What do you think?
Rate this book
Indiscretion
Going through the motions in a loveless marriage, Chris is unaware of how much he is missing--until he meets Leif. The gorgeous, tempestuous man turns Chris's life upside down in every way. Can Chris save himself from this dangerous affair, or will his life be forever changed by love?
262 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 19, 2013
4 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
About the author
Jack Greene
30 books94 followersJack Greene loathes author bios, thinking they ruin the mystery. But if you must, picture a handsome twenty-something insomniac: junior partner in a law firm by day, guitarist in a punk band by night. He roams the streets on his Ducati when he can't sleep, gathering material for his books, and watches the sun come up over West Hollywood as he types away at his laptop. Peace only comes when he writes the words "the end".
Jack writes about men who fuck, and love, other men. Men who, like all men, sometimes don't behave like they should.
Jack writes about men who fuck, and love, other men. Men who, like all men, sometimes don't behave like they should.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 30, 2018
I was in the mood for a drama filled story, and this one seemed to fit the bill.
Chris is married to a woman. The marriage isn't working out. He goes on a business trip where he meets Leif. Chris has never been with another man, and he finds himself unable to resist Leif.
So, yeah, this book is a gfy with a cheating MC. Seems like the perfect drama filled story to me. It started off well enough, but then it veered off to cheeseville and took up residence. Chris comes off as an idiotic doofus, and Leif was a drama queen bitch. Total let down.
Chris is married to a woman. The marriage isn't working out. He goes on a business trip where he meets Leif. Chris has never been with another man, and he finds himself unable to resist Leif.
So, yeah, this book is a gfy with a cheating MC. Seems like the perfect drama filled story to me. It started off well enough, but then it veered off to cheeseville and took up residence. Chris comes off as an idiotic doofus, and Leif was a drama queen bitch. Total let down.
May 30, 2013
A Hearts On Fire Review
3.75 STARS--Well you can guess what "Indiscretion" deals with, yes? In case you couldn't guess, it deals with cheating which is not a deal breaker for me when reading romance. So if it is an issue for you, I wouldn't suggest this. (But you're missing out on a pretty steamy read!)
Chris is 6'4", blonde, blue-eyed, well off, his wife is his college sweetheart, he's got a banging body and lives a huge house. He's living the American dream...except his wife and him seem to live separate lives. Their marriage? Sexless. How does Chris deal? By working out. While on a business trip, he stares at a beautiful man and can't help himself. But he's never been attracted to a man before...or I should say has never acted on the deeply closeted feelings. The beautiful man is named Leif, he's not in the closet but there's something about Chris that calls to him. And the same for Chris. And that night the two start their whirlwind affair...and it was a sex filled, steam, angst-ish, possessive love affair.
So how did I find this story? It read like a tamer version of Scarlet Blackwell MM Romance. And if you read Blackwell, she's known for the DRAMA. I have a love/hate relationship with throwing everything plus the kitchen sink when it comes to fiction but to each their own. Mr. Greene's story however was smooth sailing on the drama side until about two-thirds in. It wasn't over the top on the crazy scale(okay there is a exhibitionist scene in a sex club, but who wouldn't like reading about that? Leif was a man after mine own heart.) There was a little cross dressing too for Halloween. The kink closet was touched but not fully explored.
I see Jack Greene has written mostly short stories...and it shows. The main characters were placed in plenty of different scenes that made the story on the whole read like an interconnected number of short stories. Most of the scenes worked for me like that exhibitionist scene or the plane bathroom scene. The story worked as a full length but there were a few moments where the story dragged (the hospital scenes or the beginning when Chris described his mundane life- I was bored for him, meh)
What didn't work? While I loved Leif's snarkiness and Chris's coming out as bisexual, they had flaws (to me more in Leif but I ended loving him anyway) there weren't a lot of difficulties thrown their way. Chris pretty much got the easier end of it - He does get a divorce and there was no battle or arguments. The barely mentioned wife quietly fades into the background. (Don't worry not girly bits in here, it's pure MM)
And Chris's father? C'mon - could it happen? Yeah maybe in a perfect world but his 'happy ending'/coming out of the closet was a bit much.
And I love reading sex in my romances and there's a lot of it in this one but I wished there were more scenes with these two talking more to each other not about sex or their possessive streak. Their little spats, I totally bought. (That Leif is a prickly one) Their "love"...I guess so. Yeah, I can buy it when I think about it.
On a whole, this story was one of the better stories that featured cheating. How Chris and Leif started and carried on for their first eight months, I could totally see happening. Afterwards, there was some mush factor-marriage proposals and such.
And for my first Jack Greene, I can guarantee it will not be my last. I was entertained, I liked the ideas, I enjoyed the way the main subject was handled. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
The author provided a copy for my honest review.
3.75 STARS--Well you can guess what "Indiscretion" deals with, yes? In case you couldn't guess, it deals with cheating which is not a deal breaker for me when reading romance. So if it is an issue for you, I wouldn't suggest this. (But you're missing out on a pretty steamy read!)
Chris is 6'4", blonde, blue-eyed, well off, his wife is his college sweetheart, he's got a banging body and lives a huge house. He's living the American dream...except his wife and him seem to live separate lives. Their marriage? Sexless. How does Chris deal? By working out. While on a business trip, he stares at a beautiful man and can't help himself. But he's never been attracted to a man before...or I should say has never acted on the deeply closeted feelings. The beautiful man is named Leif, he's not in the closet but there's something about Chris that calls to him. And the same for Chris. And that night the two start their whirlwind affair...and it was a sex filled, steam, angst-ish, possessive love affair.
So how did I find this story? It read like a tamer version of Scarlet Blackwell MM Romance. And if you read Blackwell, she's known for the DRAMA. I have a love/hate relationship with throwing everything plus the kitchen sink when it comes to fiction but to each their own. Mr. Greene's story however was smooth sailing on the drama side until about two-thirds in. It wasn't over the top on the crazy scale(okay there is a exhibitionist scene in a sex club, but who wouldn't like reading about that? Leif was a man after mine own heart.) There was a little cross dressing too for Halloween. The kink closet was touched but not fully explored.
I see Jack Greene has written mostly short stories...and it shows. The main characters were placed in plenty of different scenes that made the story on the whole read like an interconnected number of short stories. Most of the scenes worked for me like that exhibitionist scene or the plane bathroom scene. The story worked as a full length but there were a few moments where the story dragged (the hospital scenes or the beginning when Chris described his mundane life- I was bored for him, meh)
What didn't work? While I loved Leif's snarkiness and Chris's coming out as bisexual, they had flaws (to me more in Leif but I ended loving him anyway) there weren't a lot of difficulties thrown their way. Chris pretty much got the easier end of it - He does get a divorce and there was no battle or arguments. The barely mentioned wife quietly fades into the background. (Don't worry not girly bits in here, it's pure MM)
And Chris's father? C'mon - could it happen? Yeah maybe in a perfect world but his 'happy ending'/coming out of the closet was a bit much.
And I love reading sex in my romances and there's a lot of it in this one but I wished there were more scenes with these two talking more to each other not about sex or their possessive streak. Their little spats, I totally bought. (That Leif is a prickly one) Their "love"...I guess so. Yeah, I can buy it when I think about it.
On a whole, this story was one of the better stories that featured cheating. How Chris and Leif started and carried on for their first eight months, I could totally see happening. Afterwards, there was some mush factor-marriage proposals and such.
And for my first Jack Greene, I can guarantee it will not be my last. I was entertained, I liked the ideas, I enjoyed the way the main subject was handled. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
The author provided a copy for my honest review.
March 24, 2013
Review posted at The Armchair Reader.
It's time for another Jack Greene review and giveaway! Jack is so wonderful because whenever he sends me a book to review he always offers a giveaway. And was I ever excited to read and review this book. For the past few stories that Jack has published, I've known that a full novel, his first, was in the works. I was interested to see what kind of story Jack would write for his first novel and how it would pan out. I've been a fan of his stories for a few years now, but he has a definite style -- short and heavy on sex.
I was really pretty blown away by what I saw. I say I've been a fan for a while now, but I've never given Jack the top rating; I've never loved one of his books, though I've liked many of them quite a bit. Still, I warn you that this won't be everyone's cup of tea. While I loved it, I know many won't. A fundamental part of the story is cheating, no if ands or buts about it and that will bother many. But, it doesn't usually bother me, and I could see that there were steps taken to lessen the impact, like having Chris' wife be rather standoffish. Chris even wonders if she's having an affair too, and there are some details that lead you to believe that might be the case. There aren't any wallowing in hurt feelings. Still, those sensitive to cheating in all forms will definitely want to steer clear.
I think what I loved the most about this book is that Jack did exactly what I always wanted. In reading his short stories, they usually ended before we really got into the characters and their problems, neuroses, etc. We just didn't get to know them as well as we could have and most of the emphasis in those stories was based on the sex. I usually categorize them as erotica. That's great, I love erotica as well as romance. And I hope that he isn't upset when I admit how surprised I was to find this novel so different than those stories. Not only do we get deep into the characters, but the emphasis here is definitely on romance, no matter how gritty and raunchy their sex gets. (and it's goooood…)
The basis of the story is a classic "Gay for You" story. Chris has always been straight, and he's generally an honorable man. He's never cheated on his wife and he does love her. But they've grown apart after six years of marriage, settling into a sibling-like friendship and living like barely speaking roommates. So when he meets a man who shows him some attention on a business trip, he runs with it, surprising himself by his attraction. With little angst about what that attraction means, Chris dives headfirst into his illicit relationship. In fact, he has a bigger issue in trying to earn Leif's trust and get to know the surly and complicated man than in investigating his own feelings. He only knows that he's falling head first for someone he never thought he would, while at the same time trying to lesson the hurt he's causing to his wife.
I liked quite a bit about this book. I liked that we get to see the relationship past the "marriage" phase and into the two building a life together. I like that Chris straddles the line of his own honor but still remained likable to me. And mostly, I liked the character Jack created in Leif, who remains an enigma right up until the very last page, where I finally felt like I understood him. The delivery of information about Leif is subtle and given to us in small bits, so that we get to know Leif like Chris does.
I can only surmise that all those short stories Jack wrote simply gave him lots of writing practice for his first novel, because I was really blown away by how much I enjoyed it. I'll be thinking of this couple for a while and I would love for Jack to continue writing novels. Of course, I don't want him to stop writing those super sexy shorts either ;)
It's time for another Jack Greene review and giveaway! Jack is so wonderful because whenever he sends me a book to review he always offers a giveaway. And was I ever excited to read and review this book. For the past few stories that Jack has published, I've known that a full novel, his first, was in the works. I was interested to see what kind of story Jack would write for his first novel and how it would pan out. I've been a fan of his stories for a few years now, but he has a definite style -- short and heavy on sex.
I was really pretty blown away by what I saw. I say I've been a fan for a while now, but I've never given Jack the top rating; I've never loved one of his books, though I've liked many of them quite a bit. Still, I warn you that this won't be everyone's cup of tea. While I loved it, I know many won't. A fundamental part of the story is cheating, no if ands or buts about it and that will bother many. But, it doesn't usually bother me, and I could see that there were steps taken to lessen the impact, like having Chris' wife be rather standoffish. Chris even wonders if she's having an affair too, and there are some details that lead you to believe that might be the case. There aren't any wallowing in hurt feelings. Still, those sensitive to cheating in all forms will definitely want to steer clear.
I think what I loved the most about this book is that Jack did exactly what I always wanted. In reading his short stories, they usually ended before we really got into the characters and their problems, neuroses, etc. We just didn't get to know them as well as we could have and most of the emphasis in those stories was based on the sex. I usually categorize them as erotica. That's great, I love erotica as well as romance. And I hope that he isn't upset when I admit how surprised I was to find this novel so different than those stories. Not only do we get deep into the characters, but the emphasis here is definitely on romance, no matter how gritty and raunchy their sex gets. (and it's goooood…)
The basis of the story is a classic "Gay for You" story. Chris has always been straight, and he's generally an honorable man. He's never cheated on his wife and he does love her. But they've grown apart after six years of marriage, settling into a sibling-like friendship and living like barely speaking roommates. So when he meets a man who shows him some attention on a business trip, he runs with it, surprising himself by his attraction. With little angst about what that attraction means, Chris dives headfirst into his illicit relationship. In fact, he has a bigger issue in trying to earn Leif's trust and get to know the surly and complicated man than in investigating his own feelings. He only knows that he's falling head first for someone he never thought he would, while at the same time trying to lesson the hurt he's causing to his wife.
I liked quite a bit about this book. I liked that we get to see the relationship past the "marriage" phase and into the two building a life together. I like that Chris straddles the line of his own honor but still remained likable to me. And mostly, I liked the character Jack created in Leif, who remains an enigma right up until the very last page, where I finally felt like I understood him. The delivery of information about Leif is subtle and given to us in small bits, so that we get to know Leif like Chris does.
I can only surmise that all those short stories Jack wrote simply gave him lots of writing practice for his first novel, because I was really blown away by how much I enjoyed it. I'll be thinking of this couple for a while and I would love for Jack to continue writing novels. Of course, I don't want him to stop writing those super sexy shorts either ;)
May 9, 2013
I am a huge fan of Jack Greene’s books. I love his characters and the passion they have between them always sizzles up by ereader screen! Not only does he write stories that are almost always my favorites, I find myself re-reading his books whenever I need a pick-me-up or if I’m in the mood for a fun, sexy and well-rounded story. I was thrilled to see that Mr. Greene had finally published a longer story. Most of his books are quick, hot reads, so I felt like celebrating when I noticed that this is a much longer book than what he usually gives us.
Indiscretion is a very hot and sensual novel of forbidden love and new beginnings. When I first noticed the title and read the blurb, I admit I was a tad bit worried because I had a feeling that cheating might be involved. I am not a fan of reading about cheating characters, but I was pleasantly surprised. Why? Yes, Chris is trapped in a loveless marriage and when he meets Leif, he is not only shocked by his attraction to him, but ashamed of his need to be with him. Although, Chris is married, their marriage is definitely one of convenience. Honestly, his wife plays a very minimal part in the book. Chris doesn’t think badly of her, but knows that the feelings they once had for each other is gone. She has her own life, they rarely spend time together and the sex between them has been non-existent for months. I felt badly for him (and for her) to be this marriage and was honestly glad to see them both get on with their lives. Now, I know the cheating factor will keep some readers from reading this book, but I urge any fans of Mr. Greene’s work (and fans of M/M romances in general) to give this one a shot. I wasn’t disappointed in it whatsoever and ended up really rallying behind Chris and Leif’s relationship.
Chris is an all-around nice guy. Although, he’s got a great job, takes excellent care of himself and has a life that most people would be envious of. But Chris is not happy. He wishes his personal life was as good as his professional one, but for some time now, he’s been miserable. When he goes on a business trip and meets the mysterious and sexy, Leif, at a bar Chris can’t believe how much he is intrigued and attracted to him. Chris hasn’t ever felt drawn to anyone (much less a man) like he is to Leif, and although he’s confused by his attraction to him, Chris can’t keep from wanting him and needing to know more about him.
Leif…what can I say about Leif? He’s intelligent, funny, sexy and can be very bratty. Although he’s never been short of admirers, he’s totally blown away by Chris and the intense attraction and feelings he develops for him. Throughout most of the novel, Leif is quite mysterious. I loved watching him open up to Chris and seeing who the complex, interesting man he really was. I thought these two men had a strong chemistry between them that was not only passionate; they truly developed a deep friendship and respect for each other too.
As you can tell, I really loved this book! Indiscretion has definitely earned a spot on my keeper shelf. I can’t wait to read more books written by Mr. Greene and I’m anxiously waiting for his next release. If you are in the mood for a well-written novel about two men who share a deep affection and attraction between each other, then Indiscretion is definitely the book for you! Highly Recommended!
Indiscretion is a very hot and sensual novel of forbidden love and new beginnings. When I first noticed the title and read the blurb, I admit I was a tad bit worried because I had a feeling that cheating might be involved. I am not a fan of reading about cheating characters, but I was pleasantly surprised. Why? Yes, Chris is trapped in a loveless marriage and when he meets Leif, he is not only shocked by his attraction to him, but ashamed of his need to be with him. Although, Chris is married, their marriage is definitely one of convenience. Honestly, his wife plays a very minimal part in the book. Chris doesn’t think badly of her, but knows that the feelings they once had for each other is gone. She has her own life, they rarely spend time together and the sex between them has been non-existent for months. I felt badly for him (and for her) to be this marriage and was honestly glad to see them both get on with their lives. Now, I know the cheating factor will keep some readers from reading this book, but I urge any fans of Mr. Greene’s work (and fans of M/M romances in general) to give this one a shot. I wasn’t disappointed in it whatsoever and ended up really rallying behind Chris and Leif’s relationship.
Chris is an all-around nice guy. Although, he’s got a great job, takes excellent care of himself and has a life that most people would be envious of. But Chris is not happy. He wishes his personal life was as good as his professional one, but for some time now, he’s been miserable. When he goes on a business trip and meets the mysterious and sexy, Leif, at a bar Chris can’t believe how much he is intrigued and attracted to him. Chris hasn’t ever felt drawn to anyone (much less a man) like he is to Leif, and although he’s confused by his attraction to him, Chris can’t keep from wanting him and needing to know more about him.
Leif…what can I say about Leif? He’s intelligent, funny, sexy and can be very bratty. Although he’s never been short of admirers, he’s totally blown away by Chris and the intense attraction and feelings he develops for him. Throughout most of the novel, Leif is quite mysterious. I loved watching him open up to Chris and seeing who the complex, interesting man he really was. I thought these two men had a strong chemistry between them that was not only passionate; they truly developed a deep friendship and respect for each other too.
As you can tell, I really loved this book! Indiscretion has definitely earned a spot on my keeper shelf. I can’t wait to read more books written by Mr. Greene and I’m anxiously waiting for his next release. If you are in the mood for a well-written novel about two men who share a deep affection and attraction between each other, then Indiscretion is definitely the book for you! Highly Recommended!
October 25, 2023
this was 3, maybe 3.5 stars for me, for the sole fact that Leif was entertaining. i love snarky twink attitudes so much and that was Leif all the way through.
Chris is a big ol pretty boy, married to a wife who's more of a roommate in a big house with no kids after six years. their sex life drops off to nothing while Stephanie pursues her work life interests in art.
He was happily married; he’d tell anyone that asked. Only he wasn’t so sure about that happily part.
while on a trip to a work convention, Chris ends up at a bar where he meets Leif. after some hesitant teasing, Chris finds himself more than passively interested in Leif and the two end up sleeping together with Leif vanishing before Chris wakes up leaving only a note in Chris' wallet:
Thanks for an amazing night. You were perfect.
Leif
after his first encounter with Leif, Chris cannot get him out of his head. with no way to contact Leif after their dalliance, he struggles to reconnect to his life and especially to his wife. he sulks for a little over a month, but eventually stops searching for Leif's face in every crowd. until Leif plants himself right in Chris' way, using the address he got from Chris' driver license to track him down for their second meet-cute.
the two eagerly enter into an affair with one another, Leif knowing all the time that Chris is married. now look. the spice spices but it was kind of just whatever to me. i wasn't exactly a big fan of the way they talk to each other in bed, it was a little weird to me for no particular reason. but i did love how possessive they both were even tho they barely knew each other and it was pretty full on almost right out of the gate. i'm a big old sucker for the traditional "baby" endearment and Lief was Chris' baby through n through. was a fan.
this was low angst in all reality, but i took a sick amount of glee in all the little spats Leif instigated with Chris. they all revolve around Chris being too much of a coward to end things with his wife even though she's very much emotionally checked out on their marriage too. while Leif was initially ok letting the affair play out casually, Chris is very amorous towards him and eventually they reach the crossroads where Leif can't deny his feelings anymore and refuses to be just a piece of ass to Chris.
“I still like women. I could go out right now and—” As soon as it was out of his mouth, Chris knew it was a mistake.
Leif moved away like he’d been stung. “Oh, yes, I’m sure you could. Go on then, stud. You know where the door is.”
“Leif, I didn’t mean it that way! I—”
“You what, Chris? What exactly do you want from me? Do you even have a clue?”
“Nothing, I—”
“Nothing, that’s perfect, then,” Leif interrupted. “Because that’s what you’re going to get.”
Chris gasped. Leif had a way of twisting his words around that Chris didn’t know how to counter. “That’s not what I meant! Leif, baby, please don’t do this—”
“Baby?” Leif looked over his shoulder “Go home, Chris. Figure out what you really want. If you do, then call me. Not before.”
it was SCRUMPTIOUS to read their bickering even though most of it seems to come out of nowhere. Leif is just so prickly and he has Chris wrappppped around his little finger but doesn't even care because the man is still married. Chris agonizes over him and then Leif forgives him and they sleep together again and so it goes, their affair continuing for months.
during this time, Stephanie is very pointedly ignoring all the goings on with her husband and he assumes she's likely having an affair as well. Chris' friend Tony also seems to notice that Chris isn't acting like himself, but Chris refuses to divulge his secrets and it creates tension in the aspects of his life that don't involve Leif. but eventually it all comes to a head when Chris and Leif run into each other at an event Chris takes his wife to.
Chris sees Leif with another man and his jealousy jumps the fuck out, leading to a confrontation between the two of them with Leif calling Chris out for wanting to have his cake and eat it too. when he asks Chris whether he'll leave his wife, Chris doesn't have an answer for him so Leif leaves.
“I just need some time.”
Leif raised an eyebrow. “Time for what? You’re telling me you intend to leave your wife?”
Chris was lost and he knew it. “I don’t know,” he finally said. “You turned my life upside down.”
“Right,” Leif said, scorn dripping from his voice. “I’m touched. Well, guess what? I don’t want you to leave your wife for me. I like my life just the way it is.”
all the drama is self-inflicted. for a couple with little to nothing against them, they surely make life difficult for themselves. Leif ignores the texts, calls, and gifts Chris showers him with. he starts driving by Leif's apartment and being a weirdo stalker because he realizes he is in love with Leif after all. that realization urges him to pull a Say Anything when he's inebriated and he shows up at Leif's, declaring he misses him and begging to be let inside. Leif relents and when he believes Chris is asleep, confesses that he lied, and really does want Chris to leave his wife.
“Thinking of you with someone else makes me crazy,” Chris admitted.
“I noticed at the party,” Leif said dryly.
“I’m sorry.”
“I can’t stand the thought of you with... her.” The words were barely audible.
“I won’t,” promised Chris immediately. “I don’t even think I could, any more.”
“Don’t try,” Leif responded sharply.
Leif’s jealousy made Chris feel good, he couldn’t help it. “I won’t.”
i do wish they had more meaningful exchanges throughout this book. it kind of all revolves around their sex life and the only argument they have is due to Leif's mercurial attitude towards the fact that Chris is married. one of the only times Leif and Chris have an actual date, they run into Leif's ex and it's just another set up for The Fight that ends with Chris promising to leave Stephanie by Thanksgiving. but when the holiday rolls around, Chris still hasn't opened his fucking mouth and it all comes crashing down when he discovers Leif is in the hospital after being beaten badly enough to land in the ICU. Chris ditches Stephanie and her parents, and races to the hospital to find Leif.
anyway there's no real drama and no real climax, the two get their HEA with minimal hurt feelings for everyone else involved. it's an older book, there's definitely better with this storyline but i didn't mind it. for as moody as Leif can be and underwhelming Chris is as a love interest, they still seem to fit well together and i rooted for them the whole time even without ever having a good reason to.
Chris is a big ol pretty boy, married to a wife who's more of a roommate in a big house with no kids after six years. their sex life drops off to nothing while Stephanie pursues her work life interests in art.
He was happily married; he’d tell anyone that asked. Only he wasn’t so sure about that happily part.
while on a trip to a work convention, Chris ends up at a bar where he meets Leif. after some hesitant teasing, Chris finds himself more than passively interested in Leif and the two end up sleeping together with Leif vanishing before Chris wakes up leaving only a note in Chris' wallet:
Thanks for an amazing night. You were perfect.
Leif
after his first encounter with Leif, Chris cannot get him out of his head. with no way to contact Leif after their dalliance, he struggles to reconnect to his life and especially to his wife. he sulks for a little over a month, but eventually stops searching for Leif's face in every crowd. until Leif plants himself right in Chris' way, using the address he got from Chris' driver license to track him down for their second meet-cute.
the two eagerly enter into an affair with one another, Leif knowing all the time that Chris is married. now look. the spice spices but it was kind of just whatever to me. i wasn't exactly a big fan of the way they talk to each other in bed, it was a little weird to me for no particular reason. but i did love how possessive they both were even tho they barely knew each other and it was pretty full on almost right out of the gate. i'm a big old sucker for the traditional "baby" endearment and Lief was Chris' baby through n through. was a fan.
this was low angst in all reality, but i took a sick amount of glee in all the little spats Leif instigated with Chris. they all revolve around Chris being too much of a coward to end things with his wife even though she's very much emotionally checked out on their marriage too. while Leif was initially ok letting the affair play out casually, Chris is very amorous towards him and eventually they reach the crossroads where Leif can't deny his feelings anymore and refuses to be just a piece of ass to Chris.
“I still like women. I could go out right now and—” As soon as it was out of his mouth, Chris knew it was a mistake.
Leif moved away like he’d been stung. “Oh, yes, I’m sure you could. Go on then, stud. You know where the door is.”
“Leif, I didn’t mean it that way! I—”
“You what, Chris? What exactly do you want from me? Do you even have a clue?”
“Nothing, I—”
“Nothing, that’s perfect, then,” Leif interrupted. “Because that’s what you’re going to get.”
Chris gasped. Leif had a way of twisting his words around that Chris didn’t know how to counter. “That’s not what I meant! Leif, baby, please don’t do this—”
“Baby?” Leif looked over his shoulder “Go home, Chris. Figure out what you really want. If you do, then call me. Not before.”
it was SCRUMPTIOUS to read their bickering even though most of it seems to come out of nowhere. Leif is just so prickly and he has Chris wrappppped around his little finger but doesn't even care because the man is still married. Chris agonizes over him and then Leif forgives him and they sleep together again and so it goes, their affair continuing for months.
during this time, Stephanie is very pointedly ignoring all the goings on with her husband and he assumes she's likely having an affair as well. Chris' friend Tony also seems to notice that Chris isn't acting like himself, but Chris refuses to divulge his secrets and it creates tension in the aspects of his life that don't involve Leif. but eventually it all comes to a head when Chris and Leif run into each other at an event Chris takes his wife to.
Chris sees Leif with another man and his jealousy jumps the fuck out, leading to a confrontation between the two of them with Leif calling Chris out for wanting to have his cake and eat it too. when he asks Chris whether he'll leave his wife, Chris doesn't have an answer for him so Leif leaves.
“I just need some time.”
Leif raised an eyebrow. “Time for what? You’re telling me you intend to leave your wife?”
Chris was lost and he knew it. “I don’t know,” he finally said. “You turned my life upside down.”
“Right,” Leif said, scorn dripping from his voice. “I’m touched. Well, guess what? I don’t want you to leave your wife for me. I like my life just the way it is.”
all the drama is self-inflicted. for a couple with little to nothing against them, they surely make life difficult for themselves. Leif ignores the texts, calls, and gifts Chris showers him with. he starts driving by Leif's apartment and being a weirdo stalker because he realizes he is in love with Leif after all. that realization urges him to pull a Say Anything when he's inebriated and he shows up at Leif's, declaring he misses him and begging to be let inside. Leif relents and when he believes Chris is asleep, confesses that he lied, and really does want Chris to leave his wife.
“Thinking of you with someone else makes me crazy,” Chris admitted.
“I noticed at the party,” Leif said dryly.
“I’m sorry.”
“I can’t stand the thought of you with... her.” The words were barely audible.
“I won’t,” promised Chris immediately. “I don’t even think I could, any more.”
“Don’t try,” Leif responded sharply.
Leif’s jealousy made Chris feel good, he couldn’t help it. “I won’t.”
i do wish they had more meaningful exchanges throughout this book. it kind of all revolves around their sex life and the only argument they have is due to Leif's mercurial attitude towards the fact that Chris is married. one of the only times Leif and Chris have an actual date, they run into Leif's ex and it's just another set up for The Fight that ends with Chris promising to leave Stephanie by Thanksgiving. but when the holiday rolls around, Chris still hasn't opened his fucking mouth and it all comes crashing down when he discovers Leif is in the hospital after being beaten badly enough to land in the ICU. Chris ditches Stephanie and her parents, and races to the hospital to find Leif.
anyway there's no real drama and no real climax, the two get their HEA with minimal hurt feelings for everyone else involved. it's an older book, there's definitely better with this storyline but i didn't mind it. for as moody as Leif can be and underwhelming Chris is as a love interest, they still seem to fit well together and i rooted for them the whole time even without ever having a good reason to.
March 25, 2013
I'm a sucker for M/M books where one of the main characters is just discovering or acting on his attraction to the same sex. When I started reading this book I thought I was going to absolutely love it but for some reason I wasn't able to feel like Chris and Leif have really connected. The sex scenes were great and pretty hot but I felt like there was all that existed between then. I was expecting to feel that connection that gives me goose-bumps when I read about but unfortunately it never happened with them. Aside from that, the writing is great and the sentences have great structure, which is very important for me. 3.5 Stars!
September 25, 2013
I couldn't tell you whether this book is any good, but I can tell you that I enjoyed quite a bit more than I expected. Thing is, it hit all my guilty pleasure spots: big blonde possessive top, temperamental brunette, gfy, clandestine romance, crazy hotness. So, um, yeah, I was really into it.
April 9, 2013
3.5 stars
Chris meets Leif in a bar one night. The guys feel a visceral attraction that they act on immediately, damn the torpedos. Leif lusts after Chris’ well-developed, cut physique and Chris likes Leif’s lean, aristocratic good looks. That should be enough for a one night stand, right? But here’s the problem, the guys want more...and there’s that electric connection that can’t be denied.
Of issue here is that Chris is married. So the reader needs to work past the fact that he is cheating on his wife through much of the story. The title itself is a warning that all is not well but we learn that Chris’ indiscretion is fueled by a need not met in his loveless marriage. His relationship with his wife (a cookie-cutter, throw-away character) is pretty much dead when the guys meet. While this is no excuse, they share a sensuality that is compelling and makes it worth the patience -- they spar and yearn and burn the sheets up. (It's interesting to me that Greene seems to like to play with the cheating theme in his writing...how to make it work in the plot despite the unsavoriness. He has a clever solution in another read, Love And War, that’s worth reading.)
An almost larger concern of mine is that Chris and Leif work better for me as a couple than they ever do as individuals. It takes quite some time to learn anything in depth about either of them but even that doesn’t feel like enough. We know relatively little about Leif, he’s brusque, prickly, and arrogant, but he’s also a professional photographer who’s experienced danger being embedded during the Iraq war. I want to know so much more about that experience and how it shapes him, what makes him tick. And Chris...he’s gotta be pretty bright, he’s a very successful executive; but his character seems dumbed down. He knows he’s bisexual but has never had the nerve to act on it; so he’s indecisive, he flounders in his marriage and how he treats Leif. He’s not terribly articulate...but he sure can fuck. He comes off as a bit of a lunk. It doesn’t help that Leif constantly refers to him as ‘Neanderthal’ or ‘caveman’ and ‘dork’ which reads as condescending and doesn’t put either character in the best light. We need to see how Chris has a brain outside his dick and we’re just not given this information. So, individually, these characterizations have problems; the strength lies in their coupling and that’s just not fair to them.
I am happy to see this longer work by Greene, I’ve enjoyed his short stories and it’s good to see him stretching more. Despite my issues stated above, there are some great things going on in this story, it sparkles in spots especially at the beginning and I was invested in Chris and Leif’s growth as a couple and in earning their HEA. More smoothly written characters (main and secondary) and crisper story flow would have earned a higher rating but I still enjoyed this sweet romance.
Read in exchange for an honest review.
August 22, 2013
4.5 stars rounded up to five
With that title, you can guess what this book is about, can't you? If infidelity squicks you, this is not the book for you.
Chris and Stephanie are childhood sweethearts and have been married for six years. Things were all right at first but gradually the two of them grow further and further apart, with different interests and they hardly ever see each other any more. They've become more like room mates who share the same house.
Chris can't even remember the last time they had sex and both of them don't seem that bothered about it.
While on a business trip, Chris indvertently hits on a handsome guy, Leif, in a hotel bar but soon realises that maybe, yes he would like to go back to the man's room and the two fall instantly in lust.
I liked how the book progressed with Chris and Leif at first being together because they are great together physically, but as time goes on they realise there is more to it than that, espeically when Leif ends up in hospital due to his psycho ex-boyfriend.
It's very well written and the sex scenes are so scorching it's off the scale, but to be honest I would have preferred just a little less sex and more of the two of them talking and really getting to know each other.
We don't get to see much of Stephanie, but there is always a small tendril of guilt in the back of Chris's head every time he's with Leif, but not enough to give Leif up. I think how things worked out with the divorce was a little glossed over, I'm sure it would have been more messy in real-life, but since it is a book and not real-life, I can handle it.
The story is passionate and a little bit angsty, but not too much and I was grateful that Stephanie was never turned into some uber-witch who was out to ruin Chris's life.
Chris is very much the alpha male here and I nearly laughed my head off when Chris and Leif were dressed as characters from Rocky Horror at Halloween. We'd just seen the stage show the other day at the theatre and a woman in the audience behind was heard to comment, "Oh, that's so hot!" when Frank N Furter appeared in a corset and stockings. Leif in the corset and stockings in the book - I agree, totally hot!
Review copy supplied by author
With that title, you can guess what this book is about, can't you? If infidelity squicks you, this is not the book for you.
Chris and Stephanie are childhood sweethearts and have been married for six years. Things were all right at first but gradually the two of them grow further and further apart, with different interests and they hardly ever see each other any more. They've become more like room mates who share the same house.
Chris can't even remember the last time they had sex and both of them don't seem that bothered about it.
While on a business trip, Chris indvertently hits on a handsome guy, Leif, in a hotel bar but soon realises that maybe, yes he would like to go back to the man's room and the two fall instantly in lust.
I liked how the book progressed with Chris and Leif at first being together because they are great together physically, but as time goes on they realise there is more to it than that, espeically when Leif ends up in hospital due to his psycho ex-boyfriend.
It's very well written and the sex scenes are so scorching it's off the scale, but to be honest I would have preferred just a little less sex and more of the two of them talking and really getting to know each other.
We don't get to see much of Stephanie, but there is always a small tendril of guilt in the back of Chris's head every time he's with Leif, but not enough to give Leif up. I think how things worked out with the divorce was a little glossed over, I'm sure it would have been more messy in real-life, but since it is a book and not real-life, I can handle it.
The story is passionate and a little bit angsty, but not too much and I was grateful that Stephanie was never turned into some uber-witch who was out to ruin Chris's life.
Chris is very much the alpha male here and I nearly laughed my head off when Chris and Leif were dressed as characters from Rocky Horror at Halloween. We'd just seen the stage show the other day at the theatre and a woman in the audience behind was heard to comment, "Oh, that's so hot!" when Frank N Furter appeared in a corset and stockings. Leif in the corset and stockings in the book - I agree, totally hot!
Review copy supplied by author
August 9, 2016
3.5 out of 5 stars
Jack Greene is well know for his short and spicy stories that always leave you wanting more. That's why I was very excited to learn that Indiscretion, one of his latest releases, is a full-length novel.
What worked for me? First and foremost, kudos to the author for choosing a rather sensitive subject of infidelity and not turning it into a pity party, but creating a story where you get invested in the characters and become a part of their journey of self-discovery and acceptance. Secondly, although Indiscretion is written in third person limited, both characters are fully fleshed-out and the relationship development between the two is well-paced and feels natural. If I had to choose my favourite character, I would surely choose Leif. He is the exact opposite of my usual hero type, but his larger than life personality won me over and secured him a place in my heart.
On the negative side, I skipped a couple of sex scenes and didn't see a need for the trip to San Francisco, but my biggest quibble was the "let's get divorced" conversation between Chris and his wife. I wouldn't have minded if not for the fact that it was very similar to how it was done in Picture Perfect.
Bottom line, this was a great debut in full-length novels, and I will definitely buy the author's next book. Was Indiscretion better than his shorter stories? Hard to say, but only because Jack Greene has written some of the best quickies I have ever read.
Jack Greene is well know for his short and spicy stories that always leave you wanting more. That's why I was very excited to learn that Indiscretion, one of his latest releases, is a full-length novel.
What worked for me? First and foremost, kudos to the author for choosing a rather sensitive subject of infidelity and not turning it into a pity party, but creating a story where you get invested in the characters and become a part of their journey of self-discovery and acceptance. Secondly, although Indiscretion is written in third person limited, both characters are fully fleshed-out and the relationship development between the two is well-paced and feels natural. If I had to choose my favourite character, I would surely choose Leif. He is the exact opposite of my usual hero type, but his larger than life personality won me over and secured him a place in my heart.
On the negative side, I skipped a couple of sex scenes and didn't see a need for the trip to San Francisco, but my biggest quibble was the "let's get divorced" conversation between Chris and his wife. I wouldn't have minded if not for the fact that it was very similar to how it was done in Picture Perfect.
Bottom line, this was a great debut in full-length novels, and I will definitely buy the author's next book. Was Indiscretion better than his shorter stories? Hard to say, but only because Jack Greene has written some of the best quickies I have ever read.
June 30, 2013
A good solid read. The story had everything, some of it surprised me, some of it didn't, but I laughed and also came very close to crying at one point near the end, too. I loved Chris's transformation as he came to terms with his attraction/love for Lief and how he grew as a character. I also loved Lief's sarcastic comments. Some of the banter between these two men was so genuine and heartfelt. The two of them fit together perfectly and they definitely had a way of bringing out the best in each other. My negatives would be that some of the loose ends tied up at the end seemed a bit too easy for me to fully believe and that is the only reason I couldn't give this story a full 5 stars. Even still, it didn't keep me from enjoying the story and loving every lustful, sweaty detail! I would highly recommend.
May 15, 2013
3.5/5
This was the first book I've read by this author. I really liked that the MCs weren't perfect. They had an edge to them, especially Leif, and I enjoyed that. I'll definitely be picking up another of his books.
This was the first book I've read by this author. I really liked that the MCs weren't perfect. They had an edge to them, especially Leif, and I enjoyed that. I'll definitely be picking up another of his books.
December 25, 2014
I was a little hesitant at first, because I'm rarely a fan of cheating, but it really worked in this book. There was perhaps a bit too much sex, but it was very hot!!!! A good read that I enjoyed a lot.
March 24, 2013
Loved it, end of story. 5 stars storyline, emotional angst, the relationship and the author.
August 7, 2016
Two Trouble-free stars
I loved the concept. This is the first book I'm reading involving this cheating theme and also a first from this author. The beginning sucks you right in. Jack created fairly good but predictable characters with an unoriginal plot line. Though the whole story is relayed from Chris's POV, there were moments where i felt that his POV lacks depth and inner dialogues. And then i started to wish for the pages where the author will slip a snippet of Leif's POV somewhere to get a better hang of his feelings too. Because both the MC's were pretty much not into mushy mushy feeling declaration kind of stuff, not engaging in long talks but enough fucking time so their connection outside of bed was hard to build up in my mind and that's when I started to lose interest. In the middle of the book, I started dragging the pages. It was like a scene after a scene depicting a conflict, solving, again an incident, fighting, resolving the mystery, regrets, conflict and death. A series of stuff that are important for a story were all there. But the depth and the "easing into it" was absent.
The scene where Leif and Chris were going to exhibit their sexual act in a dungeon in front of an audience because it was sort of a kink for both of them was weird. The way Chris went up on stage and started acting all Dom was so unreal because the author didn't even in one line suggested that Chris could be a Dom or have those qualities other than being rough and growling MINE whenever he sees Leif. For a person who considers himself Straight, Chris surely eased into Gay life pretty easily.
All the staged conflicts and incidents were too easy. They didn't take long to enter and didn't take long to exit as well. The lack of dialogues was the real cause of a dive that the stars took. Because the MC's have to talk in order to indulge us in their lives and in their minds. The plot sure does hold an interest but without a good line up of MC's, it really falls apart eventually.
So, two stars to Jack for attempting to write a book on this theme and almost doing a nice job if not better.
I loved the concept. This is the first book I'm reading involving this cheating theme and also a first from this author. The beginning sucks you right in. Jack created fairly good but predictable characters with an unoriginal plot line. Though the whole story is relayed from Chris's POV, there were moments where i felt that his POV lacks depth and inner dialogues. And then i started to wish for the pages where the author will slip a snippet of Leif's POV somewhere to get a better hang of his feelings too. Because both the MC's were pretty much not into mushy mushy feeling declaration kind of stuff, not engaging in long talks but enough fucking time so their connection outside of bed was hard to build up in my mind and that's when I started to lose interest. In the middle of the book, I started dragging the pages. It was like a scene after a scene depicting a conflict, solving, again an incident, fighting, resolving the mystery, regrets, conflict and death. A series of stuff that are important for a story were all there. But the depth and the "easing into it" was absent.
The scene where Leif and Chris were going to exhibit their sexual act in a dungeon in front of an audience because it was sort of a kink for both of them was weird. The way Chris went up on stage and started acting all Dom was so unreal because the author didn't even in one line suggested that Chris could be a Dom or have those qualities other than being rough and growling MINE whenever he sees Leif. For a person who considers himself Straight, Chris surely eased into Gay life pretty easily.
All the staged conflicts and incidents were too easy. They didn't take long to enter and didn't take long to exit as well. The lack of dialogues was the real cause of a dive that the stars took. Because the MC's have to talk in order to indulge us in their lives and in their minds. The plot sure does hold an interest but without a good line up of MC's, it really falls apart eventually.
So, two stars to Jack for attempting to write a book on this theme and almost doing a nice job if not better.
June 14, 2016
Very enjoyable and sexy story meant to and succeeding to engage you from start to finish.
I couldnt put the book down...or more like, my laptop...as I had trouble downloading it onto my kindly so it was a bit difficult sittie thng up in bed or sit outside in the garden reading (which is my absolute favourite passtime). The mc's are just tooo cute, funny and verrrry sexy, horny and sensual. The 'do' it, a lot and everywhere but the way they care for each other is toe-curling sweet *sigh*
Do get this book (not available on Amazon, bummer) but do get it as totally worth it
I couldnt put the book down...or more like, my laptop...as I had trouble downloading it onto my kindly so it was a bit difficult sittie thng up in bed or sit outside in the garden reading (which is my absolute favourite passtime). The mc's are just tooo cute, funny and verrrry sexy, horny and sensual. The 'do' it, a lot and everywhere but the way they care for each other is toe-curling sweet *sigh*
Do get this book (not available on Amazon, bummer) but do get it as totally worth it
March 31, 2013
There is cheating, but the marriage was already over so it didn't feel like much of a sneaking around, lying and cheating.
I didn't like that the wife is basically not shown. It is all said: she looked happier and so on. I like it when emotions are shown and not told.
Could have been longer, when characters could have been more developed.
Overall, an enjoyable read
I didn't like that the wife is basically not shown. It is all said: she looked happier and so on. I like it when emotions are shown and not told.
Could have been longer, when characters could have been more developed.
Overall, an enjoyable read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2013
I'm usually a big fan of this author, but I just couldn't connect with the characters here. Surprisingly didn't mind the cheating (I mean, the title and blurb pretty much let me know what I was in for), but I never warmed up to Leif. He was rude, bitchy, and put down Chris alot which I couldn't forgive. I thought Chris could do better.
October 22, 2014
First book I've read by this author and I loved it, made me go looking for more!!
August 10, 2020
Character development? Never heard of her. The idea is there and had potential and then it just trailed off into nothing. Every conversation between the MCs was either an argument or about sex which I felt didn't add to the story all that much.
There was so much that could have been done with the characters and their relationships with not only each other but also their friends and family. But instead it was all very rushed and felt hollow.
Overall very disappointing
There was so much that could have been done with the characters and their relationships with not only each other but also their friends and family. But instead it was all very rushed and felt hollow.
Overall very disappointing
November 3, 2013
Leif was a total ass in the first half of the book and I could not see what Chris saw in him. If there is one thing I hate it's when someone tries to emotionally manipulate another person and that is exactly what Leif did to Chris the first part of the book. I could not stand him and was in no hurry to finish the book. I sat it down for a day then went back to it for lack of anything better to do. The second part of the book he was almost a different person. I actually enjoyed the second half and came to like them as a couple. Go figure. I didn't however like the abrupt end.
March 27, 2013
I don't mind the cheating but I couldn't care about any of the characters.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews