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Sex & Mayhem #12
Gutter Mind: Smoke Valley MC
— Face of an angel. Mind in the gutter.---
Mike. Macho Biker. Scarred. Will never love again.
Arden. Femme boy. Jaded. Will never succumb to lust again.
Mike is always on the lookout for a fresh fling, and there are more than enough chicks for a stud like him at the Smoke Valley MC clubhouse. But the pretty little thing he spots at the gas station turns out to be a boy, and that triggers all sorts of confusion.
Mike loves a challenge, so when he’s given the cold shoulder, his predator senses are set aflame! Straight or not, Mike makes a bet with his cousin and won’t settle for anything other than a total seduction of Arden.
Arden has bigger fish to fry than some biker’s petty insecurities. His last relationship has left him jaded and hurt, so he will never again succumb to the charms of a bad boy. Especially since Mike isn’t just hot, he’s freaking irresistible. Older, dangerous, and cocky, Mike will be Arden’s downfall if he isn’t careful.
But when a monster from Arden’s past reaches out his claws, the only deterrent Arden can think of is claiming Mike is his new boyfriend. So now he’s stuck in a fake relationship with a straight guy.
For Mike, what starts as a game turns out to be an awakening he’d never expected. The ice prince in lace is actually hot as hellfire, with a gutter mind to match Mike’s, and all of a sudden, his scarred heart is not as safe as he’d thought it was.
WARNING: This story contains scenes of violence, mentions of past abuse, offensive language and morally ambiguous characters.
POSSIBLE SPOILERS:
Themes : fake relationship, bet, ice prince, player, gay-for-you, crossdressing, outlaw biker gang, self-discovery, age gap, protector, lingerie, commitment-phobe, big family
Genre : Scorching hot M/M romance, romantic suspense
Length : ~ 95,000 words (Standalone)
Mike. Macho Biker. Scarred. Will never love again.
Arden. Femme boy. Jaded. Will never succumb to lust again.
Mike is always on the lookout for a fresh fling, and there are more than enough chicks for a stud like him at the Smoke Valley MC clubhouse. But the pretty little thing he spots at the gas station turns out to be a boy, and that triggers all sorts of confusion.
Mike loves a challenge, so when he’s given the cold shoulder, his predator senses are set aflame! Straight or not, Mike makes a bet with his cousin and won’t settle for anything other than a total seduction of Arden.
Arden has bigger fish to fry than some biker’s petty insecurities. His last relationship has left him jaded and hurt, so he will never again succumb to the charms of a bad boy. Especially since Mike isn’t just hot, he’s freaking irresistible. Older, dangerous, and cocky, Mike will be Arden’s downfall if he isn’t careful.
But when a monster from Arden’s past reaches out his claws, the only deterrent Arden can think of is claiming Mike is his new boyfriend. So now he’s stuck in a fake relationship with a straight guy.
For Mike, what starts as a game turns out to be an awakening he’d never expected. The ice prince in lace is actually hot as hellfire, with a gutter mind to match Mike’s, and all of a sudden, his scarred heart is not as safe as he’d thought it was.
WARNING: This story contains scenes of violence, mentions of past abuse, offensive language and morally ambiguous characters.
POSSIBLE SPOILERS:
Themes : fake relationship, bet, ice prince, player, gay-for-you, crossdressing, outlaw biker gang, self-discovery, age gap, protector, lingerie, commitment-phobe, big family
Genre : Scorching hot M/M romance, romantic suspense
Length : ~ 95,000 words (Standalone)
9 pages, Audible Audio
First published October 1, 2020
229 people are currently reading
872 people want to read
About the author
K.A. Merikan
130 books3,027 followers(Goodreads profile run by Kat)
K. A. Merikan is a duo of queer writers who don’t believe in following the well-trodden path. In their books you can dip your toe into dangerous romance with mafiosi, outlaw bikers and bad boys, all from the safety of your sofa. They love the weird and wonderful, stepping out of the box, and bending stereotypes both in life and in fiction. Their stories don’t shy away from exploring the darker side of M/M romance, and feature a variety of anti-heroes, rebels, misfits, and underdogs who go against the grain.
Be prepared for shocking twists, dark humor, raw emotions, and sizzling hot scenes.
K.A. Merikan also writes steamy M/M romcoms as Devon Doe.
e-mail: kamerikan@gmail.com
More information about ongoing projects, works in progress and publishing at:
K.A. Merikan’s author page: http://kamerikan.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kamerikan
K. A. Merikan is a duo of queer writers who don’t believe in following the well-trodden path. In their books you can dip your toe into dangerous romance with mafiosi, outlaw bikers and bad boys, all from the safety of your sofa. They love the weird and wonderful, stepping out of the box, and bending stereotypes both in life and in fiction. Their stories don’t shy away from exploring the darker side of M/M romance, and feature a variety of anti-heroes, rebels, misfits, and underdogs who go against the grain.
Be prepared for shocking twists, dark humor, raw emotions, and sizzling hot scenes.
K.A. Merikan also writes steamy M/M romcoms as Devon Doe.
e-mail: kamerikan@gmail.com
More information about ongoing projects, works in progress and publishing at:
K.A. Merikan’s author page: http://kamerikan.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kamerikan
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April 11, 2025
|| 3.0 stars ||
This pretty much had a lust-at-first sight thing going on and surely cannot be praised for its depth or anything remotely like that, but it was still fun with a hint of angst and I really loved the relationship dynamic here.
This was an age-gap romance with a big size difference between Mike (a big handsome biker who very much enjoys his status as a ‘ladies man’) and Arden (a fiery, feminine boy who’s afraid to commit his heart again after being burned before).
Mike is pretty much instantly obsessed with how cute and pretty Arden is, and he tries very hard to get the boy to give him a chance. Mike doesn’t want a relationship though and Arden wants more than a friends with benefits situation, so they dance around each other for a while. Yet, it’s clear they both care for each other a lot: They want to be around each other all the time, and Mike has a very nurturing vibe towards Arden. It was all pretty sweet.
'SEX & MAYHEM' UNIVERSE:
Hounds of Valhalla MC:
1. Road of No Return - 3.5 stars
Coffin Nails MC:
2. The Devil's Ride - 4.0 stars
8. His Favorite Color Is Blood - 1.5 stars
9. Heart Ripper - 1.5 stars
13. Guardian Angel in Leather - 2.5 stars
Coffin Nails MC Louisiana:
6. One Step Too Close - 3.0 stars
Smoke Valley MC:
10. Outlaw Girls - 3.5 stars
12. Gutter Mind - 3.0 stars
Other K.A. Merikan books:
Mr. Jaguar - 3.0 stars
Not Like Other Boys - 4.5 stars
‘Guns n’ Boys’ series - var. ratings
The Cattery - 3.5 stars
Break My Shell - 3.5 stars
The Black Sheep and The Rotten Apple - 3.5 stars
‘Kings of Hell MC’ series - var. ratings
Wrong Way Home - 4.0 star
‘Wrong Side of the Tracks’ series - var. ratings
This pretty much had a lust-at-first sight thing going on and surely cannot be praised for its depth or anything remotely like that, but it was still fun with a hint of angst and I really loved the relationship dynamic here.
This was an age-gap romance with a big size difference between Mike (a big handsome biker who very much enjoys his status as a ‘ladies man’) and Arden (a fiery, feminine boy who’s afraid to commit his heart again after being burned before).
Mike is pretty much instantly obsessed with how cute and pretty Arden is, and he tries very hard to get the boy to give him a chance. Mike doesn’t want a relationship though and Arden wants more than a friends with benefits situation, so they dance around each other for a while. Yet, it’s clear they both care for each other a lot: They want to be around each other all the time, and Mike has a very nurturing vibe towards Arden. It was all pretty sweet.
'SEX & MAYHEM' UNIVERSE:
Hounds of Valhalla MC:
1. Road of No Return - 3.5 stars
Coffin Nails MC:
2. The Devil's Ride - 4.0 stars
8. His Favorite Color Is Blood - 1.5 stars
9. Heart Ripper - 1.5 stars
13. Guardian Angel in Leather - 2.5 stars
Coffin Nails MC Louisiana:
6. One Step Too Close - 3.0 stars
Smoke Valley MC:
10. Outlaw Girls - 3.5 stars
12. Gutter Mind - 3.0 stars
Other K.A. Merikan books:
Mr. Jaguar - 3.0 stars
Not Like Other Boys - 4.5 stars
‘Guns n’ Boys’ series - var. ratings
The Cattery - 3.5 stars
Break My Shell - 3.5 stars
The Black Sheep and The Rotten Apple - 3.5 stars
‘Kings of Hell MC’ series - var. ratings
Wrong Way Home - 4.0 star
‘Wrong Side of the Tracks’ series - var. ratings
May 8, 2021
⭐ 4.3 "if you are a fan of severe (and smutty) cases of opposites attract, then gather 'round folks!!" stars ⭐
Just make sure to keep in mind that if what you're craving is a wholesome, altogether healthy and by the book's type of romance…
Although, in my humble opinion, what we get here ends up being a helluva lot more entertaining.
***************
🚨WARNING: about the series order🚨
Despite this being numbered as being Book 12 in a series, I actually believe that this would perfectly work as a standalone with a self-contained narrative. The only other characters who reappear here are from book 10 and book 11 (Mike’s younger sister and brother star as MCs in those, respectively), but I wouldn’t say they qualify as required reading if you don't feel like it. I do however highly recommend book 11 though, since it's one of my faves in the series.
***************
Now, with that little PSA out of the way…
Let’s dive right into things.
As far as the protagonists go, in this book we are treated to another dual POV story, as is by now expected when it comes to this duo of writers. The first one to be introduced of the two is Mike, the supposedly "straight" BBB (Big Bad Biker) with a body covered in delicious ink and enough commitment issues (aka manwhoring ways) to scare the habit out of a nun. Mike was a hilarious peacocking douche with an unexpectedly caring heart, and his perspective ended up being quite the blast to read through. Think M&M's as far as comparisons go, all crunchy exterior and an inside that melts right on the tongue. And almost as delicious lol.
And then, opposite him, we get Arden, a young femboy who Mike surprisingly starts lusting for (after quite literally mistaking him for a girl and then deciding, hey, the difference in body parts is not exactly a turn off 🤪). And honestly, I found myself loving reading his POV just as much. He was someone who was considered vulnerable and yet also simultaneously happened to be the most fearless character in the whole book, simply by virtue of how unapologetically true to himself he always remained. Because despite Mike's hulking physique dwarfing Arden's slight frame, it was the younger guy who ended up teaching the outlaw a thing or two about courage.
Besides, as I promised earlier… the opposites attract angle was done to perfection here. Relying not only on the drastic physical contrast between the leads, but on the vastly different personalities as well. Mark with his brazen and seemingly self-centered ways, and then Arden, hurting from a recent incident and firmly refusing to allow himself another go at love. Between these two, the back and forward ended up being nothing but a decoy to hide their inevitable courting, and all the while managing to make the development for the relationship double as progress for the characters themselves, as each got past their own hang ups to reach a common understanding.
Mike, for example, went from being interested in the illicit appeal of Arden as a femboy to just falling in love with him as a man.
And speaking of falling in love… I can’t forget to point out how that led to some truly delicious pet names along the way. Mike calling Arden his unicorn and little fae were highlights for me (he even bought Arden a pair of fairy wings at one point, only to then become totally fixated on them, because dude was NOT subtle with his interest lol). Plus the term kitten, which was used in a variety of ways (and most of them steamy)?
Hmmm, I was not mad. Not mad at all.
Because as sweet (and hot 🥴) as I found those endearments, they also translated the obvious appreciation big macho biker Mike always harbored for Arden, never judging the way the other man presented or chose to express himself. And toxic masculinity be damned!
Keeping in mind how the usual GFY/OFY trope can go (down the pointing fingers or looking down at others route), it was beyond refreshing to see.
Forget the Matrix, these were the characters in this book dodging internalized homophobia and prejudice.
Plus, when it comes to Mike's own journey of discovering his sexuality, instead of the usual angst or deep soulful introspection... we get gems like this one right here:
Truly, what can you even say to that?
On top of that, however, it ought to also be mentioned that it's this same boisterous confidence (or plain ego) exhibited by one of the MCs which makes the dynamics between the main pair so amusing to witness. Mike in his eternal pursuit of the ultimate temptation that is Arden, and Arden slowly giving in bit by bit to his true heart's desires.
It meant there was a back and forward tinted by banter, mountains of teasing, and enough steamy fantasies to make it all quite the thrill ride. And when you finally get to the smutty stop of this allegorical carousel? Well, these are the Merikans we are talking about so of course they deliver.
And they do so in style!
**********
Now, instead of final thoughts, let me do a "things to keep in mind in order to figure out whether this book is for you"
Without much preamble, read the list below and see if it sounds like something you’d enjoy:
Fake dating. Age gaps (Mike is 38 and Arden 19). Only One Bed *cue scandalized gasps*. Size differences (Mike is Mr. Buffington and Arden is a twig). Sexy lacey underwear as plot devices. A big alpha biker who can't stop fantasizing about said underwear on a certain gender-nonconforming boy. An amusingly arrogant approach to self-discovery by one of the MCs. A give-no-fucks attitude when it comes to self expression by the other. Mountains of Dirty Talk. Endearing pet names. Quality, panty-dropping smut. LED crystal-embedded buttplugs. And did I mention dirty talk again?
Now, if anything I just said catches your eye...
Just don't go expecting the actual plot to leave you pondering your existence or with a much newer understanding of the human experience as a whole. Because this isn't that kind of book.
And, considering how much fun I still had, I'm all the more grateful for it.
**********
Sex & Mayhem series by K.A. Merikan (I'll be separating the books in terms of which share an overlapping cast of characters instead of a numerical order, since I find it to be the most fulfilling reading experience).
(Hounds of Valhalla MC)
Road of No Return — 3.5 ⭐
*****
(Coffin Nails MC)
The Devil’s Ride — 4.5 ⭐
No Matter What — 3.5 ⭐
Split — TBR.
His Favorite Color is Blood — 5 ⭐
Heart Ripper — 4 ⭐
******
(Coffin Nails MC California)
Stripped Raw — TBR.
Red Hot — 5 ⭐
******
(Coffin Nails MC Louisiana)
One Step Too Close — 4.5 ⭐
******
(Smoke Valley MC)
Outlaw Girls — TBR.
Straight as a Wheel — 5 ⭐
Gutter Mind— 4.3 ⭐
Just make sure to keep in mind that if what you're craving is a wholesome, altogether healthy and by the book's type of romance…
Although, in my humble opinion, what we get here ends up being a helluva lot more entertaining.
***************
🚨WARNING: about the series order🚨
Despite this being numbered as being Book 12 in a series, I actually believe that this would perfectly work as a standalone with a self-contained narrative. The only other characters who reappear here are from book 10 and book 11 (Mike’s younger sister and brother star as MCs in those, respectively), but I wouldn’t say they qualify as required reading if you don't feel like it. I do however highly recommend book 11 though, since it's one of my faves in the series.
***************
Now, with that little PSA out of the way…
Let’s dive right into things.
As far as the protagonists go, in this book we are treated to another dual POV story, as is by now expected when it comes to this duo of writers. The first one to be introduced of the two is Mike, the supposedly "straight" BBB (Big Bad Biker) with a body covered in delicious ink and enough commitment issues (aka manwhoring ways) to scare the habit out of a nun. Mike was a hilarious peacocking douche with an unexpectedly caring heart, and his perspective ended up being quite the blast to read through. Think M&M's as far as comparisons go, all crunchy exterior and an inside that melts right on the tongue. And almost as delicious lol.
And then, opposite him, we get Arden, a young femboy who Mike surprisingly starts lusting for (after quite literally mistaking him for a girl and then deciding, hey, the difference in body parts is not exactly a turn off 🤪). And honestly, I found myself loving reading his POV just as much. He was someone who was considered vulnerable and yet also simultaneously happened to be the most fearless character in the whole book, simply by virtue of how unapologetically true to himself he always remained. Because despite Mike's hulking physique dwarfing Arden's slight frame, it was the younger guy who ended up teaching the outlaw a thing or two about courage.
Besides, as I promised earlier… the opposites attract angle was done to perfection here. Relying not only on the drastic physical contrast between the leads, but on the vastly different personalities as well. Mark with his brazen and seemingly self-centered ways, and then Arden, hurting from a recent incident and firmly refusing to allow himself another go at love. Between these two, the back and forward ended up being nothing but a decoy to hide their inevitable courting, and all the while managing to make the development for the relationship double as progress for the characters themselves, as each got past their own hang ups to reach a common understanding.
Mike, for example, went from being interested in the illicit appeal of Arden as a femboy to just falling in love with him as a man.
And speaking of falling in love… I can’t forget to point out how that led to some truly delicious pet names along the way. Mike calling Arden his unicorn and little fae were highlights for me (he even bought Arden a pair of fairy wings at one point, only to then become totally fixated on them, because dude was NOT subtle with his interest lol). Plus the term kitten, which was used in a variety of ways (and most of them steamy)?
Hmmm, I was not mad. Not mad at all.
Because as sweet (and hot 🥴) as I found those endearments, they also translated the obvious appreciation big macho biker Mike always harbored for Arden, never judging the way the other man presented or chose to express himself. And toxic masculinity be damned!
Keeping in mind how the usual GFY/OFY trope can go (down the pointing fingers or looking down at others route), it was beyond refreshing to see.
Forget the Matrix, these were the characters in this book dodging internalized homophobia and prejudice.
Plus, when it comes to Mike's own journey of discovering his sexuality, instead of the usual angst or deep soulful introspection... we get gems like this one right here:
"He still thought of
himself as mostly straight, but he’d suck cock if he felt like it. And he wasn’t ashamed of it."
Truly, what can you even say to that?
On top of that, however, it ought to also be mentioned that it's this same boisterous confidence (or plain ego) exhibited by one of the MCs which makes the dynamics between the main pair so amusing to witness. Mike in his eternal pursuit of the ultimate temptation that is Arden, and Arden slowly giving in bit by bit to his true heart's desires.
It meant there was a back and forward tinted by banter, mountains of teasing, and enough steamy fantasies to make it all quite the thrill ride. And when you finally get to the smutty stop of this allegorical carousel? Well, these are the Merikans we are talking about so of course they deliver.
And they do so in style!
**********
Now, instead of final thoughts, let me do a "things to keep in mind in order to figure out whether this book is for you"
Without much preamble, read the list below and see if it sounds like something you’d enjoy:
Fake dating. Age gaps (Mike is 38 and Arden 19). Only One Bed *cue scandalized gasps*. Size differences (Mike is Mr. Buffington and Arden is a twig). Sexy lacey underwear as plot devices. A big alpha biker who can't stop fantasizing about said underwear on a certain gender-nonconforming boy. An amusingly arrogant approach to self-discovery by one of the MCs. A give-no-fucks attitude when it comes to self expression by the other. Mountains of Dirty Talk. Endearing pet names. Quality, panty-dropping smut. LED crystal-embedded buttplugs. And did I mention dirty talk again?
Now, if anything I just said catches your eye...
Just don't go expecting the actual plot to leave you pondering your existence or with a much newer understanding of the human experience as a whole. Because this isn't that kind of book.
And, considering how much fun I still had, I'm all the more grateful for it.
**********
Sex & Mayhem series by K.A. Merikan (I'll be separating the books in terms of which share an overlapping cast of characters instead of a numerical order, since I find it to be the most fulfilling reading experience).
(Hounds of Valhalla MC)
Road of No Return — 3.5 ⭐
*****
(Coffin Nails MC)
The Devil’s Ride — 4.5 ⭐
No Matter What — 3.5 ⭐
Split — TBR.
His Favorite Color is Blood — 5 ⭐
Heart Ripper — 4 ⭐
******
(Coffin Nails MC California)
Stripped Raw — TBR.
Red Hot — 5 ⭐
******
(Coffin Nails MC Louisiana)
One Step Too Close — 4.5 ⭐
******
(Smoke Valley MC)
Outlaw Girls — TBR.
Straight as a Wheel — 5 ⭐
Gutter Mind— 4.3 ⭐
October 27, 2021
3 stars.
⚡️ opposites attract. (femme boy/big badass biker)
⚡️ age-gap. (can’t remember exactly how big it was, but i’m pretty sure it was roughly 20 years.)
⚡️ fake-dating.
⚡️ this was definitely entertaining. kept me interested throughout the whole book.
⚡️ i wasn’t sure about the relationship between Mike and Arden overall tbh, because big age-gaps rarely work for me these days, but i admit they did have their cute moments.
“the simplest of things gained a deeper meaning when they were together, and Mike felt different at his side.”
⚡️ Arden was so damn cute. so bold and unapologetically himself.
⚡️ i liked Mike from the beginning too. he’s just a really good, caring person overall. he didn’t give a single fuck what anyone thought about him and Arden being together. he accepted the fact that he likes a guy pretty quickly and didn’t try to question it too much. he was so protective and possessive without being overbearing.
“he’s this precious, wonderful creature that came into my life by surprise and changed everything.”
⚡️ however… the break up was kinda eye roll inducing. i really wanted to slap some sense into Mike at that moment, but i suppose i understand why he thought he was making the right choice at the time.
⚡️ the fact that Arden actually stabbed Mike right after was HILARIOUS to me though.
⚡️ the dirty talk was … questionable. it would always make me either laugh or cringe…🙄🤣
⚡️ however… the pet names “baby” and “kitten” always fucking get to me, so i liked those parts. 🥰😌 so cute!!!
⚡️ i’m glad i read this right after Leo and Zolt’s book, because this book just cemented my love for them.🥺
⚡️ can’t believe Mike’s family staged an intervention for him…🤣 i actually CACKLED, even though it was supposed to be a serious moment…
⚡️ i highkey wanted Axel to have his own book, because he definitely intrigued me, but the fact he ended up marrying you know who is HILARIOUS.
⚡️ anyways this was pretty good overall. i keep jumping around in this series, but i think i’ll slowly manage to check out every single book. i definitely like the whole motorcycle club setting for romances.
⚡️ opposites attract. (femme boy/big badass biker)
⚡️ age-gap. (can’t remember exactly how big it was, but i’m pretty sure it was roughly 20 years.)
⚡️ fake-dating.
⚡️ this was definitely entertaining. kept me interested throughout the whole book.
⚡️ i wasn’t sure about the relationship between Mike and Arden overall tbh, because big age-gaps rarely work for me these days, but i admit they did have their cute moments.
“the simplest of things gained a deeper meaning when they were together, and Mike felt different at his side.”
⚡️ Arden was so damn cute. so bold and unapologetically himself.
⚡️ i liked Mike from the beginning too. he’s just a really good, caring person overall. he didn’t give a single fuck what anyone thought about him and Arden being together. he accepted the fact that he likes a guy pretty quickly and didn’t try to question it too much. he was so protective and possessive without being overbearing.
“he’s this precious, wonderful creature that came into my life by surprise and changed everything.”
⚡️ however… the break up was kinda eye roll inducing. i really wanted to slap some sense into Mike at that moment, but i suppose i understand why he thought he was making the right choice at the time.
⚡️ the fact that Arden actually stabbed Mike right after was HILARIOUS to me though.
⚡️ the dirty talk was … questionable. it would always make me either laugh or cringe…🙄🤣
⚡️ however… the pet names “baby” and “kitten” always fucking get to me, so i liked those parts. 🥰😌 so cute!!!
⚡️ i’m glad i read this right after Leo and Zolt’s book, because this book just cemented my love for them.🥺
⚡️ can’t believe Mike’s family staged an intervention for him…🤣 i actually CACKLED, even though it was supposed to be a serious moment…
⚡️ i highkey wanted Axel to have his own book, because he definitely intrigued me, but the fact he ended up marrying you know who is HILARIOUS.
⚡️ anyways this was pretty good overall. i keep jumping around in this series, but i think i’ll slowly manage to check out every single book. i definitely like the whole motorcycle club setting for romances.
October 20, 2020
Amazing through and through!! Can’t believe this is my first Merikan novel. Ahh! I need more.
October 6, 2020
4 Stars!
4 Stars!
It has been a while since I have read a Sex & Mayhem book. It was nice to be back in that world. I've missed reading MC books.
Mike has a past that has scarred him from wanting to be in a relationship or to find love again. He lives the player life. His charm and good looks never leaves his bed lonely for long. He enjoys his bachelor life and doesn't plan of changing it anytime soon. That is until he meets Arden. Arden isn't like anyone Mike has met before. He mistakes Arden for a woman from behind. But even when Arden turns around and Mike realizes it's a young guy, he still pursues with his flirty Charm.
Arden has been hurt both emotionally and physically because he has let his lusty ways make decisions for him. He is determined to change his ways but a certain biker is making that choice extremely hard. Arden is still trying to get over his last disaster of a relationship to be even contemplating another one. But Mike sees a challenge in him and his charm and good looks is making it hard (literally lol) for Arden to keep fighting the attraction he feels for the guy.
The relationship started off as a bet to be won but soon turned into a connection and a love that they were both finding it hard to deny.
There are bumps along the way with Mike being pursued by a one night stand who's family demand he marry since he deflowered her. Arden's ex is still out there trying to get his revenge. Mike is fighting his feelings because of how his last relationship ended and Arden is trying to overcome the tragedy his last sexual relationship left him in. All of this leaves both of these men finding it difficult to let down there walls and be happy.
I really enjoyed this one. I loved Mike. He made me pretty mad a couple of times, but his charm and easy going personality won me over. Arden is an inspiring character. He is who he is and is unapologetic about it. He loves feminine things and isn't afraid to show his body off in lace or a short skirt and heels. I adored him.
These men had great chemistry and some pretty steamy scenes. A couple that didn't disappoint.
Pick this one up!
Happy reading dolls!
I was given a ARC by the authors in exchange for a honest review.
4 Stars!
It has been a while since I have read a Sex & Mayhem book. It was nice to be back in that world. I've missed reading MC books.
Mike has a past that has scarred him from wanting to be in a relationship or to find love again. He lives the player life. His charm and good looks never leaves his bed lonely for long. He enjoys his bachelor life and doesn't plan of changing it anytime soon. That is until he meets Arden. Arden isn't like anyone Mike has met before. He mistakes Arden for a woman from behind. But even when Arden turns around and Mike realizes it's a young guy, he still pursues with his flirty Charm.
Arden has been hurt both emotionally and physically because he has let his lusty ways make decisions for him. He is determined to change his ways but a certain biker is making that choice extremely hard. Arden is still trying to get over his last disaster of a relationship to be even contemplating another one. But Mike sees a challenge in him and his charm and good looks is making it hard (literally lol) for Arden to keep fighting the attraction he feels for the guy.
The relationship started off as a bet to be won but soon turned into a connection and a love that they were both finding it hard to deny.
There are bumps along the way with Mike being pursued by a one night stand who's family demand he marry since he deflowered her. Arden's ex is still out there trying to get his revenge. Mike is fighting his feelings because of how his last relationship ended and Arden is trying to overcome the tragedy his last sexual relationship left him in. All of this leaves both of these men finding it difficult to let down there walls and be happy.
I really enjoyed this one. I loved Mike. He made me pretty mad a couple of times, but his charm and easy going personality won me over. Arden is an inspiring character. He is who he is and is unapologetic about it. He loves feminine things and isn't afraid to show his body off in lace or a short skirt and heels. I adored him.
These men had great chemistry and some pretty steamy scenes. A couple that didn't disappoint.
Pick this one up!
Happy reading dolls!
I was given a ARC by the authors in exchange for a honest review.
September 30, 2020
Mike. 37, Macho Biker. Scarred. Will never love again.
Arden. almost 19, Femme boy. Jaded. Will never succumb to lust again.
A bet with the boys, Mike, will conquer Arden in no time. Only Arden doesn’t bold and doesn’t seem to be interested.
Mike with high self-esteem and all the women at his feet is mesmerized by the pretty sexy boy who looks girly most of the time. Everybody loves Mike why doesn’t Arden?
Mike is everything Arden loves in a man and that’s exactly why he can’t get involved. But Mike is determined and Arden is weak. Living with Mike at the club and sharing a room is hard.
To protect Arden they play fake boyfriend, no one dares to touch Arden. Because Mike is in Arden’s space all the time. And Arden got Mike wrapped around his finger.
They play it well, too well. It’s almost impossible to resist but both scarred by life, they have to.
Oh my goodness that was hot and raw. The big scary macho biker with the biggest heart who protects the delicate scarred boy. The game they played was extremely enjoyable and extremely erotically sexy. There are danger and excitement but most of all it was about their bonding and dance around each other. You can expect rough language, manhandling, and violence but even more sweet, sweet seduction that brings even a big macho biker on his knees.
Arden, pretty, delicate, love makeup and lace underwear, and Mike, big, macho, tattooed, fearless, ultimate protector. Together they were everything!
A strongly written story with a focus on exactly what I loved and wanted to know.
An utterly appealing and enchanting sexy narrative!
Arden. almost 19, Femme boy. Jaded. Will never succumb to lust again.
A bet with the boys, Mike, will conquer Arden in no time. Only Arden doesn’t bold and doesn’t seem to be interested.
Mike with high self-esteem and all the women at his feet is mesmerized by the pretty sexy boy who looks girly most of the time. Everybody loves Mike why doesn’t Arden?
Mike is everything Arden loves in a man and that’s exactly why he can’t get involved. But Mike is determined and Arden is weak. Living with Mike at the club and sharing a room is hard.
To protect Arden they play fake boyfriend, no one dares to touch Arden. Because Mike is in Arden’s space all the time. And Arden got Mike wrapped around his finger.
They play it well, too well. It’s almost impossible to resist but both scarred by life, they have to.
Oh my goodness that was hot and raw. The big scary macho biker with the biggest heart who protects the delicate scarred boy. The game they played was extremely enjoyable and extremely erotically sexy. There are danger and excitement but most of all it was about their bonding and dance around each other. You can expect rough language, manhandling, and violence but even more sweet, sweet seduction that brings even a big macho biker on his knees.
Arden, pretty, delicate, love makeup and lace underwear, and Mike, big, macho, tattooed, fearless, ultimate protector. Together they were everything!
A strongly written story with a focus on exactly what I loved and wanted to know.
An utterly appealing and enchanting sexy narrative!
August 4, 2021
4.25
“the gutter never felt so good”
stars
TW: violence, sexual abuse, morally ambiguous characters
“My little sex kitten. My precious sugar figurine. I’m going to eat you whole and suck all the sweetness out of your bones,” he said and pressed his lips to Arden’s. He’d have burned less if lightning hit him in the dick.”
Buckle up folks for a wild, entertaining, smutty extravaganza of a ride! Our story is set amidst the Smoke Valley MC in the sleepy town of Hawk Springs. The star of our show is blue-eyed, blond, hot as sin Mike, the eldest son (37) in the Heller biker family. He's never met a woman whose pants he couldn’t charm off. Big, bad and biker tough, he’s confident in his sexuality…until he meets Arden, a stunning, eighteen-year-old femme boy who leaves him all sorts of confused. Theirs is a case of push-pull attraction and a classic May-December romance. Sparks fly between them as they are caught in an enthralling game of pursuit.
Mike is straight, as straight as they come, or isn’t he?
“I’m just…really confused. There’s something about him. I know he has a dick, and that he is a boy, but he’s just so…feminine. I think about him, like, a lot.”
Mike initially comes across as the stereotypical big, beautiful, dumb biker. A stud who’s down for a good time and not much else. But he turns out to be a good guy. He’s really sweet with Arden and treats him like the most precious thing. And although he’s a shameless flirt, Arden always feels safe around him, knowing that Mike would never force himself on him.
Meet Arden. A long-legged, long lashed, delicately featured, platinum haired femme boy with emotional baggage up the wazoo. Drama is his middle name. He’s petty as f*ck and has a flamboyant sense of fashion.
“And the way you dress, you don’t seem to dislike attention either?”
“I’m used to it, I’m a graceful unique butterfly. I want to live as my true self, not hide it so everyone else is comfortable.”
A select taste of some of Arden’s shenanigans: a catfight with a stripper over Mike, a minor case of stabbing in a fit of jealous rage, plus a scene where he washes a car in stripper heels, booty shorts and a cropped top.
Arden is like an exotic animal in small town Hawk Springs, where he’s run away to escape his abusive ex-boyfriend, Luke. Arden has sworn off all men since Luke raped him, which is why he’s cool to Mike’s blatant advances. He knows that Mike is straight and suspects that Mike is playing with him, which he is. Arden’s coolness only whets Mike’s appetite for him. Mike bets $50—egged on by his brother and cousin—that he can get Arden to admit that he wants him. Despite Mike's annoying cockiness, I can’t help but love his utter confidence in his own sexuality. He's not fazed by his attraction to Arden nor does he care about what people might think about him.
“…because why would he be self-conscious about anything he did? He was a stud, who’d fuck anyone he wanted, not one of those pathetic cockroaches who didn’t dare to be open about such things.”
Arden seeks Mike's help in fending off Luke, who comes back to haunt him, by asking him to pretend to be his boyfriend. The twists and turns their fake relationship take are delicious. Their sexual attraction is scorching and the buildup to sexual action is tense and excruciating. They don’t get down and dirty until the 40 percent mark and although it’s only frottage, the steam level is incendiary. And each subsequent sex scene ratchets up the heat on previous ones. The use of lingerie, dirty talk and the fantasies are exquisite!
“Arden’s cock throbbed right next to his, and he couldn’t force himself to care whether what they were doing was gay or not. It was horny, fleshy, dirty and all his. Just the thought that their spunk now stained Arden’s lacy panties made Mike kiss Arden with more excitement.”
“You’re my wet dream,” Arden rasped, shivering. “Dangerous, horny, cocky…with a dick I think about sixty thousand times a day. But I also feel so safe with you.” He pulled up the edge of the skirt, revealing his growing cock hugged by sheer black panties, and Mike just—He leaned in and kissed it. Such a simple gesture, yet when he breathed in the musk of pre-cum, he shivered as if Arden had held him by the nape. “Jesus. You’re this perfect storm of innocent and dirty.”
And there you have it folks. Smut to die for. Complex characters. Entertainment galore. Just read this. You won’t regret it.
TW: violence, sexual abuse, morally ambiguous characters
“My little sex kitten. My precious sugar figurine. I’m going to eat you whole and suck all the sweetness out of your bones,” he said and pressed his lips to Arden’s. He’d have burned less if lightning hit him in the dick.”
Buckle up folks for a wild, entertaining, smutty extravaganza of a ride! Our story is set amidst the Smoke Valley MC in the sleepy town of Hawk Springs. The star of our show is blue-eyed, blond, hot as sin Mike, the eldest son (37) in the Heller biker family. He's never met a woman whose pants he couldn’t charm off. Big, bad and biker tough, he’s confident in his sexuality…until he meets Arden, a stunning, eighteen-year-old femme boy who leaves him all sorts of confused. Theirs is a case of push-pull attraction and a classic May-December romance. Sparks fly between them as they are caught in an enthralling game of pursuit.
Mike is straight, as straight as they come, or isn’t he?
“I’m just…really confused. There’s something about him. I know he has a dick, and that he is a boy, but he’s just so…feminine. I think about him, like, a lot.”
Mike initially comes across as the stereotypical big, beautiful, dumb biker. A stud who’s down for a good time and not much else. But he turns out to be a good guy. He’s really sweet with Arden and treats him like the most precious thing. And although he’s a shameless flirt, Arden always feels safe around him, knowing that Mike would never force himself on him.
Meet Arden. A long-legged, long lashed, delicately featured, platinum haired femme boy with emotional baggage up the wazoo. Drama is his middle name. He’s petty as f*ck and has a flamboyant sense of fashion.
“And the way you dress, you don’t seem to dislike attention either?”
“I’m used to it, I’m a graceful unique butterfly. I want to live as my true self, not hide it so everyone else is comfortable.”
A select taste of some of Arden’s shenanigans: a catfight with a stripper over Mike, a minor case of stabbing in a fit of jealous rage, plus a scene where he washes a car in stripper heels, booty shorts and a cropped top.
Arden is like an exotic animal in small town Hawk Springs, where he’s run away to escape his abusive ex-boyfriend, Luke. Arden has sworn off all men since Luke raped him, which is why he’s cool to Mike’s blatant advances. He knows that Mike is straight and suspects that Mike is playing with him, which he is. Arden’s coolness only whets Mike’s appetite for him. Mike bets $50—egged on by his brother and cousin—that he can get Arden to admit that he wants him. Despite Mike's annoying cockiness, I can’t help but love his utter confidence in his own sexuality. He's not fazed by his attraction to Arden nor does he care about what people might think about him.
“…because why would he be self-conscious about anything he did? He was a stud, who’d fuck anyone he wanted, not one of those pathetic cockroaches who didn’t dare to be open about such things.”
Arden seeks Mike's help in fending off Luke, who comes back to haunt him, by asking him to pretend to be his boyfriend. The twists and turns their fake relationship take are delicious. Their sexual attraction is scorching and the buildup to sexual action is tense and excruciating. They don’t get down and dirty until the 40 percent mark and although it’s only frottage, the steam level is incendiary. And each subsequent sex scene ratchets up the heat on previous ones. The use of lingerie, dirty talk and the fantasies are exquisite!
“Arden’s cock throbbed right next to his, and he couldn’t force himself to care whether what they were doing was gay or not. It was horny, fleshy, dirty and all his. Just the thought that their spunk now stained Arden’s lacy panties made Mike kiss Arden with more excitement.”
“You’re my wet dream,” Arden rasped, shivering. “Dangerous, horny, cocky…with a dick I think about sixty thousand times a day. But I also feel so safe with you.” He pulled up the edge of the skirt, revealing his growing cock hugged by sheer black panties, and Mike just—He leaned in and kissed it. Such a simple gesture, yet when he breathed in the musk of pre-cum, he shivered as if Arden had held him by the nape. “Jesus. You’re this perfect storm of innocent and dirty.”
And there you have it folks. Smut to die for. Complex characters. Entertainment galore. Just read this. You won’t regret it.
Read
September 16, 2020
I'm not emotionally ready, but here it is!!! 🥳😍
Gutter Mind (Sex & Mayhem series) Motorcycle club M/M romance!
The stunning cover was designed by Natasha Snow, photo by the talented Golden Czermak, while the model is Dylan Horsch.
Coming out October 1st!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08J45LWNK ♡☆♡☆♡
— Face of an angel. Mind in the gutter.—
Mike. Macho Biker. Scarred. Will never love again.
Arden. Femme boy. Jaded. Will never succumb to lust again.
Mike is always on the lookout for a fresh fling, and there are more than enough chicks for a stud like him at the Smoke Valley MC clubhouse. But the pretty little thing he spots at the gas station turns out to be a boy, and that triggers all sorts of confusion. Mike loves a challenge, so when he’s given the cold shoulder, his predator senses are set aflame!
Straight or not, Mike makes a bet with his cousin and won’t settle for anything other than a total seduction of Arden.
Arden has bigger fish to fry than some biker’s petty insecurities. His last relationship has left him jaded and hurt, so he will never again succumb to the charms of a bad boy. Especially since Mike isn’t just hot, he’s freaking irresistible. Older, dangerous, and cocky, Mike will be Arden’s downfall if he isn’t careful.
But when a monster from Arden’s past reaches out his claws, the only deterrent Arden can think of is claiming Mike is his new boyfriend. So now he’s stuck in a fake relationship with a straight guy.
For Mike, what starts as a game turns out to be an awakening he’d never expected. The ice prince in lace is actually hot as hellfire, with a gutter mind to match Mike’s, and all of a sudden, his scarred heart is not as safe as he’d thought it was.
POSSIBLE SPOILERS:
Themes: fake relationship, bet, ice prince, player, gay-for-you, crossdressing, outlaw biker gang, self-discovery, age gap, protector, lingerie, commitment-phobe, big family
Genre: Scorching hot M/M romance, romantic suspense
Length: ~ 95,000 words (Standalone)
WARNING: This story contains scenes of violence, mentions of past abuse, offensive language and morally ambiguous characters.
September 28, 2020
An absolutely triumphant return to the Sex and Mayhem series, back with the Smoke Valley Motorcycle Club and another one of the Heller brothers finding his love for a guy.
Arden is a gorgeously pretty 18-year-old who loves to feel feminine things against his skin, loves make up and sexy lingerie but is absolutely secure in his identity as a gay man.
Mike has always got his eye on the next beautiful woman to pass by and when his gaze lands on Arden working in the MC club's general store he's not even slightly fazed that Arden is male.
The sparks fly between them from the off and when Arden needs protecting from an ex who has a revenge grudge, he jumps in happily.
As this is the Merikans, don't expect a sweet and cosy romance. It's steaming hot, packed with morally dubious behaviour and a fair bit of law breaking.
These guys are willing to do anything to protect family and their club.
There's a hilariously funny sub plot running through the book too with a bunch of backwoods characters who make alien sculptures and who keep trying to get Mike to marry one of their offspring through ever increasingly ridiculous methods.
The conclusion to that line is genius and so far from what I was expecting I actually had tears from laughing.
With all the typical mayhem and sex that the series title promises, this was a brilliant adrenaline rush.
#ARC kindly received from the authors in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Arden is a gorgeously pretty 18-year-old who loves to feel feminine things against his skin, loves make up and sexy lingerie but is absolutely secure in his identity as a gay man.
Mike has always got his eye on the next beautiful woman to pass by and when his gaze lands on Arden working in the MC club's general store he's not even slightly fazed that Arden is male.
The sparks fly between them from the off and when Arden needs protecting from an ex who has a revenge grudge, he jumps in happily.
As this is the Merikans, don't expect a sweet and cosy romance. It's steaming hot, packed with morally dubious behaviour and a fair bit of law breaking.
These guys are willing to do anything to protect family and their club.
There's a hilariously funny sub plot running through the book too with a bunch of backwoods characters who make alien sculptures and who keep trying to get Mike to marry one of their offspring through ever increasingly ridiculous methods.
The conclusion to that line is genius and so far from what I was expecting I actually had tears from laughing.
With all the typical mayhem and sex that the series title promises, this was a brilliant adrenaline rush.
#ARC kindly received from the authors in return for an honest and unbiased review.
November 18, 2020
Whoa, these characters!
The Merikans have done it again with Mike and Arden. An absolutely stunning opposites attract romance, with all the gorgeous sex we expect from this team. The way these two men dance around their attraction, come together, and then finally resolve it all is simply superb. Everything builds to a wonderful crescendo with a fantastic ending... just fantastic.
You don't need to have read the other novels in the Sex & Mayhem series, by the way. While other characters from previous stories are a large part of this one, the authors make it so easy to follow along. So if you haven't read any of the books yet, dive in! I highly recommend Gutter Mind.
And if you're an audiobook listener you are going to love listening to Wyatt Baker perform these stories! His gravely, sexy voice is ideal for the Alpha Males and he does such a phenomenal job with Arden. Best part is there is so much humor in this novel and Wyatt Baker makes the most of it. Seriously funny, and an absolute pleasure, Gutter Mind is just perfect.
an audiobook copy of Gutter Mind: Smoke Valley MC #12 was provided to me for the purpose of my honest review
The Merikans have done it again with Mike and Arden. An absolutely stunning opposites attract romance, with all the gorgeous sex we expect from this team. The way these two men dance around their attraction, come together, and then finally resolve it all is simply superb. Everything builds to a wonderful crescendo with a fantastic ending... just fantastic.
You don't need to have read the other novels in the Sex & Mayhem series, by the way. While other characters from previous stories are a large part of this one, the authors make it so easy to follow along. So if you haven't read any of the books yet, dive in! I highly recommend Gutter Mind.
And if you're an audiobook listener you are going to love listening to Wyatt Baker perform these stories! His gravely, sexy voice is ideal for the Alpha Males and he does such a phenomenal job with Arden. Best part is there is so much humor in this novel and Wyatt Baker makes the most of it. Seriously funny, and an absolute pleasure, Gutter Mind is just perfect.
an audiobook copy of Gutter Mind: Smoke Valley MC #12 was provided to me for the purpose of my honest review
October 18, 2020
So this book happened. 🤣❤
I'll give 3,5 stars but I rounded it up because there are certain things that were not very appealing to me for personal preferences, so in doubt round it up!
The story is simple: a bad, big, straight boy biker falls for a very, VERY fem boy, who likes nail polish, a lot of make up, heels and lingerie... The beginning I think for Mike was a game, because nobody says no to him, but then he developed feelings. For Arden was always a fight against his attraction because he has been hurt from past relationships.
And everything was nice until the fights started and the drama, it was soooo unnecessary in sooo many ways and it was sooo immature sometimes. Of course Arden is 19 so that explains it, but It made me roll my eyes so many times that yeah, it was annoying.
It was a nice read with a lot of the charming points that K.A. Merikan delivers and it was SO FUCKING NICE to read about Leo and Zolt again, to see how they were doing, but still my favorite gay couple in this universe is Leo/Zolt. 🥰❤
I'll give 3,5 stars but I rounded it up because there are certain things that were not very appealing to me for personal preferences, so in doubt round it up!
The story is simple: a bad, big, straight boy biker falls for a very, VERY fem boy, who likes nail polish, a lot of make up, heels and lingerie... The beginning I think for Mike was a game, because nobody says no to him, but then he developed feelings. For Arden was always a fight against his attraction because he has been hurt from past relationships.
And everything was nice until the fights started and the drama, it was soooo unnecessary in sooo many ways and it was sooo immature sometimes. Of course Arden is 19 so that explains it, but It made me roll my eyes so many times that yeah, it was annoying.
It was a nice read with a lot of the charming points that K.A. Merikan delivers and it was SO FUCKING NICE to read about Leo and Zolt again, to see how they were doing, but still my favorite gay couple in this universe is Leo/Zolt. 🥰❤
November 25, 2020
This was only my second book in this series, and maybe it biased my expectations because nothing could come close to Leo and Zolt.
Mike is one of the Heller brothers. He is a player who has a different girl in his bed every night. He is very intrigued by a new girl but realizes immediately the Arden is actually a boy. That doesn’t lessen his attraction. Arden has a troubled past and is staying with the Hellers for protection. He doesn’t want a man in his life, especially not a straight player.
I really liked the story and the side characters, and the mad fun of this crazy world. I liked the Luke story and the Harlyn story, both added excitement to the plot. Although I kinda feel bad for Axel for ending up with Harlyn.
So what didn’t work for me?
1. The relationship. I just didn’t feel a connection there. It was awkward how Mike kept likening Arden to a girl, and I really didn’t get why he was so attracted to him. And Arden seems immature and ready to fall for the first man who is nice to him.
2. Mike’s reasoning. He didn’t want a relationship to avoid putting Arden in danger, but he faked a relationship with him, essentially painting a target on his back all the same.
3. Feelings. I didn’t feel much of anything while reading this.
So while I loved the idea of tough straight biker with femme boy, and liked both MCs, they just didn’t work together for me. Still a fun read because of the whole criminal world and crazy family aspect.
Mike is one of the Heller brothers. He is a player who has a different girl in his bed every night. He is very intrigued by a new girl but realizes immediately the Arden is actually a boy. That doesn’t lessen his attraction. Arden has a troubled past and is staying with the Hellers for protection. He doesn’t want a man in his life, especially not a straight player.
I really liked the story and the side characters, and the mad fun of this crazy world. I liked the Luke story and the Harlyn story, both added excitement to the plot. Although I kinda feel bad for Axel for ending up with Harlyn.
So what didn’t work for me?
1. The relationship. I just didn’t feel a connection there. It was awkward how Mike kept likening Arden to a girl, and I really didn’t get why he was so attracted to him. And Arden seems immature and ready to fall for the first man who is nice to him.
2. Mike’s reasoning. He didn’t want a relationship to avoid putting Arden in danger, but he faked a relationship with him, essentially painting a target on his back all the same.
3. Feelings. I didn’t feel much of anything while reading this.
So while I loved the idea of tough straight biker with femme boy, and liked both MCs, they just didn’t work together for me. Still a fun read because of the whole criminal world and crazy family aspect.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2020
*4.5 stars*
It started off weird for me, but did a complete 180 around 20%. Absolutely one of my favorites in the series.
I did not expect Mike's depth of character at all, he was so full of himself at first. I was surprised with how fiercely caring and protective he turned out to be both with his new love and the one he lost.
His attitude towards his sexuality was refreshing. It felt so realistic the way he dealt with his newfound sexual identity but at the same time he went all in with Arden.
When he finally came together with Arden (oh the UST!) it only felt natural.
Arden was one of the most feminine guys I have come across in romance, so if that's your thing this book is for you. Personally, I loved him!
There are also the trademark Merikan epic fights, relationship angst, blood and mayhem.
Recommended!
It started off weird for me, but did a complete 180 around 20%. Absolutely one of my favorites in the series.
I did not expect Mike's depth of character at all, he was so full of himself at first. I was surprised with how fiercely caring and protective he turned out to be both with his new love and the one he lost.
His attitude towards his sexuality was refreshing. It felt so realistic the way he dealt with his newfound sexual identity but at the same time he went all in with Arden.
When he finally came together with Arden (oh the UST!) it only felt natural.
Arden was one of the most feminine guys I have come across in romance, so if that's your thing this book is for you. Personally, I loved him!
There are also the trademark Merikan epic fights, relationship angst, blood and mayhem.
Recommended!
January 6, 2022
4.5/5.
Gutter Mind by K.A. Merikan is a crazy, surprisingly saccharine, explosive romance between 37-year-old Mike and 18-year-old Arden. Arden is femme, unapologetic, vulnerable, and icy due to his past experiences. Mike is a playboy who’s life has been decided for him in his plot for penance and revenge, and decidedly very straight. When they come together, glitter and lace flies.
The lust and attraction were instant but the actual relationship - the feelings, the way these two dug under each other’s skin - was slow. At first it was a passing challenge and joke for Mike, but it became more when he realized the fear Arden had of an ex and stepped in to protect him, with a fake relationship. Vulnerabilities were shown, fun was had, and Arden was stalwart in his means to not get into another relationship and get hurt again. Mike respected it but also teased at the edges until he learned the truth, all while trying to figure out his own sexual identity.
Merikan does a great job creating this gritty atmosphere of this outlaw biker lifestyle. Some of them are queer, but you can tell there’s still some old-fashioned attitudes that even Mike found himself guilty of, and how it comes to impact exploring his relationship with Arden at first. I found the roughness and harshness believable, but the authors also don’t just let you lie in some sort of offensive-toeing GFY. These labels are questioned and explored, identity and gender are wrestled with, and while there might not be an apt label for Mike, Arden is not ever seen as ‘well I can pretend he’s a girl’. He is revered and loved for his confidence, for all aspects of himself, and for being who he wants to be.
The way Arden and Mike are written together, we peel the layers back of Mike and his own vulnerabilities, but also his sweetness. He is a fierce protector and holds a lot of room for Arden in his heart. Consent is always key to their sex, and there are all too many sweet moments just to prove how important Arden is to him. Arden is also there to give him comfort and open his arms for him. To hold him when he needs to cry, and to also bring fun into his life that him isn’t just random sex. There are doubts, of course, but this relationship was hard won with every crazy plot that came at them. Arden at one point rightfully calls out Mike for something he did totally wrong - and it is explosive in that fight. Blood is spilled, bottles broken, tears shed. I feared for them, but it was also a catalyst for dealing with their reality. I also like how Merikan handled the past sexual abuse Arden suffered under and how that impacted their relationship, without it being a ‘magic dick’ moment at all.
Their love is not perfect and their love is all-consuming of one another. Yet, it is beautiful and radiant like the glitter and shimmer Arden dearly loves. The way this ragtag family surrounds them all with support and the ribbing involved, even the epilogue was entirely amazing and fitting for them -- that which is claimed by fingernail polish is important.
“Arden’s kiss was a match, and Mike—a pool of gasoline. The moment their mouths clashed again, the flames scorched everything they touched.”
Gutter Mind by K.A. Merikan is a crazy, surprisingly saccharine, explosive romance between 37-year-old Mike and 18-year-old Arden. Arden is femme, unapologetic, vulnerable, and icy due to his past experiences. Mike is a playboy who’s life has been decided for him in his plot for penance and revenge, and decidedly very straight. When they come together, glitter and lace flies.
The lust and attraction were instant but the actual relationship - the feelings, the way these two dug under each other’s skin - was slow. At first it was a passing challenge and joke for Mike, but it became more when he realized the fear Arden had of an ex and stepped in to protect him, with a fake relationship. Vulnerabilities were shown, fun was had, and Arden was stalwart in his means to not get into another relationship and get hurt again. Mike respected it but also teased at the edges until he learned the truth, all while trying to figure out his own sexual identity.
Merikan does a great job creating this gritty atmosphere of this outlaw biker lifestyle. Some of them are queer, but you can tell there’s still some old-fashioned attitudes that even Mike found himself guilty of, and how it comes to impact exploring his relationship with Arden at first. I found the roughness and harshness believable, but the authors also don’t just let you lie in some sort of offensive-toeing GFY. These labels are questioned and explored, identity and gender are wrestled with, and while there might not be an apt label for Mike, Arden is not ever seen as ‘well I can pretend he’s a girl’. He is revered and loved for his confidence, for all aspects of himself, and for being who he wants to be.
The way Arden and Mike are written together, we peel the layers back of Mike and his own vulnerabilities, but also his sweetness. He is a fierce protector and holds a lot of room for Arden in his heart. Consent is always key to their sex, and there are all too many sweet moments just to prove how important Arden is to him. Arden is also there to give him comfort and open his arms for him. To hold him when he needs to cry, and to also bring fun into his life that him isn’t just random sex. There are doubts, of course, but this relationship was hard won with every crazy plot that came at them. Arden at one point rightfully calls out Mike for something he did totally wrong - and it is explosive in that fight. Blood is spilled, bottles broken, tears shed. I feared for them, but it was also a catalyst for dealing with their reality. I also like how Merikan handled the past sexual abuse Arden suffered under and how that impacted their relationship, without it being a ‘magic dick’ moment at all.
Their love is not perfect and their love is all-consuming of one another. Yet, it is beautiful and radiant like the glitter and shimmer Arden dearly loves. The way this ragtag family surrounds them all with support and the ribbing involved, even the epilogue was entirely amazing and fitting for them -- that which is claimed by fingernail polish is important.
October 20, 2020
Gutter Mind indeed. Crazy, rollicking good time fantasyland. Hot as hell and strangely believable.
Going in I thought hmn, Mike was such an assjack in the last book. He squeezes by here, barely believable at 37 years old.
19 year old femme Arden makes it all happen. He seemed older than 19. Probably a good thing since he IS still a teenager.
It's the crazy cast of characters and their MC drama that keeps you coming back for more and more.
In Gutter Mind I did not take the mayhem, murder, and Mike and Arden's relationship too seriously. I was then able to avoid any side eyes.
A total blast. It's like the candyland of biker stories. Yummy.
Going in I thought hmn, Mike was such an assjack in the last book. He squeezes by here, barely believable at 37 years old.
19 year old femme Arden makes it all happen. He seemed older than 19. Probably a good thing since he IS still a teenager.
It's the crazy cast of characters and their MC drama that keeps you coming back for more and more.
In Gutter Mind I did not take the mayhem, murder, and Mike and Arden's relationship too seriously. I was then able to avoid any side eyes.
A total blast. It's like the candyland of biker stories. Yummy.
October 5, 2020
The best thing about reading a K.A. Merikan novel is knowing that you are going to get a really hot and sexy fantasy read. I especially love it when it involves two characters that would never get together in a million years, but they somehow end up making it work and it's oh soooo steamy!
Enter Mike who is a big, muscular, burly, biker and Arden, a feminine boy that is irresistible. What starts out as a game of them pretending to be together turns into much, much more when Mike rescues Arden from his previous boyfriend. There is a great build up of tension before they actually get together, but when they do the sparks fly! Opposites certainly attract!
I feel like Mike has two sides to him. He is a scary biker and has no qualms with killing anyone that harms his friends and family. On the other side he is a goofy teddy bear that says inappropriate jokes and gets under Arden's skin. Arden pretends to be annoyed with Mike, but as time goes on he gets more and more attached.
They have great banter and their discussions with each other are some of the best parts of the book. They remind me a little of Tooth and Luci (two of my favorites from Sex & Mayhem #2) so it brought back memories and it was just a fun and enjoyable read.....as all of their books are!
Part of a series but it can be read as a stand alone! Another fun read and can't wait for the next one!
Enter Mike who is a big, muscular, burly, biker and Arden, a feminine boy that is irresistible. What starts out as a game of them pretending to be together turns into much, much more when Mike rescues Arden from his previous boyfriend. There is a great build up of tension before they actually get together, but when they do the sparks fly! Opposites certainly attract!
I feel like Mike has two sides to him. He is a scary biker and has no qualms with killing anyone that harms his friends and family. On the other side he is a goofy teddy bear that says inappropriate jokes and gets under Arden's skin. Arden pretends to be annoyed with Mike, but as time goes on he gets more and more attached.
They have great banter and their discussions with each other are some of the best parts of the book. They remind me a little of Tooth and Luci (two of my favorites from Sex & Mayhem #2) so it brought back memories and it was just a fun and enjoyable read.....as all of their books are!
Part of a series but it can be read as a stand alone! Another fun read and can't wait for the next one!
August 16, 2021
not actually all that hot at all. was sometimes slightly entertaining, but not really.
November 18, 2020
This story was perfect Meriakns. Love the mix of morally ambigous characters, deep passionate love and ridicously kinky sex.
I loved Arden's feminitity. I love a good male character in skirts and pretty hair, especially when matched with a tough bulky bloke 18 years their senior! so hot!
There's so much more i could say about this story like the revenge and protection of Mike for Arden, Arden's crae crae outburst or Mike's easy acceptance of his new feelings...or....the fact that these two mostly communicate, not all the time, but i was pleasently suprised by the lack of sexuality drama, the drama came from another direction.
Makes me want to go and read Heart Ripper again (that's a favourite)
I loved Arden's feminitity. I love a good male character in skirts and pretty hair, especially when matched with a tough bulky bloke 18 years their senior! so hot!
There's so much more i could say about this story like the revenge and protection of Mike for Arden, Arden's crae crae outburst or Mike's easy acceptance of his new feelings...or....the fact that these two mostly communicate, not all the time, but i was pleasently suprised by the lack of sexuality drama, the drama came from another direction.
Makes me want to go and read Heart Ripper again (that's a favourite)
dnf
September 27, 2022i usually don’t like this author’s books but i dnfed two books in a row so i said, better get on with this one too.
yeah it didn’t go well.
while i was enjoying this more than the others and i loved the trope, this was just talk, tease, fight, flight, rinse, repeat.
at 61% i’m bored out of my mind. i also would like to add that there were two measly hot scenes. definitely not enough to keep me entertained when the plot is so repetitive.
i’m also open to suggestions because i honestly don’t know what to read anymore.
yeah it didn’t go well.
while i was enjoying this more than the others and i loved the trope, this was just talk, tease, fight, flight, rinse, repeat.
at 61% i’m bored out of my mind. i also would like to add that there were two measly hot scenes. definitely not enough to keep me entertained when the plot is so repetitive.
i’m also open to suggestions because i honestly don’t know what to read anymore.
October 4, 2020
Another delicious addition to the Sex & Mayhem series!! 😍
Had some trouble believing that 37-year-old Mike ~who apparently was never even remotely interested in men~ fell so fast and hard for Arden. But who cares... it worked! 😁 Really enjoyed this book!! And I loved Arden's lingerie! 🥰
Oh, and as usual, a fa-bu-lous cover!! 🤩
Maybe not a solid 5 star, but very close... (and as Goodreads doesn't do half and/or quarter stars 😉 5 stars it is!)
Thanks Kat & Agnes for the ARC!! 💕
Had some trouble believing that 37-year-old Mike ~who apparently was never even remotely interested in men~ fell so fast and hard for Arden. But who cares... it worked! 😁 Really enjoyed this book!! And I loved Arden's lingerie! 🥰
Oh, and as usual, a fa-bu-lous cover!! 🤩
Maybe not a solid 5 star, but very close... (and as Goodreads doesn't do half and/or quarter stars 😉 5 stars it is!)
Thanks Kat & Agnes for the ARC!! 💕
October 2, 2020
3.5 stars - I love a femboy and biker boy trope. And I was in LOVE with these MCs
I just HATE when women are portrayed as awful catty jealous in MMS so had to bump the review slightly down...
I just HATE when women are portrayed as awful catty jealous in MMS so had to bump the review slightly down...
June 2, 2021
Nayeli - per RFS
.
Era etero, ma non c’era niente in quel ragazzo femminile che minacciasse la sua identità. Arden strizzò gli occhi e indietreggi��, finendo addosso agli scaffali con oli per auto vicino all’ingresso. «E tu sembri il genere di uomo che ottiene sempre ciò che vuole. Deve essere una cosa difficile da sentire, quindi lo ripeterò scandendo ogni parola. Non sei il mio tipo.» Mike rise, e il modo in cui gli occhi di Arden furono subito attratti dalle sue labbra gli disse tutto. «Stai mentendo. Sappiamo entrambi che sono il tipo di tutti.»
Devo ammettere che Mike non è mai stato uno dei miei personaggi preferiti, quando negli altri romanzi di questa serie faceva la sua comparsa con battutine stupide, superficialità nell’affrontare qualsiasi problema, uno stuolo di donne da usare e gettare e, in generale, troppa leggerezza nel muoversi nel mondo. Credevo che dietro l’eccessiva pienezza di sé ci fosse arroganza, aridità di sentimenti e anche un po’ d’incapacità nel comprendere le dinamiche complesse.
Si sedettero a un tavolo rosa. Un motociclista fuorilegge con una enorme bibita al latte in mano e un ragazzo che indossava un reggiseno sotto la maglietta. Qualcuno avrebbe potuto dire che fossero inadeguati, ma a lui non gliene fregava un cazzo di “qualcuno”.
Scoprire Mike è stato interessante e, sotto un certo punto di vista, liberatorio. Il suo fregarsene di qualsiasi giudizio altrui è semplicemente frutto di una grande autostima e solidità interiore, mentre la leggerezza con cui prende gli eventi della vita è proprio quello che gli permette di accettare il suo orientamento sessuale “etero flessibile” e il suo interesse per un uomo femminile senza che questo metta in crisi la sua identità.
“Etero” era solamente un’etichetta per descrivere come si sentiva di solito, non era una prigione. Non gli era richiesto di restare entro i suoi confini, perché si trattava di lui e Arden, nient’altro.
Non saranno mai gli uomini ad attrarlo, con i loro muscoli, barba e tatuaggi… ma un ragazzo che indossa lingerie di pizzo, calze a rete e che mette lo smalto? Quello lo manda fuori di testa: sexy, ambiguo e perverso. Non si fa certo intimidire dalla presenza di attributi maschili, che, al contrario, rappresentano per lui una nuova sfida. Sì, perché un altro aspetto che scopriamo di Mike è che alle sfide non può dire di no: non c’è modo migliore per spingerlo a fare qualcosa se non negandogliela. E Arden stuzzica proprio questo suo istinto predatorio, negandosi a lui in un estremo istinto di proteggere i suoi sentimenti dall’ennesimo dolore.
Mike è anche un animo gentile e premuroso, che ha cura della persona che, anche temporaneamente, sta vivendo qualcosa con lui. Generoso nel sesso così come nella vita, riempie il suo “non fidanzato” Arden di attenzioni e coccole.
Non era nemmeno sicuro di come o quando Arden lo avesse preso in pugno in quel modo. Erano da soli in camera con una chimica sessuale che sfrigolava come una bistecca lanciata senza cura sulla griglia, e non osava toccare senza permesso per non rischiare di spaventare la cerbiatta bellissima dagli occhi azzurri.
Ambiguo ma delizioso è il percorso che i due uomini (Arden, in realtà, è appena diciannovenne) compiono insieme per arrivare a scoprire di amarsi. La relazione di facciata a beneficio del Club non è quasi mai corrispondente a quella reale (che rimane praticamente casta per buona parte del libro, nonostante esploda di sensualità), che a sua volta diverge da ciò che i loro gesti, sguardi, attenzioni, ricerca, istinto di protezione esprimono, anche nella fase in cui hanno, sia ufficialmente che ufficiosamente, rotto.
Lo osservò da lontano, come un cane senza un osso. Ogni uomo nei paraggi sapeva che Arden era un maschio, eppure quando il ragazzo si piegò sull’auto con addosso quei tacchi assurdi e lavò il parabrezza, anche Axel inclinò il collo per osservare meglio quel culo spinto all’infuori. Se avessero saputo quanto fosse sessualmente esplosivo Arden, forse anche loro avrebbero avuto desideri più flessibili.
Senza voler entrare troppo nel dettaglio per non rovinare il gusto della sorpresa, i due ragazzi fingono inizialmente di stare insieme praticamente per gioco, per burlarsi della famiglia che non vedrebbe mai un donnaiolo come Mike nei panni gay. Questa burla ha anche una funzione di immagine rispetto a un problema con una donna troppo pedante che non capisce il rifiuto del motociclista. Arden è appena uscito da una brutta relazione e ha promesso a se stesso di non innamorarsi e di non fare mai più sesso, ma acconsente a fingere la relazione in cambio di protezione.
L’atteggiamento istintivamente gentile e protettivo di Mike, unito alla forte attrazione tra loro e all’assenza di seghe mentali (passatemi il termine, ma ben si abbina all’atteggiamento leggero e quasi sbruffone con cui Mike affronta qualsiasi tema anche difficile) relative allo sperimentare una relazione con un uomo sono tutti aspetti che spingono in una direzione sola: presto Mike e Arden si affezionano l’uno all’altro in modo intimo, profondo, bisognoso e carnale.
Il colore era fantastico sulla pelle di Arden, ma c’era qualcosa in quel pezzetto di stoffa striminzito di tessuto velato che frantumò con uno scalpello rovente tutto ciò che Mike aveva sempre creduto della propria sessualità, che dovette rimetterli insieme in maniera nuova.
Naturalmente non mancano i “ma”: l’istinto protettivo di Mike è legato a un trauma ancora molto vivido in lui, e dovrà trovare la forza di superarlo e di accantonare le sue paure di perdere qualcuno che ama. Del resto, a questo serve la famiglia: a mettere all’angolo Mike su discorsi difficili, dolorosi e troppo passati perché lui non riesca a trovare il coraggio di affrontarli.
«Sei la creatura più stupenda che esista,» sussurrò e premette il naso sulla carne soda, inebriandosi dell’eccitazione pungente mescolata a note di gelsomino. Non aveva idea di come un uccello potesse essere femminile, ma quello di Arden lo era.
.
Era etero, ma non c’era niente in quel ragazzo femminile che minacciasse la sua identità. Arden strizzò gli occhi e indietreggi��, finendo addosso agli scaffali con oli per auto vicino all’ingresso. «E tu sembri il genere di uomo che ottiene sempre ciò che vuole. Deve essere una cosa difficile da sentire, quindi lo ripeterò scandendo ogni parola. Non sei il mio tipo.» Mike rise, e il modo in cui gli occhi di Arden furono subito attratti dalle sue labbra gli disse tutto. «Stai mentendo. Sappiamo entrambi che sono il tipo di tutti.»
Devo ammettere che Mike non è mai stato uno dei miei personaggi preferiti, quando negli altri romanzi di questa serie faceva la sua comparsa con battutine stupide, superficialità nell’affrontare qualsiasi problema, uno stuolo di donne da usare e gettare e, in generale, troppa leggerezza nel muoversi nel mondo. Credevo che dietro l’eccessiva pienezza di sé ci fosse arroganza, aridità di sentimenti e anche un po’ d’incapacità nel comprendere le dinamiche complesse.
Si sedettero a un tavolo rosa. Un motociclista fuorilegge con una enorme bibita al latte in mano e un ragazzo che indossava un reggiseno sotto la maglietta. Qualcuno avrebbe potuto dire che fossero inadeguati, ma a lui non gliene fregava un cazzo di “qualcuno”.
Scoprire Mike è stato interessante e, sotto un certo punto di vista, liberatorio. Il suo fregarsene di qualsiasi giudizio altrui è semplicemente frutto di una grande autostima e solidità interiore, mentre la leggerezza con cui prende gli eventi della vita è proprio quello che gli permette di accettare il suo orientamento sessuale “etero flessibile” e il suo interesse per un uomo femminile senza che questo metta in crisi la sua identità.
“Etero” era solamente un’etichetta per descrivere come si sentiva di solito, non era una prigione. Non gli era richiesto di restare entro i suoi confini, perché si trattava di lui e Arden, nient’altro.
Non saranno mai gli uomini ad attrarlo, con i loro muscoli, barba e tatuaggi… ma un ragazzo che indossa lingerie di pizzo, calze a rete e che mette lo smalto? Quello lo manda fuori di testa: sexy, ambiguo e perverso. Non si fa certo intimidire dalla presenza di attributi maschili, che, al contrario, rappresentano per lui una nuova sfida. Sì, perché un altro aspetto che scopriamo di Mike è che alle sfide non può dire di no: non c’è modo migliore per spingerlo a fare qualcosa se non negandogliela. E Arden stuzzica proprio questo suo istinto predatorio, negandosi a lui in un estremo istinto di proteggere i suoi sentimenti dall’ennesimo dolore.
Mike è anche un animo gentile e premuroso, che ha cura della persona che, anche temporaneamente, sta vivendo qualcosa con lui. Generoso nel sesso così come nella vita, riempie il suo “non fidanzato” Arden di attenzioni e coccole.
Non era nemmeno sicuro di come o quando Arden lo avesse preso in pugno in quel modo. Erano da soli in camera con una chimica sessuale che sfrigolava come una bistecca lanciata senza cura sulla griglia, e non osava toccare senza permesso per non rischiare di spaventare la cerbiatta bellissima dagli occhi azzurri.
Ambiguo ma delizioso è il percorso che i due uomini (Arden, in realtà, è appena diciannovenne) compiono insieme per arrivare a scoprire di amarsi. La relazione di facciata a beneficio del Club non è quasi mai corrispondente a quella reale (che rimane praticamente casta per buona parte del libro, nonostante esploda di sensualità), che a sua volta diverge da ciò che i loro gesti, sguardi, attenzioni, ricerca, istinto di protezione esprimono, anche nella fase in cui hanno, sia ufficialmente che ufficiosamente, rotto.
Lo osservò da lontano, come un cane senza un osso. Ogni uomo nei paraggi sapeva che Arden era un maschio, eppure quando il ragazzo si piegò sull’auto con addosso quei tacchi assurdi e lavò il parabrezza, anche Axel inclinò il collo per osservare meglio quel culo spinto all’infuori. Se avessero saputo quanto fosse sessualmente esplosivo Arden, forse anche loro avrebbero avuto desideri più flessibili.
Senza voler entrare troppo nel dettaglio per non rovinare il gusto della sorpresa, i due ragazzi fingono inizialmente di stare insieme praticamente per gioco, per burlarsi della famiglia che non vedrebbe mai un donnaiolo come Mike nei panni gay. Questa burla ha anche una funzione di immagine rispetto a un problema con una donna troppo pedante che non capisce il rifiuto del motociclista. Arden è appena uscito da una brutta relazione e ha promesso a se stesso di non innamorarsi e di non fare mai più sesso, ma acconsente a fingere la relazione in cambio di protezione.
L’atteggiamento istintivamente gentile e protettivo di Mike, unito alla forte attrazione tra loro e all’assenza di seghe mentali (passatemi il termine, ma ben si abbina all’atteggiamento leggero e quasi sbruffone con cui Mike affronta qualsiasi tema anche difficile) relative allo sperimentare una relazione con un uomo sono tutti aspetti che spingono in una direzione sola: presto Mike e Arden si affezionano l’uno all’altro in modo intimo, profondo, bisognoso e carnale.
Il colore era fantastico sulla pelle di Arden, ma c’era qualcosa in quel pezzetto di stoffa striminzito di tessuto velato che frantumò con uno scalpello rovente tutto ciò che Mike aveva sempre creduto della propria sessualità, che dovette rimetterli insieme in maniera nuova.
Naturalmente non mancano i “ma”: l’istinto protettivo di Mike è legato a un trauma ancora molto vivido in lui, e dovrà trovare la forza di superarlo e di accantonare le sue paure di perdere qualcuno che ama. Del resto, a questo serve la famiglia: a mettere all’angolo Mike su discorsi difficili, dolorosi e troppo passati perché lui non riesca a trovare il coraggio di affrontarli.
«Sei la creatura più stupenda che esista,» sussurrò e premette il naso sulla carne soda, inebriandosi dell’eccitazione pungente mescolata a note di gelsomino. Non aveva idea di come un uccello potesse essere femminile, ma quello di Arden lo era.
October 1, 2020
Gutter Mind is vintage K.A. Merikan . A combination of hot AF sexy times, humor, darkish themes, violence , fuck off situations and a hard won HEA/HFN.
I had fun reading Mike and Arden's story and loved "seeing" all the others members of the Smoke Valley MC.
Even though Gutter Mind is part of a series , just like all their other books , it can be read as a
standalone.
just reviewed Gutter Mind: Smoke Valley MC by K.A. Merikan #GutterMind #GRR
I had fun reading Mike and Arden's story and loved "seeing" all the others members of the Smoke Valley MC.
Even though Gutter Mind is part of a series , just like all their other books , it can be read as a
standalone.
just reviewed Gutter Mind: Smoke Valley MC by K.A. Merikan #GutterMind #GRR
March 11, 2023
Reread 2021.
Reread May 2022.
Reread March 2023
Reread May 2022.
Reread March 2023
June 17, 2021
3,5 stelline
Non so che cosa dire e da dove iniziare 😭 sono una super mega iper fan delle Merikan...ogni volta riescono a stupirmi, emozionarvi e farmi fantasticate con i loro mondi magici, ricchi di sensualità, violenza, oscurità, amore e chi più ne ha più ne metta ma in questo caso.... CHE DELUSIONE!!!! Mi ero preparata psicologicamente a un libro piccante, pieno di motociclisti sexy e in grado di sciogliere il cuore, mi aspettavo due protagonisti forti e cazzutissimi oltre che affiatati e invece... NO! Sono rimasta con l'amaro in bocca e non sono proprio riuscita a godermi il libro.... L'ho trovata una storia ricca di spunti di riflessione e con parecchia carne al fuoco ma che fino alla fine non è riuscita a esprimere il suo pieno potenziale. Ci troviamo tra le mani una storia che non mi ha convinto a partire dai due protagonisti.
Mike è un motociclista dello Smokey Valley MC. Lo Smokey è un gruppo di motociclisti che è stato presentato nei due libri precedenti della serie.
Mike è figlio del capo ed è un uomo magnetico e sensuale, un latin lover che non disdegna la compagnia femminile e non esita ad infilarsi nei letti delle fanciulle del club. Uno "stile di vita" che gli permette di sfogarsi e non pensare ai dolori del passato. L'uomo vuole a tutti i costi essere libero e indipendente senza rischiare di innamorarsi. Ha già perso in passato la donna della sua vita, Leah, e intende vivere appieno ogni istante senza preoccuparsi di dover difendere un eventuale compagna. Una scelta che cambia radicalmente quando un giorno, un po' per caso, i suoi occhi si posano sull'enigmatico Arden. In un primo momento pensa che sia una ragazza, nota il suo aspetto femminile e i vestiti graziosi ma ben presto si rende conto di essere di fronte un ragazzo che nonostante l'aspetto può tirare fuori le unghie e i denti e che ha un caratterino niente male. Arden è un giovane sfortunato che ha deciso di chiedere la protezione della famiglia Heller per poter scappare da un ex particolarmente violento e pericoloso. Il giovane non desidera avere problemi ma il biker riesce ad attirare non poca attenzione su di sè. L'attrazione tra Mike e Arden è fin da subito palpabile e magnetica e cambierà per sempre la vita di entrambi. Arden per Mike diventa una tentazione irresistibile oltre che una fonte di perenne turbamento. Il ragazzino non è solo un giovane sfortunato ma anche un maschio, un UOMO, e per Mike provare attrazione per lui risulta travolgente e inspiegabile. Un sentimento che si mescola ai timori del passato e che porterà non poco scompiglio nella sua già incasinata esistenza. Fin da subito speravo di essere di fronte due personaggi incredibili oltre che tostissimi due uomini tormentati ma in grado di dare insegnamenti positivi al lettore, di mostrare l'ennesimo lato dell'amore e delle sue difficoltà ma ahimè in poco le mie speranze si sono arenate. Mi è sembrato di ritrovarmi di fronte una mezza copia del romanzo "Strada senza ritorno" con il classico motociclista dall'atteggiamento da stronzetto macho e la sola aggiunta di un personaggio più femminile nei modi e negli atteggiamenti e questo mi ha un po' disturbato. Mike non mi ha convinto per niente, l'ho trovato troppo fastidioso e molesto soprattutto all'inizio, soprattutto nel suo modo costante e implacabile di sminuire il compagno etichettandolo come una donna, trattandolo come una ragazza quando Arden non è minimamente transgender, non desidera in alcun modo essere una donna, è perfettamente a suo agio con il suo sesso e la sua omosessualità, semplicemente ama vestirsi da donna e ha il DIRITTO di farlo senza essere offeso, sminuito e definito una "LEI". Questo atteggiamento da macho mi ha infastidito, l'ho trovato una grandissima mancanza di rispetto e il fatto che nessuno (neanche lo stesso Arden) abbia anche per un solo istante sollevato la questione dissociandosi e dando a Mike dello stronzo mi ha un po' fatto schifo. Questo atteggiamento offensivo unito al dramma e finto "trauma" del povero uomo etero che si sente meno uomo perché attratto da un altro uomo ed è costantemente ossessionato dalla paura di non essere più sessualmente attraente per il genere femminile....fa semplicemente schifo.... È bruttissimo e non mi è proprio piaciuto per niente. Le autrici hanno provato a metterci una mezza pezza facendo diventare nella seconda parte del libro Mike un orsetto coccoloso e super amorevole nei confronti del suo innamorato ma... davvero ha senso trasformate un uomo in super cavaliere che si indigna se il compagno ha ricevuto anche solo un piccolo graffietto sul mignolo quando fino a due minuti prima umiliava e chiamava il compagno con nomignoli e appellativi femminili? Quando lo considerava una donna anche dopo essersi sentito dire "Sono un uomo, amo solo vestirmi da ragazza ma SONO UN UOMO!"? Per me... Semplicemente è no! A questo punto Arden era la mia unica speranza, sembrava una luce in fondo al tunnel. L'idea di un ragazzo che vuole semplicemente esprimere se stesso, che non trova nulla di male a vestirsi da ragazza, che non si vergogna, che lo fa... semplicemente...anche se si trova in un ambiente ostile e popolato da stronzi motociclisti era....meravigliosa e poteva lanciare un messaggio di speranza e positività ai lettori, magari proprio a quei ragazzi in ascolto che vengono costantemente umiliati e vessati solo per aver mostrato al mondo una parte di sé, anche solo per aver innocentemente indossato una maglietta rosa (e quindi poco virile!!!) ma proprio quando tutto sembrava andare per il meglio...mi è cascato addosso l'ennesimo mattone. Le autrici hanno voluto utilizzare questo segnale di forza e indipendenza del protagonista come un semplice kink utile solo ad alimentare le fantasie sessuali di Mike e a giustificare la sua omofobia interiorizzata. Arden è diventato per Mike il ragazzo vestito da donna, quello grazioso e femminile, la ragazzina sexy e in poco tempo di Arden non è rimasto nulla se non un ragazzo con la mente perversa e il desiderio di abbandonarsi ai suoi istinti nonostante le esperienze del passato. Anche questa parte poteva essere trattata meglio perchè non c'è nulla di male ad avere voglia di esplorare la propria sessualità, di avere voglia di fare sesso ma anche qui... Tutto viene visto come qualcosa di...perverso, di malsano, Arden per le sue voglie viene quasi etichettato come una prostituta, come una gatta in calore che andrebbe a letto con chiunque e questo... è orribile e schifoso secondo me... Insomma.... L'interazione tra i protagonisti non mi ha per niente convinta. Ho trovato entrambi forzati e a un certo punto mi sono quasi chiesta cosa ci facessero insieme. Solitamente amo gli opposti che si attraggono ma Mike e Arden non mi hanno trasmesso nulla e anche i momenti più sensuali ed erotici per quanto ben descritti non mi hanno dato quelle sensazioni provate in altri romanzi del duo. Non metto in dubbio che molti potranno apprezzare la sensualità e l'ambiente che è stato abilmente creato per i protagonisti ma... Per me è no. È sicuramente risultato scorrevole e sono arrivata in poco tempo alla fine però tutto era... troppo. Altra nota negativa è il bisogno di leggere prima i libri precedenti. Di solito i libri di questa serie possono essere letti in qualsiasi ordine ma in questo c'erano troppi riferimenti al passato, troppi personaggi del passato, troppe cose non dette o solo accennate per riuscire fino in fondo a godersi le atmosfere. Il club Smokey è stato sicuramente ben analizzato nei tre libri della serie, le loro dinamiche sono convincenti considerando lo stile di vita dei biker ma per chi si avvicina per la prima volta... Può essere fastidioso. Soprattutto se si considera la scelta italiana di saltare uno dei libri più importanti per la serie e solo perché FF quindi... Che dire... Purtroppo per me la scintilla semplicemente non è scattata. Un libro che per quanto scritto benissimo, sensuale e oscuro al punto giusto, non mi ha colpito. Consigliato solo ai fan delle autrici e a quelli che non vogliono perdersi alcun dettaglio dello Smokey Valley MC e dei suoi segreti. Consigliato ovviamente SOLO dopo aver letto i due libri precedenti!!
Non so che cosa dire e da dove iniziare 😭 sono una super mega iper fan delle Merikan...ogni volta riescono a stupirmi, emozionarvi e farmi fantasticate con i loro mondi magici, ricchi di sensualità, violenza, oscurità, amore e chi più ne ha più ne metta ma in questo caso.... CHE DELUSIONE!!!! Mi ero preparata psicologicamente a un libro piccante, pieno di motociclisti sexy e in grado di sciogliere il cuore, mi aspettavo due protagonisti forti e cazzutissimi oltre che affiatati e invece... NO! Sono rimasta con l'amaro in bocca e non sono proprio riuscita a godermi il libro.... L'ho trovata una storia ricca di spunti di riflessione e con parecchia carne al fuoco ma che fino alla fine non è riuscita a esprimere il suo pieno potenziale. Ci troviamo tra le mani una storia che non mi ha convinto a partire dai due protagonisti.
Mike è un motociclista dello Smokey Valley MC. Lo Smokey è un gruppo di motociclisti che è stato presentato nei due libri precedenti della serie.
Mike è figlio del capo ed è un uomo magnetico e sensuale, un latin lover che non disdegna la compagnia femminile e non esita ad infilarsi nei letti delle fanciulle del club. Uno "stile di vita" che gli permette di sfogarsi e non pensare ai dolori del passato. L'uomo vuole a tutti i costi essere libero e indipendente senza rischiare di innamorarsi. Ha già perso in passato la donna della sua vita, Leah, e intende vivere appieno ogni istante senza preoccuparsi di dover difendere un eventuale compagna. Una scelta che cambia radicalmente quando un giorno, un po' per caso, i suoi occhi si posano sull'enigmatico Arden. In un primo momento pensa che sia una ragazza, nota il suo aspetto femminile e i vestiti graziosi ma ben presto si rende conto di essere di fronte un ragazzo che nonostante l'aspetto può tirare fuori le unghie e i denti e che ha un caratterino niente male. Arden è un giovane sfortunato che ha deciso di chiedere la protezione della famiglia Heller per poter scappare da un ex particolarmente violento e pericoloso. Il giovane non desidera avere problemi ma il biker riesce ad attirare non poca attenzione su di sè. L'attrazione tra Mike e Arden è fin da subito palpabile e magnetica e cambierà per sempre la vita di entrambi. Arden per Mike diventa una tentazione irresistibile oltre che una fonte di perenne turbamento. Il ragazzino non è solo un giovane sfortunato ma anche un maschio, un UOMO, e per Mike provare attrazione per lui risulta travolgente e inspiegabile. Un sentimento che si mescola ai timori del passato e che porterà non poco scompiglio nella sua già incasinata esistenza. Fin da subito speravo di essere di fronte due personaggi incredibili oltre che tostissimi due uomini tormentati ma in grado di dare insegnamenti positivi al lettore, di mostrare l'ennesimo lato dell'amore e delle sue difficoltà ma ahimè in poco le mie speranze si sono arenate. Mi è sembrato di ritrovarmi di fronte una mezza copia del romanzo "Strada senza ritorno" con il classico motociclista dall'atteggiamento da stronzetto macho e la sola aggiunta di un personaggio più femminile nei modi e negli atteggiamenti e questo mi ha un po' disturbato. Mike non mi ha convinto per niente, l'ho trovato troppo fastidioso e molesto soprattutto all'inizio, soprattutto nel suo modo costante e implacabile di sminuire il compagno etichettandolo come una donna, trattandolo come una ragazza quando Arden non è minimamente transgender, non desidera in alcun modo essere una donna, è perfettamente a suo agio con il suo sesso e la sua omosessualità, semplicemente ama vestirsi da donna e ha il DIRITTO di farlo senza essere offeso, sminuito e definito una "LEI". Questo atteggiamento da macho mi ha infastidito, l'ho trovato una grandissima mancanza di rispetto e il fatto che nessuno (neanche lo stesso Arden) abbia anche per un solo istante sollevato la questione dissociandosi e dando a Mike dello stronzo mi ha un po' fatto schifo. Questo atteggiamento offensivo unito al dramma e finto "trauma" del povero uomo etero che si sente meno uomo perché attratto da un altro uomo ed è costantemente ossessionato dalla paura di non essere più sessualmente attraente per il genere femminile....fa semplicemente schifo.... È bruttissimo e non mi è proprio piaciuto per niente. Le autrici hanno provato a metterci una mezza pezza facendo diventare nella seconda parte del libro Mike un orsetto coccoloso e super amorevole nei confronti del suo innamorato ma... davvero ha senso trasformate un uomo in super cavaliere che si indigna se il compagno ha ricevuto anche solo un piccolo graffietto sul mignolo quando fino a due minuti prima umiliava e chiamava il compagno con nomignoli e appellativi femminili? Quando lo considerava una donna anche dopo essersi sentito dire "Sono un uomo, amo solo vestirmi da ragazza ma SONO UN UOMO!"? Per me... Semplicemente è no! A questo punto Arden era la mia unica speranza, sembrava una luce in fondo al tunnel. L'idea di un ragazzo che vuole semplicemente esprimere se stesso, che non trova nulla di male a vestirsi da ragazza, che non si vergogna, che lo fa... semplicemente...anche se si trova in un ambiente ostile e popolato da stronzi motociclisti era....meravigliosa e poteva lanciare un messaggio di speranza e positività ai lettori, magari proprio a quei ragazzi in ascolto che vengono costantemente umiliati e vessati solo per aver mostrato al mondo una parte di sé, anche solo per aver innocentemente indossato una maglietta rosa (e quindi poco virile!!!) ma proprio quando tutto sembrava andare per il meglio...mi è cascato addosso l'ennesimo mattone. Le autrici hanno voluto utilizzare questo segnale di forza e indipendenza del protagonista come un semplice kink utile solo ad alimentare le fantasie sessuali di Mike e a giustificare la sua omofobia interiorizzata. Arden è diventato per Mike il ragazzo vestito da donna, quello grazioso e femminile, la ragazzina sexy e in poco tempo di Arden non è rimasto nulla se non un ragazzo con la mente perversa e il desiderio di abbandonarsi ai suoi istinti nonostante le esperienze del passato. Anche questa parte poteva essere trattata meglio perchè non c'è nulla di male ad avere voglia di esplorare la propria sessualità, di avere voglia di fare sesso ma anche qui... Tutto viene visto come qualcosa di...perverso, di malsano, Arden per le sue voglie viene quasi etichettato come una prostituta, come una gatta in calore che andrebbe a letto con chiunque e questo... è orribile e schifoso secondo me... Insomma.... L'interazione tra i protagonisti non mi ha per niente convinta. Ho trovato entrambi forzati e a un certo punto mi sono quasi chiesta cosa ci facessero insieme. Solitamente amo gli opposti che si attraggono ma Mike e Arden non mi hanno trasmesso nulla e anche i momenti più sensuali ed erotici per quanto ben descritti non mi hanno dato quelle sensazioni provate in altri romanzi del duo. Non metto in dubbio che molti potranno apprezzare la sensualità e l'ambiente che è stato abilmente creato per i protagonisti ma... Per me è no. È sicuramente risultato scorrevole e sono arrivata in poco tempo alla fine però tutto era... troppo. Altra nota negativa è il bisogno di leggere prima i libri precedenti. Di solito i libri di questa serie possono essere letti in qualsiasi ordine ma in questo c'erano troppi riferimenti al passato, troppi personaggi del passato, troppe cose non dette o solo accennate per riuscire fino in fondo a godersi le atmosfere. Il club Smokey è stato sicuramente ben analizzato nei tre libri della serie, le loro dinamiche sono convincenti considerando lo stile di vita dei biker ma per chi si avvicina per la prima volta... Può essere fastidioso. Soprattutto se si considera la scelta italiana di saltare uno dei libri più importanti per la serie e solo perché FF quindi... Che dire... Purtroppo per me la scintilla semplicemente non è scattata. Un libro che per quanto scritto benissimo, sensuale e oscuro al punto giusto, non mi ha colpito. Consigliato solo ai fan delle autrici e a quelli che non vogliono perdersi alcun dettaglio dello Smokey Valley MC e dei suoi segreti. Consigliato ovviamente SOLO dopo aver letto i due libri precedenti!!
May 12, 2021
Recensione a cura di Persefone per Feel the Book
Voto 4,5
Possono amarsi due persone che la vita ha segnato in modo profondo, trasformandole in individui che hanno paura di mettere in gioco il cuore?
Mike ha 37 anni ed è un biker, passa da una donna all’altra senza legarsi dopo aver perso il suo amore giovanile.
Arden è un giovane uomo piegato dalla vita. Si è innamorato dell’uomo sbagliato che ha abusato di lui, spezzandolo a tal punto da ridurlo a un involucro vuoto, terrorizzato dal mondo. Non si fida più né di se stesso né degli altri. Arden è un femme boy, un ragazzo che ama vestire abiti femminili e truccarsi pur senza modificare sostanzialmente il suo corpo maschile.
Mike ne rimane colpito appena lo vede, la sua femminilità pur racchiusa in un corpo maschile lo attira come la luce con una falena.
Nessuna donna ha mai avuto su di lui un tale effetto, per lui Arden è la cosa più sexy che abbia mai visto. La chimica tra i due è palpabile. Arden è attratto da Mike, dalla sua forza, dal senso di protezione che gli ispira, Mike vuole talmente tanto Arden da mettere in dubbio se stesso. Si sente ancora etero ma quel ragazzo lo intriga irresistibilmente.
Capitolo dopo capitolo, i due vedranno le loro barriere frantumarsi lentamente ma inesorabilmente e nonostante continui allontanamenti e ravvicinamenti, i cuori prenderanno il sopravvento sulle menti, su tutti quei ragionamenti logici a cui cercano di aggrapparsi per resistere, per non soffrire.
Il sesso è a dir poco bollente e la loro relazione finta agli occhi di chi li circonda, nata quasi per scommessa, andrà oltre al puro aspetto fisico, fino a pronunciare quelle parole che tanto li terrorizzano.
Il percorso che Mike e Arden compiono è lento e costante, anche se non mancano dei passi indietro, e se all’inizio il romanzo può apparire quasi scanzonato, nella seconda parte trasmette tutto il dolore che i due si infliggono volontariamente, sopraffatti dalle loro paure e da silenzi che li condizionano.
Mike è da prendere letteralmente a schiaffi e contemporaneamente da abbracciare per tutte le sue pare e il dolore che lo soffoca. L’unica cosa di cui è sicuro è la propria sessualità, l’attrazione per Arden non lo spaventa da quel punto di vista, non sente messa in dubbio la propria virilità ma il proprio cuore.
Arden sotto quell’aspetto fragile dimostra una tenacia e una decisione che gli fa davvero onore. Ha diciannove anni ma in fondo possiede una maturità invidiabile. È sicuro di sé, del suo modo di essere ma anche lui ha il cuore segnato.
Due personaggi che cambiano in modo tangibile, scoprendo se stessi, mettendosi in gioco e riscoprendo la fiducia.
Un libro da leggere tutto d’un fiato, passando da ironia a momenti davvero intensi e coinvolgenti, un altro ottimo lavoro per le Merikan che ormai rappresentano un punto fermo nella letteratura MM.
Editing a cura di Cleo.
Voto 4,5
Possono amarsi due persone che la vita ha segnato in modo profondo, trasformandole in individui che hanno paura di mettere in gioco il cuore?
Mike ha 37 anni ed è un biker, passa da una donna all’altra senza legarsi dopo aver perso il suo amore giovanile.
Arden è un giovane uomo piegato dalla vita. Si è innamorato dell’uomo sbagliato che ha abusato di lui, spezzandolo a tal punto da ridurlo a un involucro vuoto, terrorizzato dal mondo. Non si fida più né di se stesso né degli altri. Arden è un femme boy, un ragazzo che ama vestire abiti femminili e truccarsi pur senza modificare sostanzialmente il suo corpo maschile.
Mike ne rimane colpito appena lo vede, la sua femminilità pur racchiusa in un corpo maschile lo attira come la luce con una falena.
Nessuna donna ha mai avuto su di lui un tale effetto, per lui Arden è la cosa più sexy che abbia mai visto. La chimica tra i due è palpabile. Arden è attratto da Mike, dalla sua forza, dal senso di protezione che gli ispira, Mike vuole talmente tanto Arden da mettere in dubbio se stesso. Si sente ancora etero ma quel ragazzo lo intriga irresistibilmente.
Capitolo dopo capitolo, i due vedranno le loro barriere frantumarsi lentamente ma inesorabilmente e nonostante continui allontanamenti e ravvicinamenti, i cuori prenderanno il sopravvento sulle menti, su tutti quei ragionamenti logici a cui cercano di aggrapparsi per resistere, per non soffrire.
Il sesso è a dir poco bollente e la loro relazione finta agli occhi di chi li circonda, nata quasi per scommessa, andrà oltre al puro aspetto fisico, fino a pronunciare quelle parole che tanto li terrorizzano.
Il percorso che Mike e Arden compiono è lento e costante, anche se non mancano dei passi indietro, e se all’inizio il romanzo può apparire quasi scanzonato, nella seconda parte trasmette tutto il dolore che i due si infliggono volontariamente, sopraffatti dalle loro paure e da silenzi che li condizionano.
Mike è da prendere letteralmente a schiaffi e contemporaneamente da abbracciare per tutte le sue pare e il dolore che lo soffoca. L’unica cosa di cui è sicuro è la propria sessualità, l’attrazione per Arden non lo spaventa da quel punto di vista, non sente messa in dubbio la propria virilità ma il proprio cuore.
Arden sotto quell’aspetto fragile dimostra una tenacia e una decisione che gli fa davvero onore. Ha diciannove anni ma in fondo possiede una maturità invidiabile. È sicuro di sé, del suo modo di essere ma anche lui ha il cuore segnato.
Due personaggi che cambiano in modo tangibile, scoprendo se stessi, mettendosi in gioco e riscoprendo la fiducia.
Un libro da leggere tutto d’un fiato, passando da ironia a momenti davvero intensi e coinvolgenti, un altro ottimo lavoro per le Merikan che ormai rappresentano un punto fermo nella letteratura MM.
Editing a cura di Cleo.
October 2, 2020
3 stars
I really loved the previous book in this series about Leo & Zolt. There were many characters in that story that were a part of Leo’s family and the Smoke Valley MC that made the book enjoyable and Mike, Leo’s brother, was one of them.
Mike is an in your face, no apologies, speaks his mind kind of guy. When he sees something or someone he wants he goes after it. It he’s told no then he wants it more. He sees someone working at his family’s convenience store and immediately wants them. He thinks it’s a girl from behind but he’s in for a shock when he is faced with Arden. Arden may appear feminine but he is a boy, and that is very clear once he faces, and talks, to Mike.
Arden is hiding out at the MC from his ex, Luke. He is not ashamed of who he is and even in an atmosphere such as the MC he won’t hide his femininity. When Mike approaches him and immediately hits on him he shoots him down, even though Mike is his type. Of course once Mike is told no he just decides to keep trying.
When the two are out and approached by Luke, Mike immediately protects Arden and declares himself his new boyfriend. This is a win-win situation for both men. Arden loves pretending to be Mikes boyfriend because in reality it’s what he really wants and Mike has a bet with his MC brothers to prove Arden really is into him. Plus Mike has a girl from a local family who wants to marry him and being with a man may hold her and her family off.
Mike is confused about his attraction to Arden. He never found a man attractive before but the mixture of Arden being a guy plus the feminine side of him drives Mike wild. They have a combustible attraction that they cannot ignore for long. The issue is that Mike never wanted a relationship because being with him brought trouble to his first serious girlfriend and he swore to never let that happen again.
The story started off rough for me. Mike is very forthright with his thoughts but I felt like he was downright crude at times. I didn’t feel like I understood his true attraction to Arden and that feeling continued throughout the book for me. I learned to like Mike and I really loved Arden, who is true to himself and his feelings. I just thought Mike suddenly being so into Arden was jarring, I would have like more of a push and pull within him to understand it more.
There is always crazy stuff happening in a Merikan book and that is definitely the case here. I love that about these ladies, they write so freely and it’s really great when it’s done right, which most of the time it is. Unfortunately, I felt they missed the mark here. The writing was so corny and cringeworthy at times, especially when it came to the sex scenes. I felt like the characters were more caricatures than actual people. I also thought the book went overboard with the dramatics towards the end. I still enjoyed it for the most part but it just wasn’t my favorite from these authors.
ARC received through Gay Romance Reviews
I really loved the previous book in this series about Leo & Zolt. There were many characters in that story that were a part of Leo’s family and the Smoke Valley MC that made the book enjoyable and Mike, Leo’s brother, was one of them.
Mike is an in your face, no apologies, speaks his mind kind of guy. When he sees something or someone he wants he goes after it. It he’s told no then he wants it more. He sees someone working at his family’s convenience store and immediately wants them. He thinks it’s a girl from behind but he’s in for a shock when he is faced with Arden. Arden may appear feminine but he is a boy, and that is very clear once he faces, and talks, to Mike.
Arden is hiding out at the MC from his ex, Luke. He is not ashamed of who he is and even in an atmosphere such as the MC he won’t hide his femininity. When Mike approaches him and immediately hits on him he shoots him down, even though Mike is his type. Of course once Mike is told no he just decides to keep trying.
When the two are out and approached by Luke, Mike immediately protects Arden and declares himself his new boyfriend. This is a win-win situation for both men. Arden loves pretending to be Mikes boyfriend because in reality it’s what he really wants and Mike has a bet with his MC brothers to prove Arden really is into him. Plus Mike has a girl from a local family who wants to marry him and being with a man may hold her and her family off.
Mike is confused about his attraction to Arden. He never found a man attractive before but the mixture of Arden being a guy plus the feminine side of him drives Mike wild. They have a combustible attraction that they cannot ignore for long. The issue is that Mike never wanted a relationship because being with him brought trouble to his first serious girlfriend and he swore to never let that happen again.
The story started off rough for me. Mike is very forthright with his thoughts but I felt like he was downright crude at times. I didn’t feel like I understood his true attraction to Arden and that feeling continued throughout the book for me. I learned to like Mike and I really loved Arden, who is true to himself and his feelings. I just thought Mike suddenly being so into Arden was jarring, I would have like more of a push and pull within him to understand it more.
There is always crazy stuff happening in a Merikan book and that is definitely the case here. I love that about these ladies, they write so freely and it’s really great when it’s done right, which most of the time it is. Unfortunately, I felt they missed the mark here. The writing was so corny and cringeworthy at times, especially when it came to the sex scenes. I felt like the characters were more caricatures than actual people. I also thought the book went overboard with the dramatics towards the end. I still enjoyed it for the most part but it just wasn’t my favorite from these authors.
ARC received through Gay Romance Reviews
October 2, 2020
Opposites attract
This book climbed to the top as one of my favourite books in this series.
You will totally get both sex and mayhem in this book and we get to revisit the rest of the Smoke Valley MC club again. And I just love the push and pull between Mike and Arden and their attraction is scorching.
Mike is this cocky, hot biker that can charm the panties off and woman, the song sexy and I know it could be written for him.
When he meets Arden it just takes a minute of confusion of realising that Arden is male before he just accepts that he's attracted to him no matter what. And what starts as a fake relationship soon becomes so much more.
Mike is just the type of guy that ticks all of Ardens boxes but his past deamons that are the reason he's hiding at the club makes him hold back and it's not easy being the frail, femme boy that falls for the big, hot straight guy. But Mikes attraction doesn't see genders and he's confident enough not to give a shit of what others may think.
And one thing that pleasantly surprised me is that the pet name Baby Boy that Mike calls Arden is the first time it hasn't bothered me. I usually hate that pet name, but Ardens looks and Mikes cockimess actually makes it work.
This book climbed to the top as one of my favourite books in this series.
You will totally get both sex and mayhem in this book and we get to revisit the rest of the Smoke Valley MC club again. And I just love the push and pull between Mike and Arden and their attraction is scorching.
Mike is this cocky, hot biker that can charm the panties off and woman, the song sexy and I know it could be written for him.
When he meets Arden it just takes a minute of confusion of realising that Arden is male before he just accepts that he's attracted to him no matter what. And what starts as a fake relationship soon becomes so much more.
Mike is just the type of guy that ticks all of Ardens boxes but his past deamons that are the reason he's hiding at the club makes him hold back and it's not easy being the frail, femme boy that falls for the big, hot straight guy. But Mikes attraction doesn't see genders and he's confident enough not to give a shit of what others may think.
And one thing that pleasantly surprised me is that the pet name Baby Boy that Mike calls Arden is the first time it hasn't bothered me. I usually hate that pet name, but Ardens looks and Mikes cockimess actually makes it work.
May 10, 2021
✔ Letto! Ho amato. Amato, amato, amato questo libro! Tutto quanto, dal dolce frufru boyfemme Arden, che voleva solo qualcuno che lo amasse per come era, dal suo corpo minuto e grazioso, il suo carattere forte e affascinante, suoi vestiti scintillanti e la sua mente perversa. Voleva qualcuno che lo amasse e lo protegesse. E lo ha trovato nella persona più improbabile di tutti gli MC, lo bellissimo e noto donnaiolo Mike, il secondo fratellone di Leo.
L'altra volta avevo detto che Leo era il mio preferito tra tutti i libri di questa serie, ma devo dire che ho allargato il mio cuore e ho inserito questi due ragazzi. Perché? Ve lo spiego.
Due ragazzi coraggiosi in essere chi sono, senza paura. Arden che è un cucciolo di unicorni in un mondo crudele e Mike che non ha avuto paura di amare quel cucciolo, ma era disposto a lasciarlo libero pur di saperlo protetto anche da lui e dal suo passato. Amoooooore, eri te la sua protezione. Insieme alla tua enorme, disfunzionale e unita famiglia.
Grazie per questo adorabile libro. Mi sono divertita un sacco.
Per me è.. 😆 siiiiiii lo è ❤❤❤❤❤
P.s.: Meglio che leggete le controindicazioni per questo libro, stiamo parlando delle Merikan che non sono affatto che cuori deboli! Ma se fa al caso vostro... aiaiaiai
L'altra volta avevo detto che Leo era il mio preferito tra tutti i libri di questa serie, ma devo dire che ho allargato il mio cuore e ho inserito questi due ragazzi. Perché? Ve lo spiego.
Due ragazzi coraggiosi in essere chi sono, senza paura. Arden che è un cucciolo di unicorni in un mondo crudele e Mike che non ha avuto paura di amare quel cucciolo, ma era disposto a lasciarlo libero pur di saperlo protetto anche da lui e dal suo passato. Amoooooore, eri te la sua protezione. Insieme alla tua enorme, disfunzionale e unita famiglia.
Grazie per questo adorabile libro. Mi sono divertita un sacco.
Per me è.. 😆 siiiiiii lo è ❤❤❤❤❤
P.s.: Meglio che leggete le controindicazioni per questo libro, stiamo parlando delle Merikan che non sono affatto che cuori deboli! Ma se fa al caso vostro... aiaiaiai
October 13, 2020
I loved this! Definitely one of my favourites from the Sex & Mayhem series so far! Up there with His Favorite Color Is Blood and The Devil's Ride. I love femme boys and I love age gaps. Although the age cap in this one didnt really feel like an age gap. It wasnt really an issue for them. Of course Mike's perceived straightness was the bigger issue. I loved both Mike and Arden in this! I hurt for Arden but I didnt blame Mike. I loved them both. 😘
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