Twelve for Two Hundred

Men of the Vault #1

by Aria Grace

Rod Tanner's brothel on the outskirts of Vegas has its own special mix of clientele and hustlers, where the agreement by the hot boys is to do anything the clients want for a twelve-month period with a guaranteed payout of two hundred thousand dollars at the end of their contract.

It's the one place that Edge can find a complete, unattached release. Sometimes it doesn't feel like quite enough, but one of the new guys at The Vault sparks Edge's interest, especially when the tattoo the young man sports indicates he's part of the Nicola family. For Edge, the Nicola crest isn't the sign of anything good. It's just the representation of a past life that ended in heartache and vengeance.

Liam can't believe he's working for Tanner's brothel, but he needs the money and a safe place to hide out for a while. The only thing he can hope for is to blend in and keep his head down until he saves up enough money to run again. That's until dark and gorgeous Edge comes into his life. Liam is torn between trying to hide away and exploring these new feelings for the man who's an enemy of his family.

But the two men's worlds barely collide before their pasts catch up with them. Can Edge get beyond his feelings for Liam's family in order for them to find a happily-ever-after? Or will Liam's family be Edge's undoing and cause everything to blow up around them?

Disclaimer: This book contains sexually explicit content that includes sex scenes with prostitutes and dark themes that could be upsetting to some readers.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, BDSM, Dark, LGBT, Gay

200 pages, Paperback

First published November 4, 2017

Reviews

[Nazanin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

The story started off really good but then I expected something better, maybe dark or angsty. But unfortunately, none of them happened. Besides, something that really really bothered me so much was Liam forgiving Edge so so soon for what he did to him!! Liam didn’t get angry even! But still with these issues I’d like to read the second book, in the future! Told in dual POV, 1st person. It’s the first installment in the "Men of Vault" series and it can be read as a standalone. Overall, I had a good time with it and hope you enjoy it!

[Line]

Freebie at the zon.com right now: https://smile.amazon.com/Twelve-Two-H...

[JenMcJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

This book seemed like it would be a dark, kinky and slightly messed up tale of sex and violence but it turned out to be none of the above. On the very surface the subject matter is dark but the characters never feel dark. The book is set in a kink club staffed with live-in prostitutes and yet there is no kinky sex in this book. The characters were all traumatized as children or teenagers and yet they are surprisingly well adjusted really.

What we got were likable characters; an adorable naive prostitute, personable killer, kindly pimp, amicable ex-lovers, instalove and implausible plot construction and resolution. (Q: How did Liam end up at the Vault? A: No idea.)

This book did not live up to its blurb or its content warning. Nor did it pull me toward the second book in the series.

[Trio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whoa! Aria Grace has these dark stories down! I love the way she writes... the characters and the stories are complex and fascinating and Twelve for Two Hundred is an incredible start to the Men of the Vault series.

I only wish the rest of the series was available in audiobook format as well. Tim Todd does a spectacular job with this one (and I've said it before, he should be required to narrate all of Aria Grace's stories). He has the best range of voices for the different characters, and the way he performs the love scenes is just perfect for Aria Grace's brand of erotica.

Really wonderful story!

[Annie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Neues aus der Rubrik: lies die Beschreibung genauer bevor du ein eBook kaufst - auch wenn es 0 EUR kostet.
So kommt man (oder Frau) nicht zu einem Krimi, Mystery oder WasAuchImmer Kurzroman sondern zu Gayporn.
Aber ich muss zugeben - es ist tatsächlich eine Zierde seine Gattung, denn er hat Handlung, yay! Die Rahmenhandlung, die tatsächlich einem Krimi entsprach, war auch gar nicht mal so schlecht. Aber der Rest... ist halt nicht mein Genre...aber hey, whatever floats your boat.

[AussieMum]

DNF 28%

I love a dark read but I just couldn't get into this.

[Dara Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

My rating: 3.5 stars. This was a good story, a dark story the both resonated with me and also fell a little flat. The premise was great, it grabbed me from the start and I had really high hopes for it. Where it fell a little short was - the characters. I never really connected with Edge or Liam and the connection between the two of them was, well, weird. Edge seemed to go from no way, not a chance, I can't do relationships to I love you within the blink of an eye. And authors need to pay attention to timelines and what's going on with their characters because Liam being kissed (and other things) just a few days after being shot in the jaw and having it wired shut, well, unless he's a vampire or werewolf I don't think anyone would heal that fast so it just made that entire sex scene cringe-worthy. But other than those few misses, this was a really good story and I'm glad this author (that I love) has branched out to do something different. I look forward to more.

[Brandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars
I'll admit I had a lot of expectations for this book given the supposedly dark subject matter.
What I actually got was a story where Liam seemed freaked out by a whole lot of kinks (weird given his choice of profession) and a love story that didn't make sense. The characters had an automatic connection but the part where they fell in love missed me entirely.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.)

[Emily Seelye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was definitely not a light read. Sex workers that are paid to do anything, mobsters, vendettas.

When he was 15, Edge watched his brother and guardian get shot to death in front of him. Since he’s been 18, it’s been his mission to track down and kill all 8 men involved. When Liam, a member of the mob family he’s after shows up at The Vault, he doesn’t know what to think. He’s extremely attracted to him, but was he planted there for nefarious purposes?

When Liam needs help protecting his cousin and a bunch of innocent kids from the family, Edge is the only person who can help.

They get closer, and eventually give into their attraction.

I generally liked this, but I think things moved a bit too quickly once they got together. Edge started out cautiously, but I wish there would have been a bit more “getting to know you” interactions after he realized Liam and his family weren’t after him. This is darker and more depraved than any other book I’ve read by this author.

*copy provided by author

[devil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book is definitely darker than what I've come to expect from this author, but it's an amazing story. Great start to a series!
*I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.*

[Aղցela W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read this author before an enjoyed her books so I read this book thinking that I would enjoy this one, but this book read like I was missing something. Rod Tanner's brothel on the outskirts of Vegas has its own special mix of clientele and hustlers, where the agreement by the hot boys is to do anything the clients want for a twelve-month period with a guaranteed payout of two hundred thousand dollars at the end of their contract. Liam Nicola can't believe he's working for Tanner's brothel, but he needs the money and a safe place to hide out for a while. The only thing he can hope for is to blend in and keep his head down until he saves up enough money to run again. Edge comes into his life Liam is torn between trying to hide away and exploring these new feelings for the man who's an enemy of his family. Liam is a member of the Nicola family and nothing good comes from it because their families are enemies. This book had some pretty good sex scenes in it. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had SO much potential but it just.. fell flat.

With a premise like this, a brothel where the customers get to do anything to you and you can't refuse, the best the author could come up with is diaper play and sounding? Come on. This book needed to be at least twice as long. It's like the author gave up halfway through and decided to end it as quickly as she could. Everything happened so fast, everything was so easy, that by the time it's over and I realize the next book is about someone else, I'm left wondering why I even bothered reading it. I could have really cared about Liam and Edge, had they gotten the proper page time to become actual fleshed out characters. Instead, they are thrown together, and are almost immediately saying I love you. So in the end, I don't care about any of them and I'm left feeling frustrated because had the author taken the time to really flesh out this story and characters and examine the darkness of this world, it could have been great.

2 stars.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a strange book.
You go into it thinking it is going to be about the men who work in a kinky club called the Vault and I thought it would be club based, but then suddenly you are off after sex traffickers.
I didnt teally get the chemistry between the 2 MCs either.
To me this book was more like an outline for a longer book just waiting to be fleshed out. I have read Aria Grace books and this is definitely not one of the better ones.

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.25 stars

Reading this book I felt like I missed something like a quick prequel that wasn't mentioned. Or like a continuation from a previous series she had and now we're in a spin off.

But nonetheless it was and okay book. Edge was a revenge having asshole that was going to use Liam until he looked in his eyes and didn't really want to walk away. Liam was an abused naive young man who ran away from his crazy organized crime family to become a male sex slave to make money 💰to save his cousin who couldn't leave with him. Now that I'm writing this that is so CRAZY, but anyway.

Things progress between Edge and Liam slowly but surely. They are both dumb when it comes to feeling each other out. Reading this 📚 has made me reevaluate reading the others. I like Aria Grace but I'm on the fence about this one.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome start to the series. This book was different from what I usually read, but in the best way. Darker with a edge to it. I don't want to say too much and give away spoilers, I liked going in knowing little and discovering it on my own so I know you will too. Can't wait for the next. I voluntarily reviewed an 'Advance Author’s Copy' of this book.

[Monique · Rating 2 out of 5]

** 2.5 stars **

[Mary Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

* I received a copy in exchange for a honest review *

It was my first book by Aria Grace.
In my opinion trigger warning in the blurb: "This book has dark themes which could be upsetting to some readers" doesn't make it clear what we can expect - dark themes might include a lot of stuff from BDSM through violence to rape etc. so I really didn't know what to expect.

This book is a good start for a new series and I can't wait to read more about guys from the Vault. It is well written and fast paced, there is some romance, quite a lot of sex, family drama and a crime which means everyone can find something they like .

I think that this story should be longer because even though at first everything is just perfect after Liam's visit in the library it feels like things are happening too quickly. What is more, as much as sexual tension between Edge and Liam is believable I would like to see them spending some time together before any declarations.

When it comes to "dark themes", well, I read darker books :) It is not THAT dark (and I'm sorry but Baby Boy Bobby cracked me up).

[Kim Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read this author’s work before and love her writing style. This is a darker mm contemporary story. The first in this new series, look forward to reading more.
Just listened to the audiobook, so good, makes the story come alive.

[Qin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Might have been a decent, if not quite tight, story had the author abstained from writing the whole thing present tense, first personal of the singular; this literary decision flattens the narrative for no perceptible gain in terms of atmosphere enhancement, building of the suspense, or character appreciation. Nor was I awed by the quality of the prose. Misuses of words are rather too numerous for my taste (mistaken words, such as 'jaw' instead of maw in 'the small tattoo of a lion holding a bloody lamp from his jaw', etc; redundancies, for example 'drones to their physical instincts without mental or emotional awareness'; instances of hispid phrasing, as in 'to practise stamina and technique', 'my limp dick is getting smaller by the second" ...); the way of talking given to virtually any characters sounds off, either clunky or mechanical, most of the times (whoever says such things as "you need to be taking mental notes. I like it a little rough so this will hurt, but you’ll thank me later"?); and the internal discourses which amounts to a large chunk of the book has a way of turning the protagonists into idiot children that robs the plot of much of its impact (e.g. "no, I’m not an idiot. I’ll be watching him, with or without my dick buried in that tight little body of his", etc). The obvious cause lies with the utterly terrible handling of psychology, as showcased in the following extract: "I’m not a sadist, per se. But my dick gets an extra surge of blood when I hear someone shriek in pain. I don’t like to hurt others, but I do get off on their pain. It’s sick and demented, but it’s just how I’m wired". As for the narrative itself, it bristles with infelicities big and small, mostly, I reckon, due to the author's limited range of vocabulary that prevented from chancing upon more apposite and evocative turns of sentence; I shall only adduce one quote, culled from the end of the book: "my whole body feels wound up with tension after everything I experienced today. Between hanging out with Liam today and then meeting Joseph’s son in the flesh and hearing details about how he plans to murder hundreds of children, it’s been a wild day". In so many words, this was almost painful to finish.

[❤Sharonica-Logic❤ · Rating 4 out of 5]

🎧🌈🎧

**This review is for both the Kindle Ed and Audiobook, as I read/ listened interchangeably.**

Title: Twelve for Two Hundred: Men of the Vault Book #1
Author: Aria Grace
Narrator: Tim Todd
Publisher: Aria Grace
Release Date: 11/04/2017 - 1/29/2018
Genre/ Trope(s): MM Romance; BDSM/ Kink; Vengeange; Enemies to Lovers
Page Count: 202p
Listening Length: 3hrs 48min
SteaMMy Swordplay: 4 out of 5⚔
Sharonica-Stars: 4 out of 5✨
GoodReads AVG: 3.69 out of 5🌟
Audible AVG: 4.3 out of 5🌠


MMy Thoughts and Review:

I was a little blown away by this book. I have owned it forever, and when I was browsing a good one to Whispersync this one ticked my happy boxes and so the decision was made. AND it works for one of the reading challenges I am in on Goodreads so, Win-Win! 😍

I was enthralled with the idea of the Vault and how these guys could basically work for a year, in a safe environment with room and board, and once the year was up, they were free agents, with nice little next eggs for themselves.

That is not to say that Some of the members to the Vault weren't kinky to the max. But, the kinkier the scene the more money, and again it was a safe place for the guys to work.

I fell for the two MCs, Edge and Liam and was excited to see how their story would unfold when Edge had a vendetta against Liam's entire family, and refused to move on until he exacted revenge for his brother's murder against each member of that family.

I loved the chemistry and dynamic between Liam and Edge, and even though Liam was younger and smaller than Edge, his spirit was every bit as fierce as that of Edge.

This story began slow, I til the foundation was laid, but then it took off and soared. I highly recommend it, but know there are parts that are tough to read/ hear. Things that happened to Liam (off page) when he was younger especially.

Excellent characters, pacing, plot and world building. Loved it!

[Lindsey · Rating 1 out of 5]

After reading the blurb I had such high expectations for this book and sadly just found it severely lacking.

Half the time we're just told things are happening without understanding them. Liam was shot? Got plastic surgery? For what? Where was he hit? I'm guessing his jaw somewhere since it's WIRED SHUT but doesn't seem to also be a big deal since he's giving head LITERALLY two days later? Like, what the fuck is this timeline?

He's a sex worker at a random ass club? Why? We're told he's there and for how much and for how long but... but why. He's this amazing hacker who can steal money from his uncle and such but didn't do it... sooner? Why does this sex club have the most friendliest owner who definitely isn't a pimp and lets Edge do whatever the fuck he wants because he... raised him? Also the clients can do whatever the fuck they want to the workers and there's absolutely no safewording? I understand this book is fiction and this is NOT how you handle BDSM, but since it IS a BDSM club, I'm so fucking confused on how these workers aren't protected in any way, shape or form? BUT NO WORRIES. Once you leave, after a year, you won't have any visible damage! Like, how can you promise this when the clients can do WHATEVER THEY WANT?

The amount of trust when these two must have in each other when they forgo condoms is NUTS. I'm guessing it's cool because they're tested regularly and are on PrEP but... wow. PrEP is far more effective at preventing HIV transmission than condoms, so arighty then. But... BUT IT DOESN'T PROTECT YOU AGAINST STDS?! My brain broke reading this. I'm guessing that love just cures all STD/STIs. Casually.

Also, he forgives Edge waaaaay too easily for killing his parents. Liam seemed super upset about it when he first mentioned them and how much loved them, but later was like "eh. They were in the life and didn't want a kid anyways." dafuq.

[Stacey Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The vault is a place where men contract themselves out for a certain amount of time to be used by the men who come there to pay to do anything they want to them. In that we do get to see a few kinks, but it's only glances at them and not actual scenes. I was hoping for more of that so that was the only thing that I was really disappointed about. The story doesn't really take place in the vault. Edge, one of the customers, sees one of the workers in a cage, Liam Nicola, and recognizes him as part of the Nicola family whom he has been searching for to exact revenge on for something done to him in his past. But things aren't quite what they seem with Liam. Edge is drawn to Liam. It's a story of revenge and forgiveness and finding love where you least expect it.

I do admit it smacks a bit of insta-love between Edge and Liam. I would have liked for that aspect of the story to have been fleshed out a bit more, but I went with it. I do think people can fall in love with each other quickly so it didn't bother me. I felt their attraction for each other was believable. The sex was hot and well written. I'll be reading the rest of the series to see what happens next. I listened to the audiobook and I enjoyed the narrator and how he did the voices.

[Neta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really enjoyed this book despite it not being my preferred reading genre (dark extreme kink stories). As a short story (about 4 hours long on audio) I feel like it was well put together, yes there are some parts that where slightly glossed over or underdeveloped but, as a whole, I enjoyed and did not feel like I was missing parts of the story.
I also liked the kink parts, they were not described in the typical way most dark/kink books that I read before have. It was a part of the story itself, not like a short that put the focus of kink (nothing wrong with that) and more like they are necessary for this story. I liked that, they felt seamless and interesting but not in a “let’s explore kink/I am trying to shock you” kind of way.
the plot itself was interesting and, again, this is really a full story with emotions and I felt like this truly took me on a journey with these characters.


I really enjoyed the narration by Tim Todd, he had a very nice voice, dark and raspy, but also a wide range of other characters that really brought depth to the story. His narration made me enjoy this book so much more than if I had just read it.

[The Quille and Lampe · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I Think: Liam isn’t naive because he grew up with criminals and had to endure but he’s still sweet, hopeful and oh so vulnerable. Edge is bent on revenge and on the lookout for anything that might be connected to his mission. Yet, the attraction between them is almost instantaneous even though it takes Edge a little while to give in to it. I loved watching Edge especially give in to the attraction because his heart took over, not giving his mind and body any choice in the matter. I shuddered to think of what the reveal of truths would do to this couple but Liam handles it with maturity and Edge with determination. They’re both a study in contrasts as Liam is a prostitute yet still finds himself in need of saving from the kinksters he meets in his new job. While Edge is practically a killer but still has a heart. He is so intense and growly yet gentle so I expected the lovemaking to be the same and I wasn’t disappointed!
Verdict: Even though it’s a tale of pain, revenge and loss, there’s so much soothing in this tale that it deserves a place on the comfort bookshelf!
https://thequilleandlampe.wordpress.c...

[Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This fast paced intro to the Men of the Vault series is a quick read, but there's a lot packed into those pages. While it does seem like things move very fast for Liam and Edge, the events in the story actually take place over weeks. We do get a bit of suspense and drama with Liam's family and Edge's connection to them adds to the mounting tension. The biggest drawback for me was that I didn't find much in the way of romance between these characters. There is chemistry and attraction, but I felt like Liam's feelings for Edge were based more on need than love. The story does turn more in the direction of romance toward the end, but Edge's quick turnaround was a bit rushed. That aside, I love a dark tale and this one is most definitely dark. I would suggest that readers heed the trigger warning as parts of this one are a little uncomfortable to read. Overall, I found the characters and setting interesting and this steamy and suspenseful story did hold my interest. I'm curious to see what's next for the Men of the Vault.

[Star Light · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! & I highly recommend it ! It really has it all; there's drama,angst & chills, happiness & sadness & there's even some revenge & atonement, all entangled with some very hard sex & some very soft loving. The story is, at times, gritty & completely realistic, (when it needs to be), especially where there are some elements of kink that were obviously really well researched. 'Twelve For Two Hundred' is well written with a natural flow, a fresh plot & a perfect pace. I also found that whether I liked a character or not, they were all interesting & very believable. I've read quite a few books by Aria Grace & 'though I've found each one to be so enjoyable that I've re-read them all at least once; this new book really stands out in my mind as the beginning of what is sure to be an award-winning & extremely popular series.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, but I would have brought a copy of it, anyway.

[Sarita Chapdelaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very different from all of the other books I have read by Aria Grace and I found it very interesting. It wasn't as dark as I expected it to be after reading the blurb but I really enjoyed it. Edge and Liam are intriguing characters that meet under unusual circumstances. Edge is determined to avenge his brother's death and Liam's uncle is his main focus. Liam escaped from his uncle's world but he can't leave his cousin behind. Everything he does is for his cousin even if he has to work at a kink club for a year to get enough money to help him. They decide to work together to accomplish their goals but Edge is keeping secrets from Liam that could destroy the relationship they are building. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
I was given an ARC to review by the author.

[Amanda Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This refers to the audio-book read by Tim Todd for Audible

The first book in a new series about gay male sex workers and their clients at a club called The Vault. And I've got book 2 on my Kindle wish list for Christmas already!

Tim.Todd is perfect for Aria Grace's tales of M/M sex and romance.And I can recommend all the audios of her books on Audible.

So many great details I could mention. But I'll settle for applauding Aria Grace's inclusion of a male character who' when underage was sexually abused by his aunt..It's very well done. No excuses made for her behaviour. In fact it's treated no differently to how it would be, were this an underage girl and her uncle.

If you know the More than Friends series. Then you'll already recognise the way these books work. Each story stands alone. But there are characters from other books giving a friendly wave.

[Lisa ~ Books Are My Drugs ~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liam signs a contract to work at The Vault, a sex club specializing in kink. His first night there, Edge sees his unique tattoo which identifies him as part of the Nicola family. Edge has had a vendetta against the family since they gunned down his brother in front of him and he's vowed to kill everyone associated with his brother's murder.

Liam and Edge join forces in order to take down the rest of his family who are trying to hunt him down in order to kill him.

This story isn't as fluffy as this author usually writes so was different that what I was expecting. There was some darkness & suspense. And some sugar at the end.

**ARC provided by the author. I deeply apology for not posting my review in a more timely matter. Life happened.

[Nicki - The Overflowing Bookcase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edge is a man filled with hate and vengeance for those responsible his brothers death. Killing off the members of the Nicola family one by one, Edge will not rest until they are all dead. But when he finds Liam, a member of that family for hire in a sex club, Edge is caught between revenge and falling in love. With beautifully written characters and a storyline that had me locked in from the opening pages this is the beginning of a series that a must read. This one had it all love, hate, intrigue and in the end compassion and a feeling of completion. Once again Aria Grace does not disappoint.