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Two Pet Dicks
Old friends and business partners, Maitland Carter and Lenny Fritz, may not be the two sharpest pickle forks in the picnic basket, but they have big hearts. And they are just now coming around to the fact that maybe their hearts are caught in a bit of turmoil.
Diving headfirst into a whirlwind of animal mayhem, these two self-proclaimed pet detectives strive to earn a living, reunite a few poor lost creatures with their lonely owners, and hopefully not make complete twits of themselves in the process.
When they stumble onto a confusing crime involving venomous reptiles, which is rather unnerving since they’re more accustomed to dealing with misplaced puppy dogs and puddy tats, they take the plunge into becoming real-life crime stoppers.
While they’re plunging into that, they’re also plunging into love. They just haven't admitted it to each other yet.
Diving headfirst into a whirlwind of animal mayhem, these two self-proclaimed pet detectives strive to earn a living, reunite a few poor lost creatures with their lonely owners, and hopefully not make complete twits of themselves in the process.
When they stumble onto a confusing crime involving venomous reptiles, which is rather unnerving since they’re more accustomed to dealing with misplaced puppy dogs and puddy tats, they take the plunge into becoming real-life crime stoppers.
While they’re plunging into that, they’re also plunging into love. They just haven't admitted it to each other yet.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 16, 2016
3 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
About the author
John Inman
42 books442 followersA Lambda Literary Award finalist and the author of over forty novels, John has been writing fiction for as long as he can remember. Born on a small farm in Indiana, he now resides in San Diego, California where he spends his time gardening, pampering his pets, hiking and biking the trails and canyons of San Diego, and of course, writing. He and his partner share a passion for theater, books, film, and the continuing fight for marriage equality. If you would like to know more about John, check out his website at----
http://www.johninmanauthor.com/John_I... or follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/john.inman.79
http://www.johninmanauthor.com/John_I... or follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/john.inman.79
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
April 2, 2016
Sometimes you get lucky enough to read the book that is perfect for you in that moment. This was that book for me and my moment. I needed some fun and John Inman delivered it in spades with these Two Pet Dicks.
This is the story of two best friends who decide to open a pet detective agency. They’ve been best friends since they were kids and friends with benefits since they were 13. They’ve always been each other’s firsts, even with boyfriend breaks as they got older. Maitland and Lenny are adorably dense and so San Diego, I loved it. Being a San Diego native along with the author, I can tell you that our town has a certain vibe to it that John Inman captures perfectly.
So, Maitland and Lenny have gotten the boot out of Lenny’s dad’s basement and have opened a storefront for their business. The name, Two Pet Dicks, sounded much better in their heads than it looks on the sign above their door, but it’s all they had cash for and these guys definitely don’t sweat the small stuff. Thus the entrepreneurs embark on the new phase of their business. They get to work right away with an interesting mix of cases; a stolen lizard (that come with bitter exes), a missing foul mouthed and mangy parrot (whose owner is also foul mouthed and mangy), a lost dog with an owner who can only pay with an ice cream cone (he’s an adorable neighbor kid), a missing gerbil (from a familiar setting) PLUS Maitland’s own incontinent Chihuahua, Pudding Pop and Lenny’s wayward brother’s monkey, the perpetually horny, Ed. This is really only the tip of the iceberg.
While there are a lot of laughs and plenty of physical humor, it’s not ridiculously over the top so that you feel like your reading a gay version of Dumb and Dumber. Maitland and Lenny may not be, as the author says, “the sharpest pickle forks in the picnic basket”, they’re really good guys with good hearts. I couldn’t help but love them both.
The story is told from Maitland’s POV and while he has no problem pointing out Lenny’s shortcomings in the common sense department, he does it in such a sweet loving way that it never comes across as mean spirited. Plus, in the same breath, he’ll sing Lenny’s praises and the balance is perfect for their relationship. Not to mention, Maitland has his own challenges that are plenty obvious and he has no problem admitting them as well.
The entire tale is entertaining as hell from start to finish. What I loved the most though is common for John Inman’s books and that’s the evolving relationship between the MC’s. While I was told about the history that Maitland and Lenny shared, I saw it and felt it right from the beginning. Their conversations read so naturally I could easily see that these guys had been best friends forever. Then, as the relationship starts to evolve into something more, these guys stay in character and roll with it organically and didn’t depend on unnecessary angst or miscommunication to more the story along. That’s not to say they jumped from friends to boyfriends, that wasn’t the case. But, they did start with the sweet little confessions, the extra touches and the lingering looks. It was really the sweetest, dorkiest courtship I’ve ever read and I loved every little ‘moment’.
“Maybe we were now heading down a road we’d been shooting toward all along but were too dumb to see coming.
We couldn’t be that stupid, could we? Let me answer that. Yes. Yes, we could be that stupid. What other two adults would try to make a living in this day and age as pet detectives? Yeah, I think “stupid” probably describes us pretty well.”
There was a mystery that was moving along at the same time their relationship was moving forward, so they had interruptions at pivotal moments, but with each little conversation, the guys would share something new and move closer to big confession time. Since these guys have been friends with benefits since they figured out how fun dicks were, the sex was hot as hell and the temp increased as the book progressed. Their new found feelings made the connection stronger and the sexy times more meaningful. As a reader, I appreciate a good character connection, it makes the boning more than just boning. The feels make the sexy times just that much more delicious.
One little thing that stuck with me was Lenny’s use of the shortened version of Maitland’s name, Mait. Really, not a big deal, but it struck me as adorable and I realized how much I like that name. Obviously Lenny did too. Ok, one more little thing, Lenny could not get a handle on ‘herpetologist’ and that running joke amused me to no end. Herpetologist? Herbivore? Hermaphrodite? All the same right? Oh Lenny, bless your heart.
I would be completely remiss to not mention the absolutely fabulous appearance of Arthur from the Belladonna Arms. He was gerbil sitting apparently when the critter went missing and hired the Dicks to locate the wayward rodent. I like to think he was the perfect Fairy Drag Mother for Lenny and Maitland making sure the love pollen was spread judiciously over the two. Good to know the love pollen works for more than just the residents of the Belladonna Arms.
This is one of John Inman’s FUN books, so there were HEA’s all around and the bad guys/gals got the justice that was their due. I started this on a Sunday afternoon and didn’t break until I finished. I got laughs and just the right amount of feels and heat to keep me hooked from the time the guys hung their sign above the door.
**a copy of this story was provided for an honest review**
This is the story of two best friends who decide to open a pet detective agency. They’ve been best friends since they were kids and friends with benefits since they were 13. They’ve always been each other’s firsts, even with boyfriend breaks as they got older. Maitland and Lenny are adorably dense and so San Diego, I loved it. Being a San Diego native along with the author, I can tell you that our town has a certain vibe to it that John Inman captures perfectly.
So, Maitland and Lenny have gotten the boot out of Lenny’s dad’s basement and have opened a storefront for their business. The name, Two Pet Dicks, sounded much better in their heads than it looks on the sign above their door, but it’s all they had cash for and these guys definitely don’t sweat the small stuff. Thus the entrepreneurs embark on the new phase of their business. They get to work right away with an interesting mix of cases; a stolen lizard (that come with bitter exes), a missing foul mouthed and mangy parrot (whose owner is also foul mouthed and mangy), a lost dog with an owner who can only pay with an ice cream cone (he’s an adorable neighbor kid), a missing gerbil (from a familiar setting) PLUS Maitland’s own incontinent Chihuahua, Pudding Pop and Lenny’s wayward brother’s monkey, the perpetually horny, Ed. This is really only the tip of the iceberg.
While there are a lot of laughs and plenty of physical humor, it’s not ridiculously over the top so that you feel like your reading a gay version of Dumb and Dumber. Maitland and Lenny may not be, as the author says, “the sharpest pickle forks in the picnic basket”, they’re really good guys with good hearts. I couldn’t help but love them both.
The story is told from Maitland’s POV and while he has no problem pointing out Lenny’s shortcomings in the common sense department, he does it in such a sweet loving way that it never comes across as mean spirited. Plus, in the same breath, he’ll sing Lenny’s praises and the balance is perfect for their relationship. Not to mention, Maitland has his own challenges that are plenty obvious and he has no problem admitting them as well.
The entire tale is entertaining as hell from start to finish. What I loved the most though is common for John Inman’s books and that’s the evolving relationship between the MC’s. While I was told about the history that Maitland and Lenny shared, I saw it and felt it right from the beginning. Their conversations read so naturally I could easily see that these guys had been best friends forever. Then, as the relationship starts to evolve into something more, these guys stay in character and roll with it organically and didn’t depend on unnecessary angst or miscommunication to more the story along. That’s not to say they jumped from friends to boyfriends, that wasn’t the case. But, they did start with the sweet little confessions, the extra touches and the lingering looks. It was really the sweetest, dorkiest courtship I’ve ever read and I loved every little ‘moment’.
“Maybe we were now heading down a road we’d been shooting toward all along but were too dumb to see coming.
We couldn’t be that stupid, could we? Let me answer that. Yes. Yes, we could be that stupid. What other two adults would try to make a living in this day and age as pet detectives? Yeah, I think “stupid” probably describes us pretty well.”
There was a mystery that was moving along at the same time their relationship was moving forward, so they had interruptions at pivotal moments, but with each little conversation, the guys would share something new and move closer to big confession time. Since these guys have been friends with benefits since they figured out how fun dicks were, the sex was hot as hell and the temp increased as the book progressed. Their new found feelings made the connection stronger and the sexy times more meaningful. As a reader, I appreciate a good character connection, it makes the boning more than just boning. The feels make the sexy times just that much more delicious.
One little thing that stuck with me was Lenny’s use of the shortened version of Maitland’s name, Mait. Really, not a big deal, but it struck me as adorable and I realized how much I like that name. Obviously Lenny did too. Ok, one more little thing, Lenny could not get a handle on ‘herpetologist’ and that running joke amused me to no end. Herpetologist? Herbivore? Hermaphrodite? All the same right? Oh Lenny, bless your heart.
I would be completely remiss to not mention the absolutely fabulous appearance of Arthur from the Belladonna Arms. He was gerbil sitting apparently when the critter went missing and hired the Dicks to locate the wayward rodent. I like to think he was the perfect Fairy Drag Mother for Lenny and Maitland making sure the love pollen was spread judiciously over the two. Good to know the love pollen works for more than just the residents of the Belladonna Arms.
This is one of John Inman’s FUN books, so there were HEA’s all around and the bad guys/gals got the justice that was their due. I started this on a Sunday afternoon and didn’t break until I finished. I got laughs and just the right amount of feels and heat to keep me hooked from the time the guys hung their sign above the door.
**a copy of this story was provided for an honest review**
February 22, 2019
Re-read! Perfect like the first time!
5 stars of laughs!
This book is my first of this author and I have to admit I’ll read another one because this was so funny.
I choose this because I really loved the cover ! No regrets!
A story about two young men starting their new business: Private Investigators for pets. Oh yeah you read well. Pets detective. I mean WTF? After only 3 pages I was laughing so hard.
Their adventures are so epic! I don't know how they'll reach the age of retirement at this rate!
« Lenny and I were wearing so many Band-Aids and had so many boo-boos on every square inch of exposed skin, we looked like we’d been tied to a car bumper and dragged down a gravel road for a couple of miles. Even laughing about it hurt. But we were laughing anyway »
One detective is a hottie black guy named Lenny and the other one is another hottie with red hair named Mait. The story is told by Mait’s POV. And it’s ok because you always know what Lenny thinks because he either says it or Mait translates it for us. These two are totally connected!
About the pets we had:
-Pudding pop: Mait’s chihuahua! He poops and pees everywhere. He was so funny.
-Toodles: the gray with red tail feathers parrot! He gave the best scenes in this! He’s so rude! Almost sent our detective to the emergency room.
-My favorite one: Ed the dirty monkey! Always masturbating or watching soap while eating chips or throwing « the finger » to everyone who dares annoys him. Adorable.
-Figo: the not so real dog of Danny! Danny is a 7 years old boy who just lost his dog. Armed with his 35 cents he decided to hire our 2 detectives. So cute haha. This little boy was so mature that it was troubling. The scene where he comforts Mait is adorable. Loved seeing him happy in the end.
-Fluffy: the white and so ungrateful persian. Epic scene. Just read it!
-Ethel: the gerbil. Hard hard to find his tracks.
-The main investigation was on animals not so domestic => snakes. I hate snakes. Hate it. It’s so scary. The last scene was so horrible, I was shaking while reading it. I hope I’ll never cross the road of a snake personally.
The love story was cute. They’ve known each other forever. Start discovering each other’s body at 13. Best friends. They know each other better than they know themselves. Their love is logical.
An easy reading, funny (++++++) even in the worst situations and adorable (the pets, the characters).
Glad I found this author! Highly recommended!
5 stars of laughs!
This book is my first of this author and I have to admit I’ll read another one because this was so funny.
I choose this because I really loved the cover ! No regrets!
A story about two young men starting their new business: Private Investigators for pets. Oh yeah you read well. Pets detective. I mean WTF? After only 3 pages I was laughing so hard.
Their adventures are so epic! I don't know how they'll reach the age of retirement at this rate!
« Lenny and I were wearing so many Band-Aids and had so many boo-boos on every square inch of exposed skin, we looked like we’d been tied to a car bumper and dragged down a gravel road for a couple of miles. Even laughing about it hurt. But we were laughing anyway »
One detective is a hottie black guy named Lenny and the other one is another hottie with red hair named Mait. The story is told by Mait’s POV. And it’s ok because you always know what Lenny thinks because he either says it or Mait translates it for us. These two are totally connected!
About the pets we had:
-Pudding pop: Mait’s chihuahua! He poops and pees everywhere. He was so funny.
-Toodles: the gray with red tail feathers parrot! He gave the best scenes in this! He’s so rude! Almost sent our detective to the emergency room.
-My favorite one: Ed the dirty monkey! Always masturbating or watching soap while eating chips or throwing « the finger » to everyone who dares annoys him. Adorable.
-Figo: the not so real dog of Danny! Danny is a 7 years old boy who just lost his dog. Armed with his 35 cents he decided to hire our 2 detectives. So cute haha. This little boy was so mature that it was troubling. The scene where he comforts Mait is adorable. Loved seeing him happy in the end.
-Fluffy: the white and so ungrateful persian. Epic scene. Just read it!
-Ethel: the gerbil. Hard hard to find his tracks.
-The main investigation was on animals not so domestic => snakes. I hate snakes. Hate it. It’s so scary. The last scene was so horrible, I was shaking while reading it. I hope I’ll never cross the road of a snake personally.
The love story was cute. They’ve known each other forever. Start discovering each other’s body at 13. Best friends. They know each other better than they know themselves. Their love is logical.
An easy reading, funny (++++++) even in the worst situations and adorable (the pets, the characters).
Glad I found this author! Highly recommended!
March 4, 2016
First off, the title - Two Pet Dicks! How could I not read this?? Also, it's a John Inman, so I knew I'd be in for some fun, giggle-snorts, and John's personal brand of comedy.
And a comedy it is. Maitland and Lenny have been friends (with lots of benefits) since Middle School, and are now the proud owners of their very own Pet Detective office. Both of them are a bit, well, not off, but leaning that way. Not exactly the sharpest tools in the shed. Grown-ups in age, but not necessarily image, and neither quite sure how to bring up with the other that there may be more than just FWB at play.
It may be lurve!!
Their very first client is a well-dressed woman who is accusing her ex-husband of stealing an exotic reptile and wants our Pet Dicks to retrieve it for her. Oh, also the reptile in question is quite venomous, and the ex has a large dog. But she pays the retainer fee, and off they go a-hunting.
While working the missing reptile case, they are also hired to catch an escaped parrot, who's quite foul-mouthed, a missing puppy belonging to a little boy, and a gerbil in hiding, all while unable to keep their hands off each other. Sexy times are happening in their office, in their stakeout van while staking out, while on the lookout for the parrot or the puppy or the gerbil, and wherever else the mood/need strikes.
With his usual humor, the authors takes his readers on a fun ride, with a bit of crime, questionable food choices, and some seriously hissing-mad snakes thrown in for good measure.
And my favorite San Diego drag queen (Arthur from the Belladonna Arms) is making a cameo appearance, dousing Maitland and Lenny in love pollen, because where the two of them are too blinded by the forest to see the trees, Arthur sees at once that he's got two nice young men very much in love. His love spell remains unbroken.
This was a light but laugh-out-loud, super-fun romp, just like I expected. John Inman never disappoints!
** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher. A positive review was not promised in return. **
And a comedy it is. Maitland and Lenny have been friends (with lots of benefits) since Middle School, and are now the proud owners of their very own Pet Detective office. Both of them are a bit, well, not off, but leaning that way. Not exactly the sharpest tools in the shed. Grown-ups in age, but not necessarily image, and neither quite sure how to bring up with the other that there may be more than just FWB at play.
It may be lurve!!
Their very first client is a well-dressed woman who is accusing her ex-husband of stealing an exotic reptile and wants our Pet Dicks to retrieve it for her. Oh, also the reptile in question is quite venomous, and the ex has a large dog. But she pays the retainer fee, and off they go a-hunting.
While working the missing reptile case, they are also hired to catch an escaped parrot, who's quite foul-mouthed, a missing puppy belonging to a little boy, and a gerbil in hiding, all while unable to keep their hands off each other. Sexy times are happening in their office, in their stakeout van while staking out, while on the lookout for the parrot or the puppy or the gerbil, and wherever else the mood/need strikes.
With his usual humor, the authors takes his readers on a fun ride, with a bit of crime, questionable food choices, and some seriously hissing-mad snakes thrown in for good measure.
And my favorite San Diego drag queen (Arthur from the Belladonna Arms) is making a cameo appearance, dousing Maitland and Lenny in love pollen, because where the two of them are too blinded by the forest to see the trees, Arthur sees at once that he's got two nice young men very much in love. His love spell remains unbroken.
This was a light but laugh-out-loud, super-fun romp, just like I expected. John Inman never disappoints!
** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher. A positive review was not promised in return. **
March 18, 2016
Review originally posted at Sinfully.
This book was just a joy to read! Madcap fun, a sweet little love story and a menagerie of rodents, mammals and birds that may just turn you off of pet ownership for good, combine for a friends to lovers story that will definitely lighten your mood.
Life-long friends, currently friends with benefits, Maitland and Lenny are business partners that after two years have just officially moved their business out of Lenny’s father’s basement and into a real office with a sign proclaiming “Two Dicks” (rent is expensive so they can’t afford too many words). They may not be the brightest bulbs in the pack, but they love what they do and are willing to hustle for business. It couldn’t be better timing – or maybe worse timing as they were just about to get some – when a paying client walks in and hires them to find the poisonous pet lizard her ex-husband stole. So begins the mystery portion of the story. As the two dicks investigate her claims, they find that just maybe their client isn’t telling them the whole story.
This is not the only case on their books though. Their cast of quirky clients include a foul-mouthed owner of a foul-mouthed parrot, an adorable little boy who has lost his puppy and the Belladonna Arms’ resident drag queen who lost a friend’s gerbil while petsitting.
In between (and sometimes during) stakeouts and investigation, Maitland and Lenny find plenty of time to get naked and handsy with each other. They’ve also both apparently come to the same conclusion about the future of their relationship, but are continually thwarted in their attempts to talk it out. The two are so comfortable and natural with each other, I had a blast just reading them having a conversation. Lenny can’t keep his hands off Maitland and Maitland can’t stop thinking about getting Lenny back in bed. It’s seriously a wonder they get any work done.
Along the way they pick up a new intern in jailbait Jamie, a manipulative monkey that wreaks mayhem on their lives and find an unexpected ally and friend. Things never go as planned and they’re both willing to laugh at the other’s misfortune before they provide some TLC. They’re more Shaggy and Scooby than Holmes and Watson (even the parrot they can’t seem to catch apparently thinks he’s smarter than they are), but moments of brilliance, a lot of luck and sheer love of what they do make them a success.
Told from Maitland’s POV, Lenny and Maitland come off as two of guys who just woke up one morning and said “Hey, I know, let’s be pet detectives,” probably after staying up all night watching the Ace Ventura Pet Detective movies and having sex with each other. Their relationship is incredibly sweet and sexy. There’s no angst, plenty of humor a bit of mystery, some very sweet moments and a lot of slapstick fun. This is a great light-hearted read for when you want some sexy, sometimes over the top, fun.
This book was just a joy to read! Madcap fun, a sweet little love story and a menagerie of rodents, mammals and birds that may just turn you off of pet ownership for good, combine for a friends to lovers story that will definitely lighten your mood.
Life-long friends, currently friends with benefits, Maitland and Lenny are business partners that after two years have just officially moved their business out of Lenny’s father’s basement and into a real office with a sign proclaiming “Two Dicks” (rent is expensive so they can’t afford too many words). They may not be the brightest bulbs in the pack, but they love what they do and are willing to hustle for business. It couldn’t be better timing – or maybe worse timing as they were just about to get some – when a paying client walks in and hires them to find the poisonous pet lizard her ex-husband stole. So begins the mystery portion of the story. As the two dicks investigate her claims, they find that just maybe their client isn’t telling them the whole story.
This is not the only case on their books though. Their cast of quirky clients include a foul-mouthed owner of a foul-mouthed parrot, an adorable little boy who has lost his puppy and the Belladonna Arms’ resident drag queen who lost a friend’s gerbil while petsitting.
In between (and sometimes during) stakeouts and investigation, Maitland and Lenny find plenty of time to get naked and handsy with each other. They’ve also both apparently come to the same conclusion about the future of their relationship, but are continually thwarted in their attempts to talk it out. The two are so comfortable and natural with each other, I had a blast just reading them having a conversation. Lenny can’t keep his hands off Maitland and Maitland can’t stop thinking about getting Lenny back in bed. It’s seriously a wonder they get any work done.
Along the way they pick up a new intern in jailbait Jamie, a manipulative monkey that wreaks mayhem on their lives and find an unexpected ally and friend. Things never go as planned and they’re both willing to laugh at the other’s misfortune before they provide some TLC. They’re more Shaggy and Scooby than Holmes and Watson (even the parrot they can’t seem to catch apparently thinks he’s smarter than they are), but moments of brilliance, a lot of luck and sheer love of what they do make them a success.
Told from Maitland’s POV, Lenny and Maitland come off as two of guys who just woke up one morning and said “Hey, I know, let’s be pet detectives,” probably after staying up all night watching the Ace Ventura Pet Detective movies and having sex with each other. Their relationship is incredibly sweet and sexy. There’s no angst, plenty of humor a bit of mystery, some very sweet moments and a lot of slapstick fun. This is a great light-hearted read for when you want some sexy, sometimes over the top, fun.
March 18, 2016
Much like finding that oh-so-comfortable friend who gets your humor and your snark, author John Inman was that kind of find for me. His humor, his bawdiness, his slightly over-the-top yet endearing characters all add up to one delicious romantic comedy offering—this time in his latest novel, Two Pet Dicks.
Told in first person, our narrator, Maitland, informs the reading audience that he and Lenny are not the sharpest tools in the box. Well meaning and kindhearted to a fault, the two have been the best of friends since they first hooked up at the age of thirteen. Since both guys share a love of animals, it made perfect sense to become pet detectives. Upon opening their storefront (after being kicked out of Lenny’s parents’ basement), the two dicks gain a few cases that will keep them on their toes. The strangest one is the task of finding a Gila monster named Frederick who has gone missing and is suspected of being kidnapped by the client’s soon to be ex-husband. But all is not as it appears, and what should have been a simple case, turns into a deepening mystery that could have deadly consequences. As things heat up in the case, their personal lives also tip toward the boiling point.
Our two unlikely heroes have been a bit more than friends, on again and off again, for years. Now both of them are between boyfriends, and something strange is happening—all of a sudden there is a growing need to be together not just physically but emotionally as well. But can their fledgling business survive if their new relationship doesn’t work out? And what about their friendship? Could falling in love hurt what has been, up until now, a good thing?
I began this review by commenting on how much I enjoy this author’s use of humor and sarcasm in his writing. It is no joke that I feel John Inman is one of the best romantic comedy writers in the M/M genre today. While his humor is somewhat broad and, at times, very physical, it is also highly intelligent and wrapped in kindness. Maitland and Lenny are both so self-deprecating and very aware that they may not be the brightest, yet they still maintain a sense of dignity that keeps them from falling into some silly, stereotypical Laurel and Hardy figures. It is this quiet sense of respect for each other that carries this novel away from being just a clichéd comedy, to a lighthearted and tender love story. Even if this author’s sense of humor is not one you might embrace, his slightly flawed and fumbling characters are pure writer’s gold. In short, you simply cannot help falling a bit in love with these two guys.
While Maitland was charming, it was really Lenny who tugged at my heartstrings. So sure of himself when it came to detective work, he was so enamored of Maitland—so cautious in approaching him with the idea of being boyfriends–that you could almost feel how nervous he was to suggest it. The thought that Maitland would turn him away would just be too much to bear, and from the careful and genuine way author John Inman writes his characters, you just knew Lenny would be devastated if that were to happen. I loved that there were no soppy or disingenuous admissions of love; rather, there was a slow building acceptance of their new relationship and such wondrous surprise at how much they both enjoyed the new intimacy that meant.
Between belly laughs over the cursing parrot Toodles, the heartbreaking thought that Maitland’s Chihuahua, Pudding Pop, may be lost forever, and an ever increasing mystery surrounding the disappearance of rare lizards and snakes, Two Pet Dicks leads you on a roller coaster ride of fun and mayhem with a little bit of romance on the side. Fast paced, silly and sweet, this novel is a delightful romp that will leave you smiling. I highly recommend it to you.
Reviewed by Sammy for The Novel Approach Reviews
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.co...
Told in first person, our narrator, Maitland, informs the reading audience that he and Lenny are not the sharpest tools in the box. Well meaning and kindhearted to a fault, the two have been the best of friends since they first hooked up at the age of thirteen. Since both guys share a love of animals, it made perfect sense to become pet detectives. Upon opening their storefront (after being kicked out of Lenny’s parents’ basement), the two dicks gain a few cases that will keep them on their toes. The strangest one is the task of finding a Gila monster named Frederick who has gone missing and is suspected of being kidnapped by the client’s soon to be ex-husband. But all is not as it appears, and what should have been a simple case, turns into a deepening mystery that could have deadly consequences. As things heat up in the case, their personal lives also tip toward the boiling point.
Our two unlikely heroes have been a bit more than friends, on again and off again, for years. Now both of them are between boyfriends, and something strange is happening—all of a sudden there is a growing need to be together not just physically but emotionally as well. But can their fledgling business survive if their new relationship doesn’t work out? And what about their friendship? Could falling in love hurt what has been, up until now, a good thing?
I began this review by commenting on how much I enjoy this author’s use of humor and sarcasm in his writing. It is no joke that I feel John Inman is one of the best romantic comedy writers in the M/M genre today. While his humor is somewhat broad and, at times, very physical, it is also highly intelligent and wrapped in kindness. Maitland and Lenny are both so self-deprecating and very aware that they may not be the brightest, yet they still maintain a sense of dignity that keeps them from falling into some silly, stereotypical Laurel and Hardy figures. It is this quiet sense of respect for each other that carries this novel away from being just a clichéd comedy, to a lighthearted and tender love story. Even if this author’s sense of humor is not one you might embrace, his slightly flawed and fumbling characters are pure writer’s gold. In short, you simply cannot help falling a bit in love with these two guys.
While Maitland was charming, it was really Lenny who tugged at my heartstrings. So sure of himself when it came to detective work, he was so enamored of Maitland—so cautious in approaching him with the idea of being boyfriends–that you could almost feel how nervous he was to suggest it. The thought that Maitland would turn him away would just be too much to bear, and from the careful and genuine way author John Inman writes his characters, you just knew Lenny would be devastated if that were to happen. I loved that there were no soppy or disingenuous admissions of love; rather, there was a slow building acceptance of their new relationship and such wondrous surprise at how much they both enjoyed the new intimacy that meant.
Between belly laughs over the cursing parrot Toodles, the heartbreaking thought that Maitland’s Chihuahua, Pudding Pop, may be lost forever, and an ever increasing mystery surrounding the disappearance of rare lizards and snakes, Two Pet Dicks leads you on a roller coaster ride of fun and mayhem with a little bit of romance on the side. Fast paced, silly and sweet, this novel is a delightful romp that will leave you smiling. I highly recommend it to you.
Reviewed by Sammy for The Novel Approach Reviews
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.co...
February 27, 2016
5 stars ~ Full of slapstick humor and pissed off snakes
If you have ever read anything by John Inman, you know he has a unique way of writing and his books are going to make you laugh! This latest book is no exception to the rule, as Inman brings you a humorous story about two slightly-off guys who are living their dream as, pet detectives! Maitland and Lenny have known (socially and biblically) each other since middle school. Now they are all grown-up (right?) and working together in their own business as pet dicks. Inman has created a pair of detectives that are a combo of Sam Spade/Sherlock Holmes/Inspector Jacques Clouseau all in one and these two private dicks take you on a whirlwind simultaneous missing pet cases, that will leave you gasping for breath at the end! This book has it all comedy, love, cameo appearances by our favorite drag queen from San Diego, and some good times between the sheets/in the car/in the office/on stakeout - well you get my drift, these two dicks can't keep their hands off each other!
5 Stars to this fun - lighthearted story of mystery and missing pets!
*ARC provided by publisher, Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Jaime from Alpha Book Club
and Gay Book Reviews
If you have ever read anything by John Inman, you know he has a unique way of writing and his books are going to make you laugh! This latest book is no exception to the rule, as Inman brings you a humorous story about two slightly-off guys who are living their dream as, pet detectives! Maitland and Lenny have known (socially and biblically) each other since middle school. Now they are all grown-up (right?) and working together in their own business as pet dicks. Inman has created a pair of detectives that are a combo of Sam Spade/Sherlock Holmes/Inspector Jacques Clouseau all in one and these two private dicks take you on a whirlwind simultaneous missing pet cases, that will leave you gasping for breath at the end! This book has it all comedy, love, cameo appearances by our favorite drag queen from San Diego, and some good times between the sheets/in the car/in the office/on stakeout - well you get my drift, these two dicks can't keep their hands off each other!
5 Stars to this fun - lighthearted story of mystery and missing pets!
*ARC provided by publisher, Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Jaime from Alpha Book Club
and Gay Book Reviews
Read
March 18, 2016I am trying to figure out if I want to have lunch with John Inman so he can tell me hilarious stories that come into his head or just climb in his head and swim around until my fingers get pruny. I have no idea what I want or what I am saying, I can’t stop laughing and shaking my head at this book.
Unearthing lost pets is a tenuous proposition at the best of times. It’s a big wide world out there with a gazillion places to hide.
Two Pet Dicks is ridiculous and I mean that with the highest amount of respect possible. It’s ridiculous in the way slap stick comedy is meant to be; it’s smart, witty and the physical comedy is spot on.
On top of the comedy, this was so damn sweet. Maitland and Lenny have been best friends forever and have done all their first together. Sure, they have sex when between boyfriends or on stake outs or really, whenever one is horny, but they have this underlined deep emotion that I adored so much and made my heart full.
Sometimes it’s odd carrying on an intermittent affair with someone for a decade and a half, from the beginning of puberty onward.
The mystery of the missing Gila monster gave this story so much life. Sure, there are also other animals the Pet Dicks have to find but the more than missing lizard gave the story a lot of twists and turns as we learn it’s never... just... about... a... lizard.
These two men are cock blocked by the most irritating animals and shenanigans but it was so funny. A Chihuahua who can’t control his bowels. An African Grey who curses like a sailor. A missing Gila monster, a gerbil who’s drag queen pet sitter is a mess over, lost dogs, hairy palmed monkeys and why did there have to be snakes? *shudders*
Now this is funny, it’s hella funny but don’t let the comedy sway you from thinking this isn't romantic because it’s so very romantic. I absolutely adored the love between the friends who didn’t quite know how to move forward and get what they wanted. It was heartwarming watching the men fumble along as they come to terms with their feelings and be able to share it with one another. Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes when they have been friends since childhood as Mait and Lenny have, it tickles me in all the right places.
And yet, what I enjoyed most with the story, was it was full of fun sexy times but the intimate moments and one intimate moment specifically was amazing. The words, the actions and all the feelings were so well written that by that alone, makes this one hell of a romantic book.
I was beginning to wonder how long I would be able to maintain this illusion that we were merely friends with benefits, when even the shoes on my feet were starting to realize I wanted more out of our relationship.
Oh boy. I have so many highlights and notes from this that I don’t quite know what to say. I want to tell you everything, but I want you to read too and just enjoy the ride. I now know that I need to go back and officially meet Arthur with is love pollen and the other residents of Belladonna Arms because it sounds like an amazing place to live just from Lenny’s assessment alone. *winks*
Two Pet Dicks will have clutching your chest in laughter while it holds your heart with the sweet romance. John Inman has created this world where two friends not only grow up to experience and experiment life with one another, but become partners in every way humanly possible. Mait and Lenny are unique, they are hilarious and they now hold a place in my romantic heart where they can also tickle my funny bone.
February 25, 2023
4.5 Stars ~ There are several guarantees when reading a John Inman book. One, there'll be humor; two, there'll be mystery and suspense; and three, it'll be an incredible ride. It's obvious then why I would choose 'Two Pet Dicks'… the title, the cover, the blurb, and the author. No more explanations required.
"He admires my red hair, he says, and I admire the way he goes into an orgasmic meltdown with such enthusiastic fervor his come can fly right through the van’s side window and hit a mailbox four feet away."
I was giggling right from the start. Maitland and Lenny have been best friends since grade school. They started having sex at thirteen and that continued until the end of high school, when they decided to branch out and actually date people. But, lately it seems neither one can keep their hands to themselves, and maybe it's going in a direction they're not completely sure of. No matter. They just opened their very first office after Lenny's dad kicked their business out of his basement. They've acquired two clients in one day - a lady who needs to get her Gila monster back from her ex-husband, and a man's lost gray parrot - things are looking up in the business world.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
"He admires my red hair, he says, and I admire the way he goes into an orgasmic meltdown with such enthusiastic fervor his come can fly right through the van’s side window and hit a mailbox four feet away."
I was giggling right from the start. Maitland and Lenny have been best friends since grade school. They started having sex at thirteen and that continued until the end of high school, when they decided to branch out and actually date people. But, lately it seems neither one can keep their hands to themselves, and maybe it's going in a direction they're not completely sure of. No matter. They just opened their very first office after Lenny's dad kicked their business out of his basement. They've acquired two clients in one day - a lady who needs to get her Gila monster back from her ex-husband, and a man's lost gray parrot - things are looking up in the business world.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
May 2, 2016
Maitland Carter and Lenny Fritz are possibly the two most knuckleheaded pet detectives I’ve ever run across. They’ve been friends since middle-school—with benefits—and somehow decided that looking for people’s lost cats and dogs would be a great career move. Just as they finally hang up a shingle on their own office, things begin to get a little weird. Missing Gila monsters, runaway African grays, and a drag queen’s errant gerbil all conspire to challenge our boys’ admittedly limited organizational skills.
But this book isn’t really about the pet hunting business: it’s about Maitland and Lenny coming to grips with the fact that their longtime friendship might possibly be something more. It’s a study of two young men whose sole constant in their lives has been each other.
Inman writes this ridiculous little story with a broad sense of the absurd. It’s sort of like a gay Hardy Boys caper with a little Three Stooges thrown in—plus a lot of sex. I was a little troubled to see how feckless these guys are in their late 20s. I guess I wanted to see them develop their skills and become really excellent pet detectives. But of course, that wasn’t Inman’s point, not at all. On the other hand it warmed my heart to see them begin to see each other with new, romantic eyes. And that, of course, is Inman’s point. The book is a lark (not that any actual larks appear in it), and should be read as such.
Sometimes I need to just get over myself and allow myself to giggle.
But this book isn’t really about the pet hunting business: it’s about Maitland and Lenny coming to grips with the fact that their longtime friendship might possibly be something more. It’s a study of two young men whose sole constant in their lives has been each other.
Inman writes this ridiculous little story with a broad sense of the absurd. It’s sort of like a gay Hardy Boys caper with a little Three Stooges thrown in—plus a lot of sex. I was a little troubled to see how feckless these guys are in their late 20s. I guess I wanted to see them develop their skills and become really excellent pet detectives. But of course, that wasn’t Inman’s point, not at all. On the other hand it warmed my heart to see them begin to see each other with new, romantic eyes. And that, of course, is Inman’s point. The book is a lark (not that any actual larks appear in it), and should be read as such.
Sometimes I need to just get over myself and allow myself to giggle.
February 8, 2018
**grm**
I had this book on my kindle for so long, that I had almost forgotten it was there, but luckily I found it and it made me pass some funny moments, and sometimes I couldn't stop smiling. Maybe Mait and Lenny weren't the smartest men alive, but when they described themselves as stupid or idiots, I wanted to slap them (like a friend would do) and tell them, that I met worst ppl in my life and worst of all, these people thought they were smarter than anyone, and their arrogance was only one of the signs of their missing qualities. So maybe, Lenny and Mait were a bit naive in some occasions, or clumsy and with the attention span of a 5 years old, but they had a big heart and they loved each other. Sure it took them 15 years to understand their mutual feelings, since they started having sex when they were only 13 and were each other firsts, I could understand that with all the hormones and the fact that were best friends, they didn't really think there were other feelings behind that passion. Now being 25, and having had other boyfriends, and understanding that the only costant in their lives were each other presence, since they boned each other every time they weren't with a guy, they can finally admit what they probably always knew.
Mait and Lenny were what in a shifter book, we could call mates. They were soulmates and best friends and they were happy only with each other. They were lucky to finally understand it. I would have liked to read more books about them and their adventures, and the strange people they met.
The fact that the sex scenes were hot, and they switched roles, and that the author never told us what they did with other guys (and we never see an ex and none of them is named), was an huge bonus.
I had this book on my kindle for so long, that I had almost forgotten it was there, but luckily I found it and it made me pass some funny moments, and sometimes I couldn't stop smiling. Maybe Mait and Lenny weren't the smartest men alive, but when they described themselves as stupid or idiots, I wanted to slap them (like a friend would do) and tell them, that I met worst ppl in my life and worst of all, these people thought they were smarter than anyone, and their arrogance was only one of the signs of their missing qualities. So maybe, Lenny and Mait were a bit naive in some occasions, or clumsy and with the attention span of a 5 years old, but they had a big heart and they loved each other. Sure it took them 15 years to understand their mutual feelings, since they started having sex when they were only 13 and were each other firsts, I could understand that with all the hormones and the fact that were best friends, they didn't really think there were other feelings behind that passion. Now being 25, and having had other boyfriends, and understanding that the only costant in their lives were each other presence, since they boned each other every time they weren't with a guy, they can finally admit what they probably always knew.
Mait and Lenny were what in a shifter book, we could call mates. They were soulmates and best friends and they were happy only with each other. They were lucky to finally understand it. I would have liked to read more books about them and their adventures, and the strange people they met.
The fact that the sex scenes were hot, and they switched roles, and that the author never told us what they did with other guys (and we never see an ex and none of them is named), was an huge bonus.
March 18, 2016
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
I don’t want to give away much more of the story because what follows is one of the most hil-freaking-arious romps I’ve ever read. Mait and Lenny are the perfect foils for each other. As I mentioned, they’ve been friends, and sometimes lovers, since they were twelve years old. In fact, they took each other’s virginity. They are sexy as hell together, and at the beginning, they were sleeping together because neither had a boyfriend, and well…men have needs. Somewhere along the line, they realize they’re in love, and that makes their relationship even deeper. They have insane chemistry. They can’t keep their hands off each other, and their sex scenes are both Kindle and panty melting. Mait and Lenny are magical both in and out of bed.
Two Pet Dicks is a genuine and compelling mystery. It’s not just the fluff between sex scenes. Inman has written a well thought out and interesting story with twists and turns that left me guessing. In the end, I figured it out before the big reveal, but even then, the author didn’t let go. Usually we find out whodunit, and the book is over, but not here. Someone needs revenge, and they’re prepared to go all out to get it.
Read Kenna’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
I don’t want to give away much more of the story because what follows is one of the most hil-freaking-arious romps I’ve ever read. Mait and Lenny are the perfect foils for each other. As I mentioned, they’ve been friends, and sometimes lovers, since they were twelve years old. In fact, they took each other’s virginity. They are sexy as hell together, and at the beginning, they were sleeping together because neither had a boyfriend, and well…men have needs. Somewhere along the line, they realize they’re in love, and that makes their relationship even deeper. They have insane chemistry. They can’t keep their hands off each other, and their sex scenes are both Kindle and panty melting. Mait and Lenny are magical both in and out of bed.
Two Pet Dicks is a genuine and compelling mystery. It’s not just the fluff between sex scenes. Inman has written a well thought out and interesting story with twists and turns that left me guessing. In the end, I figured it out before the big reveal, but even then, the author didn’t let go. Usually we find out whodunit, and the book is over, but not here. Someone needs revenge, and they’re prepared to go all out to get it.
Read Kenna’s review in its entirety here.
March 18, 2016
RELEASE DAY REVIEW!
This was absolutely adorable and hilarious. With a dose of mystery, it made for a most entertaining story. John Inman wrote a terrific friends to lovers story that will have you smiling all the way through. Lenny and Mait are seriously made for each other and I really love how they have been friends for so long (with benefits) and the realization of what they mean to each other is just the sweetest thing ever. Throw in a foul mouthed bird, a pooping dog, a masturbating monkey and an assortment of other colorful characters and it’s sidesplitting! This story is chuck full of wit, happiness, and good old fashioned feel good humor!
This is the perfect pick me up story. Well done, John!
This was absolutely adorable and hilarious. With a dose of mystery, it made for a most entertaining story. John Inman wrote a terrific friends to lovers story that will have you smiling all the way through. Lenny and Mait are seriously made for each other and I really love how they have been friends for so long (with benefits) and the realization of what they mean to each other is just the sweetest thing ever. Throw in a foul mouthed bird, a pooping dog, a masturbating monkey and an assortment of other colorful characters and it’s sidesplitting! This story is chuck full of wit, happiness, and good old fashioned feel good humor!
This is the perfect pick me up story. Well done, John!
March 22, 2016
Warning: You will laugh out loud. Be prepared for funny looks if you are out in public and reading this. You should also make sure you don’t have liquid in your mouth when you read this. If you are reading and sipping, there will be drink spewing. It is that funny! http://thetbrpile.weebly.com/reviews/...
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September 14, 2018DNF’d around chapter 4.
Sorry, this book just isn’t for me. I was enjoying the romance aspect, but that was literally the only thing I was enjoying.
The sense of humor, the dialogue, the plot, and the characters just weren’t working for me, and the subtle racism and fat-shaming definitely were not.
- out of 5 stars
Sorry, this book just isn’t for me. I was enjoying the romance aspect, but that was literally the only thing I was enjoying.
The sense of humor, the dialogue, the plot, and the characters just weren’t working for me, and the subtle racism and fat-shaming definitely were not.
- out of 5 stars
March 28, 2016
4 stars
I so needed this !!
Sweet funny best friends to lovers story .
I liked the cameo of Arthur from Belladonna arms :)
I so needed this !!
Sweet funny best friends to lovers story .
I liked the cameo of Arthur from Belladonna arms :)
March 31, 2016
Book – Two Pet Dicks
Author – John Inman
Star rating - ★★★☆☆
No. of Pages - 200
Movie Potential – ★★★☆☆
Ease of reading – easy to read and follow
Would I read it again - No
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK, BY THE AUTHOR, IN RETURN FOR AN HONEST REVIEW **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
To be quite honest, this could have been a barrel of laughs, but the humour just wasn't my cup of tea.
The story is told in 1st person, past tense, through only one character's POV. Right off, that's not my style. I can never really get along with 1st past, but this one wasn't so obvious that it was uncomfortable or jarring to read. However, I'm also not a fan of the characters talking to readers, which this does, at first in the first 4 pages, then in small instances.
For me, the humour was trying too hard. Just about every stereotype that crept up was made fun of – gay, fat, drag, sexist and more. It came across in a more good-natured meaning than cruel or truly vicious, but it still isn't the kind of humour that I find funny. I don't really think it's funny to make fun of people that way, though this was attempted well over a dozen times, in increasingly short-sighted, uncomfortable ways. Every ounce of humour was sarcastic, which also isn't a favourite of mine.
Funnily enough, the best and funniest parts of the story were when the author wasn't trying at all. There were a few slapstick comedy moments, some ridiculous instances that were purely for the entertainment value, but there were also sweet moments. The chemistry and relationship of the main couple worked for me and I really liked their dynamic and how it adapted.
I do think the story was dragged out for a really long time. All those missed-moments, where they almost caught a pet, but didn't, which all led to “funny” moments or injury, just didn't work and didn't seem necessary. A few times, the character Maitland was more concerned with laughing his ass off than saving Lenny from danger, particularly when the rooster was pecking his head, which could have been seriously dangerous.
There's a lot of “harrumph”-ing. To me, that's a noise and not a word, but I let that slide. It was the constant use of it that bothered me. As with sounds being mentioned, then vocalised right next to each other. Only one is necessary. Both was overkill.
The author was really fond of exaggerated imagery, metaphors and such, using long paragraphs of what a situation was 'like' as description for what was going on, in a comedic manner. Again, this didn't work. Neither did the use of the word “titties” for a man. Nope. Not for me.
~
Overall, it's a simple matter of this book and I not getting along. As this is my first John Inman, it may be either that their writing doesn't work for me or this is just one odd ball in a bunch. I'll have to read more of his work to decide.
If you love slapstick comedy, don't have limits on what you think is funny and you love two gay guys getting into all kinds of shenanigans, then you'll love it.
For me, though, it was simply trying too hard to be hilarious.
Author – John Inman
Star rating - ★★★☆☆
No. of Pages - 200
Movie Potential – ★★★☆☆
Ease of reading – easy to read and follow
Would I read it again - No
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK, BY THE AUTHOR, IN RETURN FOR AN HONEST REVIEW **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
To be quite honest, this could have been a barrel of laughs, but the humour just wasn't my cup of tea.
The story is told in 1st person, past tense, through only one character's POV. Right off, that's not my style. I can never really get along with 1st past, but this one wasn't so obvious that it was uncomfortable or jarring to read. However, I'm also not a fan of the characters talking to readers, which this does, at first in the first 4 pages, then in small instances.
For me, the humour was trying too hard. Just about every stereotype that crept up was made fun of – gay, fat, drag, sexist and more. It came across in a more good-natured meaning than cruel or truly vicious, but it still isn't the kind of humour that I find funny. I don't really think it's funny to make fun of people that way, though this was attempted well over a dozen times, in increasingly short-sighted, uncomfortable ways. Every ounce of humour was sarcastic, which also isn't a favourite of mine.
Funnily enough, the best and funniest parts of the story were when the author wasn't trying at all. There were a few slapstick comedy moments, some ridiculous instances that were purely for the entertainment value, but there were also sweet moments. The chemistry and relationship of the main couple worked for me and I really liked their dynamic and how it adapted.
I do think the story was dragged out for a really long time. All those missed-moments, where they almost caught a pet, but didn't, which all led to “funny” moments or injury, just didn't work and didn't seem necessary. A few times, the character Maitland was more concerned with laughing his ass off than saving Lenny from danger, particularly when the rooster was pecking his head, which could have been seriously dangerous.
There's a lot of “harrumph”-ing. To me, that's a noise and not a word, but I let that slide. It was the constant use of it that bothered me. As with sounds being mentioned, then vocalised right next to each other. Only one is necessary. Both was overkill.
The author was really fond of exaggerated imagery, metaphors and such, using long paragraphs of what a situation was 'like' as description for what was going on, in a comedic manner. Again, this didn't work. Neither did the use of the word “titties” for a man. Nope. Not for me.
~
Overall, it's a simple matter of this book and I not getting along. As this is my first John Inman, it may be either that their writing doesn't work for me or this is just one odd ball in a bunch. I'll have to read more of his work to decide.
If you love slapstick comedy, don't have limits on what you think is funny and you love two gay guys getting into all kinds of shenanigans, then you'll love it.
For me, though, it was simply trying too hard to be hilarious.
June 10, 2016
ARC provided by the publisher through Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words in exchange for an impartial review.
If you don’t like slapstick, beware! The MCs in this story put Lucy and Ethel, Abbott & Costello, and Laurel & Hardy to shame.
Maitland Carter and Lenny Fritz have been best friends since they were kids. Then they discovered sex together in their teens and never looked back. They were each other’s “firsts,” and after a period of exclusivity, they moved on to other conquests, occasionally coming back to each other’s bed once again. But now, things are beginning to look serious. They’ve started having sex pretty much exclusively, and both are having feelings neither wants to discuss. The icing on the cake is that these two underachievers are now in business together, running their own pet detective agency: Two Pet Dicks.
As the story opens, they’ve just rented a “real” office space and are hanging their shingle. They can’t afford a full sign, so they settle for Two Dicks, and that, dear readers, sets the pace for this romp as we journey through the ups and downs of life as a pet dick—finding dogs, cats, gerbils, and reptiles. There’s also a monkey added into the mix when Lenny’s brother takes off and leaves his (illegal) pet monkey behind in Lenny’s care. On a fun note, the missing gerbil was reported by none other than Arthur the drag queen from Serenading Stanley. It was great to have a quick revisit and see that Arthur is just as campy now as he ever was.
To be honest, I’m not a big fan of slapstick, but I did enjoy the humor in this story. At times, the situations the guys found themselves in were so bizarre, they were funny—even those moments that should have been scary. But the story worked. And underlying the crazy, madcap experience of being pet detectives was the cementing of a foundation of love between the two men that started many years before but culminates during this story as they finally work up the courage to express how they feel.
I enjoy this author’s versatility. I’ve been scared witless by spooks; swooned over romance in Serenading Stanley; and now, chuckled through a very entertaining adventure with two loveable dicks.
All in all, it’s a great book if you’re in the mood for some campy humor, or if you enjoy your romances with sweet MCs, a few off-the-wall family pets, or even some scary reptiles. This one has them all.
If you don’t like slapstick, beware! The MCs in this story put Lucy and Ethel, Abbott & Costello, and Laurel & Hardy to shame.
Maitland Carter and Lenny Fritz have been best friends since they were kids. Then they discovered sex together in their teens and never looked back. They were each other’s “firsts,” and after a period of exclusivity, they moved on to other conquests, occasionally coming back to each other’s bed once again. But now, things are beginning to look serious. They’ve started having sex pretty much exclusively, and both are having feelings neither wants to discuss. The icing on the cake is that these two underachievers are now in business together, running their own pet detective agency: Two Pet Dicks.
As the story opens, they’ve just rented a “real” office space and are hanging their shingle. They can’t afford a full sign, so they settle for Two Dicks, and that, dear readers, sets the pace for this romp as we journey through the ups and downs of life as a pet dick—finding dogs, cats, gerbils, and reptiles. There’s also a monkey added into the mix when Lenny’s brother takes off and leaves his (illegal) pet monkey behind in Lenny’s care. On a fun note, the missing gerbil was reported by none other than Arthur the drag queen from Serenading Stanley. It was great to have a quick revisit and see that Arthur is just as campy now as he ever was.
To be honest, I’m not a big fan of slapstick, but I did enjoy the humor in this story. At times, the situations the guys found themselves in were so bizarre, they were funny—even those moments that should have been scary. But the story worked. And underlying the crazy, madcap experience of being pet detectives was the cementing of a foundation of love between the two men that started many years before but culminates during this story as they finally work up the courage to express how they feel.
I enjoy this author’s versatility. I’ve been scared witless by spooks; swooned over romance in Serenading Stanley; and now, chuckled through a very entertaining adventure with two loveable dicks.
All in all, it’s a great book if you’re in the mood for some campy humor, or if you enjoy your romances with sweet MCs, a few off-the-wall family pets, or even some scary reptiles. This one has them all.
April 4, 2016
I LOVED this!!!
Silly and hilarious, but still sweet and crazy and adorable.
Love the craziness with the animals and the way things snow ball out of control, reminded me of SHY which is my all time favorite.
Lenny and Mait were super adorable together. Funny and sweet. Perfect for each other.
Silly and hilarious, but still sweet and crazy and adorable.
Love the craziness with the animals and the way things snow ball out of control, reminded me of SHY which is my all time favorite.
Lenny and Mait were super adorable together. Funny and sweet. Perfect for each other.
May 10, 2016
There is just something about John Inman's writing style that draws me in every time...
With this book we get two best friends who run a pet detective agency together. Maitland and Lenny are friends with benefits who work together to find missing or stolen pets as well as so much more.
There were so many times while I was reading this book I would laugh so hard there were tears in my eyes. The way this author wrote this story drew me in from the start and I could not put this down. The two MC's where so cute together that you really can't help but love them as a couple.
You will get steam with this book along with so much humor and crazy things that happen to Maitland and Lenny. Between the animals that will have you laughing so hard and the different characters you will meet made this story one of my favorite romantic comedies I have read this year.
I would recommend this book!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for a honest review!
With this book we get two best friends who run a pet detective agency together. Maitland and Lenny are friends with benefits who work together to find missing or stolen pets as well as so much more.
There were so many times while I was reading this book I would laugh so hard there were tears in my eyes. The way this author wrote this story drew me in from the start and I could not put this down. The two MC's where so cute together that you really can't help but love them as a couple.
You will get steam with this book along with so much humor and crazy things that happen to Maitland and Lenny. Between the animals that will have you laughing so hard and the different characters you will meet made this story one of my favorite romantic comedies I have read this year.
I would recommend this book!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for a honest review!
April 27, 2016
Maitland is the storyteller here, and is A Pet Dick with his best friend Lenny.
They do everything together, goes into business with a lost parrot by the name of Toodles with a mouth like a sailor, a Gila monster named Frederick, and a lost dog named Fido – And Arthur from Belladonna Arms are gerbil sitting and lost the gerbil Ethel.
Add to that missing snakes, angry women, a Chihuahua named Pudding Pop, an illegal horny pet monkey named Ed and rosemary sauce, they have their hands full.
Then there is their friendship-turned-lovers, which is so sweet. There is so much fun with the would-be, maybe gay, underage kid Jamie that want to be a detective – and hope to be the meat in Mait and Lenny’s sandwich.
This book meets every expectation for a John Inman fun novel, so go read it.
“ICK” is my new favorite word, and try saying “Pudding Pop poop proof” five times in a row ;)
They do everything together, goes into business with a lost parrot by the name of Toodles with a mouth like a sailor, a Gila monster named Frederick, and a lost dog named Fido – And Arthur from Belladonna Arms are gerbil sitting and lost the gerbil Ethel.
Add to that missing snakes, angry women, a Chihuahua named Pudding Pop, an illegal horny pet monkey named Ed and rosemary sauce, they have their hands full.
Then there is their friendship-turned-lovers, which is so sweet. There is so much fun with the would-be, maybe gay, underage kid Jamie that want to be a detective – and hope to be the meat in Mait and Lenny’s sandwich.
This book meets every expectation for a John Inman fun novel, so go read it.
“ICK” is my new favorite word, and try saying “Pudding Pop poop proof” five times in a row ;)
April 15, 2016
Two pet Dick's
I downloaded the sample first before buying this and only read 3 pages of it before I hit buy. A very funny and very different read for me but I absolutely loved it x ☺
I downloaded the sample first before buying this and only read 3 pages of it before I hit buy. A very funny and very different read for me but I absolutely loved it x ☺
did-not-finish
April 5, 2017I get that this is supposed to be funny, but this line just had me saying what the fuck:
"Sorry about that. That's my partner, Lenny Fritz. He's black and proud. And noisy."
Talk about rubbing me completely the wrong way. I may read this a little later, but the initial stereotype fail (loud Black people) kind of ruins whatever enjoyment I might have had.
Yes, he's noisy because he wants the narrator, Maitland, to help him with something. But this needed to be written a bit differently. Maybe:
"He's a proud Black gay dude who's shouting at me to help him out."
Now I could live with that.
At least Lenny's penis isn't depicted as the size of a Louisville Slugger. Now before anyone tries to ride my bra strap by saying the author did not intend to come off as insensitive, I already know that. But reading is personal. Your mileage may vary.
"Sorry about that. That's my partner, Lenny Fritz. He's black and proud. And noisy."
Talk about rubbing me completely the wrong way. I may read this a little later, but the initial stereotype fail (loud Black people) kind of ruins whatever enjoyment I might have had.
Yes, he's noisy because he wants the narrator, Maitland, to help him with something. But this needed to be written a bit differently. Maybe:
"He's a proud Black gay dude who's shouting at me to help him out."
Now I could live with that.
At least Lenny's penis isn't depicted as the size of a Louisville Slugger. Now before anyone tries to ride my bra strap by saying the author did not intend to come off as insensitive, I already know that. But reading is personal. Your mileage may vary.
October 24, 2019
This is an amazing read...There's the usual John Inman humour...Mait and Lenny are adorable and funny and a bit clumsy too....Running their business finding lost pets they get into all kinds of scrapes....A brilliant read that will have you laughing wanting more x
March 12, 2016
Two Pet Dicks by John Inman (MM/RomCom)
A copy of this book was provided to me by Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
****4 STARS****
John Inman is the type of author you go to to read about funny, heartwarming stories with lovable characters, and this was no different.
Mait and Lenny are best friends who decided to run their own pet detective agency and I thought that it was funny that all they could afford to get was "two pet dicks" for their agency sign. I also thought that it was pretty awesome reading about two characters from different races, though it was pointed out a lot of times in the story.
This was a cute friends to lovers story, even though Mait and Lenny had already been sleeping together as friends with benefits. These two were lovable idiots. They got into all sorts of trouble and mischief that could have been avoided, but their journey was fun to read about. This book did not take itself seriously, which seemed to be the whole point. If you wanna take a break from reading serious MM stories, I recommend this one.
A copy of this book was provided to me by Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
****4 STARS****
John Inman is the type of author you go to to read about funny, heartwarming stories with lovable characters, and this was no different.
Mait and Lenny are best friends who decided to run their own pet detective agency and I thought that it was funny that all they could afford to get was "two pet dicks" for their agency sign. I also thought that it was pretty awesome reading about two characters from different races, though it was pointed out a lot of times in the story.
This was a cute friends to lovers story, even though Mait and Lenny had already been sleeping together as friends with benefits. These two were lovable idiots. They got into all sorts of trouble and mischief that could have been avoided, but their journey was fun to read about. This book did not take itself seriously, which seemed to be the whole point. If you wanna take a break from reading serious MM stories, I recommend this one.
March 22, 2016
I thought this book was hilariously funny. At more than one point I was laughing so hard that I could barely breath. There's a lot of physical humor, and there's also word play humor. Also, there was some really subtle humor that went over the heads of the main characters, which is of course why it was so funny.
There is a happy ending but there also seems to be plenty of room for a sequel. The continuing stories of the Pet Detectives would be a good read. I really hope that there will be more someday.
Thank you John Inman, you really cheered me up with this book!
There is a happy ending but there also seems to be plenty of room for a sequel. The continuing stories of the Pet Detectives would be a good read. I really hope that there will be more someday.
Thank you John Inman, you really cheered me up with this book!
May 14, 2016
This was a zany, madcap adventure of two best friends Maitland and Lenny, who are pet detectives in San Diego. Told in first person POV by Maitland, we get to see them "solve" some pet crimes/disappearances, and also realize deeper feelings for each other. It was definitely humorous but seemed to lack a bit of spark for me.
May 4, 2016
I loved this book like I've loved all the other books John's written.
This is pure comedy you'll love it so much.
Two friends become more than that while finding a missing parrot, dog and hunt for a venomous reptile. If you love a good chuckle then pick this up you won't be disappointed
This is pure comedy you'll love it so much.
Two friends become more than that while finding a missing parrot, dog and hunt for a venomous reptile. If you love a good chuckle then pick this up you won't be disappointed
April 4, 2016
Funny, sweet, crude, loved these guys.
April 1, 2016
This was a nice adventure with Mait and Lenny. The humor was laugh out loud
March 19, 2016
What a hilarious book! I especially loved the Arthur cameo. Hopefully these two will have more cases to share with us soon!
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