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Bad Judgment
Embry Ford was a quiet, ordinary guy—until tragedy ripped his life apart. Now he's living under the radar, desperate to hide his identity and determined to learn the truth behind what happened. Even if that means working for—and bedding—a man he loathes.
As a bodyguard to a shadowy arms dealer, Brogan Smith knows distractions can kill as easily as a bullet. But when he sets his eyes on his client's sexy assistant, he can't get him out of his mind. Even more unnerving: the closer he gets to Embry, the more Brogan starts to suspect he might be protecting the wrong man.
Embry was sure nothing but vengeance would satisfy him—until Brogan offers him something far more tempting. Now Embry must choose: punish the people who nearly destroyed him or fight for a future with the man who has become his entire world.
As a bodyguard to a shadowy arms dealer, Brogan Smith knows distractions can kill as easily as a bullet. But when he sets his eyes on his client's sexy assistant, he can't get him out of his mind. Even more unnerving: the closer he gets to Embry, the more Brogan starts to suspect he might be protecting the wrong man.
Embry was sure nothing but vengeance would satisfy him—until Brogan offers him something far more tempting. Now Embry must choose: punish the people who nearly destroyed him or fight for a future with the man who has become his entire world.
452 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 19, 2016
150 people are currently reading
2259 people want to read
About the author
Sidney Bell
8 books419 followersSidney Bell lives in the drizzly Pacific Northwest with her amazingly supportive husband. She received her MFA degree in Creative Writing in 2010, considered aiming for the Great American Novel, and then promptly started writing fanfiction instead. Eventually more realistic grown-ups convinced her to try writing something more fiscally responsible, which is how we ended up here.
When she’s not writing, she’s playing violent video games, yelling at the television during hockey games, or supporting her local library by turning books in late.
When she’s not writing, she’s playing violent video games, yelling at the television during hockey games, or supporting her local library by turning books in late.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 395 reviews
December 11, 2016
4 Stars
This one surprised me in a good way.Hot men in suits getting down and dirty and a good plot.
Embry Ford was a quiet, ordinary guy—until tragedy ripped his life apart. Now he's living under the radar, desperate to hide his identity and determined to learn the truth behind what happened. Even if that means working for—and bedding—a man he loathes.
As a bodyguard to a shadowy arms dealer, Brogan Smith knows distractions can kill as easily as a bullet. But when he sets his eyes on his client's sexy assistant, he can't get him out of his mind. Even more unnerving: the closer he gets to Embry, the more Brogan starts to suspect he might be protecting the wrong man.
Embry was sure nothing but vengeance would satisfy him—until Brogan offers him something far more tempting. Now Embry must choose: punish the people who nearly destroyed him or fight for a future with the man who has become his entire world.
This one was definitely my thing.Angst,Hot sex,and a great plot.
Brogan is ex Military now working as a bodyguard to a truely despicable character,Joel.This is where he meets Embry who works for Joel.As soon as Brogan sees Embry he's completely captivated.But Embry has a plan and he's not about to let a sexy bodyguard get in his way.While Embry is determined to keep Brogan at a distance,Brogan is just as determined to get as close as possible to Embry.
But Brogan soon begins to realize that Embry is hiding something and sets about trying to uncover his past.
Told in three parts Brogan/Embry/Brogan,it's not until part two that Embry's secrets are revealed.
The mystery element was extremely well done and definitely held my attention.And these men were HOT together,but ( be warned ) it's not a fluffy story at all.
Recommended.
This one surprised me in a good way.Hot men in suits getting down and dirty and a good plot.
Embry Ford was a quiet, ordinary guy—until tragedy ripped his life apart. Now he's living under the radar, desperate to hide his identity and determined to learn the truth behind what happened. Even if that means working for—and bedding—a man he loathes.
As a bodyguard to a shadowy arms dealer, Brogan Smith knows distractions can kill as easily as a bullet. But when he sets his eyes on his client's sexy assistant, he can't get him out of his mind. Even more unnerving: the closer he gets to Embry, the more Brogan starts to suspect he might be protecting the wrong man.
Embry was sure nothing but vengeance would satisfy him—until Brogan offers him something far more tempting. Now Embry must choose: punish the people who nearly destroyed him or fight for a future with the man who has become his entire world.
This one was definitely my thing.Angst,Hot sex,and a great plot.
Brogan is ex Military now working as a bodyguard to a truely despicable character,Joel.This is where he meets Embry who works for Joel.As soon as Brogan sees Embry he's completely captivated.But Embry has a plan and he's not about to let a sexy bodyguard get in his way.While Embry is determined to keep Brogan at a distance,Brogan is just as determined to get as close as possible to Embry.
But Brogan soon begins to realize that Embry is hiding something and sets about trying to uncover his past.
Told in three parts Brogan/Embry/Brogan,it's not until part two that Embry's secrets are revealed.
The mystery element was extremely well done and definitely held my attention.And these men were HOT together,but ( be warned ) it's not a fluffy story at all.
Recommended.
August 19, 2016
Bad Judgment, part crime drama, part enemies-to-lovers romance, is a hell of an angsty ride.
I'm not a huge fan of mystery novels, and this book is long, and I do mean LOOONG (more than 5,000 locations on my Kindle).
I don't want to spoil the story, so I'm not going to get into the mystery/suspense aspect. Suffice it to say, the middle dragged a little for me, but the mystery was well done.
Embry was not a likable character initially, although I fell in love with Brogan, the bodyguard, immediately. He was a strong man with a kind heart who cared about Embry and would do anything to protect him.
I was not prepared for the on-page violence and what happened to Embry. This is NOT a light and fluffy read. Even though there is a strong HFN, I wanted more, especially from Embry.
Overall, this is a sexy, intense story with fairly good pacing and interesting characters. I just wasn't in the mood for something this angsty. I started reading this book more than a week ago, and I kept putting it down to read something else.
I'm not a huge fan of mystery novels, and this book is long, and I do mean LOOONG (more than 5,000 locations on my Kindle).
I don't want to spoil the story, so I'm not going to get into the mystery/suspense aspect. Suffice it to say, the middle dragged a little for me, but the mystery was well done.
Embry was not a likable character initially, although I fell in love with Brogan, the bodyguard, immediately. He was a strong man with a kind heart who cared about Embry and would do anything to protect him.
I was not prepared for the on-page violence and what happened to Embry. This is NOT a light and fluffy read. Even though there is a strong HFN, I wanted more, especially from Embry.
Overall, this is a sexy, intense story with fairly good pacing and interesting characters. I just wasn't in the mood for something this angsty. I started reading this book more than a week ago, and I kept putting it down to read something else.
August 21, 2017
Fan.tas.tic!
This was an epic piece of writing. The way the author kept me enthralled and on the egde of my seat, taking panicky, rushed breaths, until almost the midpoint was just superb! There wasn't a single point in the story when I felt bored. I wanted to get to the end real bad, but I didn't even once consider skipping pages or skim reading to get to the end.
Actually, no, I did feel a bit impatient at the last smexy scenes because they kept me away from the climax, but I am going to attribute the slight straying from my positive reading energy to the late time and the nagging voice at the back of my head saying I needed to sleep if I wanted to wake up on time for work.
(Needless to say, I barely slept for 3 hours before I woke up with my alarm.)
Considering this is the debut book by the author, I am beyond impressed. Having such a tight narrative for both Embry and Brogan (really cool names!), having such a tight, controlled pacing of the plot, and not forgetting the wonderful push and pull of the relationships development was like reading a book from a long-established author.
The teaser I got for the first book in the trilogy is enticing enough to make me want to give it a shot. So, my dear reviewers, do give this book a chance and see how it goes. It's got many great reviews, maybe you'll end up liking it too! :)
This was an epic piece of writing. The way the author kept me enthralled and on the egde of my seat, taking panicky, rushed breaths, until almost the midpoint was just superb! There wasn't a single point in the story when I felt bored. I wanted to get to the end real bad, but I didn't even once consider skipping pages or skim reading to get to the end.
Actually, no, I did feel a bit impatient at the last smexy scenes because they kept me away from the climax, but I am going to attribute the slight straying from my positive reading energy to the late time and the nagging voice at the back of my head saying I needed to sleep if I wanted to wake up on time for work.
(Needless to say, I barely slept for 3 hours before I woke up with my alarm.)
Considering this is the debut book by the author, I am beyond impressed. Having such a tight narrative for both Embry and Brogan (really cool names!), having such a tight, controlled pacing of the plot, and not forgetting the wonderful push and pull of the relationships development was like reading a book from a long-established author.
The teaser I got for the first book in the trilogy is enticing enough to make me want to give it a shot. So, my dear reviewers, do give this book a chance and see how it goes. It's got many great reviews, maybe you'll end up liking it too! :)
March 16, 2017
ALL THE STARS!
This story was phenomenal! It kept me glued to the pages. Intense doesn't even cover it!
It was way more than I expected, and I can't believe it's the debut book of Sidney Bell. I'm in awe! I will definitely auto-buy her next books. What an awesome writing style and a plot that remains in you mind long after finishing the book.
This book has a lot of action, suspense, mystery, but also a pretty huge dose of angst. And it's definitely NOT for the feint of heart.
This is NOT a romantic story. Not even close. If you dive in expecting hearts and flowers then you'll be disappointed. As I read the first chapters I was trying so hard to decipher the characters and what they were up to. And I didn't get even close to the truth. Then I was shocked to discover the reasons behind Embry's actions.
There are many painful scenes and honestly not many books made my heart bleed. I am pretty immune, or so I've thought. Because this story really got to me. I sighed and struggled many times to accept the course of the action. But this was definitely one of the best mystery books I've read and one of the best debut books. I don't know why I didn't expect it to be so heartbreaking. Maybe because the blurb doesn't give too much away, and that's just perfect, but I mean, you can't even imagine what lies beneath the surface.
In this story nothing is what is seems. It's a soul wrenching determination, all the actions are means to an end, and what a painstaking plan.
Brogan Smith is an ex-Military but pretty simple man. He's not into relationships and he's happy keeping the things simple. He gets a job as a bodyguard to a successful business man, Joel Hanniton. Well even this man's name makes me cringe, still. I hated him from the very start, even if I didn't know he's really rotten inside.
From the first moment Brogan is attracted to his boss's assistant, Embry Ford. And what an enigma he was.
Embry Ford is too young, too smart and too attractive for his own good. He's really good at keeping people at arm length and he's doing his job with so much precision. But even if Brogan realizes that Embry is his boss's lover, he can't stay away. Something about the mask Embry is always wearing doesn't feel right. So he starts digging and what he discovered made me want to cry.
Exactly when I thought Brogan and Embry started to have something powerful enough to determine Embry to leave Hanniton, well let's just say this book surprised me a lot, and mostly in a totally unexpected way.
It was such a painful slow burn that got me sitting on the edge of the seat. I was getting more and more frustrated because I just couldn't understand how Embry could accept his boss's treatment and all right in Brogan's face. I got really angry at one point, hoping things will go different, but I was devastated when Embry stood to his plans and didn't let Brogan help him.
These two characters were SO different. While Brogan is sweet and kind, with a huge heart and a powerful need to sacrifice himself, his job and his life, for the people he cares about, well Embry was so hard to understand and like. He was distant, cold and apparently a man without a heart. But only because his heart was ripped from him.
I loved the action, the secrets, the hot scenes, the bullets, the end of the story HOT and also sweet.
Can't recommend it enough!
This story was phenomenal! It kept me glued to the pages. Intense doesn't even cover it!
It was way more than I expected, and I can't believe it's the debut book of Sidney Bell. I'm in awe! I will definitely auto-buy her next books. What an awesome writing style and a plot that remains in you mind long after finishing the book.
This book has a lot of action, suspense, mystery, but also a pretty huge dose of angst. And it's definitely NOT for the feint of heart.
This is NOT a romantic story. Not even close. If you dive in expecting hearts and flowers then you'll be disappointed. As I read the first chapters I was trying so hard to decipher the characters and what they were up to. And I didn't get even close to the truth. Then I was shocked to discover the reasons behind Embry's actions.
There are many painful scenes and honestly not many books made my heart bleed. I am pretty immune, or so I've thought. Because this story really got to me. I sighed and struggled many times to accept the course of the action. But this was definitely one of the best mystery books I've read and one of the best debut books. I don't know why I didn't expect it to be so heartbreaking. Maybe because the blurb doesn't give too much away, and that's just perfect, but I mean, you can't even imagine what lies beneath the surface.
In this story nothing is what is seems. It's a soul wrenching determination, all the actions are means to an end, and what a painstaking plan.
Brogan Smith is an ex-Military but pretty simple man. He's not into relationships and he's happy keeping the things simple. He gets a job as a bodyguard to a successful business man, Joel Hanniton. Well even this man's name makes me cringe, still. I hated him from the very start, even if I didn't know he's really rotten inside.
From the first moment Brogan is attracted to his boss's assistant, Embry Ford. And what an enigma he was.
Embry Ford is too young, too smart and too attractive for his own good. He's really good at keeping people at arm length and he's doing his job with so much precision. But even if Brogan realizes that Embry is his boss's lover, he can't stay away. Something about the mask Embry is always wearing doesn't feel right. So he starts digging and what he discovered made me want to cry.
Exactly when I thought Brogan and Embry started to have something powerful enough to determine Embry to leave Hanniton, well let's just say this book surprised me a lot, and mostly in a totally unexpected way.
It was such a painful slow burn that got me sitting on the edge of the seat. I was getting more and more frustrated because I just couldn't understand how Embry could accept his boss's treatment and all right in Brogan's face. I got really angry at one point, hoping things will go different, but I was devastated when Embry stood to his plans and didn't let Brogan help him.
These two characters were SO different. While Brogan is sweet and kind, with a huge heart and a powerful need to sacrifice himself, his job and his life, for the people he cares about, well Embry was so hard to understand and like. He was distant, cold and apparently a man without a heart. But only because his heart was ripped from him.
I loved the action, the secrets, the hot scenes, the bullets, the end of the story HOT and also sweet.
Can't recommend it enough!
October 15, 2017
Recipe for Bad Judgment Awesomesauce
- 1 cup of John Grisham or something similar
- 1 cup of Canadian dry, subtle humor (depends on MC)
- 1 cup of American in-your-face-humor (depends on MC)
- 1 cup of imagination (this should be extracted from author)
- 2 cups of original characters
- And NO cheese
Mix and let simmer for around 6 hours with red wine, a blanket and NO interruptions
Seriously… This book!
Some of my GR friends felt that BJ *snicker* was too angsty, dark and long, and YES it was dark and it was long-ish (I’m not sure I agree with the angsty, but a heads-up for people who hate angsty books.)
For me: HOLY shizzle! These characters and their humor and their actions were fucking brilliant.
So Brogan is hired as security for a dude named Henniton, a manager at a weapons manufacturer. Henniton has received some death threats (it is a wonder that this was the first time?! This dude was… HORRIBLE!) and his boss decides he needs protection. But from the beginning the security company is cut off at every turn, since the WM does not want the company looking into their (shady) business.
Henniton’s EA is Embry, and this dude is smart, dedicated and dangerous.
Brogan and Embry meet and their road to happiness is not littered with roses. It is a definite slow-burn, which suited the story well. They argue (I love that Brogan plays dumb, to rile Embry up), they make up, they argue again and they try to find some sort of solution.
There’s jealousy and rage and misunderstandings, since Embry is crippled from his history and Brogan is crippled from his.
The problem is that these two MCs are sort of different (and yet not); one is ready to FIGHT and give up everything, while the other will always turn the other cheek for those he loves and try a different route.
It COULD have been vice versa (they are also sort of similar), but their current circumstances have put them on the path they are now.
They do have very distinct voices, and Embry is without a doubt the BEST MC I’ve read, maybe, all year. He suffered from crippling shy-ness when he was a child, but circumstances have made him the ’evil genius’ (see note below) he is today. And today Embry is sharp, ruthless and HARDCORE. This dude… Mad respect!
From the get-go you know that something is up, and sure, you could maybe, sort of guess where it was going, but it did NOT take away from the story for me. This is a novel in the same range a la: The Last Juror, where nothing is quite what it seems. The MCs ARE smart, the evil guys ARE evil, but all the rest keeps you guessing throughout.
Normally I would include a spoiler, but this book was so fantastic, it had me on my toes, the edge of my seat, on my roof and on the street, it was just so exciting, that I cannot spoil anything (if you are like me, and read EVERY freaking spoiler, no matter whether you want to know or not!)
I did decide to leave this, since it can be a trigger: Proceed with caution we have a pretty graphic rape attempt!
Okay, not a smooth transition here, but the humor in this was spot on! I have so many highlights on my Kindle, it was close to 50% of the pages, and I’ll just leave these 4 here from our MCs, so you get the idea:
Brogan’s POV:
He could make joining the circus seem rational, which might be why Brogan kept showing up for work even though he spent most of his time following around assholes.
Maybe he could make that noodle thing again, the one with asparagus. Call him. Be obnoxious until he agrees to come over and make noodle things just to shut you up.
”Embry is too busy being an evil genius to make food that doesn’t taste like nuclear weapons and I’s rather kick him into the ocean anyway,” he said, because saying it out loud was proof that he meant it.
Embry’s POV:
Waking up in someone else’s arms would be disorienting enough. Waking up next to a squid thing with eight arms and almost that many legs described waking up with Brogan.
It was all Brogan’s fault that he felt like this, anyway, and somehow, in the world of irrational anger, it made perfect sense that Embry refused to take care of his hard-on to punish the asshole. If that made him spiteful and immature, well, that was on Brogan��s shoulders as well. By the time he climbed out, dried off, and dressed, he was halfway convinced that the Crusades and overprized gasoline were also Brogan’s fault.
This book was really freaking good. It was well-written and if you’re in the mood for a darker story, with great humor, some steam and fantastic MCs this should be for you.
The next book by Sidney Bell arrives in the beginning of next year and it will be a one-click buy for me.
This one though; this one goes straight to favourites and DEFINITE re-reads.
- 1 cup of John Grisham or something similar
- 1 cup of Canadian dry, subtle humor (depends on MC)
- 1 cup of American in-your-face-humor (depends on MC)
- 1 cup of imagination (this should be extracted from author)
- 2 cups of original characters
- And NO cheese
Mix and let simmer for around 6 hours with red wine, a blanket and NO interruptions
Seriously… This book!
Some of my GR friends felt that BJ *snicker* was too angsty, dark and long, and YES it was dark and it was long-ish (I’m not sure I agree with the angsty, but a heads-up for people who hate angsty books.)
For me: HOLY shizzle! These characters and their humor and their actions were fucking brilliant.
So Brogan is hired as security for a dude named Henniton, a manager at a weapons manufacturer. Henniton has received some death threats (it is a wonder that this was the first time?! This dude was… HORRIBLE!) and his boss decides he needs protection. But from the beginning the security company is cut off at every turn, since the WM does not want the company looking into their (shady) business.
Henniton’s EA is Embry, and this dude is smart, dedicated and dangerous.
Brogan and Embry meet and their road to happiness is not littered with roses. It is a definite slow-burn, which suited the story well. They argue (I love that Brogan plays dumb, to rile Embry up), they make up, they argue again and they try to find some sort of solution.
There’s jealousy and rage and misunderstandings, since Embry is crippled from his history and Brogan is crippled from his.
The problem is that these two MCs are sort of different (and yet not); one is ready to FIGHT and give up everything, while the other will always turn the other cheek for those he loves and try a different route.
It COULD have been vice versa (they are also sort of similar), but their current circumstances have put them on the path they are now.
They do have very distinct voices, and Embry is without a doubt the BEST MC I’ve read, maybe, all year. He suffered from crippling shy-ness when he was a child, but circumstances have made him the ’evil genius’ (see note below) he is today. And today Embry is sharp, ruthless and HARDCORE. This dude… Mad respect!
From the get-go you know that something is up, and sure, you could maybe, sort of guess where it was going, but it did NOT take away from the story for me. This is a novel in the same range a la: The Last Juror, where nothing is quite what it seems. The MCs ARE smart, the evil guys ARE evil, but all the rest keeps you guessing throughout.
Normally I would include a spoiler, but this book was so fantastic, it had me on my toes, the edge of my seat, on my roof and on the street, it was just so exciting, that I cannot spoil anything (if you are like me, and read EVERY freaking spoiler, no matter whether you want to know or not!)
I did decide to leave this, since it can be a trigger: Proceed with caution we have a pretty graphic rape attempt!
Okay, not a smooth transition here, but the humor in this was spot on! I have so many highlights on my Kindle, it was close to 50% of the pages, and I’ll just leave these 4 here from our MCs, so you get the idea:
Brogan’s POV:
He could make joining the circus seem rational, which might be why Brogan kept showing up for work even though he spent most of his time following around assholes.
Maybe he could make that noodle thing again, the one with asparagus. Call him. Be obnoxious until he agrees to come over and make noodle things just to shut you up.
”Embry is too busy being an evil genius to make food that doesn’t taste like nuclear weapons and I’s rather kick him into the ocean anyway,” he said, because saying it out loud was proof that he meant it.
Embry’s POV:
Waking up in someone else’s arms would be disorienting enough. Waking up next to a squid thing with eight arms and almost that many legs described waking up with Brogan.
It was all Brogan’s fault that he felt like this, anyway, and somehow, in the world of irrational anger, it made perfect sense that Embry refused to take care of his hard-on to punish the asshole. If that made him spiteful and immature, well, that was on Brogan��s shoulders as well. By the time he climbed out, dried off, and dressed, he was halfway convinced that the Crusades and overprized gasoline were also Brogan’s fault.
This book was really freaking good. It was well-written and if you’re in the mood for a darker story, with great humor, some steam and fantastic MCs this should be for you.
The next book by Sidney Bell arrives in the beginning of next year and it will be a one-click buy for me.
This one though; this one goes straight to favourites and DEFINITE re-reads.
March 23, 2020
Stunning! I loved this entire ride!
This is not your average MM romance. It's gritty. There are triggers. But these two stole my heart. The banter is phenomenal. Bell can write a helluva story.
Check out the bonus scenes that the author wrote about Embry and Brogan here.
This is not your average MM romance. It's gritty. There are triggers. But these two stole my heart. The banter is phenomenal. Bell can write a helluva story.
Check out the bonus scenes that the author wrote about Embry and Brogan here.
September 25, 2021
Heart-breaking. Painful. Beautiful. When reading a Sidney Bell book, I would never expect anything less.
A song that suits this book -- peace by Taylor Swift
A song that suits this book -- peace by Taylor Swift
June 10, 2021
One of the fucking best hands down. That's the review.
July 14, 2021
Five stars for all the time that I spent reading this!!!!!! ❤❤
I loved this one! Was it a crime? Something like that. Was it a romance? Hell yeah!! It surprised me? Double hell yeah!!! 🙆🏻♀️🙆🏻♀️🙆🏻♀️ Besides we have a nerdy/hot guy with a protective ex-military bear. THAT'S THE FORMULA FOR SUCCESS!!! 😭😭
In my mind anyways...
Moving on, first of all I just want to say that this was funny, it didn't say that it was gonna be funny and I loved that!! Brogan was sarcastic, painfully persistent and had really good comebacks. And Embry? He was a funny bitch!!! I loved him!!! 😍😍
"The problem was that Brogan had always been the kind of man who found competence sexy"
Me too Brogan, me too.
"Brogan stared at those forearms for a second, feeling like a Victorian male struck dumb by the revelation of an ankle".
Second of all, STANDING OVATION TO THIS AUTHOR! The characters respected women (at least the good ones) and they saw us as equals, look at this shit:
"brand relaunch in an effort to appeal to women—which apparently meant lots of pink and bows in the ad campaign, leaving Brogan a little offended on behalf of womankind-"
Hell yeah!! I like turquoise bitches!!!!
The book also has nerdy references, they played video games and liked Cowboy Bebop... Yes I saw it, don't ask. My anime lover was so happy!! *squeals*
The crime? It was crafted with care, the end I loved... The love? A sweet torture that I enjoyed all the way. 🤧🤧❤
“I should be a private detective,” he told Gizmo around a mouthful of fries. “I’m like, wicked good at this.”
Me too Brogan, me too. Loved this! ❤💜
I loved this one! Was it a crime? Something like that. Was it a romance? Hell yeah!! It surprised me? Double hell yeah!!! 🙆🏻♀️🙆🏻♀️🙆🏻♀️ Besides we have a nerdy/hot guy with a protective ex-military bear. THAT'S THE FORMULA FOR SUCCESS!!! 😭😭
In my mind anyways...
Moving on, first of all I just want to say that this was funny, it didn't say that it was gonna be funny and I loved that!! Brogan was sarcastic, painfully persistent and had really good comebacks. And Embry? He was a funny bitch!!! I loved him!!! 😍😍
"The problem was that Brogan had always been the kind of man who found competence sexy"
Me too Brogan, me too.
"Brogan stared at those forearms for a second, feeling like a Victorian male struck dumb by the revelation of an ankle".
Second of all, STANDING OVATION TO THIS AUTHOR! The characters respected women (at least the good ones) and they saw us as equals, look at this shit:
"brand relaunch in an effort to appeal to women—which apparently meant lots of pink and bows in the ad campaign, leaving Brogan a little offended on behalf of womankind-"
Hell yeah!! I like turquoise bitches!!!!
The book also has nerdy references, they played video games and liked Cowboy Bebop... Yes I saw it, don't ask. My anime lover was so happy!! *squeals*
The crime? It was crafted with care, the end I loved... The love? A sweet torture that I enjoyed all the way. 🤧🤧❤
“I should be a private detective,” he told Gizmo around a mouthful of fries. “I’m like, wicked good at this.”
Me too Brogan, me too. Loved this! ❤💜
January 31, 2019
Reread January 2019
Ah Brogan. 😍 What an utterly brilliant guy! Loved this book the first time and love it even more now!
Original review:
*5 stars +*
Sidney Bell nailed this one. No, more than that. Utterly, completely, totally nailed it.
Not only did she create two in depth characters, but she also kept me on the edge of my seat with the tense plot.
Brogan is just so lovable, it was almost (but not really) too much. I just kept swooning and sighing and … well. The man is the ultimate carer. He is designed to help and support those he loves, and does so with no regard to himself.
As Mario, his best friend says: “You have the fundamental need to save people you care about to a completely self-destructive degree.”
Or to sum it up in Embry’s words …
“You’re a fucking Care Bear,” Ford said, rolling his eyes.
I loved Brogan’s self-deprecating humour. He knows right from their first meeting that he is falling hard and fast for Embry despite the cold-hearted, dangerous aura the man creates around himself.
….Ford (=Embry) asked, his mouth curling patronizingly. The expression wasn’t unattractive on him, which struck Brogan as unfair.
LOL. And it’s like this all the way. Embry can behave like a complete asshole, but Brogan keeps seeing past it and all he sees is adorable and cute. And he throws Embry off his game again and again which lets us see that there is a very different side to him than the one he wants to show.
Of course Brogan knows that falling for or even liking Embry is real bad judgement.
“Only infatuation makes people make self-destructive decisions.”
But he does it nevertheless, and tbh, I loved him for sticking up to his emotions, for acknowledging that what he was feeling was real and worth it. And boy, is he super, super patient, and understanding with Embry.
So Embry, at 23 he is six years younger than Brogan, and yet he is a totally accomplished man, in charge and in total control of what he does. But he is so mysterious, we just know there is way more to him than that. Something that definitely broke my heart when I found out. Highly intelligent and efficient at his work, he has created an aura of danger and aloofness that nobody can get through.
Well, apart from Brogan who simply ignores it. Whatever Embry does to ‘get rid’ of Brogan fails miserably at the man’s determination to make him smile and act more like a normal human. Embry’s intense mistrust, his deeply hidden pain and determination to do what he needs to do push Brogan away again and again, although he realizes that Brogan is coaxing feelings out of him he can’t possibly acknowledge.
But he was lovely and uncertain and trying so hard to crush Brogan’s heart beneath his heel as gently as possible.
I LOVED the way Brogan is breaking Embry down with kindness, understanding and downright cuteness (and yes, Brogan is a bodyguard and a real badass). His 24 hours deal with Embry is so sweet and wonderful, I may have turned into a blob of wistful goo. And then when Brogan gets hurt and Embry is returning the favour … ahhhh!
I won’t say too much about the plot as that will spoil your reading, but please be aware that Embry is in a ‘relationship’ with his boss. Don’t let that put you off this book though – there is a very good reason for that, and the scenario is amazingly well written and explored. And yes, the heart-ache for Brogan is extensive (and mine was, too).
And wasn’t the humour just delicious! It is always there, lightening the tension and the anguish.
Brogan smiled back at him with empty-headed charm, so innocent and pleasant a Keebler elf would look sinister in comparison.
(Brogan to Mario on being questioned about him and Embry) ) “Do you remember the good old days when straight men were too macho and insecure to talk about gay sex? I do. They were nice.”
And of course there are all those wonderful Gizmo (the dog) jokes.
“I have a problem, Brogan said (to Gizmo). “He (Embry) is driving me crazy”
Gizmo yawned.
Brogan put Gizmo in his skull-and-bones doggie sweater – greyhounds got chilled easily – and took him along, which meant Brogan spent the hour long drive strong-arming the shithead back into the passenger seat.
“You are the worst,” he told Gizmo when they were sitting at a red light. Gizmo lapped at his cheek and farted.
In short, this is the perfect mix of sweet and rough, of tense and funny, of hurt and comfort. And I loved every second of it.
Highly recommended.
Ah Brogan. 😍 What an utterly brilliant guy! Loved this book the first time and love it even more now!
Original review:
*5 stars +*
Sidney Bell nailed this one. No, more than that. Utterly, completely, totally nailed it.
Not only did she create two in depth characters, but she also kept me on the edge of my seat with the tense plot.
Brogan is just so lovable, it was almost (but not really) too much. I just kept swooning and sighing and … well. The man is the ultimate carer. He is designed to help and support those he loves, and does so with no regard to himself.
As Mario, his best friend says: “You have the fundamental need to save people you care about to a completely self-destructive degree.”
Or to sum it up in Embry’s words …
“You’re a fucking Care Bear,” Ford said, rolling his eyes.
I loved Brogan’s self-deprecating humour. He knows right from their first meeting that he is falling hard and fast for Embry despite the cold-hearted, dangerous aura the man creates around himself.
….Ford (=Embry) asked, his mouth curling patronizingly. The expression wasn’t unattractive on him, which struck Brogan as unfair.
LOL. And it’s like this all the way. Embry can behave like a complete asshole, but Brogan keeps seeing past it and all he sees is adorable and cute. And he throws Embry off his game again and again which lets us see that there is a very different side to him than the one he wants to show.
Of course Brogan knows that falling for or even liking Embry is real bad judgement.
“Only infatuation makes people make self-destructive decisions.”
But he does it nevertheless, and tbh, I loved him for sticking up to his emotions, for acknowledging that what he was feeling was real and worth it. And boy, is he super, super patient, and understanding with Embry.
So Embry, at 23 he is six years younger than Brogan, and yet he is a totally accomplished man, in charge and in total control of what he does. But he is so mysterious, we just know there is way more to him than that. Something that definitely broke my heart when I found out. Highly intelligent and efficient at his work, he has created an aura of danger and aloofness that nobody can get through.
Well, apart from Brogan who simply ignores it. Whatever Embry does to ‘get rid’ of Brogan fails miserably at the man’s determination to make him smile and act more like a normal human. Embry’s intense mistrust, his deeply hidden pain and determination to do what he needs to do push Brogan away again and again, although he realizes that Brogan is coaxing feelings out of him he can’t possibly acknowledge.
But he was lovely and uncertain and trying so hard to crush Brogan’s heart beneath his heel as gently as possible.
I LOVED the way Brogan is breaking Embry down with kindness, understanding and downright cuteness (and yes, Brogan is a bodyguard and a real badass). His 24 hours deal with Embry is so sweet and wonderful, I may have turned into a blob of wistful goo. And then when Brogan gets hurt and Embry is returning the favour … ahhhh!
I won’t say too much about the plot as that will spoil your reading, but please be aware that Embry is in a ‘relationship’ with his boss. Don’t let that put you off this book though – there is a very good reason for that, and the scenario is amazingly well written and explored. And yes, the heart-ache for Brogan is extensive (and mine was, too).
And wasn’t the humour just delicious! It is always there, lightening the tension and the anguish.
Brogan smiled back at him with empty-headed charm, so innocent and pleasant a Keebler elf would look sinister in comparison.
(Brogan to Mario on being questioned about him and Embry) ) “Do you remember the good old days when straight men were too macho and insecure to talk about gay sex? I do. They were nice.”
And of course there are all those wonderful Gizmo (the dog) jokes.
“I have a problem, Brogan said (to Gizmo). “He (Embry) is driving me crazy”
Gizmo yawned.
Brogan put Gizmo in his skull-and-bones doggie sweater – greyhounds got chilled easily – and took him along, which meant Brogan spent the hour long drive strong-arming the shithead back into the passenger seat.
“You are the worst,” he told Gizmo when they were sitting at a red light. Gizmo lapped at his cheek and farted.
In short, this is the perfect mix of sweet and rough, of tense and funny, of hurt and comfort. And I loved every second of it.
Highly recommended.
February 20, 2018
FIVE STARS TIMES A MILLION
Total.Book.Fog
I want to start reading it all over again. I don't want to move on to another story. I want to stay with this one.
Remember me mentioning I prefer stories with romance instead of romance stories? Yes! This is a STORY with romance. Incredible plot!
Oh, the snark.
Oh, the humor.
Oh, the mystery.
Oh, the angst.
Oh, the action.
Oh, oh, oh. I loved loved loved it.
The combination of snarky humor and tummy twisting reveals in this book make it unique. A stand out.
I'm not going to reveal a single, solitary thing about the plot or characters. This one is best experienced personally.
In my humble reader opinion, the epilogue didn't quite "fit" with the rest of the story. I'll even admit to some mild disappointment when I finished reading it.
Then!!!...I saw another reader's review listing a link to some additional shorts for this book the author posted on her website. One of those is the "original" epilogue. THAT ONE fits. That's the epilogue I was expecting. So I'm going to erase the book one from my mind and replace it with the one posted. *sigh* I'm such a happy reader. So much of my Kindle copy is yellow with highlights.
I urge you go come meet (I even love the names!)
Embry
and
Brogan
Total.Book.Fog
I want to start reading it all over again. I don't want to move on to another story. I want to stay with this one.
Remember me mentioning I prefer stories with romance instead of romance stories? Yes! This is a STORY with romance. Incredible plot!
Oh, the snark.
Oh, the humor.
Oh, the mystery.
Oh, the angst.
Oh, the action.
Oh, oh, oh. I loved loved loved it.
The combination of snarky humor and tummy twisting reveals in this book make it unique. A stand out.
I'm not going to reveal a single, solitary thing about the plot or characters. This one is best experienced personally.
In my humble reader opinion, the epilogue didn't quite "fit" with the rest of the story. I'll even admit to some mild disappointment when I finished reading it.
Then!!!...I saw another reader's review listing a link to some additional shorts for this book the author posted on her website. One of those is the "original" epilogue. THAT ONE fits. That's the epilogue I was expecting. So I'm going to erase the book one from my mind and replace it with the one posted. *sigh* I'm such a happy reader. So much of my Kindle copy is yellow with highlights.
I urge you go come meet (I even love the names!)
Embry
and
Brogan
June 9, 2023
Brogan is not very happy about the new client he has to protect, but all his complaints disappear when he meets the assistant of said new client. Embry Ford is a dream come true, and Brogan is not someone who lets an opportunity like that pass. It doesn’t matter if Embry is taken, refuses to answer him or has enough secrets to make a sane person run away. Brogan is willing to risk everything to help the man he’s falling for. Even his life.
Bad Judgment is a fast-paced suspense romance between a bodyguard with a hero complex and a mysterious guy hungry for revenge. Emotional, dark and a bit amoral at times, it shows how love has the power to save, but also to drive us to commit unthinkable crimes.
I don’t think it was a bad story, but I was so annoyed with Brogan I was unable to see past it. I found his behavior confusing. I couldn’t help but imagine myself as Embry, trying to work while the bodyguard of my boss keeps talking to me out of the blue. Maybe in another context I wouldn’t mind, if this was a rom-com with teens as MCs, but the way Brogan approached Embry felt immature and unprofessional.
“You’d open a vein for me if I asked you to, and I don’t deserve it.”
On top of that, I didn’t really understand why he was so obsessed with Embry. Embry was screaming 'bad decision' yet Brogan decided to somehow ignore it and let himself free fall. I know not everyone is very responsible when it comes to love, but it almost seemed like Embry being a potential criminal was a turn on for him. I could not understand how someone can fall in love and trust a complete stranger when his actions are telling you that he can be trouble-the kind of trouble that puts you both in jail. What I’m trying to say is that, if this wasn’t a romance book, Brogan would be dead before the book started. Because the self preservation gene was not passed to him.
The writing and the pace were good, so I think it was more my problem with Brogan’s judgment that the book itself-maybe I should have read the title more slowly. I can see it being a solid read if you don't spend the book being annoyed at one of the characters.
Dear Alexandra, hope you don't hate me after this. I promise I tried 😭😭 I really appreciate the rec and I'll be trying other books by the author xx
Bad Judgment is a fast-paced suspense romance between a bodyguard with a hero complex and a mysterious guy hungry for revenge. Emotional, dark and a bit amoral at times, it shows how love has the power to save, but also to drive us to commit unthinkable crimes.
I don’t think it was a bad story, but I was so annoyed with Brogan I was unable to see past it. I found his behavior confusing. I couldn’t help but imagine myself as Embry, trying to work while the bodyguard of my boss keeps talking to me out of the blue. Maybe in another context I wouldn’t mind, if this was a rom-com with teens as MCs, but the way Brogan approached Embry felt immature and unprofessional.
“You’d open a vein for me if I asked you to, and I don’t deserve it.”
On top of that, I didn’t really understand why he was so obsessed with Embry. Embry was screaming 'bad decision' yet Brogan decided to somehow ignore it and let himself free fall. I know not everyone is very responsible when it comes to love, but it almost seemed like Embry being a potential criminal was a turn on for him. I could not understand how someone can fall in love and trust a complete stranger when his actions are telling you that he can be trouble-the kind of trouble that puts you both in jail. What I’m trying to say is that, if this wasn’t a romance book, Brogan would be dead before the book started. Because the self preservation gene was not passed to him.
The writing and the pace were good, so I think it was more my problem with Brogan’s judgment that the book itself-maybe I should have read the title more slowly. I can see it being a solid read if you don't spend the book being annoyed at one of the characters.
Dear Alexandra, hope you don't hate me after this. I promise I tried 😭😭 I really appreciate the rec and I'll be trying other books by the author xx
July 25, 2017
Why did I wait so long to read this gem? Sidney Bell could turn out to be my breakout author of 2017 if she keeps this up.
This book grabbed me right away. I like it when one of the MCs is knocked for a loop by the other on sight and Brogan is so dazzled by Embry that he inadvertently outs himself on his first day working security at Touring Industries. Joel Henniton is COO of Touring and he’s been the recipient of some death threats. Embry is Joel’s assistant and lover. Joel is married too. Yeah, he’s a lovely human being. *sarcasm*
Bad Judgment is heavy on corporate espionage as Touring is in the armaments game that may have some illegal international sales. There is also quite a bit of violence, domestic abuse and an attempted rape so exercise caution if these are triggers for you. As the story unfolds and the pieces start to fall into place the criminal and the romance storylines began to overlap for me. Brogan and Embry are crazy about each other and there is some martyring but not in that melodramatic way that makes me want to get out my stapler and duct tape.
The blood surrounding my body crushing every bit of bone
The salt, it seeps in through the pores of my open skin
Embry is not easy to like. He’s ice cold with a lethal and dangerous quality about him that’s both intriguing and scary. There are valid reasons for him being the way he is, but warm and fuzzy he is not. Brogan sees the real Embry though and can find the cracks and burrow in which leads him to believe Embry’s hiding something and Brogan can’t let it go. Once he finds out the truth it turns out Embry can’t let it go either.
Even though Embry’s not particularly likable it’s hard not to feel for him. He’s subsisted on revenge for a very long time and buried the sweet, shy, quiet, nerd who loved to play video games and spent too much time in the lab a long time ago and become something else. Someone else. Single-minded in his purpose he sacrifices so much of himself without a care. Until Brogan.
Brogan sees all of his flaws and still wants him. He sees the perfectionism, the exacting details, the standoffishness and the flawless appearance for what they are: a mask. Embry’s intelligence is awe-inspiring but it’s also made him remote and isolated, maybe even narcissistic. Then again, he feels like he can’t trust anyone which makes self-reliance a necessity. However, I do wish he would've trusted Brogan. I can't help it. Even though I understand why he does what he does. Still. I wish he would've used his considerable words and let him in.
Welcome to my cage little lover
Time to rearrange with you baby
The sweet surrender of silence forces me to live alone
Locked and loaded, where the hell is peace of mind?
Brogan has his flaws too but he’s just so lovable and loyal and open that who cares? He’s ex-military and has his peccadilloes from his time spent in Iraq. So he’s a little reckless for his loved ones, maybe to his own detriment. Whatever! He’s pretty adorable and the banter he and Embry engage in is chuckle worthy. He falls so hard for Embry. Not instalove fast but he’s smitten quickly.
The chemistry is blazing between them and someone's pretty bossy in the bedroom which I'll never be averse to. Even though Embry can’t muster up the words how much he loves Brogan is in everything that he does and some of the things that he can no longer withstand. Their relationship is nowhere near perfect but the connection and the emotions involved are pretty damned close. Bell made me invest in this narrative and root for these two. There were moments when I doubted they would make it and in romancelandia that is rare.
Her writing has a realism that speaks to me. These characters have layers, make mistakes and she balances the two so well. The blocks of perspective from one character may be my favorite way of storytelling. Garrett Leigh often does this and I seem to prefer it to bouncing back and forth. Gives me the chance to really get to know them and turns them into “real” people that I’d see at the grocery store or Target or whatever. Also, fist bump for the Keyser Söze reference.
There is hurt and comfort and a couple of dead bodies and a realistic resolution to both plotlines and the sex was stellar. Consider me on pins and needles waiting for whatever Sidney Bell has to offer next.
The bottom of the deep blue sea
The bottom of the deep blue sea
~Missio
“…Sometimes mistakes lead to the best moments of your whole existence.”
This book grabbed me right away. I like it when one of the MCs is knocked for a loop by the other on sight and Brogan is so dazzled by Embry that he inadvertently outs himself on his first day working security at Touring Industries. Joel Henniton is COO of Touring and he’s been the recipient of some death threats. Embry is Joel’s assistant and lover. Joel is married too. Yeah, he’s a lovely human being. *sarcasm*
Bad Judgment is heavy on corporate espionage as Touring is in the armaments game that may have some illegal international sales. There is also quite a bit of violence, domestic abuse and an attempted rape so exercise caution if these are triggers for you. As the story unfolds and the pieces start to fall into place the criminal and the romance storylines began to overlap for me. Brogan and Embry are crazy about each other and there is some martyring but not in that melodramatic way that makes me want to get out my stapler and duct tape.
The blood surrounding my body crushing every bit of bone
The salt, it seeps in through the pores of my open skin
Embry is not easy to like. He’s ice cold with a lethal and dangerous quality about him that’s both intriguing and scary. There are valid reasons for him being the way he is, but warm and fuzzy he is not. Brogan sees the real Embry though and can find the cracks and burrow in which leads him to believe Embry’s hiding something and Brogan can’t let it go. Once he finds out the truth it turns out Embry can’t let it go either.
“There are different kinds of wars,” Brogan said, shrugging. “The sensation of breaking doesn’t change.”
Even though Embry’s not particularly likable it’s hard not to feel for him. He’s subsisted on revenge for a very long time and buried the sweet, shy, quiet, nerd who loved to play video games and spent too much time in the lab a long time ago and become something else. Someone else. Single-minded in his purpose he sacrifices so much of himself without a care. Until Brogan.
Brogan sees all of his flaws and still wants him. He sees the perfectionism, the exacting details, the standoffishness and the flawless appearance for what they are: a mask. Embry’s intelligence is awe-inspiring but it’s also made him remote and isolated, maybe even narcissistic. Then again, he feels like he can’t trust anyone which makes self-reliance a necessity. However, I do wish he would've trusted Brogan. I can't help it. Even though I understand why he does what he does. Still. I wish he would've used his considerable words and let him in.
Welcome to my cage little lover
Time to rearrange with you baby
The sweet surrender of silence forces me to live alone
Locked and loaded, where the hell is peace of mind?
Brogan has his flaws too but he’s just so lovable and loyal and open that who cares? He’s ex-military and has his peccadilloes from his time spent in Iraq. So he’s a little reckless for his loved ones, maybe to his own detriment. Whatever! He’s pretty adorable and the banter he and Embry engage in is chuckle worthy. He falls so hard for Embry. Not instalove fast but he’s smitten quickly.
“And when you realize that you want this, all you have to do is say so, and I’ll take you apart. I’ll make you come so hard you’ll forget he ever existed, Ford.”
The chemistry is blazing between them and someone's pretty bossy in the bedroom which I'll never be averse to. Even though Embry can’t muster up the words how much he loves Brogan is in everything that he does and some of the things that he can no longer withstand. Their relationship is nowhere near perfect but the connection and the emotions involved are pretty damned close. Bell made me invest in this narrative and root for these two. There were moments when I doubted they would make it and in romancelandia that is rare.
Her writing has a realism that speaks to me. These characters have layers, make mistakes and she balances the two so well. The blocks of perspective from one character may be my favorite way of storytelling. Garrett Leigh often does this and I seem to prefer it to bouncing back and forth. Gives me the chance to really get to know them and turns them into “real” people that I’d see at the grocery store or Target or whatever. Also, fist bump for the Keyser Söze reference.
There is hurt and comfort and a couple of dead bodies and a realistic resolution to both plotlines and the sex was stellar. Consider me on pins and needles waiting for whatever Sidney Bell has to offer next.
The bottom of the deep blue sea
The bottom of the deep blue sea
~Missio
September 1, 2016
4.5 stars
This was ridiculously good. Enemies to lovers story w buckets of UST, lot's of humor, sweet romance and a some action/suspense to top it off.
Brogan Smith is a bodyguard who has been assigned a new case. He's also been warned that his subject is a nightmare so he's expecting to dislike the man. What he's not expecting is how fascinated he is by the man's executive assistant. Embry Ford is not only gorgeous but he's incredibly smart. He also appears to be made out of ice. Brogan can't help himself when he's around Embry. Pushing Embry's buttons and riling him up delights Brogan. What doesn't delight Brogan is the fact that Embry appears to be in abusive relationship with his boss. The part of Brogan that is an innate protector can't seem to step back and let Embry continue on as he is. The problem is that things aren't as they seem and Embry doesn't want any help, or anything else for that matter, from Brogan.
The first part of the story is told from Brogan's point of view and he's an entertaining storyteller. He's funny and realistic about his personality and his issues with wanting to help people. Slowly he starts to break Embry down and the more he gets to know the man the more he worries. The second part is told from Embry's point of view and here is where we learn how incredibly complicated his situation is.
The writing was really well done and the pacing of the story was excellent. This was a enemies to lovers type story and I found that aspect delightful. These two are super funny as they argue and snipe at each other along the way. You can't help but like Brogan and it's entertaining as he slowly chips away out Embry's tough exterior.
This story is definitely a romance but also a suspense novel filled with action and bad guys. This was one of the best books I've read so far this year and it's one that I highly recommend. I loved it from beginning to end.
This was ridiculously good. Enemies to lovers story w buckets of UST, lot's of humor, sweet romance and a some action/suspense to top it off.
Brogan Smith is a bodyguard who has been assigned a new case. He's also been warned that his subject is a nightmare so he's expecting to dislike the man. What he's not expecting is how fascinated he is by the man's executive assistant. Embry Ford is not only gorgeous but he's incredibly smart. He also appears to be made out of ice. Brogan can't help himself when he's around Embry. Pushing Embry's buttons and riling him up delights Brogan. What doesn't delight Brogan is the fact that Embry appears to be in abusive relationship with his boss. The part of Brogan that is an innate protector can't seem to step back and let Embry continue on as he is. The problem is that things aren't as they seem and Embry doesn't want any help, or anything else for that matter, from Brogan.
The first part of the story is told from Brogan's point of view and he's an entertaining storyteller. He's funny and realistic about his personality and his issues with wanting to help people. Slowly he starts to break Embry down and the more he gets to know the man the more he worries. The second part is told from Embry's point of view and here is where we learn how incredibly complicated his situation is.
The writing was really well done and the pacing of the story was excellent. This was a enemies to lovers type story and I found that aspect delightful. These two are super funny as they argue and snipe at each other along the way. You can't help but like Brogan and it's entertaining as he slowly chips away out Embry's tough exterior.
This story is definitely a romance but also a suspense novel filled with action and bad guys. This was one of the best books I've read so far this year and it's one that I highly recommend. I loved it from beginning to end.
December 16, 2016
First off, this book is a virtual landmine of potential spoilers. I will be deliberately vague to protect the reader's enjoyment of discovering the crimes and character motivations for themselves.
I misread the blurb when I started reading this book, which isn't anything new for me, but just in case the blurb is confusing to anyone else, I think going in your should know that the author is NOT referring that Brogan is the man who Embry "(is) working for—and bedding—a man he loathes." Brogan is Embry's boss's bodyguard.
Get ready for some down-and-dirty angst my friends! This one is packed to the brim with it.
I'm a bit fussy about my angst and very much a mood reader, so reading this book before any other reviews were posted was a gamble for me since I wasn't able to read it in my "angst" frame of mind. No stars will be deducted for this, but be prepared for triggers such as on-page physical violence, emotional abuse and attempted rape.
I loved Brogan, the bodyguard with a heart of gold. Ready to sacrifice his career and very life for the man is has grown to love and respect. We do get a nice helping of healing/comfort from him and, I gotta tell you, Embry needed it!
Sidney Bell is a first time M/M author and I thought this was a promising debut. I will definitely read any other M/M books she writes.
In a nutshell:
Recommended with caution.
Galley copy of Bad Judgment provided by Carina Press in exchange of an honest review.
This review is also posted at Gay Book Reviews
I misread the blurb when I started reading this book, which isn't anything new for me, but just in case the blurb is confusing to anyone else, I think going in your should know that the author is NOT referring that Brogan is the man who Embry "(is) working for—and bedding—a man he loathes." Brogan is Embry's boss's bodyguard.
Get ready for some down-and-dirty angst my friends! This one is packed to the brim with it.
I'm a bit fussy about my angst and very much a mood reader, so reading this book before any other reviews were posted was a gamble for me since I wasn't able to read it in my "angst" frame of mind. No stars will be deducted for this, but be prepared for triggers such as on-page physical violence, emotional abuse and attempted rape.
I loved Brogan, the bodyguard with a heart of gold. Ready to sacrifice his career and very life for the man is has grown to love and respect. We do get a nice helping of healing/comfort from him and, I gotta tell you, Embry needed it!
Sidney Bell is a first time M/M author and I thought this was a promising debut. I will definitely read any other M/M books she writes.
In a nutshell:
Angst-o-rama
Dirty sex, but not without emotional attachment
Plenty of gore
Full of surprise reveals
Not a lot of warm-and-fuzzies, but Brogan was a gallant hero
Valiant first-time M/M writer effort
Recommended with caution.
Galley copy of Bad Judgment provided by Carina Press in exchange of an honest review.
This review is also posted at Gay Book Reviews
April 5, 2019
This time I knew what the outcome would be but the story still kept me past my bed time and still gave me high blood pressure. Ans I'm still crushing hard on Embry. My rating stands.
----------------------------------------------
5 +++ stars!
How is this a debut novel? I can't believe it. Sidney Bell managed to become an auto read with just two books.
Needless to say, I loved everything about this: the narrative structure (so brilliant), the characters, the banter, the passion, the romance, the sex, the mystery, the grit, the angst, the ending, EVERYTHING!
I read Loose Cannon first, and after reading Bad Judgement, I realised that the author is very skilled at describing the characters' reactions with extreme detail, but only a few words. That's not an easy thing for a write to do.
Very highly recommended (but heed the trigger warnings)
----------------------------------------------
5 +++ stars!
How is this a debut novel? I can't believe it. Sidney Bell managed to become an auto read with just two books.
Needless to say, I loved everything about this: the narrative structure (so brilliant), the characters, the banter, the passion, the romance, the sex, the mystery, the grit, the angst, the ending, EVERYTHING!
I read Loose Cannon first, and after reading Bad Judgement, I realised that the author is very skilled at describing the characters' reactions with extreme detail, but only a few words. That's not an easy thing for a write to do.
Very highly recommended (but heed the trigger warnings)
June 25, 2020
5 stars. Hands down. If Sidney Bell continues to deliver in other books I'll be trying, she may become one of my fave MM romance authors.
The first 50% or so was pretty slow. But it built the connection and attraction between the MCs. If the first 50% continued as is, this would have at most been 4 stars, and only if I felt generous. It was good writing, good banter, but BORING. Slow. Nothing too special about the characters...
And then Brogan started digging, putting the pieces together. And things took off at lightning speed when Part II rolled around from Embry's POV. Since then, it's been 5 stars all the way. And since It ended on a nice wrap-up sex scene, I'm happy enough to give this 5 stars overall.
Embry:
But with dark eyes. And Embry would look a lot more put together, and less overtly... "bad" and a lot colder.
Brogan:
We actually don't get much description of what Brogan looks like bc he doesn't describe himself and Embry doesn't "take in" a person that way. We only know he's relatively big, tall, ex-army and dark blond.
Also, this is apparently the author's debut work. Bravo! Nowhere to go but up from here, right?
This book contains a lot of tropes I like:
* Brilliant hero with social/ personality disorder (bc he's just so brilliant)
* Both MCs are strong. No "twink" in sight. I love this type of MM rom. Embry is more magnetic than Brogan. Brogan is the typical gentle giant, patient, kind, loving, selfless. No push-over. But extremely understanding and empathetic.
So much so that ...But the author handled it well, so I let it go. It served a purpose in the story, it helped us both understand Brogan and Embry better.
* Hot, emotional sex scnes
* Realism and intelligent handling of various subjects, investigations, rape, etc. vs. many other authors out there who use things as "plot devices" as ways of pushing or coercing a reader to feel things. Artificially. This author does it right.
So, I will definitely be checking out more of SB's works. Even if I have to pay for it.
The first 50% or so was pretty slow. But it built the connection and attraction between the MCs. If the first 50% continued as is, this would have at most been 4 stars, and only if I felt generous. It was good writing, good banter, but BORING. Slow. Nothing too special about the characters...
And then Brogan started digging, putting the pieces together. And things took off at lightning speed when Part II rolled around from Embry's POV. Since then, it's been 5 stars all the way. And since It ended on a nice wrap-up sex scene, I'm happy enough to give this 5 stars overall.
Embry:
But with dark eyes. And Embry would look a lot more put together, and less overtly... "bad" and a lot colder.
Brogan:
We actually don't get much description of what Brogan looks like bc he doesn't describe himself and Embry doesn't "take in" a person that way. We only know he's relatively big, tall, ex-army and dark blond.
Also, this is apparently the author's debut work. Bravo! Nowhere to go but up from here, right?
This book contains a lot of tropes I like:
* Brilliant hero with social/ personality disorder (bc he's just so brilliant)
* Both MCs are strong. No "twink" in sight. I love this type of MM rom. Embry is more magnetic than Brogan. Brogan is the typical gentle giant, patient, kind, loving, selfless. No push-over. But extremely understanding and empathetic.
So much so that ...But the author handled it well, so I let it go. It served a purpose in the story, it helped us both understand Brogan and Embry better.
* Hot, emotional sex scnes
* Realism and intelligent handling of various subjects, investigations, rape, etc. vs. many other authors out there who use things as "plot devices" as ways of pushing or coercing a reader to feel things. Artificially. This author does it right.
So, I will definitely be checking out more of SB's works. Even if I have to pay for it.
March 10, 2017
***4.5 Stars***
BOY, AM I GLAD I LISTENED TO MY INNER VOICE AND KEPT READING!!! At roughly 25%, I was on the verge of giving up because the beginning dragged like cheese on a pizza.
Thank heavens for Brogan being such an ador(k)able guy and for Embry making my heart bleed, ...
... otherwise I would have missed out on an original and therefore a bit different than I expected mystery, ...
... and a sweet romance that started with an insta-crush for Embry on Brogan's part, a rather reluctant, thus slow attraction towards Brogan on Embry's part and then turned into a exceptional relationship between two different-as-night-and-day and yet so much alike characters, ...
... all of it packed in an excellent writing-style that makes everything about the story that much more believable .
Once things between Brogan and Embry and also in regards to the whodunnit-part picked up, it was hard for me to put my Kindle down. Even though the humorous writing and the banter between Brogan and Embry made me laugh quite often and definitely lightened the mood a bit, this is not a pure fluff-and-all-hearts-and-roses kind of story. It deals with a serious topic and there are pretty drastic and graphic scenes, but my inner angst-junkie was happy and that is all I could have hoped for.
BOY, AM I GLAD I LISTENED TO MY INNER VOICE AND KEPT READING!!! At roughly 25%, I was on the verge of giving up because the beginning dragged like cheese on a pizza.
Thank heavens for Brogan being such an ador(k)able guy and for Embry making my heart bleed, ...
... otherwise I would have missed out on an original and therefore a bit different than I expected mystery, ...
... and a sweet romance that started with an insta-crush for Embry on Brogan's part, a rather reluctant, thus slow attraction towards Brogan on Embry's part and then turned into a exceptional relationship between two different-as-night-and-day and yet so much alike characters, ...
... all of it packed in an excellent writing-style that makes everything about the story that much more believable .
Once things between Brogan and Embry and also in regards to the whodunnit-part picked up, it was hard for me to put my Kindle down. Even though the humorous writing and the banter between Brogan and Embry made me laugh quite often and definitely lightened the mood a bit, this is not a pure fluff-and-all-hearts-and-roses kind of story. It deals with a serious topic and there are pretty drastic and graphic scenes, but my inner angst-junkie was happy and that is all I could have hoped for.
March 27, 2017
Me resulta muy complicado poner un rating a este libro, me ha gustado, a pesar de ser largo no me he aburrido en absoluto, y creo que es un libro debut muy bueno, la autora promete mucho. Sin embargo, es un poco irregular, la calidad del misterio/thriller no es la misma que la de la construcción de los personajes y su relación.
Es difícil encontrar un buen libro de misterio, o un buen thriller, dentro del mundo de la literatura romántica, o al menos esa ha sido mi experiencia. Aquí esa parte de la trama no es tan débil como en otros libros, y desde luego no cae en el ridículo. Pero, creo que no está bien atada, algunas cosas son increíbles, en el sentido de que no hay quien se lo crea, y con el proceso de pensamiento de Embry, uno de los protagonistas y el eje de la parte de misterio, a veces es imposible seguir su lógica.
Todo cambia en lo relativo a los personajes, tanto Embry como Brogan están muy bien perfilados, y la autora consigue que sientas de una forma natura cómo poco a poco se va construyendo la relación. Los diálogos entre los dos son buenísimos, de lo mejor que he leído, y en más de una ocasión me han arrancado el suspiro o la carcajada. Siendo los dos adorables, cada uno en su manera, es Embry el que roba todo el show, quizás difícil de querer para algunos, pero personajazo para mi.
Muy recomendable, me han encantado ellos y tiene uno de los mejores epílogos que he leído. Estaré muy pendiente de la autora.
EN TODO EL LIBRO HAY DOS PALABRAS EN CASTELLANO: BUENOS DíAS, DíAS ESTÁ ESCRITO SIN ACENTO, ESO ES UNA FALTA DE ORTOGRAFÍA EN MI IDIOMA IGUAL QUE SI PONES VUENOS EN LUGAR DE BUENOS. DOS PALABRAS Y 50 % DE ERROR, NO HABRÍA NINGUNO SI LA AUTORA SE HUBIERA TOMADO EL INTERÉS Y HUBIERA RESPETADO MI IDIOMA, Y POR TANTO A MI. UNA MÁS DE CIENTOS DE LIBROS DE ROMÁNTICA, LA DIVERSIDAD EMPIEZA POR AQUÍ.
Es difícil encontrar un buen libro de misterio, o un buen thriller, dentro del mundo de la literatura romántica, o al menos esa ha sido mi experiencia. Aquí esa parte de la trama no es tan débil como en otros libros, y desde luego no cae en el ridículo. Pero, creo que no está bien atada, algunas cosas son increíbles, en el sentido de que no hay quien se lo crea, y con el proceso de pensamiento de Embry, uno de los protagonistas y el eje de la parte de misterio, a veces es imposible seguir su lógica.
Todo cambia en lo relativo a los personajes, tanto Embry como Brogan están muy bien perfilados, y la autora consigue que sientas de una forma natura cómo poco a poco se va construyendo la relación. Los diálogos entre los dos son buenísimos, de lo mejor que he leído, y en más de una ocasión me han arrancado el suspiro o la carcajada. Siendo los dos adorables, cada uno en su manera, es Embry el que roba todo el show, quizás difícil de querer para algunos, pero personajazo para mi.
Muy recomendable, me han encantado ellos y tiene uno de los mejores epílogos que he leído. Estaré muy pendiente de la autora.
EN TODO EL LIBRO HAY DOS PALABRAS EN CASTELLANO: BUENOS DíAS, DíAS ESTÁ ESCRITO SIN ACENTO, ESO ES UNA FALTA DE ORTOGRAFÍA EN MI IDIOMA IGUAL QUE SI PONES VUENOS EN LUGAR DE BUENOS. DOS PALABRAS Y 50 % DE ERROR, NO HABRÍA NINGUNO SI LA AUTORA SE HUBIERA TOMADO EL INTERÉS Y HUBIERA RESPETADO MI IDIOMA, Y POR TANTO A MI. UNA MÁS DE CIENTOS DE LIBROS DE ROMÁNTICA, LA DIVERSIDAD EMPIEZA POR AQUÍ.
i-m-a-quitter
February 10, 2018DNF @ 64%
It took me about a week to get to 64% in this book. Now, it's probably not entirely the books fault. I had a lot going on that week. But here I am another week later and I just haven't had the desire to pick this one back up.
Bottom line, I just found the romance to be lacking. The suspense definitely takes a front seat to the romance. And while sometimes that's okay....the romance was just< i>too lacking here to keep me interested.
I didn't really feel any connection between the MCs. Most of the time, they didn't even really like each other. Yeah, they had some banter but it was just okay for me. I just never felt the love brewing.
This was a slooooooooow build. But again, we were lacking in chemistry and connection IMO. And then at the same time it was total insta-love. The "I love you's" came out of left field.
I don't know. I just kept losing interest, I kept putting it down, doing other things. Eventually I just started other books. And 4 or 5 books later, it's still not calling to me. So....I'm a quitter on this one.
It took me about a week to get to 64% in this book. Now, it's probably not entirely the books fault. I had a lot going on that week. But here I am another week later and I just haven't had the desire to pick this one back up.
Bottom line, I just found the romance to be lacking. The suspense definitely takes a front seat to the romance. And while sometimes that's okay....the romance was just< i>too lacking here to keep me interested.
I didn't really feel any connection between the MCs. Most of the time, they didn't even really like each other. Yeah, they had some banter but it was just okay for me. I just never felt the love brewing.
This was a slooooooooow build. But again, we were lacking in chemistry and connection IMO. And then at the same time it was total insta-love. The "I love you's" came out of left field.
I don't know. I just kept losing interest, I kept putting it down, doing other things. Eventually I just started other books. And 4 or 5 books later, it's still not calling to me. So....I'm a quitter on this one.
April 1, 2017
4 well deserved stars and a big “thank you” to Heather, because without this great gift, I don’t think I would have tried it and that would have been a shame : I truly enjoyed it a lot.
Brogan is assigned to be the bodyguard of an arm dealer and in his line of work, he gets to meet Embry, a very efficient, if not cold, assistant, and as it turns out, also the lover of his client. Brogan can’t deny to himself his attraction to Embry. His caring side kicks in, and he has to understand what’s going on with Embry.
The writing is very good, the plot is solid, the mystery is interestingly unravelled, giving a fascinating perspective of Embry, his actions and his despair. This story is intense, angsty and kept me on the edge of my seat and I loved the development of the relationship between Brogan and Embry.
Not an easy read, but worth it and highly recommended.
Brogan is assigned to be the bodyguard of an arm dealer and in his line of work, he gets to meet Embry, a very efficient, if not cold, assistant, and as it turns out, also the lover of his client. Brogan can’t deny to himself his attraction to Embry. His caring side kicks in, and he has to understand what’s going on with Embry.
The writing is very good, the plot is solid, the mystery is interestingly unravelled, giving a fascinating perspective of Embry, his actions and his despair. This story is intense, angsty and kept me on the edge of my seat and I loved the development of the relationship between Brogan and Embry.
Not an easy read, but worth it and highly recommended.
October 4, 2020
⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*Meh With Potential*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱
The book centers around bodyguard Brogan Smith (29) and assistant Embry Ford (23). While the book was a bit interesting, it lacked a couple of things. I liked Brogan, I did, but sometimes he "appeared" a bit... dumb? I don't know if it was how he acted or what he said, but sometimes I kinda pictured a child in a grown man's body. Because the thing is, he's not apparently dumb because he's good a reading people and figuring things out. There was just something bugging me.
And then there's Embry. I struggled with him as well. I felt like he didn't really let us readers, nor Brogan in. So it was a bit hard to see the chemistry between the two. Specially for most of the book. It wasn't until the last.... 5-10 chapter that we got to see them getting truly closer. And that bothered me as well since Brogan seems to fall in love quite quick. What did he fall in love with even? I mean, he didn't really know Embry - only how he looked and a couple of sentences here and there.
But the book was still interesting and enjoyable, and it had real potential to be great. But yeah, there was just a couple of thing the didn't sit quite right. That said, I did like it, I just couldn't completely dive into it. The timeline is around/over two months, and while there isn't insta-love, there's strong insta-lust from Brogan. Oh and I wished more happened. I wanted more quick as.
Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (Adult) Contemporary Romance (M/M).
Series: - Standalone.
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Favorite character? - Brogan Smith, I think.
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Sure.
Would I recommend this book/series? - Sure, I think.
Will I read this again in the future? - Don't think so.
Rating - 3 (weak) stars.
June 17, 2021
2.5 stars ⭐️ I have mixed feelings about the book. The story didn't grip me the way I thought it would be.
A setting of romance where one of the MCs is a bodyguard and the other is working for and bedding the boss he loathes didn't quite sit with me at first. A promising part of the suspense, two hot males, hot sex, and angst parts of the book put up with me to the end of the book.
I didn't like the lack of chemistry between Brogan and Embry and didn't feel the connection to the MCs. Brogan was instantly attracted to Embry, Yet Embry disliked Brogan for like the two-third of the book. Everything in the relationship between them happened too quickly.
A setting of romance where one of the MCs is a bodyguard and the other is working for and bedding the boss he loathes didn't quite sit with me at first. A promising part of the suspense, two hot males, hot sex, and angst parts of the book put up with me to the end of the book.
I didn't like the lack of chemistry between Brogan and Embry and didn't feel the connection to the MCs. Brogan was instantly attracted to Embry, Yet Embry disliked Brogan for like the two-third of the book. Everything in the relationship between them happened too quickly.
February 24, 2019
***This is a PSA***
When friends rave about a book don't dawdle. Goodness could be sitting right at your fingertips while you're trudging through ho-hum stories.
I promptly purchased this beauty when it came out, the cover alone is dreamy, but for some bizarre reason kept putting it off for later. Big mistake. Or maybe subconsciously I knew I'd need something to savor in low times and savor it I did. I actually forced myself to take this in small doses, one or two chapters at a time, letting the the writing, and story just seep into me. Bliss.
The bare bones: Brogan Smith is an army veteran, still haunted by Iraq, but now working in the personal protection industry. During his latest assignment he meets Embry Ford, personal assistant to Brogan's primary. The rest is a love story for the ages which touched me deep and had me considering a soundtrack. It also brought to mind some of my favorite bodyguard/size difference stories, namely Close Protection, not the specifics of plot, but the relationship between the MCs, their physical selves, and sometimes their dynamic.
I don't know what to to say without revealing too much so I'll just say what I loved. Everything. I probably highlighted half the book just because of a turn of phrase or because I cracked up at Brogan's inner monologues. Despite or because he came back from the horror of war, Brogan is determined to live in the here and now, giving himself wholeheartedly to those he loves. Including his dog Giz. On the other hand Embry is all sharp edges and dark corners, that conceal almost unfathomable horror and pain. He feels incapable of letting himself love or be loved, for absolutely valid reasons, but he didn't count on Brogan, who's immovable once he's given his loyalty, and Embry had that almost from the moment they met. Also a man who listens to Nina Simone has a beating heart whether he knows it or not.
I loved that the size difference never implied that Embry needed Brogan's help or rescue, but it did fit beautifully with their physical chemistry. I loved how Sidney Bell stressed Embry's intelligence as the real asset over brute force. I love how the plot itself was, sadly, believable, and I absolutely adore her for that epilogue which deals so perfectly with the final events in the story and gave Brogan & Embry much needed closure.
I'll say no more because I wish others to experience this the way I did. It's the best way.
ps.
"I Wanna Be Yours" by Arctic Monkeys can easily be Brogan's theme. Just sayin'
When friends rave about a book don't dawdle. Goodness could be sitting right at your fingertips while you're trudging through ho-hum stories.
I promptly purchased this beauty when it came out, the cover alone is dreamy, but for some bizarre reason kept putting it off for later. Big mistake. Or maybe subconsciously I knew I'd need something to savor in low times and savor it I did. I actually forced myself to take this in small doses, one or two chapters at a time, letting the the writing, and story just seep into me. Bliss.
The bare bones: Brogan Smith is an army veteran, still haunted by Iraq, but now working in the personal protection industry. During his latest assignment he meets Embry Ford, personal assistant to Brogan's primary. The rest is a love story for the ages which touched me deep and had me considering a soundtrack. It also brought to mind some of my favorite bodyguard/size difference stories, namely Close Protection, not the specifics of plot, but the relationship between the MCs, their physical selves, and sometimes their dynamic.
I don't know what to to say without revealing too much so I'll just say what I loved. Everything. I probably highlighted half the book just because of a turn of phrase or because I cracked up at Brogan's inner monologues. Despite or because he came back from the horror of war, Brogan is determined to live in the here and now, giving himself wholeheartedly to those he loves. Including his dog Giz. On the other hand Embry is all sharp edges and dark corners, that conceal almost unfathomable horror and pain. He feels incapable of letting himself love or be loved, for absolutely valid reasons, but he didn't count on Brogan, who's immovable once he's given his loyalty, and Embry had that almost from the moment they met. Also a man who listens to Nina Simone has a beating heart whether he knows it or not.
I loved that the size difference never implied that Embry needed Brogan's help or rescue, but it did fit beautifully with their physical chemistry. I loved how Sidney Bell stressed Embry's intelligence as the real asset over brute force. I love how the plot itself was, sadly, believable, and I absolutely adore her for that epilogue which deals so perfectly with the final events in the story and gave Brogan & Embry much needed closure.
I'll say no more because I wish others to experience this the way I did. It's the best way.
ps.
"I Wanna Be Yours" by Arctic Monkeys can easily be Brogan's theme. Just sayin'
May 31, 2023
This was everything I needed in my life right now.
- The writing was great,
- the characters are real and layered,
- the romance part bittersweet
- the plot was action filled and interesting
- the sex scenes are freaking hot
- and a good epilogue & hea
This was a complex story and really hard to say anything about it without spoiler, and I don’t think it would be fair. So let’s say it’s a cheating trope, one of the MC1 is taken, but not because he wants to be with him. The other MC2 is the new bodyguard of the “boyfriend “. Sometimes it’s painful and looks hopeless, then the story focusing on something else and in the end it became a couldn’t put it down why is it ended book. I loved the romance, loved the investigation, loved the mystery about Embry and the big hart of Brogan. Mind the triggers ( violence, abuse, murder, etc) but in my category it’s not dark, more like a crime show on tv, but much more hotter 😃
“Perhaps worst of all, Brogan very rarely wanted things, which meant that when he did come across something he wanted, he had next to no capacity to resist.”
““You’re going to hate me before this is over,” Embry whispered. “Won’t you?” “I don’t know,” Brogan replied. He stood up straight, dropping his hands. “Probably no more than you’ll hate me.””
- The writing was great,
- the characters are real and layered,
- the romance part bittersweet
- the plot was action filled and interesting
- the sex scenes are freaking hot
- and a good epilogue & hea
This was a complex story and really hard to say anything about it without spoiler, and I don’t think it would be fair. So let’s say it’s a cheating trope, one of the MC1 is taken, but not because he wants to be with him. The other MC2 is the new bodyguard of the “boyfriend “. Sometimes it’s painful and looks hopeless, then the story focusing on something else and in the end it became a couldn’t put it down why is it ended book. I loved the romance, loved the investigation, loved the mystery about Embry and the big hart of Brogan. Mind the triggers ( violence, abuse, murder, etc) but in my category it’s not dark, more like a crime show on tv, but much more hotter 😃
“Perhaps worst of all, Brogan very rarely wanted things, which meant that when he did come across something he wanted, he had next to no capacity to resist.”
““You’re going to hate me before this is over,” Embry whispered. “Won’t you?” “I don’t know,” Brogan replied. He stood up straight, dropping his hands. “Probably no more than you’ll hate me.””
February 24, 2018
5 ALL THE RAINBOWS STARS
I could really kick myself for abandoning this book a few months ago (at 8%) for something new and shiny. If it wasn’t for my friend Fabi, I don’t know if I would have went back to it. So, thank you, Fabi!!!
Brogan Smith works in security, and at the moment, he is a bodyguard for Embry Ford’s boss. I adored Brogan. He is funny, caring, just an all-around good guy. So how does he become infatuated with cranky Embry? They were funny together, their snarky conversations cracked me up.
The first half of the book is a little slow, and I was waiting for something to happen. The second half, I didn’t want to put down. You learn all about Embry’s past, and what is really lurking behind his dark eyes.
I don’t want to give anything away, just be prepared for some angst and heartache, but there is also humor and a few sweet moments. Just be prepared for anything.
The only minor complaint I had was with the epilogue. It just seemed “off” to me. I was told that there is an alternative epilogue, so I have to check that one out.
Highly recommend.
I could really kick myself for abandoning this book a few months ago (at 8%) for something new and shiny. If it wasn’t for my friend Fabi, I don’t know if I would have went back to it. So, thank you, Fabi!!!
Brogan Smith works in security, and at the moment, he is a bodyguard for Embry Ford’s boss. I adored Brogan. He is funny, caring, just an all-around good guy. So how does he become infatuated with cranky Embry? They were funny together, their snarky conversations cracked me up.
The first half of the book is a little slow, and I was waiting for something to happen. The second half, I didn’t want to put down. You learn all about Embry’s past, and what is really lurking behind his dark eyes.
I don’t want to give anything away, just be prepared for some angst and heartache, but there is also humor and a few sweet moments. Just be prepared for anything.
The only minor complaint I had was with the epilogue. It just seemed “off” to me. I was told that there is an alternative epilogue, so I have to check that one out.
Highly recommend.
January 11, 2020
4.5 stars. The first half of this moved a little slow, despite everything that was going on. There was quite a lot of set up to Embry's side of the story and the reveal of everything was only in bits and pieces, as it had to be, because Embry was giving nothing up.
If everything about Embry was secrets and shadows, Brogan was an open book. Former military and PTSD sufferer, even added to his less than stellar upbringing with the side effect of making him an automatic martyr for the people he loved, Brogan is a fairly happy, easygoing guy. After a long recovery from the nightmares of his PTSD, he's a stand-up guy, one with strong character and belief in what was right.
Working as personal protection for a *shady* gun manufacturer, Embry is lust at first sight for Brogan Smith. And it's not at all reciprocated. Embry Ford is all business, personal assistant to the client, cold, hard and sharp to everyone. Brogan, however, cannot leave him alone, making things a bit complicated for himself, as Embry is sleeping with his boss. Who is the client. It doesn't take Brogan long to figure out that the client isn't the only one shady, because Embry is hiding something.
The crime/mystery aspect of the story is very well done, though looong. The way the layers are revealed makes it a little more understandable because everything here is a slow burn. The only thing that made the story feel slow was that the developing relationship between Brogan and Embry *Brogan is very determined, in spite of Embry, LOL* was the mystery took precedence. Luckily, I do enjoy a good crime drama, so that didn't turn me off the story. Still, while it was interesting, Brogan and Embry were a lot more interesting to me, and I wanted more of them.
Once Embry stops hiding himself from Brogan *after Brogan figured some stuff out and left him no choice*, the story really starts moving and gets pretty damn exciting. The pace becomes fast and at the end somewhat brutal. True to the rest of the story, everything does not get tied up with a nice neat bow, and this had one of the better epilogues I've read, because it actually shows the struggles they have to get to the good place they deserve.
The bad guys are well done *and utterly, believably despicable* but my favorite secondary was Brogan's best friend Mario. His and Brogan's conversations and interactions were so real and funny and gave much needed levity to the story. Brogan was always lovable but Embry himself was an amazing character, complicated, dark and still sympathetic.
I very much enjoyed this and look forward to more stories from Sidney Bell!
*Edit* Wait, this was the author's debut? That makes it even more impressive. Bravo!
If everything about Embry was secrets and shadows, Brogan was an open book. Former military and PTSD sufferer, even added to his less than stellar upbringing with the side effect of making him an automatic martyr for the people he loved, Brogan is a fairly happy, easygoing guy. After a long recovery from the nightmares of his PTSD, he's a stand-up guy, one with strong character and belief in what was right.
Working as personal protection for a *shady* gun manufacturer, Embry is lust at first sight for Brogan Smith. And it's not at all reciprocated. Embry Ford is all business, personal assistant to the client, cold, hard and sharp to everyone. Brogan, however, cannot leave him alone, making things a bit complicated for himself, as Embry is sleeping with his boss. Who is the client. It doesn't take Brogan long to figure out that the client isn't the only one shady, because Embry is hiding something.
The crime/mystery aspect of the story is very well done, though looong. The way the layers are revealed makes it a little more understandable because everything here is a slow burn. The only thing that made the story feel slow was that the developing relationship between Brogan and Embry *Brogan is very determined, in spite of Embry, LOL* was the mystery took precedence. Luckily, I do enjoy a good crime drama, so that didn't turn me off the story. Still, while it was interesting, Brogan and Embry were a lot more interesting to me, and I wanted more of them.
Once Embry stops hiding himself from Brogan *after Brogan figured some stuff out and left him no choice*, the story really starts moving and gets pretty damn exciting. The pace becomes fast and at the end somewhat brutal. True to the rest of the story, everything does not get tied up with a nice neat bow, and this had one of the better epilogues I've read, because it actually shows the struggles they have to get to the good place they deserve.
The bad guys are well done *and utterly, believably despicable* but my favorite secondary was Brogan's best friend Mario. His and Brogan's conversations and interactions were so real and funny and gave much needed levity to the story. Brogan was always lovable but Embry himself was an amazing character, complicated, dark and still sympathetic.
I very much enjoyed this and look forward to more stories from Sidney Bell!
*Edit* Wait, this was the author's debut? That makes it even more impressive. Bravo!
October 16, 2016
4.5 stars
Excellent debut novel. Half a star deleted for abrupt ending. Would've liked a longer epilogue but overall stellar writing, great banter, slow burn, nice steam.....did I say great banter? There are a few triggers for sure but I was completely invested and the author was able to work it out.
Loved it.
Excellent debut novel. Half a star deleted for abrupt ending. Would've liked a longer epilogue but overall stellar writing, great banter, slow burn, nice steam.....did I say great banter? There are a few triggers for sure but I was completely invested and the author was able to work it out.
Loved it.
April 3, 2019
You know when you're in that reading funk phase and you pick up a book which is quite appreciated by the others and think this will get you through it or a teeny part thinks that if it doesn't, you'll get to critique the writing and find some flaw, anything that irks you. Let's just say I was brimming in that phase and this book didn't become the holy martyr. It is one of the most un-flawed writing I've read in M/M romance and I couldn't find a snippet or emotion or even a fucking word out of place. The writing is just so balanced.
That said, through half of it I was still on the verge, So what if the writing is a smooth sail. Still, it isn't perfect and again this disproved that. The writing is perfect for the way the snippety talks and snippety thoughts align the characters. They align and keep moving forward with the story (a lengthy one but who doesn't like a long dong now and then).
Brogan is that sap you can't imagine being anything but overbearing even though he's been dissuaded by many. He's the embodiment of recklessness when you find Love and don't know what to do to keep it. What to do when you don't know how to hold on to it and not let it go or not be afraid to let it go. You know that awkward moment you say something important at a crucial moment thinking your saying it will make a difference and then the other person just skips through it and you feel shitty later. Brogan is the king of those.
Embry is a whole other story whose motives behind his words and actions will best be understood if you read his part. He's a mystery, Sure. But he's also the mystery with a very weak foundation whose moral compass is a bit defective cos he's never been guided otherwise. And the moment he encounters our Sap, he's dismantled to say the least.
I'll say this to reaffirm as many others have, their dynamic is brilliantly portrayed. They change roles in their dynamic so voraciously and I wasn't bored at all. The sparring and what follows was one of my favourite bits. Also, the epilogue is amazing cos it covers a crucial part of their relationship beautifully.
(I hate to admit it but yes I read that guy's name more than a number of times as Embryo instead of Embry. Honest mistake, I know.)
That said, through half of it I was still on the verge, So what if the writing is a smooth sail. Still, it isn't perfect and again this disproved that. The writing is perfect for the way the snippety talks and snippety thoughts align the characters. They align and keep moving forward with the story (a lengthy one but who doesn't like a long dong now and then).
Brogan is that sap you can't imagine being anything but overbearing even though he's been dissuaded by many. He's the embodiment of recklessness when you find Love and don't know what to do to keep it. What to do when you don't know how to hold on to it and not let it go or not be afraid to let it go. You know that awkward moment you say something important at a crucial moment thinking your saying it will make a difference and then the other person just skips through it and you feel shitty later. Brogan is the king of those.
Embry is a whole other story whose motives behind his words and actions will best be understood if you read his part. He's a mystery, Sure. But he's also the mystery with a very weak foundation whose moral compass is a bit defective cos he's never been guided otherwise. And the moment he encounters our Sap, he's dismantled to say the least.
I'll say this to reaffirm as many others have, their dynamic is brilliantly portrayed. They change roles in their dynamic so voraciously and I wasn't bored at all. The sparring and what follows was one of my favourite bits. Also, the epilogue is amazing cos it covers a crucial part of their relationship beautifully.
(I hate to admit it but yes I read that guy's name more than a number of times as Embryo instead of Embry. Honest mistake, I know.)
May 23, 2017
Brogan y Embry son absolutamente maravillosos, y poco más que añadir xDDDD
Bueno, algo más, kudos a Sidney Bell por ese epílogo, gracias por hacer algo realista que no traiciona a los personajes y que encima es la guinda del pastel. La seguiré de cerca.
Bueno, algo más, kudos a Sidney Bell por ese epílogo, gracias por hacer algo realista que no traiciona a los personajes y que encima es la guinda del pastel. La seguiré de cerca.
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