didn’t enjoy it, but it felt like a backslide from previous work I’ve enjoyed from this author. Like, this felt like a first draft before any editing or rewrites; more a fleshed-out outline that had yet to be polished into the full book. It had the same dreams of matching energies with the Mobsters and Mayhem series, but it fell flat on technical delivery. And I can’t overlook that as much as I’d love to, my genuine bad.

I look forward to the next one, and hope it’s going to feel more finished and less work in progress. Now you’re free to commence with the stringing if the spirit moves.

59 reviews5 followers
May 6, 2026
Father Gabriel has been having impure thoughts about a sexy little twink he helped at a gas station a few nights ago. So he does what any good priest would do and takes himself to confession. The last thing he expects is to hear a familiar voice in the middle of the night asking to hear more about his fantasies - then all hell breaks loose. Gunfire and explosions target his church so what does the good priest do? Pulls a gun from a secret compartment at the alter obviously. The twink from the gas station - Tommy, has made a really poor decision and now has the crimson clan after him, the only man who can save him is an ex-mercenary who everyone believes died ten years ago. What follows is pure chaos, gun fights, a highjacked plane and Nikos best friends who isn’t who he seems.

This book was super fun! Tommy is an absolute chaos gremlin and Niko is the voice of reason in a completely insane situation. Easy read, I enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Dreyyy.
164 reviews
May 7, 2026
[I would like to thank GRR for the advance copy they gave me]

You know what ? Hell yeah !
This book is pure chaos but in a good way, you just need to roll with it. It is fast pace but like really fast, i read the entire book in less than a day.

The thing is the supernatural twist happens at like 60% and there's no previous signs so it kinda comes out of nowhere but i guess it works.

Dont take this book too seriously and you'll have a good moment reading it!

Let's give it a 3,75 ⭐️
Profile Image for Sheena.
836 reviews14 followers
April 28, 2026
- insta-love
- series starter

I am not sure where to start with this review, if I'm completely honest. I dove straight in to this one and let me tell you, it was NOT what I expected at all. That isn't a bad thing, just unexpected. From the instant Tommy met Niko, this was utter chaos. It was all so fast and chaotic, I wasn't quite sure what was happening. While I feel like we got to know Niko a little, at least why he was where he was at the start, I didn't feel connected to Tommy very much. This is a chaotic road trip of a book with a paranormal twist that I really liked.

This is fast-paced, with lots of action and tons of heat once they do get together. I almost got whiplash though from how fast Niko changed his mind, and boom, they were together and in love. It was pretty instant for both and I guess it worked for their characters, I just wish they were a little more fleshed out, I guess.

Isidoro is the most interesting character in the book, and I can't wait for his story next. Overall I really enjoyed this, it was a wild ride and I'm glad I buckled in for it.

I received an advance copy from GRR and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Chantelle Pretorius.
4 reviews
May 6, 2026
This is my first read from this author and I enjoyed it. I don't want to give any spoilers but this was a fun, spicy, fast paced and very chaotic love story. There was no slowing down whatsoever and I couldn't stop reading because I enjoyed the chaos. Tommy is such a brat and Niko is a loveable black cat type. One of my favourite lines was "No one can touch my precious gremlin".
8 reviews
May 6, 2026
(Disclaimer. This review is based on an ARC i received from the author. )

What happens when a reform mercenary turned priest get sucked into playing bodyguard to a brat. Niko wanted solitude and Tommy needs protection. However despite the constant obstacles, the desire between the two are blurring the lines. Will they make it out? A great read and characters you can root for.
Profile Image for J.N. Teague.
Author 3 books1 follower
Review of advance copy
May 3, 2026
I was on the edge of my seat from page one! I loved and also hated the feeling of being so confused a long with the characters. It was the type of book I had to keep picking up. Every time I set it down it felt like I was missing something; like a tv show that continues playing after you walk away. The only criticism that kept it from being 5 starts is the characters often spoke in ways that were slow. A lot of “we are” and never “we’re”. It makes me feel like we were in the 1800’s even though it was present day.
Profile Image for Tara.
156 reviews3 followers
May 7, 2026
DNF @76%
I tried. Really tried. The premise was great but the execution was not.
At times it felt rushed while other times it felt like a first draft.
I wanted to love this but just had to give up.

I received an ARC from Book Sirens for my honest review.
Profile Image for Jennifer Lane.
160 reviews2 followers
May 5, 2026
This book was ok. Storyline was cool. All very Indiana Jones. Niko is very much a “soft for only him” kinda guy. Secret societies. Jumping from planes. Blow jobs against trees in the jungle. Just your average day in romance 🤣

Spice isn’t all that spicy but it has its moments 🌶️🌶️
Profile Image for Megan Warren-Keel.
23 reviews1 follower
May 1, 2026
Really enjoyed this one.

MM | high pace | twist/mystery | instalust

So good. It’s very high paced and immediately grabs your attention. 5 big stars. Do recommend.
Profile Image for Cindy Wilson.
190 reviews1 follower
Did Not Finish
April 27, 2026
I really did try to read the book but it was just too chaotic for me and I wasn’t keen on the insta lust
Profile Image for Dísir.
1,776 reviews189 followers
Review of advance copy
April 24, 2026
Nikolas Stavros has hidden behind the persona of a priest for a decade, successfully deceiving his local community into thinking that he really is one, until a college student bursts into his church and quite literally blows his peaceful world apart. It merely takes a few chaotic minutes to shed that fake priest get-up and flee along with Tommy, whom he actually finds funny, beautiful and too delicate for words—in other words, great to fall in love with instantly.

It turns out that Tommy’s accidental theft of some jewel has put him in the crosshairs of some notorious underworld gang and only Nikolas is able to shield him from the consequences—or at least that’s the outcome Tommy has been hoping for when he finally finds his elusive ‘priest’. But the both of them are still out of their leagues, until a good friend of Niko’s steps into save the day—a move that shifts everything off its axis.

J.F. Miev is a new author to me and as eager as I am to read stuff by authors I don’t know, I’m finding it too hard to pin down my thoughts about ‘Unholy Bad Decisions’. It certainly had a premise that sounded fun and fairly nuts. True to its blurb, the first page drew me into that insanity immediately and never quite let up from there, because it was also inconveniently interrupted by sexy times, multiple times.

This was just too bizarre a read from start to finish. It never quite felt quite anchored in the present given the very vague sense of place, particularly with insertions of humour (?) that didn’t really fit the situation at all. The sheer number of sex scenes pushed the book into erotica in fact, and with the supernatural element that was revealed halfway through made it somewhat campy by the time we got to the climax. Not that I was against the steamy factor, but those rang hollow when I barely felt the chemistry between Niko and Tommy who were really still strangers in every way but had already determined by chapter 3 that they belonged to each other. The instant-lust trope is well in play though, if that is anyone’s jam.

The supernatural addition also wasn’t the pleasant surprise I was hoping for—just my very personal preference—so I did end up skimming quite a lot towards a conclusion that felt too conveniently wrapped up. Sadly, just not my sort of read at all.


*ARC by the publisher via Booksirens
Profile Image for Mayami.
51 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 29, 2026
For me this is a solid 4. I base my reviews on the whole experience of the read, not on specific points. It was a fun book. Plain and simple, I had fun! It was a ride with action, all be it a bit short, and some mystery. The spicy scenes were written very well for the length so 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5 for that.

What Nolan calls him. Pretty little Devil. Cute little king. Oh my gosh!!! Very fitting for Tommy, since he’s as bratty as a brat can be. Who doesn’t love a brat! Their banter is really funny, especially Tommy’s inner monologue. You always get a laugh from most of his inner thoughts.

Tommy and Nico’s bond developed somewhat too fast for me in the beginning. It definitely had an almost too much instalove feel to it. I think Nico’s personality 180° change was a bit too hasty as well for the pacing of the story. (I do get it’s short so things need to move along faster) And the story starts straight in right away. I wish things were expounded more. It’s a short book. You could finish it in a day with the right motivation. It’s for when you want something short and fun, maybe a palette cleanser from a really deep or overwhelming read. I wish it had a prologue or a few chapters in the beginning before the action dove right in just to get a feel for both characters and this world, and some added on to the climax and the end. I always say detailed details are appreciated to get more into the story. (Doña Chela felt somewhat unneeded but that may be due to her being in future books, and the weirdness when the 2 mains are all over each other in very precarious situations) I wouldn’t have minded another 100+ pages added to this since I did enjoy the characters. Isi was fun though I did guess pretty early on about his secret. You get little clues as soon as you meet him. So yeah, just wanted things explained or expounded a bit more, other than that, I enjoyed it.

I'd recommend it for a quick read for some cute fun. I’ll keep an eye out for the next book since I would definitely love to see where Isi goes in this, and ready to see what pops up with Tommy and Nico. Btw, the cover is awesome!

-instalove
-black cat cinnamon roll x bratty golden retriever
-size difference
-age gap
-mafia/paranormal world
-mystery/action
23 reviews
May 7, 2026
Unfortunately for me, there was 1 post on Instagram that openly (no spoiler warning)gave away the twist. Everyone else kept it hidden so that part of the surprise was ruined and I am definitely bitter about it.

i signed up for the ARC because the blurb said it was about an ex-mercenary turned "priest" (Niko) and a younger guy(Tommy) who can only be saved by Niko. Because the twist was spoiled for me, I was able to see and understand the subtle clues throughout the story. I may have completely missed them otherwise and been shocked when it was revealed.

their little meet cute that lead to the confessional scene was pretty funny. And probably my favorite scene in the whole book.

"I grit my teeth. “I did everything right, and what do I get in return, huh? I keep dreaming about that blowjob!” “Ooh, do tell me more, Father,” a lilting voice says from behind the screen."

Doña Chela is such a sweet lady and I love how adventurous and unexpected she is. Might be my favourite side character in this book.

“You are coming with us,” I say in Spanish. She seems surprised by my words. I fear she might turn me down, and I prepare myself for an argument, but then she nods and smiles at me. “I always wished for an adventure. But it never came, no matter how much I waited...."

The pace of the book definitely felt faster in the first 2/3rds. A lot of action going on, constant moving and questions but then they get to Isidoros and it slows. They aren't constantly on edge and running. They made it to safety.... Or do they?

This is where the surprise comes in and you might not see it coming. We learn of new characters which can be used to carry on the series. One couple is very obvious. There's still some unanswered questions at the end but Niko and Tommy have a nice conclusion and hopefully we will hear more about them later.
302 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy
May 3, 2026
What did I just read? I had to check to see if there was more than one author, because Tommy and Nikolas were so uniquely themselves, I thought it was a collaboration with someone. I see some authors having a similar way of writing and speaking, even when the characters are very different, and I am not sure if this did not happen because the author is new to me, or because they did a fantastic job, but each POV was extremely obvious, even without stating who was “speaking”, and I loved it! And there were a gazillion little details that made this book very entertaining, as well as thrilling. I wanted to know what in the world Tommy had stolen (besides stealing Nikolas and his heart, but I am okay with that), but the pace that the author sets is great, did not drag, and there was enough going on that waiting to figure out what in the world that thing was wasn’t an ordeal, not in the least. I felt sorry that Nikolas couldn’t perform the wedding, and the couple probably had to find someplace else to marry, but the action kept me so busy, I forgot all about his past life, trying to keep up with the disaster Tommy walked into. I thought it was utterly fascinating what a true disaster Tommy is, and I was so happy that he found Nikolas, because man… he’s beyond naïve and helpless, but somehow, those traits are utterly endearing. It was a really cool story, with a fantastic ending, and I was so happy that Nikolas got a life he could really enjoy at the end, and Tommy is a little less naïve, and a lot happier than at first. I wonder if there are more after this, because it could be a great series, and I wouldn’t mind reading more about these two, I got quite attached to them.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Abigail Beckwith.
1,801 reviews
Review of advance copy
May 5, 2026
Here's JF Miev's "Unholy Bad Decisions." It's the first novel in the Not Quite Dead series.

["TOMMY

I might be a little crazy. I just tried to bribe a priest with a good time. In my defense, he’s not just a priest. He’s Nikolas Stavros—an ex-mercenary, supposedly dead, and the only man who can keep me alive.

I stole from the wrong people, and now I’m on the run. Niko is hot, dangerously capable, and very much not interested in helping a disaster like me. Too bad for him, because when I show up at his church, I’m not exactly giving him the option to say no.

NIKO

A decade of peace shatters the moment a sassy troublemaker lands on my church steps after midnight. I should send him away. The mercenary he’s looking for no longer exists. I’m a man of the cloth now.

But Tommy has zero survival instincts. Without me, he’s as good as dead. The people hunting him aren’t the forgiving type. Protecting him isn’t my job, but the brat is pure temptation. He makes it impossible to say no. And who knows, maybe the crazy mess he drags me into is the kind of out-of-this-world plot twist I’ve been secretly hoping for."]

YES. All of the yes. SOOO much yes!

I loooved these two. They connected instantly, and very nearly instantly was the love. It was fast, sure, but their lives were on the line again and again. The trust was there right away, the protectiveness was there right away, and the feelings were right behind.

And honestly, I totally forgot about eh paranormal/supernatural aspects until they practically bit me in the ass.

Trigger Warnings: violence, guns, death threats, murder, and more.

#unholybaddecisions #notquitedead #notquitedeadseries #jfmiev #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
Profile Image for Amanda Winter.
1,052 reviews23 followers
May 5, 2026
This is the first book in the Not Quite Dead series and honestly, I went in not totally sure what to expect… but this was chaotic in the best way.

Nikolas (Nick) is a former hitman turned priest, living a quiet, controlled life for the past ten years… until Tommy shows up and absolutely wrecks that peace. From that moment on, it’s just go-go-go. This book does not let you breathe.

Nick and Tommy really carry the story. Nick is all restraint and internal conflict, constantly battling his past, while Tommy is intense, unpredictable, and fiercely loyal. Their dynamic is messy, high-stakes, and a little unhinged...which honestly fits the vibe of the whole book perfectly.

There’s a lot going on here...mafia elements, action, and a supernatural twist (no spoilers 👀) and it all moves fast. Like… blink and you might miss something fast. It definitely has that “just one more chapter” energy.

I’ll be honest, the romance leans pretty insta-love, which isn’t usually my thing. It felt a bit rushed at first, especially with everything else happening. But once I settled into the chaos, their connection started to work more for me within the intensity of it all.

The side characters were a standout too...there’s a lot of personality and potential there, and I’m especially intrigued by Isidoro (very ready for what’s coming next, especially with that enemies-to-lovers setup).

Overall, this was gritty, fast-paced, a little chaotic, and super addictive. Not perfect...definitely could’ve used a bit more build in places, but if you’re in the mood for morally grey characters, action, heat, and a wild ride, this one delivers.
2,069 reviews25 followers
May 6, 2026
Unholy Bad Decisions is exactly what the title promises: gloriously chaotic, laugh‑out‑loud funny, and unexpectedly heartfelt. From the very first page, the book throws you into the kind of delightful mess that only Tommy can create. He’s a complete disaster in the most lovable way—equal parts impulsive, unlucky, and weirdly endearing. Niko, on the other hand, is his perfect opposite: grumpy, competent, and frankly far too good for the situation he gets dragged into. Their dynamic sparks immediately. Every interaction between them has that addictive mix of tension, banter, and genuine connection that makes you root for them even when everything around them is going off the rails. The plot itself is just as entertaining. Mercenary‑turned‑priest Niko has been living a quiet life after faking his death, right up until Tommy crashes into it—literally and figuratively—with a stolen jewel and a dangerous crew on his heels. Their escape leads them to Niko’s friend Isidoro, whose home becomes the backdrop for a twist that’s wild, unexpected, and somehow makes perfect sense in this world. As the three of them team up to take down the Crew, the story balances action, humor, and emotion with surprising ease. Things definitely don’t go according to plan, but watching Niko and Tommy fight, flail, and fall for each other is half the fun. They get their well‑earned happy ending, but the book leaves just enough threads dangling to make you hungry for more. Looking forward to the next book in this series.
359 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy
April 30, 2026
This is my first book by this author, so I was unsure what to expect when I decided to read it, but the cover is awesome and the blurb sounded interesting. Heck, I don't even know if I finished reading the blurb before I said, "Heck, yes, I want to read this!" Thank you to BookSirens and the author for the opportunity to read the book early. What follows are my thoughts immediately upon completing the book, which I read in one sitting. Also, while this is my first book by this author, I can now say that it won't be my last.)

This book was ridiculously fun, funny, exciting, and a bit over the top, and not too deep. This may sound weird, but it reminded me of a genre of movies from the 1980s, like Romancing the Stone, but with a paranormal twist. Like those movies, reading this book filled me with excitement, wonder, laughter, thrills, and an urge to find my own adventure (and possibly a romantic interest, too). The characters are quirky and wonderful. I love the banter between the two main characters. I was hooked from the first chapter and while things wrapped up rather quickly near the end, I think it's probably safe to say we'll "see" these characters again in book two, when we get to read Isi's story.

This book is exactly what it purports to be, and again, the cover is perfect for the characters and the story. If the blurb interests you, and you like fun, quirky, hi-jinx with a side of spice, then you'll probably love this book, too. Enjoy!
25 reviews
Review of advance copy
May 6, 2026
Oh my goodness!

Never have I ever read a book by this author and while I went into this story a little skeptical, a little first read nerves for a story that seemed extremely interesting written by someone I had never heard of, I was almost immediately hooked.

This book is fast-paced. Grabbing your attention from the very beginning until the final word. The character are topnotch and the plot is great.
I absolutely loved it.

Things to consider?
The "twist" might be a tad predictable, or a lot, but I genuinely didn't care. It wasn't about figuring it out myself than it was about seeing how our MCs discovered it.
Also, I saw one of the character labeled with "black cat energy"? Not really, and definitely not in the way some readers have come to expect it. He's a loveable and happy man pretty early on, just guarded and apprehensive for a sec. Still an amazing character though, and you really don't miss it once that label kind of falls away.

My favorite parts?
I love an endearingly capable train wreck of a character. If that doesn't make any sense, just read the book. You'll see it describes Tommy perfectly.
The relationship between the two MC is just adorable. The books is like the cutest, pinch your cheek love story, surrounded by adventure with a paranormal twist.

I really have to that Gay Romance Reviews and the author for the chance to read the ARC. This might have been my first book by Miev, but it definitely won't be my last.

Happy reading.
Profile Image for Tara Baja.
Author 2 books1 follower
May 7, 2026
Ok. At first, the book's plot was a bit unclear. I mean, I got the fact that Nikolaus was a priest/ex-mercinary, and someone was chasing Tommy. But who is Tommy and how exactly did he know about Niko? Being on the run entailed lots of action which I wasn't too into but it's realistic; if people are chasing you and you don't know why, things are about to go down!

Then there's Niko's inner monologue of ignoring Tommy's flirting and advances. It was like, doth protest way too much. But then BOOM, instalove! I swear I missed when it happened but I'm not mad because afterwards, the spice was spicing and I starting paying a little more attention. ☺️ But what really got me invested, which surprised me and has nothing to do with the author, was the paranormal part of the story.

I'm like 30/70 a fan of supernatural books. It varies but as much as I love watching horror, sometimes the books don't do it for me. Regardless, this book did it for me, to the point where I can't wait to read the next book! Also, if it comes out on audiobook, I'd definitely listen again! I'm sure it'd have a more intriguing vibe from the start, grabbing the listeners attention.

Nevertheless, I'm struggling between giving this book a 3.75 or 4 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐. At the end of the day, it most likely will be a 4, just because I want to read the next book! I'm so thankful for J.F. and Gay Romance Reviews for providing me an ARC in reciprocity for my honest review! I think I'm going to subscribe to the newsletter now! 🫶🏽
Profile Image for Angie ✨.
23 reviews
May 6, 2026
Firstly, I want to thank the author for giving lil ol me a chance at ARC reading this for her.
It was my first time reading M/M and I did enjoy certain parts, however there are a few things that stuck with me whilst reading it.

Everything felt a bit rushed, from the character’s relationships to the plot itself. While I am all for action, and jam packed chapters, this felt different.
Right from the get go stuff is happening and it feels that way for over half the book. That pacing then changes, I got to about 70% and had to force myself to continue reading, only for the ending to be completely rushed too.

Secondly, the relationship between the two characters was very rushed as well, and in some cases the dialogue between them was downright cringeworthy. I struggled at certain points to read it, and I had to put it down for a break a few times.
The prime example is Tommy’s dialogue directed at Niko right before spice happens. Or Niko’s use of the word ‘princess’ during spice scenes.

Overall, it felt unfinished, and I feel in this case it definitely could have been a longer book. The plot itself was a big idea, and I loved that but I feel 256 pages just wasn’t enough to adequately convey this story.

Regardless, I’m thankful for this opportunity to ARC read, and I wish the author all the best in her release and future work. ☺️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
22 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 8, 2026
📚✨ ARC Review ✨📚

🇬🇧 **English Version**

This MM romance mixes paranormal elements, mafia vibes, and *a lot* of spice 🌶️

I have to admit… the beginning was a bit chaotic for me. One of the main characters witnesses a suspicious ritual scene, somehow notices matching tattoos on everyone involved, and instead of running away decides to steal a hidden object from them 😅 Add to that a legendary mercenary-turned-priest, a church explosion caused by the mafia (seriously… why not just use the door?), and the setup felt pretty over the top.

BUT — once the story settles, it becomes much more engaging.

The bond between Tommy and Niko is interesting, the paranormal twist adds intrigue, and the characters grow on you as the story progresses. The spicy scenes are well written, even if they happened a bit too early for my personal taste.

✨ Overall, despite a rough start, I ended up enjoying the book and I’m curious to see where the series goes next now that the world and plot are established.

🌶️ Spicy MM romance
🔮 Paranormal elements
🖤 Mafia atmosphere

#ARCReview #Bookstagram #MMRomance #ParanormalRomance #SpicyBooks #RomanceBooks

📚✨ ARC Review ✨📚

🇫🇷 **Version française**

Cette romance MM mêle paranormal, mafia et beaucoup de scènes spicy 🌶️

Je dois avouer que le début a été assez chaotique pour moi. Un des personnages principaux assiste à une scène de rituel étrange, remarque que tous les hommes présents portent le même tatouage (sous leur manteau !?!) et au lieu de fuir, décide de voler un objet caché 😅 Ajoutez à cela un mercenaire légendaire devenu prêtre, une mafia qui fait exploser un mur d’église (pourquoi pas simplement la porte ?), et la mise en place m’a semblée assez excessive.

MAIS — une fois les premiers chapitres passés, l’histoire devient beaucoup plus intéressante.

La relation entre Tommy et Niko fonctionne bien, le twist paranormal apporte quelque chose de prenant, et les personnages deviennent attachants au fil du récit. Les scènes spicy sont bien écrites, même si elles arrivent un peu trop tôt dans l’histoire à mon goût.

✨ Au final, malgré un début difficile, j’ai passé un bon moment et je suis curieuse de découvrir la suite maintenant que l’univers et l’intrigue sont installés.

🌶️ Romance MM spicy
🔮 Paranormal
🖤 Ambiance mafia

#ARCReview #MMRomance #ParanormalRomance #SpicyBooks #Lecture
Profile Image for Sabrina Mordini.
504 reviews15 followers
Review of advance copy received from Altro
April 27, 2026
Rating:⭐⭐⭐
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️

Unholy Bad Decisions is the first book in this new series of standalones.

The book left me a bit on the fence. On the one hand, the premise was super interesting, and the first couple of chapters really hooked me up and didn't let go. On the other, there was so much happening in the last 30% that, in the end, everything felt rushed and the ending didn't really work out for me.

As low angst, spicy stories go, this one hit the mark. We have Insta Lust and Insta Love, the spice comes out at the more inappropriate moments, and is there for entertainment rather than plot development.

I think the paranormal twist, while made sense of some things happening along the way, took a lot out of the storyline, complicating things, and introducing new characters and new elements too late in the story to actually get a proper arc. What really bothered me was reaching the epilogue without realizing the story was concluded. It felt like a cliffhanger, with the author then stating that this couple was done, but the story would continue with the following book. It simply didn't felt finished for me.

This was a new author for me, so I don't know if this is typical for them, or a one off. I'll probably check out the next book, just to see if I can get some closure.
Profile Image for Caroline  Griffith.
279 reviews6 followers
May 7, 2026
This book will have you n the edge of your seat but also kicking your feet with laughter and being delighted at their happily ever after. Niko and Tommy are different in almost every way from their size, age, and life experiences. Niko has been living a quiet life after smart decision-making made him a target. Tommy is running from the same force and through his stubborn will, he found the one man who is willing to run headfirst into the fire. Niko describes Tommy as " My sweet, borderline insane, little devil" and Tommy is truly as described. He's ready to protect his man while having almost no skill aside from his tenacity. This story offers mystery, action, explosives, and is balanced by the heat between two men that builds at the most inopportune times but that makes it all the better. Sometimes love is truly like a spray of bullets, you don't always know how or when you'll get hit but you'll almost always get hit. But finding a true partner willing to duck and dodge the chaos is as rare as the most precious gem. I cannot believe waited this long to read this author but now I am hooked. So time to reorganize my TBR again! And book two is gonna be an insane ride and CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!!
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