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A Yakuza Path Romance #1
Addicted to Lust
Can a night of passion lead to a happily ever after?
Yakuza captain Hayato’s life is a mess. His boyfriend broke up with him, changed the locks, and kept all his stuff. He can’t crash at his brother’s because his girlfriend is moving in. And just when Hayato thinks things can’t get worse, he accidentally gets blackout drunk and wakes up in the arms of a clingy underling.
Masuo believes he and his boss made a deep connection, but when he’s blown off the next morning, he feels lied to. Assigned to run a failing pachinko parlor, Masuo is determined to turn it around to prove himself to everyone…especially his sexy superior.
When Hayato realizes he’s falling for the young parlor manager, he is more than ready for fun. But as Hayato’s tragic past comes back to haunt him, Masuo wonders if he’s ready to carry all Hayato’s baggage.
Can the unlikely pair learn to accept each other and find their way to happiness even while new challenges arise, or is their love destined to fall like balls through a pachinko machine?
Buy Addicted to Lust to find love in crime today!
Yakuza captain Hayato’s life is a mess. His boyfriend broke up with him, changed the locks, and kept all his stuff. He can’t crash at his brother’s because his girlfriend is moving in. And just when Hayato thinks things can’t get worse, he accidentally gets blackout drunk and wakes up in the arms of a clingy underling.
Masuo believes he and his boss made a deep connection, but when he’s blown off the next morning, he feels lied to. Assigned to run a failing pachinko parlor, Masuo is determined to turn it around to prove himself to everyone…especially his sexy superior.
When Hayato realizes he’s falling for the young parlor manager, he is more than ready for fun. But as Hayato’s tragic past comes back to haunt him, Masuo wonders if he’s ready to carry all Hayato’s baggage.
Can the unlikely pair learn to accept each other and find their way to happiness even while new challenges arise, or is their love destined to fall like balls through a pachinko machine?
Buy Addicted to Lust to find love in crime today!
- GenresM M RomanceLGBTRomance
206 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2020
5 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Amy Tasukada
17 books82 followersInternational best-selling author Amy Tasukada writes thrilling times of crime, love, and gore. Readers who crave diverse characters, unique settings, and edge-of-your-seat action will devour her Yakuza Path series. Readers who seek less blood and more love will swoon over the Yakuza Path Romance and Would it Be Okay to Love You? Series. Amy is an atheist, queer author who enjoys drinking tea, Japanese street fashion and visual kei music. Her calico cat, O’Hara, is never far from her side. Amy lives in North Texas, but is always planning her next trip to Japan. Amy is also sought-after speaker for her lectures on author newsletters, writing LGBT+ characters, and cultural proficiency, diversity, and inclusion.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 1, 2021
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
This book was unexpectedly tender, with so many issues for Hayato and Masuo to experience and express. They have a superior/underling professional relationship, but also a sexual tension that pervades their connection. Wild and outwardly fearless, Hayato is surprisingly vulnerable, with his fear of being alone and his struggle to accept love from anyone. His learned manipulation and ruthlessness barely mask how he’s crumbling on the inside, drinking away his sorrow and fear, setting himself up to be miserable in order to not burden Subaru. Masuo is a young man with a huge heart. He became yakuza because one saved his life as a child, and he considers it valorous to protect and defend one’s land and people.
Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
4 stars
This book was unexpectedly tender, with so many issues for Hayato and Masuo to experience and express. They have a superior/underling professional relationship, but also a sexual tension that pervades their connection. Wild and outwardly fearless, Hayato is surprisingly vulnerable, with his fear of being alone and his struggle to accept love from anyone. His learned manipulation and ruthlessness barely mask how he’s crumbling on the inside, drinking away his sorrow and fear, setting himself up to be miserable in order to not burden Subaru. Masuo is a young man with a huge heart. He became yakuza because one saved his life as a child, and he considers it valorous to protect and defend one’s land and people.
Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
September 1, 2021
So, I have to say, I really loved this book. For those that have Amy as a new to them author, I would recommend reading the Yakuza Path series first. You don’t have to, as this can be read as a standalone. HOWEVER, you will understand a lot more things like who Endo is and why she is the way she is and who Father Murata is and why he’s made such an impact on the yakuza. Just little details that make things a little easier to understand.
Having read the other series first, for me it was like coming home. New characters have arisen and are growing in the family. Father Murata has clearly taken good control of the reins and it’s become a great story. I will admit, I REALLY wanted to punch Hayato at first. Even the encounter in the bedroom after their one night stand….he was such an a**. And there was no need to be. But when he finds out who he’s going to ‘babysitting’, it becomes worse and it’s not at all Masuo has to feel the brunt of Hayato’s wrath because of Hayato’s own insecurities and issues. If he would just take 5 minutes out of his time of being a punk, he would realize Masuo has issues of his own but really wants to at least be a friend to Hayato. Something they both really need because of their pasts.
I really loved that these two were so relatable. Often in the yakuza, no one lets their guard down or tells anyone much of anything about themselves because it makes them vulnerable. One thing I love that Father Murata has obviously changed. It’s become a different family because of him. Sure, you still have to keep things close to the vest in some cases. There are still traitors in the midst and you never quite know who you can fully trust. Plus some of the bosses are still very old school and you don’t want to cross them. No matter how much Father Murata may have changed things, some still think they know better. But these two, despite their beginning and despite the ups and downs in their relationship, they became friends. They became relatable people that you felt you could just sit and have tea or something with. And after the other series, I love that.
I think this is going to be the start of another good series. I hope so anyway. I loved the other Yakuza series and I’m hoping this will be just as good.
Having read the other series first, for me it was like coming home. New characters have arisen and are growing in the family. Father Murata has clearly taken good control of the reins and it’s become a great story. I will admit, I REALLY wanted to punch Hayato at first. Even the encounter in the bedroom after their one night stand….he was such an a**. And there was no need to be. But when he finds out who he’s going to ‘babysitting’, it becomes worse and it’s not at all Masuo has to feel the brunt of Hayato’s wrath because of Hayato’s own insecurities and issues. If he would just take 5 minutes out of his time of being a punk, he would realize Masuo has issues of his own but really wants to at least be a friend to Hayato. Something they both really need because of their pasts.
I really loved that these two were so relatable. Often in the yakuza, no one lets their guard down or tells anyone much of anything about themselves because it makes them vulnerable. One thing I love that Father Murata has obviously changed. It’s become a different family because of him. Sure, you still have to keep things close to the vest in some cases. There are still traitors in the midst and you never quite know who you can fully trust. Plus some of the bosses are still very old school and you don’t want to cross them. No matter how much Father Murata may have changed things, some still think they know better. But these two, despite their beginning and despite the ups and downs in their relationship, they became friends. They became relatable people that you felt you could just sit and have tea or something with. And after the other series, I love that.
I think this is going to be the start of another good series. I hope so anyway. I loved the other Yakuza series and I’m hoping this will be just as good.
August 31, 2021
If you’d asked me at the beginning of the novel if I liked Hayato, I would have said no-- he’s cruel to Masuo and obsessed with himself. If you asked me at the halfway point I would have said maybe--Hayato’s self-absorbed, definitely, but it’s only because he’s trying so hard and so intensely to survive that he has little room for anything, or anyone, else. If you asked me at the end I would say-- yes, who wouldn’t: he can be a bit entitled but there’s a sweetness and a wanting to change, and be better, that’s incredibly endearing. So much of this story felt like an opportunity to watch Hayato grow: as a romantic partner, sure, and Masuo is lovely, but also, and more importantly, as a person. Being a good boyfriend is light-years out of his wheelhouse at first, and while his motivations for getting better are selfish in the beginning, he comes to care for Masuo and to want, genuinely, to do the right thing for him. In the process, he learns to do the right thing for himself: to share his burdens as well as pick up those belonging to others. There’s a sweetness at the core of this story that I might not necessarily have expected but ended up really enjoying, and I’d recommend it to anyone who wants a story that’s full of complicated characters, kind gestures, a fair amount of heat, and plenty of personal growth on the way to an HEA.
*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 9, 2021
Addicted to Lust by Amy Tasukada takes us into the brutal crime world of the yakuza, while also delivering on a heartfelt romance.
Hayato is an absolute mess in this book. He's supposed to be a higher ranking captain and he has to keep up that charade, while also dealing with a breakup and having to face living alone for the first time. His mental health struggles are so well explored here, and I loved being able to read about his backstory to add an extra layer of character. The one-night stand with Masuo is more self-destructive than anything, and the way the author turned it into something they both took different lessons from was really well done.
Masuo is the sweet cinnamon roll in the relationship, and his need to help everyone all the time is both endearing and exasperating. The two of them are so opposite of each other, with Hayato being more self-involved and overall selfish and Masou getting genuine joy from acts of service. The story of how they come together and smooth out each other's rough edges felt genuine and I really enjoyed reading it!
Fantastic book!
Hayato is an absolute mess in this book. He's supposed to be a higher ranking captain and he has to keep up that charade, while also dealing with a breakup and having to face living alone for the first time. His mental health struggles are so well explored here, and I loved being able to read about his backstory to add an extra layer of character. The one-night stand with Masuo is more self-destructive than anything, and the way the author turned it into something they both took different lessons from was really well done.
Masuo is the sweet cinnamon roll in the relationship, and his need to help everyone all the time is both endearing and exasperating. The two of them are so opposite of each other, with Hayato being more self-involved and overall selfish and Masou getting genuine joy from acts of service. The story of how they come together and smooth out each other's rough edges felt genuine and I really enjoyed reading it!
Fantastic book!
September 7, 2021
**ARC Review**
I'm interested in all things dealing with Japan so after reading the blurb I knew I had to give this a try. A gay romance within the yakuza...I was thinking unbelievable. Even the tone in the story was different than what I expected. I like how the story explored mental health issues...Hayato and Masuo had their own issues and it was nice to see they were there for each other. They started off as a hot hookup then their relationship afterwards was rocky...but the more time they spent to get to know each other things started to work out...I love how Masuo...being a young man had (relationship) goals and was willing to stick by them and eventually achieve them with Hayato. Hayato was a struggle for me but I came to love and care for his character. Masuo was good for him...both are good for each other. A very satisfying and happy ending for the guys. This was an real enjoyable read and I'm glad I was given the opportunity to experience it.
I'm interested in all things dealing with Japan so after reading the blurb I knew I had to give this a try. A gay romance within the yakuza...I was thinking unbelievable. Even the tone in the story was different than what I expected. I like how the story explored mental health issues...Hayato and Masuo had their own issues and it was nice to see they were there for each other. They started off as a hot hookup then their relationship afterwards was rocky...but the more time they spent to get to know each other things started to work out...I love how Masuo...being a young man had (relationship) goals and was willing to stick by them and eventually achieve them with Hayato. Hayato was a struggle for me but I came to love and care for his character. Masuo was good for him...both are good for each other. A very satisfying and happy ending for the guys. This was an real enjoyable read and I'm glad I was given the opportunity to experience it.
August 28, 2021
This was a new author for me and it took me a bit to get into the story
NOT the author's fault!
This was a Yakuza story - Organized crime but with a whole different set of terms and rules so it took me a few chapters of looking up definitions and history (because yes that is my personality) to understand and get into the story
When a not so forgettable forgotten hookup (you will see) becomes his underling Hayato finds himself falling for the younger man but when his past and his present collide it may be too much for the much younger Masuo to handle.
A sweet romance that has the perfect balance of humor and angst
Hayato my man took you a bit to find that spine of yours but I am proud of you for facing your fears and for giving yourself the chance you deserved.
Masuo you did yourself proud! I absolutely adore you!
NOT the author's fault!
This was a Yakuza story - Organized crime but with a whole different set of terms and rules so it took me a few chapters of looking up definitions and history (because yes that is my personality) to understand and get into the story
When a not so forgettable forgotten hookup (you will see) becomes his underling Hayato finds himself falling for the younger man but when his past and his present collide it may be too much for the much younger Masuo to handle.
A sweet romance that has the perfect balance of humor and angst
Hayato my man took you a bit to find that spine of yours but I am proud of you for facing your fears and for giving yourself the chance you deserved.
Masuo you did yourself proud! I absolutely adore you!
September 2, 2021
We have a run of mafia romances lately and it's nice to see Amy Tasukada continuing to take us inside the yakuza variant. Here, we have two characters that initially seem unlikely to get an HEA. Hayato is a self-centered jerk at the beginning of the story who uses Masuo and then tries to shove him off into a low level job away from him. Their connection turns out to be too strong, however, and we begin to see Hayato change and develop into a real partner to Masuo. Masuo is no doormat, either. He thinks carefully about what a relationship with Hayato would entail. Unfortunately, when you live life in the world these two do, danger is always just around the corner and they have to make some decisions about what they want to be to each other. Great world building and interesting characters.
September 6, 2021
The blurb sums up the story in a perfect way, so I feel it's pointless that I recount it. Addicted to Lust was a lovely story, with a truly sweet and romantic ending. Admittedly, I didn't particularly like Hayato in the beginning because of the douchey way he treated Masuo. But he grew on me the more I got to know him, after learning the reasons for his behavior and seeing how the tried everything to better himself. Both Hayato and Masuo grew a lot throughout the book and I liked the changes in them.
Although set in the Yakuza Path world, this book was, more than a mafia story, a romance between two men who worked hard to improve themselves and to offer the other their best and all the happiness and love possible. Recommended.
Although set in the Yakuza Path world, this book was, more than a mafia story, a romance between two men who worked hard to improve themselves and to offer the other their best and all the happiness and love possible. Recommended.
August 25, 2021
Can a Yakuza be sweet? Absolutely. Masuo and Hayato are. The way they look after each other is.
I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this. It’s a great story. I found the glimpse into Yakuza culture fascinating. I felt so bad for Hayato, but I was proud of him when he spent the night alone in his apartment. For Masuo too, when he chased down his cheater, even into the elevator.
I guess now I have to go get the other related books!
I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this. It’s a great story. I found the glimpse into Yakuza culture fascinating. I felt so bad for Hayato, but I was proud of him when he spent the night alone in his apartment. For Masuo too, when he chased down his cheater, even into the elevator.
I guess now I have to go get the other related books!
September 2, 2021
I was absolutely intrigued after reading the blurb of this book, and I definitely wasn't disappointed once I dived in. It's hard to really like Hayato at first, but you can't help but feel a little sorry with all the curveballs life has decided to throw at him all at once. Masuo seems so sweet, if at times a little naive. I loved watching them evolve both individually as characters and together. A great story that had me turning pages late into the night.
September 7, 2021
Absolutely loved this so much, it has a unique and refreshing style to it. Full of a rich plot and intriguing characters with the added tones of danger, I was enthralled reading and captivated by the plight of our heroes. Protective and surprising happenings and utterly charming Mc's i look forward to so much more.
September 13, 2021
3.5 stars
Addicted to Lust is the first book in a new series for this author. I always enjoy the scenes this author sets. The Yakuza framework is so different and original from what I typically read that I simply enjoy getting lost in the world Ms. Tasukada creates.
Hayato and Masuo were definitely different than I anticipated, with softer edges and readily apparent vulnerabilities. Though they weren’t quite as hardened as I expected for a Yakuza romance, I enjoyed learning their background and personalities. I also enjoyed the easy, steady romance that built between them. Addicted to Lust is what I’d term a low angst romance, with the main source of conflict being each man working to better themselves and falling for one another along the way. The romance was pretty quiet and mostly sweet, with an even keel that didn’t quite light any fires but still kept my interest over the course of the book. As always, the descriptions and world the author creates was interesting and full of enough depth to transport me to a new locale.
When I first began Addicted to Lust, I didn’t realize this series was billed as a bit milder and more romantic than her other Yakuza-centric stories. Although I was happy there was still a bit of that element engrained in the characters, their actions, and their goals, I have to admit it was a little more sedate than I expected. Even so, Addicted to Lust made for a good read with an original premise and a sweet romance I think many readers will enjoy.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
Addicted to Lust is the first book in a new series for this author. I always enjoy the scenes this author sets. The Yakuza framework is so different and original from what I typically read that I simply enjoy getting lost in the world Ms. Tasukada creates.
Hayato and Masuo were definitely different than I anticipated, with softer edges and readily apparent vulnerabilities. Though they weren’t quite as hardened as I expected for a Yakuza romance, I enjoyed learning their background and personalities. I also enjoyed the easy, steady romance that built between them. Addicted to Lust is what I’d term a low angst romance, with the main source of conflict being each man working to better themselves and falling for one another along the way. The romance was pretty quiet and mostly sweet, with an even keel that didn’t quite light any fires but still kept my interest over the course of the book. As always, the descriptions and world the author creates was interesting and full of enough depth to transport me to a new locale.
When I first began Addicted to Lust, I didn’t realize this series was billed as a bit milder and more romantic than her other Yakuza-centric stories. Although I was happy there was still a bit of that element engrained in the characters, their actions, and their goals, I have to admit it was a little more sedate than I expected. Even so, Addicted to Lust made for a good read with an original premise and a sweet romance I think many readers will enjoy.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
July 9, 2022
I did not expect to enjoy this nearly as much as I did, haha! Yakuza fluff.
November 7, 2024
Around the World Challenge - Japan
Meh. The 30 year old read like a teenager so this wasn't awful, but I can't say that I enjoyed it either. Might check out the rest at some point.
Meh. The 30 year old read like a teenager so this wasn't awful, but I can't say that I enjoyed it either. Might check out the rest at some point.
December 7, 2025
Time reading: 2 hours, 19 minutes
Genre: Romance (?)
Subject(s): A lot of sublime mental health issues
Three words to describe this lecture: Interesting, fast paced & annoying
What was I expecting from Addicted to Lust? An erotica reading
This would be a better reading if it was not for the miscommunication between the two main characters. I would have go till the end to know how both of them overcome the issues each of them faced.
Genre: Romance (?)
Subject(s): A lot of sublime mental health issues
Three words to describe this lecture: Interesting, fast paced & annoying
What was I expecting from Addicted to Lust? An erotica reading
This would be a better reading if it was not for the miscommunication between the two main characters. I would have go till the end to know how both of them overcome the issues each of them faced.
June 29, 2021
This was my first read by Ms Tasukada and I have to say I'm confused, probably because of my lack of understanding this world.
Hayato is a Yakuza Captain who has to keep an eye on Masuo, a young and still rather new member of the Yakuza. Masuo is made manager of a pachinko parlor that has seen better days and is lacking of income. He's determined though to make it a succes.
Hayato and Masuo met before and had a steaming one night together, but because Hayato was drunk he doesn't remember anything of it. They start of as more or less enemies, become kind of friends and along the way Hayato starts to fall for Masuo.
As I said I don't really know how to explain how to feel about this book. Hayato is 30 and Masuo is 20, so one would think that Hayato is the more 'mature' one, but to me he read more as a teenager with the way he was behaving. I understand he had some major issues, but still..
This is just my interpretation and I'm sure other people will love it, but I'm afraid it just isn't my kind of story.
I was kindly given this ARC by MM Romance ARC Club. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Hayato is a Yakuza Captain who has to keep an eye on Masuo, a young and still rather new member of the Yakuza. Masuo is made manager of a pachinko parlor that has seen better days and is lacking of income. He's determined though to make it a succes.
Hayato and Masuo met before and had a steaming one night together, but because Hayato was drunk he doesn't remember anything of it. They start of as more or less enemies, become kind of friends and along the way Hayato starts to fall for Masuo.
As I said I don't really know how to explain how to feel about this book. Hayato is 30 and Masuo is 20, so one would think that Hayato is the more 'mature' one, but to me he read more as a teenager with the way he was behaving. I understand he had some major issues, but still..
This is just my interpretation and I'm sure other people will love it, but I'm afraid it just isn't my kind of story.
I was kindly given this ARC by MM Romance ARC Club. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews