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Hollywood Endings #1
Pull Back
FBI agent Bodhi Locke is a fish out of water when he accompanies his new boyfriend, movie star Morgan Cooper Young to a glitzy studio party. But the script gets flipped when Morgan’s co-star, child actor Crystal Parish goes missing and Bodhi takes over the investigation
Did Crystal run away from home? Was she abducted? Stage mothers, rival child stars, fanatical fans; Bodhi may have the investigative experience but it’s Morgan who understands the ins and outs of that business we call show.
A perfect partnership in the public eye, but behind the scenes both men struggle with issues of trust. For Morgan, who spends his days fighting made-up monsters, it’s hard to give his heart to a man who carries a gun to work. While Bodhi is feeling pulled in two directions when it’s handcuffs all day and Hollywood all night. He loves the way Morgan makes him feel (especially when they’re sneaking in a quickie in a public place) but he’s not sure he can ever get past his jaded view of the world and live the life of a celebrity significant other.
From stakeouts to steak dinners, robberies to the red carpet – the Crystal Parish mystery isn’t all that needs solving if the boys are going to have their own Hollywood Ending.
Pull Back is the first book in the Hollywood Endings: MM Romantic Mystery series. Written in the style of some of your favorite TV bromances, it’s the perfect series for any fan who loves to ‘ship the two male leads.
Did Crystal run away from home? Was she abducted? Stage mothers, rival child stars, fanatical fans; Bodhi may have the investigative experience but it’s Morgan who understands the ins and outs of that business we call show.
A perfect partnership in the public eye, but behind the scenes both men struggle with issues of trust. For Morgan, who spends his days fighting made-up monsters, it’s hard to give his heart to a man who carries a gun to work. While Bodhi is feeling pulled in two directions when it’s handcuffs all day and Hollywood all night. He loves the way Morgan makes him feel (especially when they’re sneaking in a quickie in a public place) but he’s not sure he can ever get past his jaded view of the world and live the life of a celebrity significant other.
From stakeouts to steak dinners, robberies to the red carpet – the Crystal Parish mystery isn’t all that needs solving if the boys are going to have their own Hollywood Ending.
Pull Back is the first book in the Hollywood Endings: MM Romantic Mystery series. Written in the style of some of your favorite TV bromances, it’s the perfect series for any fan who loves to ‘ship the two male leads.
128 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 14, 2020
78 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
August 14, 2022
I liked this, but I didn’t love it. It was a decent detective story even though Bodhi was an FBI agent, but I felt more time should have been spent getting to know Bodhi and Morgan. I kept wondering how an FBI agent and a Hollywood star got together. Anyway I figured out who the murderer was, but didn’t solve the entire mystery. The book could certainly use a good editor. The many grammatical errors were distracting. I liked it enough to read the next book in the series.
July 19, 2020
Building a bridge between different worlds while investigating a missing girl creates a great story! I really enjoyed the MC's of this story, the FBI agent and the actor both good men, trying to find a way to build a life while coming from very different worlds. The story-line was engaging and it captured my interest. The story had enough twists and turns that it kept me guessing and I was surprised at the solving of the missing girls.
Bodhi and Morgan have a very steamy connection and find some very creative ways to express their feelings. I thought it was interesting to have a story where the MC's were already in a relationship, even if it was fairly new. You can really see how much these guys care about each other and also how different and vulnerable they both are. I liked that they really dealt with life as adults and talked and loved their way through problems and challenges. There was no unnecessary angst nor drama and I appreciated that so much.
This is book one of the Hollywood Endings series and i am already looking forward to book two. Based upon the blurb for the next book it is going to be more of these guys and that will be fun.
I was gifted this book from Gay Romance Reviews and i freely give my honest opinion and review.
Bodhi and Morgan have a very steamy connection and find some very creative ways to express their feelings. I thought it was interesting to have a story where the MC's were already in a relationship, even if it was fairly new. You can really see how much these guys care about each other and also how different and vulnerable they both are. I liked that they really dealt with life as adults and talked and loved their way through problems and challenges. There was no unnecessary angst nor drama and I appreciated that so much.
This is book one of the Hollywood Endings series and i am already looking forward to book two. Based upon the blurb for the next book it is going to be more of these guys and that will be fun.
I was gifted this book from Gay Romance Reviews and i freely give my honest opinion and review.
September 20, 2020
•*´¨)✯ ¸.•*¨)
✮ (¸.•´The movie star and the FBI agent who fell in love against all odds.
Here I go again, two romantic suspense in a row and all the feels. Though this book gave me something I was craving, I wanted more. And I am glad to know another book is in the works in order to get to know these guys better...hopefully. What I need is the author to drop more of a backstory on these two guys that I felt was missing when I read the book. As good as a plot it was, I really felt as if I was dropped in the middle and trying to catch up.
The chemistry between Morgan and Bodhi was solid from the start. They hadn't been together long, so they were still navigating their relationship. One missing child actor case sent them both into a mystery of lies and deceit that had the possibility to ruin so many people's lives.
I enjoy new-to-me authors and feeling out their writing styles. Usually it can be a hit or miss. But I think this author did something to reel me in and keep me interested.
✮ (¸.•´The movie star and the FBI agent who fell in love against all odds.
Here I go again, two romantic suspense in a row and all the feels. Though this book gave me something I was craving, I wanted more. And I am glad to know another book is in the works in order to get to know these guys better...hopefully. What I need is the author to drop more of a backstory on these two guys that I felt was missing when I read the book. As good as a plot it was, I really felt as if I was dropped in the middle and trying to catch up.
The chemistry between Morgan and Bodhi was solid from the start. They hadn't been together long, so they were still navigating their relationship. One missing child actor case sent them both into a mystery of lies and deceit that had the possibility to ruin so many people's lives.
I enjoy new-to-me authors and feeling out their writing styles. Usually it can be a hit or miss. But I think this author did something to reel me in and keep me interested.
July 21, 2020
3.8 stars.. A new author for me with this book. I'm intrigued by book 2 and grabbed this to make sure I didn't miss anything for their relationship for next haunted book. Okay so I'll say when I first jumped into this I felt I'd missed something for the relationship. I would've liked the story of Bodhi and Morgan initial meeting and including the Ex of Bodhi. A rough start reading and would've loved a blurb at the beginning as it would've helped me. But in saying that... This was a great mystery romance for Bodhi and Morgan to help solve the disappearance of young Crystal. Sexy HOT scenes included that I loved. Huge twists happen making the story interesting also which I loved.
Morgan's an 28 year old actor dating FBI Agent Dodhi when a case lands in Dodhi's lap.
Morgan's an 28 year old actor dating FBI Agent Dodhi when a case lands in Dodhi's lap.
September 28, 2020
I'm not denying that this is a good story. It's a decent mystery/thriller, which was quite suspenseful. The two MCs, an FBI agent and Hollywood star, worked well together. However, I actually found myself looking for Book 1 in the series, as soon as I finished this one. I thought that it had been a mistake to put this out as the first book. It read to me very like a second book. Bo and Morgan are already in a relationship, which was ok, but I wanted more of their backgrounds. Still, it's pretty well written, and there is another in the series. I will read the next book, because I'm curious to see how the author will proceed.
July 20, 2020
Pull Back by JD Sampson is the first book in the Hollywood Endings series. This contemporary m/m romance is suspenseful, romantic, steamy and exciting. Bodhi and Morgan are such interesting characters and I am so excited that this is just the first story in their continuing series. I can not wait to see what mysteries, adventures and heated embraces await.
June 3, 2025
Well! I'm not big on crime/cop stories, I've read a few over the years but it's not my usual 'go to', but this! This blew me away, I was hooked. Of course it helped having a gay couple involved, one being an FBI agent, the other an actor, (this story is in the acting/film setting) The bonus is that this is the first in a series starring these two and I'm quite excited. This was a enthralling read.
August 27, 2020
Whelp, I guess I have yet another book series to follow because Pull Back was definitely a fun read.
Morgan Cooper is a movie star and adored by many. When he and his boyfriend, FBI agent Bodhi Locke attend a studio party, they’d planned to just have some (hot) fun and put work to the side for the night. Unfortunately, relaxation is not on the agenda when, by the end of the night, they discover that Crystal Parish, child actor and Morgan’s co-star, is missing. They get sucked into the investigation and together, they work to solve the case while also figuring out just how much they mean to each other.
I am so into these two. I have to admit that the already established relationship threw me for a moment, but actually, I liked this. It was refreshing to read about a couple who are already dedicated to each other and didn’t have to go through all the stumbling blocks of the “do-you-like-me-check-yes-or-no” stage of the relationship. I felt it allowed for Bodhi and Morgan to really grow together as a couple without the usual drama. Their moments together were both sexy and sweet and the plot was well balanced between steamy scenes and the investigation. I do wish the book was a little bit longer (my copy was a scant 106 pages), but I think Sampson did a great job establishing the main characters and their partnership, both in and out of bed.
Thank you Voracious Readers and JD Sampson for my copy! This is my honest review and I will be looking forward to the next in the series!
Morgan Cooper is a movie star and adored by many. When he and his boyfriend, FBI agent Bodhi Locke attend a studio party, they’d planned to just have some (hot) fun and put work to the side for the night. Unfortunately, relaxation is not on the agenda when, by the end of the night, they discover that Crystal Parish, child actor and Morgan’s co-star, is missing. They get sucked into the investigation and together, they work to solve the case while also figuring out just how much they mean to each other.
I am so into these two. I have to admit that the already established relationship threw me for a moment, but actually, I liked this. It was refreshing to read about a couple who are already dedicated to each other and didn’t have to go through all the stumbling blocks of the “do-you-like-me-check-yes-or-no” stage of the relationship. I felt it allowed for Bodhi and Morgan to really grow together as a couple without the usual drama. Their moments together were both sexy and sweet and the plot was well balanced between steamy scenes and the investigation. I do wish the book was a little bit longer (my copy was a scant 106 pages), but I think Sampson did a great job establishing the main characters and their partnership, both in and out of bed.
Thank you Voracious Readers and JD Sampson for my copy! This is my honest review and I will be looking forward to the next in the series!
September 24, 2020
This is a good, old fashioned whodunnit book, with a side of romance and some steamy scenes. What ai found different about this romance book, was that it starts with an established couple, albeit only for a few months. We don’t witness their meet cute, the build up, and development. We’re smack dab in it. These fellas are pretty much exact opposites, which feels realistic. Bohdi is an FBI agent, and Morgan is an movie star. The mystery in this book, which is the first in a new series, involves a costar of Morgans. It doesn’t end in a cliffhanger, which I really appreciate. Book two will keep the same two main characters, but will be a new case. I love how the author decided to go that route, and I look forward to getting to spend more time with these two lovely fellas. They were easy to get attached to!
***I voluntarily accepted an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews. My review reflects my own thoughts and opinions***
***I voluntarily accepted an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews. My review reflects my own thoughts and opinions***
August 1, 2020
Pull Back is the first in the Hollywood Endings series. It's an opposites attract romance set against the backdrop of a mystery/suspense plot centred on the disappearance of actor Morgan Cooper Young's co-star. The investigation is led by his boyfriend, FBI Agent Bodhi Locke.
There's a lot to like about this book for me. It's a refreshing change for the MCs to be an established couple (even if they're still working out how they fit together). I enjoyed seeing them navigate each other's professional world, coming to terms with how different they are. The mystery element is well done, with a pacy plot that has some decent twists and turns.
Overall, Pull Back is an engaging read with strong MCs...a very good start to a new series and I'm looking forward to more mysteries and romance with Bodhi and Morgan. 4*
An ARC was provided by GRR in exchange for an honest review.
There's a lot to like about this book for me. It's a refreshing change for the MCs to be an established couple (even if they're still working out how they fit together). I enjoyed seeing them navigate each other's professional world, coming to terms with how different they are. The mystery element is well done, with a pacy plot that has some decent twists and turns.
Overall, Pull Back is an engaging read with strong MCs...a very good start to a new series and I'm looking forward to more mysteries and romance with Bodhi and Morgan. 4*
An ARC was provided by GRR in exchange for an honest review.
August 16, 2020
A fine mystery with romantic undertones
Bodhi, an FBI agent, and Morgan, a Hollywood star and his boyfriend, are at a party desperately looking for an excuse to leave and be alone. As the story progresses an unexpected excuse lands before them, a curvy path is followed trying to unravel the mystery, and like most of Hollywood not everything is as it appears. JD Sampson has crafted a fine mystery with strong main characters and romantic undertones. It will be interesting to see where this duo goes from here and I look forward to taking the ride with them.
I read this book with my Kindle Unlimited subscription and I received a free copy of the book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.
Bodhi, an FBI agent, and Morgan, a Hollywood star and his boyfriend, are at a party desperately looking for an excuse to leave and be alone. As the story progresses an unexpected excuse lands before them, a curvy path is followed trying to unravel the mystery, and like most of Hollywood not everything is as it appears. JD Sampson has crafted a fine mystery with strong main characters and romantic undertones. It will be interesting to see where this duo goes from here and I look forward to taking the ride with them.
I read this book with my Kindle Unlimited subscription and I received a free copy of the book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.
September 13, 2020
The actor and the FBI agent
This book reads like the second or third book in a series. I read it to read the second one, but I didn't really need to, I don't think, because this one just drops the reader into the relationship. I enjoyed the mystery, but I don't know much more about the characters than I did when I started.
I kept expecting a flashback or something to tell the backstory, but it never came.
Maybe it was a stylistic choice, but the risk didn't really pay off, in my opinion. I am giving it 3 stars because of the time I spent looking for a prequel, another series where the characters were introduced, something. It's a shame, because this would make a great middle of a book.
This book reads like the second or third book in a series. I read it to read the second one, but I didn't really need to, I don't think, because this one just drops the reader into the relationship. I enjoyed the mystery, but I don't know much more about the characters than I did when I started.
I kept expecting a flashback or something to tell the backstory, but it never came.
Maybe it was a stylistic choice, but the risk didn't really pay off, in my opinion. I am giving it 3 stars because of the time I spent looking for a prequel, another series where the characters were introduced, something. It's a shame, because this would make a great middle of a book.
August 1, 2020
Takes awhile to become engaged in this book.
It took me quite a bit to get into this book. The beginning is all discombobulates and there is never a good foundation to how Bohdy and Morgan meet. While the storyline was good and there were enough plot twists to keep me entertained, I feel like there was way too much missing information to make it a spectacular read. Maybe if there had been a novella or a prequel that described and laid the foundation of Morgan and Bohdy’s relationship I would have enjoyed the book more. These thoughts are my own given honestly and unbiased after reading an advanced readers copy. Any mistakes are my own.
It took me quite a bit to get into this book. The beginning is all discombobulates and there is never a good foundation to how Bohdy and Morgan meet. While the storyline was good and there were enough plot twists to keep me entertained, I feel like there was way too much missing information to make it a spectacular read. Maybe if there had been a novella or a prequel that described and laid the foundation of Morgan and Bohdy’s relationship I would have enjoyed the book more. These thoughts are my own given honestly and unbiased after reading an advanced readers copy. Any mistakes are my own.
September 4, 2020
This story had a lot of action and was interesting but isn’t feel like it mer it’s full potential. I still liked reading this story and the characters in it. It’s a good first book and start to this series. I’m hoping it will reach more it’s potential with more books in this series and these characters get more. They are very interesting characters that I want to know more about. They feel like real people that I could meet in real life. I enjoyed the opposites attract of an actor and an FBI agent thigh leads to some very interesting situations for these two characters. I look forward to future cases they work on together and get to do more good.
August 1, 2020
This was my first story by the author, while it was good, I had a hard time getting into it. Things felt a little off, like it was missing pieces of it. There was no history or back story of the two mc’s, Bodhi and Morgan. If this were the beginning of a new series, I would have liked a little more backstory on their relationship. They had good chemistry. The writing was good. The mystery had a good plot. I usually figure it out quicker than I did.
I am voluntarily leaving a review form an ARC that I received. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions.
I am voluntarily leaving a review form an ARC that I received. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions.
August 3, 2020
There is a lot that I enjoyed about Pull Back. I think the mystery element of the story is very well done. There are many players in the mix and I was kept guessing until the final reveal.
While I enjoyed the relationship between FBI agent Bodhi Locke and well known actor Morgan Cooper Young I felt like I was playing catch up with them. From page one they are already an established couple. There are references made to how they met but nothing concrete, which leaves the reader feeling left out. I did enjoy the chemistry between these two and look forward to the next book in this series.
While I enjoyed the relationship between FBI agent Bodhi Locke and well known actor Morgan Cooper Young I felt like I was playing catch up with them. From page one they are already an established couple. There are references made to how they met but nothing concrete, which leaves the reader feeling left out. I did enjoy the chemistry between these two and look forward to the next book in this series.
August 3, 2020
I loved this series opener! It has been a long time since I read a series which started with the main characters already in a relationship with each other as this one does and I really liked that. These are clearly two adults with established careers trying to figure out how to mesh their lives together. It gives a clear picture of the negotiations and compromises necessary all the while mixing in a good mystery. I look forward to the continuation of this series, especially if it continues to deal with these same themes of relationship development and suspense.
August 4, 2020
Books with LEO main characters are my jam. So I couldn't pass up the chance to read (and review) this book. I'm glad this is the first of a series, that means we'll get more!
I enjoy reading Bodhi and Morgan coming together, coming from different worlds and somehow getting together with their undeniable connection. I like that their relationship is new and we watch it grow.
The story line had me invested -- missing girls! The plot twists and unpredictability got me hooked.
Well done! I can't wait to read more of this series.
I enjoy reading Bodhi and Morgan coming together, coming from different worlds and somehow getting together with their undeniable connection. I like that their relationship is new and we watch it grow.
The story line had me invested -- missing girls! The plot twists and unpredictability got me hooked.
Well done! I can't wait to read more of this series.
July 26, 2020
The plot of this makes it a truly unique book...Hollywood, the FBI, child stars. A mystery embedded in a romance. How often do you have an FBI agent with an A-list actor? Never before in my experience but it really works. They play so well off of each others strengths. They're sweet, snarky and totally in love. When a crime, or two, or three occur, they're able to pull together to solve them.
A great mystery with lots of clues to help you along the way.
A great mystery with lots of clues to help you along the way.
July 30, 2020
I really enjoyed this story. It was a different feeling going into a story with the couple already established but it was really well done. I love that we got to see some of their insecurities and fears and it wasn’t all “new couple lovey dovey” stuff. The case of the missing girl kept the story going and was integral to Bodhi and Morgan’s feelings and relationship. This was a short story but really well done. I am looking forward to more in this series.
August 3, 2020
J.D. Sampson is first time author for me and I love this book. Morgan and Bodhi story is filled with mystery, murder, romance, sexy time and that's just in the first chapter. The characters are likeable and believable, the book has great flow to it and you are able to keep up with story lines. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series and I want to see how these two met and feel in love.
July 23, 2020
I am really liking this romantic suspense. Morgan and Brodi are great characters. I like that these two start off as being in a relationship. It great to see how their relationship grows especially be from different worlds. Then the mystery of this story kept me interested and I just couldn't stop reading. I can't wait for more in this series
August 2, 2020
I really enjoyed reading this fantastic, grab-you-by-the-feels, smoking hot, fast paced, action packed, snarky, poignant, amazing, delightful, and totally awesome story. Filled with mystery and more twists and turns than a roller coaster ride, I would recommend getting thisthis marvelous gem for yourself.
August 5, 2020
Bodhi and Morgan were great characters and while I did enjoy their story, I would've loved to seen their backstory. I was great to see MCs in an established relationship and watch them put in the work to make it work. This was a very entertaining series starter and I'm looking forward to reading book two.
*I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the GRR team*
*I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the GRR team*
July 24, 2020
I wasn't quite sure what to expect.. a new-to-me author writing about an already-established couple. I was pleasantly surprised. Bodhi and Morgan had amazing chemistry. The storyline was unique and suspenseful. I really enjoyed it, and I'm looking forward to Book2.
July 31, 2020
Pull Back is a fast-paced, concise mystery set in the Hollywood Hills. Author J.D. Sampson has crafted an engrossing tale which piques the readers' interest more with every chapter. It is difficult to write a mystery without lots of unresolved loose ends and plot inconsistencies, but Sampson has managed to do that. When you combine that with likable male characters in a budding romance, the author has a real winner on her hands! The charm of the two leads really grows on the readers as we become familiar with their personalities. This is due to Sampson's ability to describe scenes and interactions in luscious detail. The sex scenes, particularly, are sizzling hot and very accurate, for any writer let alone someone who's never been a male and hasn't experienced that kind of eroticism first-hand.
When a child actress goes missing amid the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, it causes quite a crisis, and soon FBI Agent Bodhi Locke becomes involved in the investigation. His new love interest, action-hero actor Morgan Cooper Young, has appeared on-screen with his costar, the missing child Crystal Parish. Young knows her well and, as a Hollywood insider, tries to be of use to Bodhi as his team tracks down lead after lead in the case of the missing precious Crystal. With plot twists and turns reminiscent of the serpentine mountain roads traversing the Hollywood Hills, the story engages the reader thoroughly all the way to its conclusion.
Sampson's writing style is lavishly descriptive where it needs to be to set the scene and give the readers a vivid picture of a house, a road, or a person. I could see the places created in her narrative as I read along. Her depiction of the winding Mulholland Drive and its mountain chaparral, common in Southern California, is attestably accurate, as I've driven through there many a time. Despite the rich characterization of people and locations, the story does not get bogged down or sidetracked but moves right along at a brisk pace. Most readers should be able to finish the story in a day or two, even if one pauses to admire the diverse architecture of the hillside mansions and inhale the fragrant aroma of the subtropical flowers.
Pull Back is an immensely impressive read and will keep your interest from beginning to end. It is well worth your time to digest this masterpiece as a reality-based, male-male contemporary romance. As a mystery, it holds its own despite the challenges common to writing in that genre, and from that viewpoint, combined with advanced, scholarly narrative description and favorable, sympathetic main characters, it deserves every one of its five stars.
When a child actress goes missing amid the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, it causes quite a crisis, and soon FBI Agent Bodhi Locke becomes involved in the investigation. His new love interest, action-hero actor Morgan Cooper Young, has appeared on-screen with his costar, the missing child Crystal Parish. Young knows her well and, as a Hollywood insider, tries to be of use to Bodhi as his team tracks down lead after lead in the case of the missing precious Crystal. With plot twists and turns reminiscent of the serpentine mountain roads traversing the Hollywood Hills, the story engages the reader thoroughly all the way to its conclusion.
Sampson's writing style is lavishly descriptive where it needs to be to set the scene and give the readers a vivid picture of a house, a road, or a person. I could see the places created in her narrative as I read along. Her depiction of the winding Mulholland Drive and its mountain chaparral, common in Southern California, is attestably accurate, as I've driven through there many a time. Despite the rich characterization of people and locations, the story does not get bogged down or sidetracked but moves right along at a brisk pace. Most readers should be able to finish the story in a day or two, even if one pauses to admire the diverse architecture of the hillside mansions and inhale the fragrant aroma of the subtropical flowers.
Pull Back is an immensely impressive read and will keep your interest from beginning to end. It is well worth your time to digest this masterpiece as a reality-based, male-male contemporary romance. As a mystery, it holds its own despite the challenges common to writing in that genre, and from that viewpoint, combined with advanced, scholarly narrative description and favorable, sympathetic main characters, it deserves every one of its five stars.
November 5, 2020
This mystery read to me like an episode of Castle or the like, and when I read with that in mind I can be more generous with the (multiple) issues this has. The most jarring:
- The editing. This really needed an editor because it had a lot of typos, grammatical errors, missing words, superfluous additions, etc. The prose can be a little childish at times as well, which an editor should have helped with.
- We get dropped into their on-going relationship and there are hints of their meeting being interesting. I guess this is setting up for a prequel but it doesn't quite work here. However, it didn't bother me as much as I thought it would.
- The mystery is ok (case of the week style though) but nothing particularly engaging.
- The connection between the MC is thin. I wish we'd get a bit more of their relationship outside of sex and the declarations of love. Besides, I don't think Bodhi is particularly likeable or endearing.
There were a few more things that made little sense to me, such as their ages. We get told Morgan is 7 years older than Bodhi but I don't think we ever get told their age. Bodhi, after dating Morgan for months, is apparently surprised at how much Morgan makes per episode and there are hints of interpersonal, relationship problems that don't get explored but would have made for a more engaging, deep story.
- The editing. This really needed an editor because it had a lot of typos, grammatical errors, missing words, superfluous additions, etc. The prose can be a little childish at times as well, which an editor should have helped with.
- We get dropped into their on-going relationship and there are hints of their meeting being interesting. I guess this is setting up for a prequel but it doesn't quite work here. However, it didn't bother me as much as I thought it would.
- The mystery is ok (case of the week style though) but nothing particularly engaging.
- The connection between the MC is thin. I wish we'd get a bit more of their relationship outside of sex and the declarations of love. Besides, I don't think Bodhi is particularly likeable or endearing.
There were a few more things that made little sense to me, such as their ages. We get told Morgan is 7 years older than Bodhi but I don't think we ever get told their age. Bodhi, after dating Morgan for months, is apparently surprised at how much Morgan makes per episode and there are hints of interpersonal, relationship problems that don't get explored but would have made for a more engaging, deep story.
July 25, 2020
Bodhi Locke and Morgan Cooper are an unexpected couple… the FBI agent and the movie star have very different lifestyles, and their relationship seems doomed to failure. Investigating the disappearance of a child actress makes them realise how many issues they have to face as a couple, so they have to decide how much they are worth risking to make it work…
Sooooo… I did not like it. Although the plot seemed interesting, and the mystery around Crystal disappearance compelling, I could not relate to the main couple. Maybe there is a previous book where they meet I do not know about, because there are many references about how they came to be together, but not real explanation. The thing is that I could not see them together, seemed a completely unrealistic relationship. I do not believe a govern agent and a famous actor would risk having their lives and their careers destroyed through public exposition… I found my self skipping through most of the story, because I could not be bothered to read about their relationship issues. In fact, I ended reading only the parts related to the mystery…
Not my thing.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Sooooo… I did not like it. Although the plot seemed interesting, and the mystery around Crystal disappearance compelling, I could not relate to the main couple. Maybe there is a previous book where they meet I do not know about, because there are many references about how they came to be together, but not real explanation. The thing is that I could not see them together, seemed a completely unrealistic relationship. I do not believe a govern agent and a famous actor would risk having their lives and their careers destroyed through public exposition… I found my self skipping through most of the story, because I could not be bothered to read about their relationship issues. In fact, I ended reading only the parts related to the mystery…
Not my thing.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review
July 28, 2020
3.5 stars... A fun premise with characters that I liked from the beginning. However I felt like I came in in the middle. There is no explanation of how the couple came together which is jarring for a romance. There is virtually no backstory on either MC. So we’ve got no world building and no character development.
OK, but I was still along for the ride because the story pulled me in. What’s the deal with Crystal? So many possibilities alluded to, so many red herrings. But then every time the story got going, bang, let’s throw in a sex scene. It began to feel like the story was an excuse to write sex scenes.
And then, the deepest cut…a ridiculously misogynistic line that made me want to scream.
The ending was good though kind of anti-climactic. Kind of expected more fireworks there. And would have liked a follow up to all the fall out.
I like the MCs and the premise a lot. If the author could get more invested in the storytelling and character development than attempting to write for the sake of sex scenes this could be a much better series.
**I voluntarily read an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion.**
OK, but I was still along for the ride because the story pulled me in. What’s the deal with Crystal? So many possibilities alluded to, so many red herrings. But then every time the story got going, bang, let’s throw in a sex scene. It began to feel like the story was an excuse to write sex scenes.
And then, the deepest cut…a ridiculously misogynistic line that made me want to scream.
The ending was good though kind of anti-climactic. Kind of expected more fireworks there. And would have liked a follow up to all the fall out.
I like the MCs and the premise a lot. If the author could get more invested in the storytelling and character development than attempting to write for the sake of sex scenes this could be a much better series.
**I voluntarily read an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion.**
August 18, 2020
I really loved this couple...I don't know if there was a series previous to this but I liked the fact that the book started with the couple already together and them trying to find their way through both their careers and fears to make the relationship work.
Bodhi Locke is a FBI Agent and his boyfriend is Morgan Cooper Young a famous actor, they go together like draft beer and fine wine.
Other than working on their relationship this book is about a missing child movie star Crystal Parish.
There was a lot of character growth as the story evolved.
Morgan is the type of guy who just recently has been, "Let's live in the now!" since he's met Bodhi and this case because of his involvement opened his eyes and has him asking questions about the future.
Bodhi never really paid much attention to the kind of attention Morgan got from fans and the like, and has him asking the same questions...I liked that full focus of the story wasn't about their relationship...Bodhi wouldn't rest until he found out what happened to Crystal...
It's definitely worth a read if you like mystery, mixed in with romance and definitely some heat.
I received this ARC for an honest review
Bodhi Locke is a FBI Agent and his boyfriend is Morgan Cooper Young a famous actor, they go together like draft beer and fine wine.
Other than working on their relationship this book is about a missing child movie star Crystal Parish.
There was a lot of character growth as the story evolved.
Morgan is the type of guy who just recently has been, "Let's live in the now!" since he's met Bodhi and this case because of his involvement opened his eyes and has him asking questions about the future.
Bodhi never really paid much attention to the kind of attention Morgan got from fans and the like, and has him asking the same questions...I liked that full focus of the story wasn't about their relationship...Bodhi wouldn't rest until he found out what happened to Crystal...
It's definitely worth a read if you like mystery, mixed in with romance and definitely some heat.
I received this ARC for an honest review
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