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Underdog
Luiz Ramirez was created by the Devil, stitched together from damned souls to become a Hellhound.
Luiz escaped the Devil by the skin of his teeth, but his only option was to seek sanctuary. Luiz became a soul broker, giving people their dreams... One contract at a time.
When a dead hound is left outside of his office, all signs point to Vincent Rose, the local human herder.
Luiz is determined to solve the murder and find out who is responsible.
But Vincent Rose, insane and delicious, has other ideas about how to handle to curious hound...
**Contains scenes of violence and M/M sex**
** Underdog continues on from the The Devil's Equal, but is a standalone novel. You do not need to have read The Devil's Advocate series to enjoy**
Trigger warning: contains scenes of grief, death, and abuse.
Underdog is a gay romance with a HEA.
Luiz escaped the Devil by the skin of his teeth, but his only option was to seek sanctuary. Luiz became a soul broker, giving people their dreams... One contract at a time.
When a dead hound is left outside of his office, all signs point to Vincent Rose, the local human herder.
Luiz is determined to solve the murder and find out who is responsible.
But Vincent Rose, insane and delicious, has other ideas about how to handle to curious hound...
**Contains scenes of violence and M/M sex**
** Underdog continues on from the The Devil's Equal, but is a standalone novel. You do not need to have read The Devil's Advocate series to enjoy**
Trigger warning: contains scenes of grief, death, and abuse.
Underdog is a gay romance with a HEA.
303 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 8, 2020
43 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Michaela Haze
36 books186 followersMichaela Haze is a dog lover, mum of two, and a writer of paranormal, urban fantasy romance. In her spare time, she eats copious amounts of Japanese food.
Instagram: @michaelahaze
Facebook: www.facebook.com/theofficialmichaelahaze
Twitter: @michaelahaze
Website: www.michaelahaze.com
Instagram: @michaelahaze
Facebook: www.facebook.com/theofficialmichaelahaze
Twitter: @michaelahaze
Website: www.michaelahaze.com
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 22, 2024
November 2024
Kindle edition
Re-read. Still haven't read in order but felt like I wanted to read it. Still doesn't feel like there was any big plot twist. Vincent was still annoying. Didn't like Samuel. I liked that Reed had a daughter, giving Luiz another chance at a daughter.
June 2020
Kindle edition
3.5 stars. It says standalone but really I should’ve read the previous books as it does feel like I was missing part of the story. M/M romance with a hellhound soul broker ordered to track down a murderer and a human cop. I liked these two together, they were sweet. The ex was annoying. Will revisit after reading the other books.
Kindle edition
Re-read. Still haven't read in order but felt like I wanted to read it. Still doesn't feel like there was any big plot twist. Vincent was still annoying. Didn't like Samuel. I liked that Reed had a daughter, giving Luiz another chance at a daughter.
June 2020
Kindle edition
3.5 stars. It says standalone but really I should’ve read the previous books as it does feel like I was missing part of the story. M/M romance with a hellhound soul broker ordered to track down a murderer and a human cop. I liked these two together, they were sweet. The ex was annoying. Will revisit after reading the other books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
June 12, 2020So, the story is pretty good. I found it entertaining even though I’m pretty sure this isn’t a stand alone. There’s a lot that happened in the past (Other books?) but I wasn’t too bothered. I am bothered by the countless mistakes. 1-7 per page. Again, I was digging the plot so I felt like ignoring it for the most part. Easy Asian instead of East Asian 🥴 It’s obvious any editing wasn’t taken too seriously.
But, I’m quitting at 80% because the errors are too frequent now, the romantic relationship isn’t progressing and there are more books to be read by people who care about producing a great product.
But, I’m quitting at 80% because the errors are too frequent now, the romantic relationship isn’t progressing and there are more books to be read by people who care about producing a great product.
May 1, 2025
3 star but had promise, so four stars
Underdog is an appropriate title for this book.
Typically I don’t like books where one character is weak and the other character is this alpha male but in this particular book I had to keep reminding myself that Luis’ personality came across as subservient and meek and a doormat because these characteristics were almost beaten into him and he was created to be subservient. What made me happy was that by the end of the book he starts to have more confidence and he becomes braver, able to speak his mind, and stand up for what he wants. That was well written.
Once I got over that initial dislike of his character I was able to follow along and enjoy the book. However, there are a few things that were missing, one being the romance. I’m always stating that in books where there’s mystery and romance that the romance overpowers the solving of the crime, but this time, we needed a little bit more balance and a lot more romance. So much of the book was focussed on solving the crime and getting to know the individual characters that we are missing the characters getting to know each other and the building of that romantic relationship.
I would characterize this book as a paranormal mystery or thriller not a romance.
Even though I gave the book four-stars, I almost feel like the author rushed the end.
We were told what happened to tie up the story, rather than following along and seeing for ourselves what happened. For ex., I would’ve loved for Vincent and Samuel to be confronted I would’ve loved for the conclusion of the investigation by the council themselves and for Reed and Luis to get some kind of appreciation for putting themselves in danger. I would’ve loved to have some more interaction with Reed’s daughter. Instead, we are told that Vincent and Samuel wii be in trouble by the council, but we hear nothing else about the council, we hear nothing else about the doctor, we hear nothing else about the doctor’s husband, we hear nothing else about Reed’s daughter or Luis’ daughter, we simply have an epilogue where they become PIs.
The one thing this book highlights is what humans will do to get what they want or for revenge. Not only the killer, but the assistant.
Underdog is an appropriate title for this book.
Typically I don’t like books where one character is weak and the other character is this alpha male but in this particular book I had to keep reminding myself that Luis’ personality came across as subservient and meek and a doormat because these characteristics were almost beaten into him and he was created to be subservient. What made me happy was that by the end of the book he starts to have more confidence and he becomes braver, able to speak his mind, and stand up for what he wants. That was well written.
Once I got over that initial dislike of his character I was able to follow along and enjoy the book. However, there are a few things that were missing, one being the romance. I’m always stating that in books where there’s mystery and romance that the romance overpowers the solving of the crime, but this time, we needed a little bit more balance and a lot more romance. So much of the book was focussed on solving the crime and getting to know the individual characters that we are missing the characters getting to know each other and the building of that romantic relationship.
I would characterize this book as a paranormal mystery or thriller not a romance.
Even though I gave the book four-stars, I almost feel like the author rushed the end.
We were told what happened to tie up the story, rather than following along and seeing for ourselves what happened. For ex., I would’ve loved for Vincent and Samuel to be confronted I would’ve loved for the conclusion of the investigation by the council themselves and for Reed and Luis to get some kind of appreciation for putting themselves in danger. I would’ve loved to have some more interaction with Reed’s daughter. Instead, we are told that Vincent and Samuel wii be in trouble by the council, but we hear nothing else about the council, we hear nothing else about the doctor, we hear nothing else about the doctor’s husband, we hear nothing else about Reed’s daughter or Luis’ daughter, we simply have an epilogue where they become PIs.
The one thing this book highlights is what humans will do to get what they want or for revenge. Not only the killer, but the assistant.
December 16, 2023
3.5 stars.
So I'm a Michaela Haze fan through and through, I love quick little stand alone books to sprinkle throughout my larger series, and I love that there's typically some m/m as well in the Why Choose books.
This one is lacking a bit of polish. One of the reviews is a little harsh about the editing, but it's not untrue. I don't know about many mistakes per page, but it definitely could have used another go-through by an engaged reader. It's not spelling mistakes so much as incorrect word choice. Also, yes, while it can technically be read as a standalone, there was some storyline that is mentioned but the standalone readers are fully left out of.
Re: the m/m relationship in here, I do wish there had been a little more build-up. It wasn't insta-love but Haze has definitely written better relationships in the same number of pages before. The spice was there, but maybe a little light. The savior at the end was a bit of an odd choice but I'm going to chalk that up to one of the plot points that is easier to understand if you haven't read this as a standalone.
The story itself was engaging, although certainly frustrating that they didn't put the pieces together a bit faster! (Or at all??) I felt terrible for Vincent who, yes, cheated...but also seems to be literally insane and not getting much sympathy for it.
Overall, a fun, quick read. If you are a Michaela Haze fan, definitely go ahead and read it! If you are new to Haze, start with one of the other highly rated books before circling back around to this one.
So I'm a Michaela Haze fan through and through, I love quick little stand alone books to sprinkle throughout my larger series, and I love that there's typically some m/m as well in the Why Choose books.
This one is lacking a bit of polish. One of the reviews is a little harsh about the editing, but it's not untrue. I don't know about many mistakes per page, but it definitely could have used another go-through by an engaged reader. It's not spelling mistakes so much as incorrect word choice. Also, yes, while it can technically be read as a standalone, there was some storyline that is mentioned but the standalone readers are fully left out of.
Re: the m/m relationship in here, I do wish there had been a little more build-up. It wasn't insta-love but Haze has definitely written better relationships in the same number of pages before. The spice was there, but maybe a little light. The savior at the end was a bit of an odd choice but I'm going to chalk that up to one of the plot points that is easier to understand if you haven't read this as a standalone.
The story itself was engaging, although certainly frustrating that they didn't put the pieces together a bit faster! (Or at all??) I felt terrible for Vincent who, yes, cheated...but also seems to be literally insane and not getting much sympathy for it.
Overall, a fun, quick read. If you are a Michaela Haze fan, definitely go ahead and read it! If you are new to Haze, start with one of the other highly rated books before circling back around to this one.
November 24, 2020
Different
There is a lot going on in this book, too much really for it to flow easily. I liked the characters and storyline. I found the paranormal universe complicated. But it's different and I quite like that.
There is a lot going on in this book, too much really for it to flow easily. I liked the characters and storyline. I found the paranormal universe complicated. But it's different and I quite like that.
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June 28, 2023Holy Crap
I didn't expect his book to be so good! I loved every second of it. I just wish it was longer. Or maybe make it a series. Build off on the ending by showing their story through the PI business.
I didn't expect his book to be so good! I loved every second of it. I just wish it was longer. Or maybe make it a series. Build off on the ending by showing their story through the PI business.
June 6, 2024
good read
This was a good read but I felt the two MCs just didn’t have that...spark. There was no ‘oop there it is’ between them. They just seemed to roll along a little hohum. But I did enjoy the storyline and the supporting characters were great. Recommend. 4 stars.
This was a good read but I felt the two MCs just didn’t have that...spark. There was no ‘oop there it is’ between them. They just seemed to roll along a little hohum. But I did enjoy the storyline and the supporting characters were great. Recommend. 4 stars.
September 11, 2022
4.5 stars
Good mystery story line. This sort is a little different than this author's usual works, but she always manages to tell a great story
Good mystery story line. This sort is a little different than this author's usual works, but she always manages to tell a great story
Want to read
October 9, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon today (10/9/2022)! 🎁
May 15, 2024
Interesting
Very unique in concept. The characters are a little bland but I chalk that up to the book being rather short overall.
Very unique in concept. The characters are a little bland but I chalk that up to the book being rather short overall.
May 11, 2025
Great story
Great story, not too heavy, good pace and it needs to be tv series. So many cool angles in the work.
Great story, not too heavy, good pace and it needs to be tv series. So many cool angles in the work.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews