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Criminal Intentions #27
Gently Come Knocking
** Warning: the following description contains heavy spoilers for the ending of Criminal Intentions: Season Two. **
Malcolm Khalaji is one paternity test away from a breakdown.
When a one-night stand from a year ago shows up on his doorstep, she's bringing more than a trip down memory lane — and her little bundle of joy may just be a bundle of trouble if it turns out the baby is actually his.
Especially when he and Seong-Jae are called back to active duty, partnering again with Internal Affairs on the murder of a fellow officer, caught on tape and seemingly cut and dried. But nothing is easy about this case, and what looks simple on the surface hides something deeper. Something that crosses Santiago Vasquez's path.
And Vasquez isn't feeling too cooperative.
Not when Malcolm and Seong-Jae are working another case under the table. Anjulie's asked them to find Daniella Vasquez, living or dead.
But can Malcolm keep his head in the game, as years of buried trauma boil to the surface?
Or will Seong-Jae be left to shoulder this alone, when Malcolm succumbs to old pains?
ABOUT SEASON THREE
It's back home to Baltimore and the BPD for Detectives Malcolm Khalaji and Seong-Jae Yoon — where more waits for them than old friends, new cases, and Swabbie's seasoned goat cheese fries. Working the homicide beat may be a welcome return to normalcy, but there's trouble brewing beneath the surface... in more ways than one.
A string of cop killings whipping the BPD into a frenzy. A city on fire against police violence. A hidden collaboration behind the scenes of Baltimore's underworld. A deadly plot to claim power. And a shattering introduction into Malcolm's personal life, which could break his heart. Malcolm and Seong-Jae have held each other together through thick and thin.
And in our third and final season, we'll discover how strong their bonds truly are.
Malcolm Khalaji is one paternity test away from a breakdown.
When a one-night stand from a year ago shows up on his doorstep, she's bringing more than a trip down memory lane — and her little bundle of joy may just be a bundle of trouble if it turns out the baby is actually his.
Especially when he and Seong-Jae are called back to active duty, partnering again with Internal Affairs on the murder of a fellow officer, caught on tape and seemingly cut and dried. But nothing is easy about this case, and what looks simple on the surface hides something deeper. Something that crosses Santiago Vasquez's path.
And Vasquez isn't feeling too cooperative.
Not when Malcolm and Seong-Jae are working another case under the table. Anjulie's asked them to find Daniella Vasquez, living or dead.
But can Malcolm keep his head in the game, as years of buried trauma boil to the surface?
Or will Seong-Jae be left to shoulder this alone, when Malcolm succumbs to old pains?
ABOUT SEASON THREE
It's back home to Baltimore and the BPD for Detectives Malcolm Khalaji and Seong-Jae Yoon — where more waits for them than old friends, new cases, and Swabbie's seasoned goat cheese fries. Working the homicide beat may be a welcome return to normalcy, but there's trouble brewing beneath the surface... in more ways than one.
A string of cop killings whipping the BPD into a frenzy. A city on fire against police violence. A hidden collaboration behind the scenes of Baltimore's underworld. A deadly plot to claim power. And a shattering introduction into Malcolm's personal life, which could break his heart. Malcolm and Seong-Jae have held each other together through thick and thin.
And in our third and final season, we'll discover how strong their bonds truly are.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 15, 2021
About the author
Cole McCade
51 books1,578 followersSlender. Angry. (Part) Asian.
Yeah, that about sums me up.
Hi. I’m Cole. Xen. Whatever you want to call me; both are true, and both are lies. My pen names are multitudes, my nicknames legion. Tall, bi/queer, introverted author of a brown-ish persuasion made up of various flavors of Black, Asian, and Native American. I’m cuter than Hello Kitty, more bitter than the blackest coffee, and able to trip over cats in a single half-asleep lurch; I’m what happens when a Broody Antihero and a Manic Pixie Dream Boy fight to the death, and someone builds a person from the scraps left behind. Beardless, I look like the uke in every yaoi manga in existence; bearded or not, I sound like Barry White. About half my time is spent as a corporate writer, and the other half riding a train of WTFery that sometimes results in a finished book. Romance, erotica, sci-fi, horror, paranormal; LGBTQIA and cishet; diverse settings and diverse characters from a diverse author.
Sometimes I shout about things on the internet. Usually intersectional feminism and marginalized voices, and whomever’s punching down in those directions today. Sometimes human sociology, the psychology of sex and gender, and my own gender non-conforming arse (he/him, by the way). Sometimes I get really mad at Stephen Hawking and nerd out all over the place about hairy black holes, and believe it or not, that’s not a terrible pun or even worse innuendo.
That’s it. I’m a huge dork. My humor’s so dry it could empty oceans. I’m a native Southerner from the New Orleans area with zero Southern accent; I’m a mess of multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-lingual influences; I have two cats. I wake up at daft hours of the morning to go running. I crochet terrible, lumpy things that never really turn into anything. I’m older than you think I look. I’m much more shy than my fury makes me sound (signifying gods only know what, but probably nothing). Recently I decided, at 36, that I needed to restart my life and move cross-country, so I tossed 75% of my possessions in the trash and randomly trucked it to Seattle. I’m in love with books and music and technology, and they war with each other for dominance and sometimes come together in a beautiful confluence. Most of the physical books I own are strange, obscure, out of print, overseas imports, or any combination of the four. Most of the physical books I used to own were destroyed in Hurricane Katrina, and have been replaced with the infinite library on my Nook. My wallet has a dangerous attraction to anything with pages; it flirts and teases and gives its all, until there’s nothing left but emptiness and ruin.
There will always be things you don’t know, and I won’t tell.
But ask me late at night over live music in a seedy bar, and you might just get an honest answer.
...or you can poke me via:
* Email: blackmagic@blackmagicblues.com
* Twitter: @thisblackmagic
* Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/xen.cole
* Website & Blog: http://www.blackmagicblues.com
* Tumblr: http://thisblackmagic.tumblr.com/
And there's my Xen Sanders SFF / Horror profile:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Yeah, that about sums me up.
Hi. I’m Cole. Xen. Whatever you want to call me; both are true, and both are lies. My pen names are multitudes, my nicknames legion. Tall, bi/queer, introverted author of a brown-ish persuasion made up of various flavors of Black, Asian, and Native American. I’m cuter than Hello Kitty, more bitter than the blackest coffee, and able to trip over cats in a single half-asleep lurch; I’m what happens when a Broody Antihero and a Manic Pixie Dream Boy fight to the death, and someone builds a person from the scraps left behind. Beardless, I look like the uke in every yaoi manga in existence; bearded or not, I sound like Barry White. About half my time is spent as a corporate writer, and the other half riding a train of WTFery that sometimes results in a finished book. Romance, erotica, sci-fi, horror, paranormal; LGBTQIA and cishet; diverse settings and diverse characters from a diverse author.
Sometimes I shout about things on the internet. Usually intersectional feminism and marginalized voices, and whomever’s punching down in those directions today. Sometimes human sociology, the psychology of sex and gender, and my own gender non-conforming arse (he/him, by the way). Sometimes I get really mad at Stephen Hawking and nerd out all over the place about hairy black holes, and believe it or not, that’s not a terrible pun or even worse innuendo.
That’s it. I’m a huge dork. My humor’s so dry it could empty oceans. I’m a native Southerner from the New Orleans area with zero Southern accent; I’m a mess of multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-lingual influences; I have two cats. I wake up at daft hours of the morning to go running. I crochet terrible, lumpy things that never really turn into anything. I’m older than you think I look. I’m much more shy than my fury makes me sound (signifying gods only know what, but probably nothing). Recently I decided, at 36, that I needed to restart my life and move cross-country, so I tossed 75% of my possessions in the trash and randomly trucked it to Seattle. I’m in love with books and music and technology, and they war with each other for dominance and sometimes come together in a beautiful confluence. Most of the physical books I own are strange, obscure, out of print, overseas imports, or any combination of the four. Most of the physical books I used to own were destroyed in Hurricane Katrina, and have been replaced with the infinite library on my Nook. My wallet has a dangerous attraction to anything with pages; it flirts and teases and gives its all, until there’s nothing left but emptiness and ruin.
There will always be things you don’t know, and I won’t tell.
But ask me late at night over live music in a seedy bar, and you might just get an honest answer.
...or you can poke me via:
* Email: blackmagic@blackmagicblues.com
* Twitter: @thisblackmagic
* Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/xen.cole
* Website & Blog: http://www.blackmagicblues.com
* Tumblr: http://thisblackmagic.tumblr.com/
And there's my Xen Sanders SFF / Horror profile:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
July 17, 2021
4.5✨
THEY’RE BAAAAACKKKKKKK. OH MY GOD. I’ve been waiting for season 3 to come out this entire year and I literally shrieked when I started reading this book.
I’m sure my rating does not surprise anyone out there, I’ve never given anything in this series less than 4 stars and I’m hoping this season will be no different.
Cole Mccades writing just sings to me. It’s literally beautiful and lyrical.
“teasing teeth, tandem thrust of tongue and hips until it became a rhythm, a flow, steady and endless and pulling him into its hypnotic sway until he could not help but move with Malcolm, move for Malcolm when the power of Malcolm’s kiss seemed to demand Seong-Jae’s every response to each deep plunge, to each caress of callused fingertips against the lines of his chest, the rises of his aching, painfully sensitive nipples.”
“throwing his head back, practically inviting the rough claim of teeth in his throat, baring himself to the wild animal Malcolm could be and letting his voice rise high as those hard, wondrous crescents of pain sank in over his pulse. “
“Malcolm unzipped his jeans—every tooth on the zipper popping apart with a grating noise that made Seong-Jae’s heart jolt with anticipation as denim parted in an alluring V.”
The sex in this really did it for me. I love seeing a rough and almost animalistic side of Malcom.
And I also love how some things never change. That the author kept some of the quirks of season 1. Like Seong-jae’s sulking and his views on George’s diner.
“I am not pretending just to save face, I am calculating just how many of these my body can tolerate before I suffer a coronary,”
“You just don’t want anyone else to have my attention. You’re like a cat. Shove me away all the time, but the second I pay attention to someone else, you’ll claw them to death to get me back.”
“I cannot say, at the moment, that I have any particular defined feelings toward your potential miniature human,” he said, then offered, “She is…very small?”
At this point it’s not even a review, it’s just me fangirling about this book and just giving you guys a reason to PLEASE read this series.
And the baby aspect? Perfectly worked. I think it’s funny because this is probably the first time I’ve ever seen a genuine and honest reaction of a person who realized they’re gonna become a father. All the alpha males that I’ve read about goes from “I cant do this rn. I need time. How did this happen?” To “ I’ll do everything I can. We’re gonna make this work. I’ll protect everyone” in like 2 chapters. I just don’t get how.
Here we see Malcom slowly (because slow is all Cole Mccade could do) come to terms with his situation. He breaks down, especially with his own pasts and triggers with babies. And we see such a beautiful moment between the MC’s
“Malcolm. My love. Sometimes the worst possible thing that can happen, happens because that is simply the way circumstances played out. And it hurts so deeply that we want someone to blame for it, so that we have someone to lash out at—but when there is no one to blame, we turn that blame on ourselves, along with all of that anger, that pain, that desire to punish something. That is what you are doing. Turning that blame on yourself in your grief, punishing yourself when there is no one else available, telling yourself you killed your daughter through your absence”
THEY’RE BAAAAACKKKKKKK. OH MY GOD. I’ve been waiting for season 3 to come out this entire year and I literally shrieked when I started reading this book.
I’m sure my rating does not surprise anyone out there, I’ve never given anything in this series less than 4 stars and I’m hoping this season will be no different.
Cole Mccades writing just sings to me. It’s literally beautiful and lyrical.
“teasing teeth, tandem thrust of tongue and hips until it became a rhythm, a flow, steady and endless and pulling him into its hypnotic sway until he could not help but move with Malcolm, move for Malcolm when the power of Malcolm’s kiss seemed to demand Seong-Jae’s every response to each deep plunge, to each caress of callused fingertips against the lines of his chest, the rises of his aching, painfully sensitive nipples.”
“throwing his head back, practically inviting the rough claim of teeth in his throat, baring himself to the wild animal Malcolm could be and letting his voice rise high as those hard, wondrous crescents of pain sank in over his pulse. “
“Malcolm unzipped his jeans—every tooth on the zipper popping apart with a grating noise that made Seong-Jae’s heart jolt with anticipation as denim parted in an alluring V.”
The sex in this really did it for me. I love seeing a rough and almost animalistic side of Malcom.
And I also love how some things never change. That the author kept some of the quirks of season 1. Like Seong-jae’s sulking and his views on George’s diner.
“I am not pretending just to save face, I am calculating just how many of these my body can tolerate before I suffer a coronary,”
“You just don’t want anyone else to have my attention. You’re like a cat. Shove me away all the time, but the second I pay attention to someone else, you’ll claw them to death to get me back.”
“I cannot say, at the moment, that I have any particular defined feelings toward your potential miniature human,” he said, then offered, “She is…very small?”
At this point it’s not even a review, it’s just me fangirling about this book and just giving you guys a reason to PLEASE read this series.
And the baby aspect? Perfectly worked. I think it’s funny because this is probably the first time I’ve ever seen a genuine and honest reaction of a person who realized they’re gonna become a father. All the alpha males that I’ve read about goes from “I cant do this rn. I need time. How did this happen?” To “ I’ll do everything I can. We’re gonna make this work. I’ll protect everyone” in like 2 chapters. I just don’t get how.
Here we see Malcom slowly (because slow is all Cole Mccade could do) come to terms with his situation. He breaks down, especially with his own pasts and triggers with babies. And we see such a beautiful moment between the MC’s
“Malcolm. My love. Sometimes the worst possible thing that can happen, happens because that is simply the way circumstances played out. And it hurts so deeply that we want someone to blame for it, so that we have someone to lash out at—but when there is no one to blame, we turn that blame on ourselves, along with all of that anger, that pain, that desire to punish something. That is what you are doing. Turning that blame on yourself in your grief, punishing yourself when there is no one else available, telling yourself you killed your daughter through your absence”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2021
Oh baby jesus what a ride. I'm still trying to calm all the emotions that came out of me while reading this, my favorite character is Malcolm, I have been vocal about it, so when he's so lost and confused I don't know what to do with myself. 🤧🤧😰
I'll just go with some of my thoughts because I can't deal with something else right now.
"He couldn’t stop the sobs"
I still can't deal with this breakdown. It still makes me wanna cry. 🤧🤧
"And then Seong-Jae was there".
Yes he was! Stupid wolf!! I don't understand how you thought he wouldn't!! Idiot!!! *gives him kisses anyways*
"The others just looked uncomfortable and sullen, including the three women on her team, who had all positioned themselves strategically close to each other while subtly leaning away from the men sprawled out in their chairs with their knees wide enough to take up as much space as possible".
I should be a lesbian, why aren't I? Man are assholes!
"bruja-cursed"
That shit is serious dude, SERIOUS!!!
"I can’t…if y-you…if you hate me now, I—”
God this broke me, no Mal no! Don't be sorry Jesus! *grabs a bottle of whiskey*
"Could he be with a man changing and growing into someone different under the pressures of being a single father?"
This is one of the reasons I love Malcolm, he wouldn't have asked himself that, he wouldn't have needed to. But I understand how Seong Jae's mind works and I understand he had to ask and I love him for his answer. Still, Mal is my honey pie sugar plum! 😍😍
"I killed her,”
God no you didn't, no you didn't, NO YOU DIDN'T!! 😭😭😭🤧😭😭😭
"And Seong-Jae’s eyes stung, until he blinked them rapidly to clear them".
... Seong Jae doesn't cry. He doesn't!!! *sobs like crazy*
"the same thing I felt when I stopped seeing you as an annoying new burden and started seeing you,” Malcolm whispered. “That…if I gave it enough time, if I let myself feel it…this could be love.”
See? Malcolm brakes me and puts me back together. I love this man ugh!!! 🤧🤧
"The alternative was leaving Malcolm".
Who in the fuck would leave that man? He is so, so, so. HIS LOVE HAS NO CONDITIONS, HE'S JUST THEREEEE!!!
"ADELAIDE BLACKTHOR and Cara"
Yehii my gurls are back! With Gage and the awkward flirting *felt totally seen by it btw*
"Swabbie’s"
I missed this place so much and George!! Even with all the shit going on it's good to be home! ❤💛💙💜
"And to the man I want to marry".
I don't know if they will marry because I feel that Seong Jae has no thoughts on the subject, because to me this is it for him, he is committed till the end and a ceremony is not needed in his head for that to be true. Still, it would be nice to read about a wedding. 🤭🤭
"But he hated that that little girl’s name felt like an omen".
I hated that too, when Juliette explained the name I became instantly sad. I understand that the flower was a positive thing in a very bad environment, but still, creepy as hell.
"want to hear that story about the elevators now?” he whispered, throat scratching.
I can hear from here Elisa screaming of excitement to finally have this story. 🤣🤣🤣
"god he could have gone years without sex before his omr and yet now he felt empty all the time until Malcolm took him, filled him, took him over".
That's deep and filthy as hell. Me approves. BTW that was the best sex scene or whut!!! 😏😏
"Married couples do so frequently, once they have children. I believe they call it ‘date night.’”
See? Seong Jae already thinks they are committed 4evar. 🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
“Ever seen 300?” Groaning, Seong-Jae turned his face into Malcolm’s shoulder. “That film was terrible.”
It was not! There were abs for days!!! And Gerald? Fire 🔥🔥🔥
He frowned. “I cannot say, at the moment, that I have any particular defined feelings toward your potential miniature human,” he said, then offered, “She is…very small?”
I have a feeling Seong Jae is gonna be a good dad and he's gonna fall for that girl really quickly. Can't wait! 🤧🤧
"Escobar"
Pablo Escobar is that you? 🤣🤣 That's a basic name, a Latin criminal? Put him Escobar, people will know.
“Mal?” she said, and something in her voice, in the slow way she spoke, froze his chest into a lump of iron. “You sitting down right now?”
Sit your ass down baby because that little one is yours!!!!! *squeals* For any doubts this was Cole's afterwords:
"So if you want to stop reading at this point, that’s okay. I still appreciate you, but the kid’s here to stay and I don’t have any plans to change the plotline I have outlined for the season".
So yeah, that's his kid and no,
"I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE are probably judging the hell out of Juliette, or think her situation is some kind of backhanded snide".
I don't judge Juliette, there are women that don't have the instincts or the wants and that's totally fine by me. Those women should not have children and I agree. I do think that your rights stop when you are violating other people's rights and leaving that girl in an orphanage is a no no for me. I do understand that Juliette is in a really hard situation, she doesn't have a support system and she doesn't have the instinct, so leaving it with Mal is for the best. 🤷🏻♀️💜
I loved this episode and how Seong Jae was so open so that Mal would know without a shadow of a doubt that Yoon is there for him forever. And Mal? What can I say? I adore his ass and I hope he grows from this one.
Can't wait till July 31 *squeals*
😍❤💛💙💜
... What the fuck am I gonna read after this? Jesus. *faints*
I'll just go with some of my thoughts because I can't deal with something else right now.
"He couldn’t stop the sobs"
I still can't deal with this breakdown. It still makes me wanna cry. 🤧🤧
"And then Seong-Jae was there".
Yes he was! Stupid wolf!! I don't understand how you thought he wouldn't!! Idiot!!! *gives him kisses anyways*
"The others just looked uncomfortable and sullen, including the three women on her team, who had all positioned themselves strategically close to each other while subtly leaning away from the men sprawled out in their chairs with their knees wide enough to take up as much space as possible".
I should be a lesbian, why aren't I? Man are assholes!
"bruja-cursed"
That shit is serious dude, SERIOUS!!!
"I can’t…if y-you…if you hate me now, I—”
God this broke me, no Mal no! Don't be sorry Jesus! *grabs a bottle of whiskey*
"Could he be with a man changing and growing into someone different under the pressures of being a single father?"
This is one of the reasons I love Malcolm, he wouldn't have asked himself that, he wouldn't have needed to. But I understand how Seong Jae's mind works and I understand he had to ask and I love him for his answer. Still, Mal is my honey pie sugar plum! 😍😍
"I killed her,”
God no you didn't, no you didn't, NO YOU DIDN'T!! 😭😭😭🤧😭😭😭
"And Seong-Jae’s eyes stung, until he blinked them rapidly to clear them".
... Seong Jae doesn't cry. He doesn't!!! *sobs like crazy*
"the same thing I felt when I stopped seeing you as an annoying new burden and started seeing you,” Malcolm whispered. “That…if I gave it enough time, if I let myself feel it…this could be love.”
See? Malcolm brakes me and puts me back together. I love this man ugh!!! 🤧🤧
"The alternative was leaving Malcolm".
Who in the fuck would leave that man? He is so, so, so. HIS LOVE HAS NO CONDITIONS, HE'S JUST THEREEEE!!!
"ADELAIDE BLACKTHOR and Cara"
Yehii my gurls are back! With Gage and the awkward flirting *felt totally seen by it btw*
"Swabbie’s"
I missed this place so much and George!! Even with all the shit going on it's good to be home! ❤💛💙💜
"And to the man I want to marry".
I don't know if they will marry because I feel that Seong Jae has no thoughts on the subject, because to me this is it for him, he is committed till the end and a ceremony is not needed in his head for that to be true. Still, it would be nice to read about a wedding. 🤭🤭
"But he hated that that little girl’s name felt like an omen".
I hated that too, when Juliette explained the name I became instantly sad. I understand that the flower was a positive thing in a very bad environment, but still, creepy as hell.
"want to hear that story about the elevators now?” he whispered, throat scratching.
I can hear from here Elisa screaming of excitement to finally have this story. 🤣🤣🤣
"god he could have gone years without sex before his omr and yet now he felt empty all the time until Malcolm took him, filled him, took him over".
That's deep and filthy as hell. Me approves. BTW that was the best sex scene or whut!!! 😏😏
"Married couples do so frequently, once they have children. I believe they call it ‘date night.’”
See? Seong Jae already thinks they are committed 4evar. 🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
“Ever seen 300?” Groaning, Seong-Jae turned his face into Malcolm’s shoulder. “That film was terrible.”
It was not! There were abs for days!!! And Gerald? Fire 🔥🔥🔥
He frowned. “I cannot say, at the moment, that I have any particular defined feelings toward your potential miniature human,” he said, then offered, “She is…very small?”
I have a feeling Seong Jae is gonna be a good dad and he's gonna fall for that girl really quickly. Can't wait! 🤧🤧
"Escobar"
Pablo Escobar is that you? 🤣🤣 That's a basic name, a Latin criminal? Put him Escobar, people will know.
“Mal?” she said, and something in her voice, in the slow way she spoke, froze his chest into a lump of iron. “You sitting down right now?”
Sit your ass down baby because that little one is yours!!!!! *squeals* For any doubts this was Cole's afterwords:
"So if you want to stop reading at this point, that’s okay. I still appreciate you, but the kid’s here to stay and I don’t have any plans to change the plotline I have outlined for the season".
So yeah, that's his kid and no,
"I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE are probably judging the hell out of Juliette, or think her situation is some kind of backhanded snide".
I don't judge Juliette, there are women that don't have the instincts or the wants and that's totally fine by me. Those women should not have children and I agree. I do think that your rights stop when you are violating other people's rights and leaving that girl in an orphanage is a no no for me. I do understand that Juliette is in a really hard situation, she doesn't have a support system and she doesn't have the instinct, so leaving it with Mal is for the best. 🤷🏻♀️💜
I loved this episode and how Seong Jae was so open so that Mal would know without a shadow of a doubt that Yoon is there for him forever. And Mal? What can I say? I adore his ass and I hope he grows from this one.
Can't wait till July 31 *squeals*
😍❤💛💙💜
... What the fuck am I gonna read after this? Jesus. *faints*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2021
A minute of silence because I was not prepared for the level of LOVE and SUPPORT that was going to be between SJ and Mal. 😭❤️
Me every time Malcom cried and suffered:
Me every time it was Mal and SJ's POV:
Me reading how another ex-partner can start working with them on the case:
Malcom asking SJ about the baby and his response:
He frowned. "I cannot say, at the moment, that i have any particular defined feelings toward your potencial miniature human", he said, then offered, "She is... very small?"
🤣🤣❤️
you're the best. never change. 🥰🥰❤️
Cara calling Malcom for the results has me screaming BUT of course Cole left us waiting for the next one.
me:
Anyway, some of my favorite quotes:
"Strong arms around him, long fingers against the back of his neck, drawing him in, coaxing him down. A shoulder to take the weight of his heavy head; a shirt to soak the wash of his bitter tears. A heart beating rough and hard against his own, to remind him of the rhythm he had lost."
" Malcolm. My love." 🤩🤩🥰🥰
"When Seong-Jae had been in rehab, one of the things the counselors had taught him was to identify five things to ground him in the real world; sometimes they said to find one stimulus for each sense, sight and sound and taste and touch and scent.
And so he offered Malcolm himself to ground his old wolf: sight, as he met storm-blue eyes and never wavered, no matter the depth and rawness of the emotions Malcolm betrayed there. Sound, as he whispered Malcolm’s name. Taste and touch, in the gentle, sweet pressure of their lips; in the slightest flicker of tongue to tongue, familiar and perfect in how their lips found their fit from memory without even trying, that way they met and joined without a single hint of space between them. Scent, in how they mingled; in how their breaths flushed together and, as they pressed close, their body heat created chemistry to simmer and meld their scents together."
"Why are you so cute?”
Instant scowl, dark and ferocious and borderline murderous. Seong-Jae bared his teeth in a hiss. “Of all the four-lettered C-words in the English language, you choose the most offensive one possible.”
🤣❤️
Me every time Malcom cried and suffered:
Me every time it was Mal and SJ's POV:
Me reading how another ex-partner can start working with them on the case:
Malcom asking SJ about the baby and his response:
He frowned. "I cannot say, at the moment, that i have any particular defined feelings toward your potencial miniature human", he said, then offered, "She is... very small?"
🤣🤣❤️
you're the best. never change. 🥰🥰❤️
Cara calling Malcom for the results has me screaming BUT of course Cole left us waiting for the next one.
me:
Anyway, some of my favorite quotes:
"Strong arms around him, long fingers against the back of his neck, drawing him in, coaxing him down. A shoulder to take the weight of his heavy head; a shirt to soak the wash of his bitter tears. A heart beating rough and hard against his own, to remind him of the rhythm he had lost."
" Malcolm. My love." 🤩🤩🥰🥰
"When Seong-Jae had been in rehab, one of the things the counselors had taught him was to identify five things to ground him in the real world; sometimes they said to find one stimulus for each sense, sight and sound and taste and touch and scent.
And so he offered Malcolm himself to ground his old wolf: sight, as he met storm-blue eyes and never wavered, no matter the depth and rawness of the emotions Malcolm betrayed there. Sound, as he whispered Malcolm’s name. Taste and touch, in the gentle, sweet pressure of their lips; in the slightest flicker of tongue to tongue, familiar and perfect in how their lips found their fit from memory without even trying, that way they met and joined without a single hint of space between them. Scent, in how they mingled; in how their breaths flushed together and, as they pressed close, their body heat created chemistry to simmer and meld their scents together."
"Why are you so cute?”
Instant scowl, dark and ferocious and borderline murderous. Seong-Jae bared his teeth in a hiss. “Of all the four-lettered C-words in the English language, you choose the most offensive one possible.”
🤣❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2021
i missed these guys SO much!! they can’t catch a break AT ALL though. after all the shit they’ve been through… 🤭 but they’re right back at it again.
it just hurt my heart so deeply to see malcolm in such pain and despair and thinking such things about himself. malcolm is literally the kindest, most selfless man ever and i hate seeing him dealing with this even though i know he’ll get through it all with seong-jae by his side.
malcolm and seong-jae are truly couple goals. they’ve grown so much both individually and as a couple throughout everything.
i love that they communicate so well and feel safe enough to be vulnerable with each other and share their fears and feelings and know that the other person will be there for them no matter what and support them through it all, doesn’t matter how painful, or scary the situation might be. the way they comfort each other, offer affection and understanding so freely truly warms my heart. 🥺
“it would take far more than this to shatter my faith in you and my love for you, malcolm. i do not think there is a force on this earth strong enough.” ♥️
so glad season three is FINALLY starting. i am very curious to see how all of this mess that has been building up for two seasons will turn out!
it just hurt my heart so deeply to see malcolm in such pain and despair and thinking such things about himself. malcolm is literally the kindest, most selfless man ever and i hate seeing him dealing with this even though i know he’ll get through it all with seong-jae by his side.
malcolm and seong-jae are truly couple goals. they’ve grown so much both individually and as a couple throughout everything.
i love that they communicate so well and feel safe enough to be vulnerable with each other and share their fears and feelings and know that the other person will be there for them no matter what and support them through it all, doesn’t matter how painful, or scary the situation might be. the way they comfort each other, offer affection and understanding so freely truly warms my heart. 🥺
“it would take far more than this to shatter my faith in you and my love for you, malcolm. i do not think there is a force on this earth strong enough.” ♥️
so glad season three is FINALLY starting. i am very curious to see how all of this mess that has been building up for two seasons will turn out!
![Profile Image for moonlight ☾ [semi-hiatus].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1779381768i/37448930._UX200_CR0,0,200,200_.jpg)
March 1, 2022
I want you for every flaw within you, Seong-Jae told Malcolm with his lips, with his fingers sliding over Malcolm's neck. You are beautiful for your flaws as much as for the strength in your endless heart.
I MISSED MAL AND SEONG-JAE SO MUCH!! 🥺🥺
me @ them:
i was originally going to wait until s3 is complete before starting this bc i didn't wanna suffer waiting between releases but after episode three's recent release and seeing it all over my feed, i decided fuck it and just catch up bc i can't resist anything Mal and Seong-Jae. 😩
what i loved about the start of this season is how we see Seong-Jae being Mal's anchor this time around. during the first two seasons (especially s2), it was the opposite and i love how you can clearly see how much these two love each other with the way they just care and... simply be there for one another. i've said it before, and i'll say it a million more times: Mal and Seong-Jae are the definition of soulmates and you can't convince me otherwise. 🥰
as for the case itself, i have to admit this is another mystery where i found myself invested in what was happening and intrigued to know who's behind all this. i swear, if .
I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE MAL AND SEONG-JAE .
I MISSED MAL AND SEONG-JAE SO MUCH!! 🥺🥺
me @ them:
i was originally going to wait until s3 is complete before starting this bc i didn't wanna suffer waiting between releases but after episode three's recent release and seeing it all over my feed, i decided fuck it and just catch up bc i can't resist anything Mal and Seong-Jae. 😩
what i loved about the start of this season is how we see Seong-Jae being Mal's anchor this time around. during the first two seasons (especially s2), it was the opposite and i love how you can clearly see how much these two love each other with the way they just care and... simply be there for one another. i've said it before, and i'll say it a million more times: Mal and Seong-Jae are the definition of soulmates and you can't convince me otherwise. 🥰
as for the case itself, i have to admit this is another mystery where i found myself invested in what was happening and intrigued to know who's behind all this. i swear, if .
I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE MAL AND SEONG-JAE .
July 17, 2021
When I was already crying less than five minutes into this book, I pretty much knew how this was going to go. And whoooo, was I right. 😭😭💔
If you've followed this series for 27 books now, you know what the single most devastating thing to happen in Mal's life was. Which he *completely unfairly* blames himself for, and has never recovered from. He just shoves it down deep and doesn't think about it, or talk about it, so that he can get on with his life. Kind of like Seong-Jae did, until Mal helped him out of his own personal darkness. Then at the end of the last book, Mal's worst pain in living form knocks on his door and devastates him all over again.
I wanted to be mad at this. I was mad. I was Seong-Jae, all cat-spitting fury and suspicion. *sigh* But that level of anger was too hard to maintain, especially with Mal's constant agony and uncertainty wearing me down. The bright spot in all this dark, as it always is for me, was how Seong-Jae was there for Malcolm, the way that they always are for each other, no matter what. The place that they are with each other now is almost unfathomable, when you look at where they started.
And my God, how Seong-Jae has grown with Mal. He was Malcolm's literal rock here, holding him up all the way. And I loved that Seong-Jae didn't just blindly state that he would be there through all of this, no matter what Mal decides in the end *though, like Seong-Jae, of course we know what Mal will do, because that heart ❤️🔥*. Seong-Jae actually gave that the consideration it deserved, and came to the only conclusion there really could be. And also one of my very favorite things about these guys, unquestionably unparalleled in fiction *for me* is the damn intimacy between them. Yes, there is utterly molten hot sex in their pages but it's the true and palpable intimacy that comes through so clearly that always makes me feel like I should look away. Every time I think it can't get deeper, they go to another level. *swoon* It absolutely cannot be overstated just how much I love them both.
In addition to all the chaos going on in Mal's private life, he & Seong-Jae get booted back to duty by Anjulie, to help her work on not one but TWO sticky complicated cases, one of those off the record, connected to what happened to Gabi in the last book. This a is timely and much needed distraction for our guys, but I'm genuinely nervous for this one. Because it looks like someone is trying to start up a war between the local drug operation and the cops. Cops are being murdered and the finger is being pointed in the direction of Huang's operation. But it's looking more and more like the greatest danger to Mal and Seong-Jae *and Anji* in this case are from other cops, and worse, their own department.
We get a light moment with Sten, Adelaide and Gage Lombardi *who is too cute for words* and it was so needed! *STEN FOREVER, I LOVE HER SO MUCH 😂😂😂😍* But honestly, they just give me more to worry about. I'm very much afraid that this season, everybody is going to be in danger.
I read Cole's Q&A, which as always, offers a lot of insight into what he intends or his reasons *sometimes* for doing what he does. This is one of the things that I really love about him as an author, that he takes the time to do this. But this time, I read something that made me go 😳
I have no bloody idea what's going to come next, either on the work front or the personal one. But I can pretty much bet that Mal & Seong-Jae won't be the only one needing therapy before it's over. And it will be unconditionally worth it! 🥰
If you've followed this series for 27 books now, you know what the single most devastating thing to happen in Mal's life was. Which he *completely unfairly* blames himself for, and has never recovered from. He just shoves it down deep and doesn't think about it, or talk about it, so that he can get on with his life. Kind of like Seong-Jae did, until Mal helped him out of his own personal darkness. Then at the end of the last book, Mal's worst pain in living form knocks on his door and devastates him all over again.
I wanted to be mad at this. I was mad. I was Seong-Jae, all cat-spitting fury and suspicion. *sigh* But that level of anger was too hard to maintain, especially with Mal's constant agony and uncertainty wearing me down. The bright spot in all this dark, as it always is for me, was how Seong-Jae was there for Malcolm, the way that they always are for each other, no matter what. The place that they are with each other now is almost unfathomable, when you look at where they started.
And my God, how Seong-Jae has grown with Mal. He was Malcolm's literal rock here, holding him up all the way. And I loved that Seong-Jae didn't just blindly state that he would be there through all of this, no matter what Mal decides in the end *though, like Seong-Jae, of course we know what Mal will do, because that heart ❤️🔥*. Seong-Jae actually gave that the consideration it deserved, and came to the only conclusion there really could be. And also one of my very favorite things about these guys, unquestionably unparalleled in fiction *for me* is the damn intimacy between them. Yes, there is utterly molten hot sex in their pages but it's the true and palpable intimacy that comes through so clearly that always makes me feel like I should look away. Every time I think it can't get deeper, they go to another level. *swoon* It absolutely cannot be overstated just how much I love them both.
In addition to all the chaos going on in Mal's private life, he & Seong-Jae get booted back to duty by Anjulie, to help her work on not one but TWO sticky complicated cases, one of those off the record, connected to what happened to Gabi in the last book. This a is timely and much needed distraction for our guys, but I'm genuinely nervous for this one. Because it looks like someone is trying to start up a war between the local drug operation and the cops. Cops are being murdered and the finger is being pointed in the direction of Huang's operation. But it's looking more and more like the greatest danger to Mal and Seong-Jae *and Anji* in this case are from other cops, and worse, their own department.
We get a light moment with Sten, Adelaide and Gage Lombardi *who is too cute for words* and it was so needed! *STEN FOREVER, I LOVE HER SO MUCH 😂😂😂😍* But honestly, they just give me more to worry about. I'm very much afraid that this season, everybody is going to be in danger.
I read Cole's Q&A, which as always, offers a lot of insight into what he intends or his reasons *sometimes* for doing what he does. This is one of the things that I really love about him as an author, that he takes the time to do this. But this time, I read something that made me go 😳
I have no bloody idea what's going to come next, either on the work front or the personal one. But I can pretty much bet that Mal & Seong-Jae won't be the only one needing therapy before it's over. And it will be unconditionally worth it! 🥰
July 16, 2021
4.2 stars ⭐️ WELCOME BACK, BABIES!! I've missed you so fucking much. Mal and Seong-Jae kick things off with two cases. We were a bit skeptical about the things which left off in the last season. But I think we cannot only dwell on the surprise baby scenario when there are a few problems that fell onto their laps are already haunting Malcolm and Seong-Jae.
Malcolm was an utter mess after hearing what the mistake he had done in the past. The baby, Chrisanthe. He was so scared to even admit to himself that the baby was real, On top of everything he worried about Seon-Jae and their relationship. But Seong-Jae, on the other hand, didn't want to leave Malcolm alone. He wanted to be there for Malcolm as Malcolm did for Seong-Jae when he was fighting against Sila. Together Malcolm and Seong-Jae stepped into every difficulty and started to fight against them.
“he held Malcolm so very close, in which he never stopped stroking his hair, never stopped pressing his lips to Malcolm’s crown again and again, giving Malcolm contact where Seong-Jae did not have the capacity for speech"
"… Malcolm. My love. Sometimes the worst possible thing that can happen, happens because that is simply the way circumstances played out.
I loved how Seon-Jae was there to hold Malcolm as tight as possible he could like he never wanted to let go Malcolm in the first place.
“Just remember,” Seong-Jae said, and lifted their clasped hands to press his lips to Malcolm’s knuckles. “When you feel trapped… I am here to pull you out.”
“I want you for every flaw within you, Seong-Jae told Malcolm with his lips, with his fingers sliding over Malcolm’s neck. You are beautiful for your flaws as much as for the strength in your endless heart.”
Yet the episode ended with several cliffhangers. We don't know if the baby belongs to Malcolm or not? and then there is Malcolm’s former partner, Reinhardt. The murderer of Blake and the case of Daniella Vasquez are still in the dark.
I love Seong-Jae and Malcolm so much. Hold on, tight babies! You are doing so well! My heart aches when I remember that I have to wait for a full month to read the second episode. It even hurts when I came to know that this season is going to be the last season of CI Cole writes, and there is no more Malcolm and Seong-Jae 😭😭😭😭
Malcolm was an utter mess after hearing what the mistake he had done in the past. The baby, Chrisanthe. He was so scared to even admit to himself that the baby was real, On top of everything he worried about Seon-Jae and their relationship. But Seong-Jae, on the other hand, didn't want to leave Malcolm alone. He wanted to be there for Malcolm as Malcolm did for Seong-Jae when he was fighting against Sila. Together Malcolm and Seong-Jae stepped into every difficulty and started to fight against them.
“he held Malcolm so very close, in which he never stopped stroking his hair, never stopped pressing his lips to Malcolm’s crown again and again, giving Malcolm contact where Seong-Jae did not have the capacity for speech"
"… Malcolm. My love. Sometimes the worst possible thing that can happen, happens because that is simply the way circumstances played out.
I loved how Seon-Jae was there to hold Malcolm as tight as possible he could like he never wanted to let go Malcolm in the first place.
“Just remember,” Seong-Jae said, and lifted their clasped hands to press his lips to Malcolm’s knuckles. “When you feel trapped… I am here to pull you out.”
“I want you for every flaw within you, Seong-Jae told Malcolm with his lips, with his fingers sliding over Malcolm’s neck. You are beautiful for your flaws as much as for the strength in your endless heart.”
Yet the episode ended with several cliffhangers. We don't know if the baby belongs to Malcolm or not? and then there is Malcolm’s former partner, Reinhardt. The murderer of Blake and the case of Daniella Vasquez are still in the dark.
I love Seong-Jae and Malcolm so much. Hold on, tight babies! You are doing so well! My heart aches when I remember that I have to wait for a full month to read the second episode. It even hurts when I came to know that this season is going to be the last season of CI Cole writes, and there is no more Malcolm and Seong-Jae 😭😭😭😭
July 19, 2021
❤❤❤❤❤ What a return ❤❤❤❤❤
As usual, Malcolm and Seong-Jae were beyond precious. Malcolm really struggled this book, his trauma that he has tried to bury for two seasons is finally hitting him and there's no running away from it this time. It was so sad to see him at war with himself over whether he wants a positive or negative test result. I can't imagine how scary it must feel to have that hope once again only to be afraid that it will be ripped away from you for a second time. Cole did a magnificent job captivating Malcolm's pain and Seong-Jae's worry.
The corruption at the BPD was revolting to read, it made me so mad. I really hope that when justice is served against Matheson, that all the dirty cops on his payroll get what's coming for them too (I'm looking at you Danford 😡).
I'm so excited to see how this season turns out! The wait between finishing season 2 and this book being released was TORTURE. I don't know how I'm going to survive the constant wait for each book.. * Me not-so-patiently waiting for book 2🙇🏻♀️*
As usual, Malcolm and Seong-Jae were beyond precious. Malcolm really struggled this book, his trauma that he has tried to bury for two seasons is finally hitting him and there's no running away from it this time. It was so sad to see him at war with himself over whether he wants a positive or negative test result. I can't imagine how scary it must feel to have that hope once again only to be afraid that it will be ripped away from you for a second time. Cole did a magnificent job captivating Malcolm's pain and Seong-Jae's worry.
The corruption at the BPD was revolting to read, it made me so mad. I really hope that when justice is served against Matheson, that all the dirty cops on his payroll get what's coming for them too (I'm looking at you Danford 😡).
I'm so excited to see how this season turns out! The wait between finishing season 2 and this book being released was TORTURE. I don't know how I'm going to survive the constant wait for each book.. * Me not-so-patiently waiting for book 2🙇🏻♀️*
July 17, 2021
Worth the Wait
An amazing intro. It’s only been a few weeks, but I’ve missed the boys so much. I just love how Cole has set the wheels in motion for what promises to be an epic season!
An amazing intro. It’s only been a few weeks, but I’ve missed the boys so much. I just love how Cole has set the wheels in motion for what promises to be an epic season!
July 28, 2021
Even with that damn ending this episode was everything I had hoped for and then some! To think I really didn't like Seong-Jae in the early episodes of season 1 and now? Now I absolutely adore him. The way he has grown and blossomed into the perfect person for Mal is just phenomenal. The love and support he's showing and giving to Mal is just swoonworthy.
And now I'm all caught up my only gripe is I have to wait to for the next episode.
And now I'm all caught up my only gripe is I have to wait to for the next episode.
July 24, 2021
Oh Malcolm!
You really know how to tear my heart out!
I’d love to hug the man to bits just now. That is, if I could reach anything to hug, as I’m minute and Malcolm is a giant ... Thank God, he’s got Seong-Jae to do that for me in the swoon-worthiest manner.
And Malcolm needs a lot of holding in this episode. No wonder. His world has turned upside down, and not in the way we might have expected before the cliffhanger at the end of season 2.
The thing that’s hurt him most in his life, something he’s never really fully dealt with, has come back from the past to hit him full force. Out of the blue! And in the most mind-blowing way.
Full of self-doubt and self-criticism, he’s totally thrown off his epic equilibrium. And I wanted to hug him so hard … guess we covered that already … because we all KNOW Malcolm is simple the best man. Kind, caring, loving, responsible, … and the list goes on.
And Seong-Jae who doubted himself and his love for his omr (I still quietly purr, each time that term is used!) for so long, who needed time to sort himself and his issues, is a rock of strength. And I adored it. It is truly awesome to see how far Seong-Jae has come and how he supports his man all the way, how deeply he feels, even if he has very reasonable concerns about the ‘issue’.
Which is not an issue at all, but a tiny little person. Saying no more, but the blurb does ‘give away’ that little secret.
Of course, Cole McCade is letting us simmer to find out what is the truth behind this latest development in Malcolm’s life, but I have a funny feeling we all know the answer. And I simply can’t imagine it. But then again, I can. Sorry if this makes no sense, just wow, at the thought of all the implications!
What will it mean for Mal and Seeing-Jae as a couple? How will it effect their personal and professional life?
Mostly, the first thought that hit me was: if this is all true, it means there is one perfect way to hurt Malcolm. And that his adversaries might just use this to get some advantage.
Because it is clear from the cases our guys are working (things reaching way back to season 1) that the shit is going to hit the fan BIG time. And that nobody might be spared.
Fabulous start to this season.
You really know how to tear my heart out!
I’d love to hug the man to bits just now. That is, if I could reach anything to hug, as I’m minute and Malcolm is a giant ... Thank God, he’s got Seong-Jae to do that for me in the swoon-worthiest manner.
And Malcolm needs a lot of holding in this episode. No wonder. His world has turned upside down, and not in the way we might have expected before the cliffhanger at the end of season 2.
The thing that’s hurt him most in his life, something he’s never really fully dealt with, has come back from the past to hit him full force. Out of the blue! And in the most mind-blowing way.
Full of self-doubt and self-criticism, he’s totally thrown off his epic equilibrium. And I wanted to hug him so hard … guess we covered that already … because we all KNOW Malcolm is simple the best man. Kind, caring, loving, responsible, … and the list goes on.
And Seong-Jae who doubted himself and his love for his omr (I still quietly purr, each time that term is used!) for so long, who needed time to sort himself and his issues, is a rock of strength. And I adored it. It is truly awesome to see how far Seong-Jae has come and how he supports his man all the way, how deeply he feels, even if he has very reasonable concerns about the ‘issue’.
Which is not an issue at all, but a tiny little person. Saying no more, but the blurb does ‘give away’ that little secret.
Of course, Cole McCade is letting us simmer to find out what is the truth behind this latest development in Malcolm’s life, but I have a funny feeling we all know the answer. And I simply can’t imagine it. But then again, I can. Sorry if this makes no sense, just wow, at the thought of all the implications!
What will it mean for Mal and Seeing-Jae as a couple? How will it effect their personal and professional life?
Mostly, the first thought that hit me was: if this is all true, it means there is one perfect way to hurt Malcolm. And that his adversaries might just use this to get some advantage.
Because it is clear from the cases our guys are working (things reaching way back to season 1) that the shit is going to hit the fan BIG time. And that nobody might be spared.
Fabulous start to this season.
June 5, 2022
ᴛʜʀᴇᴇ.➄ ꜱᴛᴀʀꜱ
the final season has come …
there will be many hardships.
𝚝𝚛𝚒𝚊𝚕𝚜
tribulations.
but through it all …
our boys will stand together.
nothing …
and i mean nothing …
✩ will tear them apart ✩
tl;dr:
i love malcolm.
i love seong-jae.
they are perfect.
my main reason for giving gently come knocking three (and some extra) stars is …
well …
burnout.
i binge read season two and i really should have taken a break.
that said ...
i am very excited to see how this season will turn out.
i have some theories so we'll see if i'm right.
also …
let us all collectively give my guy malcolm a hug.
my boy deserves it.
[[ ᴄʀɪᴍɪɴᴀʟ ɪɴᴛᴇɴᴛɪᴏɴꜱ: ꜱɪɪɪ ]]
.
.
.
ɢᴇɴᴛʟʏ ᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴋɴᴏᴄᴋɪɴɢ ~ ᴛʜʀᴇᴇ.➄
ᴀɴᴅ ꜱᴏ ᴡᴇ ꜱᴇᴇ ᴅᴀʀᴋʟʏ ~ ᴄᴜʀʀᴇɴᴛʟʏ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ
ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴀ ʟɪᴏɴ ~ ᴛʙʀ
❝it would take far more than this to shatter my faith in you and my love for you, malcolm. i do not think there is a force on this earth strong enough.❞i- *fan-girl screams* 🥹
the final season has come …
there will be many hardships.
𝚝𝚛𝚒𝚊𝚕𝚜
tribulations.
but through it all …
our boys will stand together.
nothing …
and i mean nothing …
✩ will tear them apart ✩
i am sorta ..
kinda ...not really
ready for what's to come ♥
tl;dr:
i love malcolm.
i love seong-jae.
they are perfect.
my main reason for giving gently come knocking three (and some extra) stars is …
well …
burnout.
i binge read season two and i really should have taken a break.
that said ...
i am very excited to see how this season will turn out.
i have some theories so we'll see if i'm right.
also …
let us all collectively give my guy malcolm a hug.
my boy deserves it.
❝this is why you’re the smart one.❞
❝and yet i defer to you so often. seniority before intelligence, i suppose.❞
❝…you really are the worst asshole, and i love you for it.❞ malcolm unlocked the doors.
[[ ᴄʀɪᴍɪɴᴀʟ ɪɴᴛᴇɴᴛɪᴏɴꜱ: ꜱɪɪɪ ]]
.
.
.
ɢᴇɴᴛʟʏ ᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴋɴᴏᴄᴋɪɴɢ ~ ᴛʜʀᴇᴇ.➄
ᴀɴᴅ ꜱᴏ ᴡᴇ ꜱᴇᴇ ᴅᴀʀᴋʟʏ ~ ᴄᴜʀʀᴇɴᴛʟʏ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ
ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴀ ʟɪᴏɴ ~ ᴛʙʀ
January 25, 2025
Endless stars for Malcom Khalaji and Seong-Jae Yoon 🖤
Perfectly imperfect! I wish I had words like Cole to describe how much I love them, this series, these feelings I get. Damn I’m really speechless….
Malcolm’s slow, pleasured sigh lingered, sensuous, his eyes lidding. “Nnh…just like that. When my cock is inside you, I feel you everywhere. This pleasure that takes root at the deepest core of my being, and I can’t do anything but surrender to it. And sometimes…” He shuddered, untamed strength rippling over his broad, hard-hewn frame, drawing tanned skin tight over thickly built muscle. “Sometimes, I want to stay there. Just like this. Locked inside you.” He bent over Seong-Jae, then, nudging his hand aside to brush lips to lips, a shock-fire tease as he whispered against Seong-Jae’s mouth. “The intimacy’s so much I can’t stand it…but I don’t want to stop.”
Perfectly imperfect! I wish I had words like Cole to describe how much I love them, this series, these feelings I get. Damn I’m really speechless….
Malcolm’s slow, pleasured sigh lingered, sensuous, his eyes lidding. “Nnh…just like that. When my cock is inside you, I feel you everywhere. This pleasure that takes root at the deepest core of my being, and I can’t do anything but surrender to it. And sometimes…” He shuddered, untamed strength rippling over his broad, hard-hewn frame, drawing tanned skin tight over thickly built muscle. “Sometimes, I want to stay there. Just like this. Locked inside you.” He bent over Seong-Jae, then, nudging his hand aside to brush lips to lips, a shock-fire tease as he whispered against Seong-Jae’s mouth. “The intimacy’s so much I can’t stand it…but I don’t want to stop.”
July 15, 2021
My goodness I f**king hate cliffhangers 😫. I’ve consumed too much chocolate and I’m on a sugar high all because season 3 just started with just too many emotional rollercoasters, I laughed, yelled, cussed, cried and gone too quiet and then back to yelling 😱“ there’s some bullshit here and I want to find out where that smell’s coming from.” 😂 you have to respect Anjulie’s balls that’s all I have to say.
Mr Cole McCade you’ve ruined me for other books now 😅in fact you had me from season 1.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Mr Cole McCade you’ve ruined me for other books now 😅in fact you had me from season 1.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 17, 2021
Reading this series is like coming home. I don't even want to imagine when it's done and we don't get any more Mal and Seong-Jae.
This series, most of the time, masterfully handles focusing on these two and the case they're working on, giving us interesting, even nail biting plots while also keep the characters and romance as top notch.
I also love how this series is able to keep Seong-Jae and Mal together and make it interesting, proving that established relationship *can* be done and done well. That's why I love it so much. Like yes things have been hard for these two, and they've even been on the brink of breaking up. Like yeah, things can be hard, but also they made it through that and are stronger for it. Couples can work through shit and not just break up, and still be *interesting* as all get out.
And now, these two have a whole new challenge to face:
And yes, Mr. McCade kept us in the dark, still, by the end of this on whether Malcolm is . I personally think he totally is and that is some juicy stuff.
Also I really want him and Seong-Jae to be .
Also we got some fuckery on the crime side of things afoot. Mr. McCade isn't pulling any punches. We start of with some *great* tension, but also the stakes are high basically immediately, and shit is going down.
But it is also so great to be back in Baltimore, for these two to be in their home, and to be dealing with more..."normal" bad guys, as in, bad people, but not full on psychopaths like Sila and TGRK were.
Some messed up shit happens in this case, no question, but it's also not....total mindfuck of horribleness that was season 2.
What a way to start off the season, what a way to bring us back to our two boys. Malcolm had some doubts because of what happens, but Seong-Jae was right there to reassure him and be there for him. It's so beautiful that after two seasons of Malcolm being there for Seong-Jae, we get to see Seong-Jae be there for Malcolm, in every way.
And I think it needed to happen this way. I think Seong-Jae just wasn't in a place before they met to be there in the right way for Malcolm, but now he's worked through a lot of his own trauma and such, and can be there for Malcolm in the right way now. It's perfect. These two are perfect.
Their chemistry never fails to amaze me, to make me feel such love for these two characters and their relationship. They can take on anything the world throws at them, as long as they're together.
(And yeah, I had a teeny tiny niggle with one small thing Malcolm said, but it was that small thing and everything was just amazing, so I'm not gonna count that against anything. This was still an amazing 5 star read. Still wish Malcolm hadn't called a full, grown adult woman of 26 - now 27 in the present - a "barely legal girl" that'll just keep bothering me for a bit. Butttt I can get over it to enjoy just how amazing everything else is.)
What a wonderful "premiere" as it were. HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommended, you have to read this if you've caught up with the first two seasons. I can't wait for more, I'm so excited for this season - but also kind want it to be drawn out a bit because I don't want to say goodbye to faves Mal and Seong-Jae
😭
Two MASSIVE thumbs up from me. Just...amazing! Keep 'em coming!💕💕💕
This series, most of the time, masterfully handles focusing on these two and the case they're working on, giving us interesting, even nail biting plots while also keep the characters and romance as top notch.
I also love how this series is able to keep Seong-Jae and Mal together and make it interesting, proving that established relationship *can* be done and done well. That's why I love it so much. Like yes things have been hard for these two, and they've even been on the brink of breaking up. Like yeah, things can be hard, but also they made it through that and are stronger for it. Couples can work through shit and not just break up, and still be *interesting* as all get out.
And now, these two have a whole new challenge to face:
And yes, Mr. McCade kept us in the dark, still, by the end of this on whether Malcolm is . I personally think he totally is and that is some juicy stuff.
Also I really want him and Seong-Jae to be .
Also we got some fuckery on the crime side of things afoot. Mr. McCade isn't pulling any punches. We start of with some *great* tension, but also the stakes are high basically immediately, and shit is going down.
But it is also so great to be back in Baltimore, for these two to be in their home, and to be dealing with more..."normal" bad guys, as in, bad people, but not full on psychopaths like Sila and TGRK were.
Some messed up shit happens in this case, no question, but it's also not....total mindfuck of horribleness that was season 2.
What a way to start off the season, what a way to bring us back to our two boys. Malcolm had some doubts because of what happens, but Seong-Jae was right there to reassure him and be there for him. It's so beautiful that after two seasons of Malcolm being there for Seong-Jae, we get to see Seong-Jae be there for Malcolm, in every way.
And I think it needed to happen this way. I think Seong-Jae just wasn't in a place before they met to be there in the right way for Malcolm, but now he's worked through a lot of his own trauma and such, and can be there for Malcolm in the right way now. It's perfect. These two are perfect.
Their chemistry never fails to amaze me, to make me feel such love for these two characters and their relationship. They can take on anything the world throws at them, as long as they're together.
(And yeah, I had a teeny tiny niggle with one small thing Malcolm said, but it was that small thing and everything was just amazing, so I'm not gonna count that against anything. This was still an amazing 5 star read. Still wish Malcolm hadn't called a full, grown adult woman of 26 - now 27 in the present - a "barely legal girl" that'll just keep bothering me for a bit. Butttt I can get over it to enjoy just how amazing everything else is.)
What a wonderful "premiere" as it were. HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommended, you have to read this if you've caught up with the first two seasons. I can't wait for more, I'm so excited for this season - but also kind want it to be drawn out a bit because I don't want to say goodbye to faves Mal and Seong-Jae
😭
Two MASSIVE thumbs up from me. Just...amazing! Keep 'em coming!💕💕💕
September 20, 2021
I know I’d said that I was waiting for the season to be published so I can binge read it and avoid cliffhangers… but I’ve missed this series so badly, I
needed a hit
. When I read how SJ signed a lullaby to Mal, I wanted to cry of happiness. How can I not miss them? They are so beautiful!! Guess I’m joining the club of suffering the waiting...
“It would take far more than this to shatter my faith in you and my love for you, Malcolm. I do not think there is a force on earth strong enough.”
I’m not going to say anything about the plot, because I’ll spoil S2 if I do, but it felt great to meet the side characters again. Cara is as rude and blunt as always. I’ll never get tired of her.
(The scene where Mal told her “the news”:)
“Are you angry at me?”
“...no, I’m trying really fucking hard not to laugh in your face when you’re a goddamned mess, but this is more entertaining than reality TV. (*spoiler deleted*) Don’t look at me like that,” she said innocently, and jerked her head at Seong-Jae. “He was thinking it, too.”
“Shut up,” Seong-Jae hissed, his eyes widening with a tinge of panic, he squeezed Malcolm’s hand tighter. “ I do not want to sleep on the sofa tonight.”
“It would take far more than this to shatter my faith in you and my love for you, Malcolm. I do not think there is a force on earth strong enough.”
I’m not going to say anything about the plot, because I’ll spoil S2 if I do, but it felt great to meet the side characters again. Cara is as rude and blunt as always. I’ll never get tired of her.
(The scene where Mal told her “the news”:)
“Are you angry at me?”
“...no, I’m trying really fucking hard not to laugh in your face when you’re a goddamned mess, but this is more entertaining than reality TV. (*spoiler deleted*) Don’t look at me like that,” she said innocently, and jerked her head at Seong-Jae. “He was thinking it, too.”
“Shut up,” Seong-Jae hissed, his eyes widening with a tinge of panic, he squeezed Malcolm’s hand tighter. “ I do not want to sleep on the sofa tonight.”
November 3, 2021
4 Stars
Took an (unwanted) long break from this series due to my move from hell, but I am back again 🥰🥰
I was very anxious to find out what would happen next after that cliffhanger, and I have to say that I'm not at all mad about the direction this series and season is taking. I adore how compassionate and protective Seong-Jae is over Malcolm regarding the new development and I'm excited to see them grow as a couple as they learn to navigate . 🥺❤️
Love these two, and all the side characters, just as much as always 💛
Took an (unwanted) long break from this series due to my move from hell, but I am back again 🥰🥰
I was very anxious to find out what would happen next after that cliffhanger, and I have to say that I'm not at all mad about the direction this series and season is taking. I adore how compassionate and protective Seong-Jae is over Malcolm regarding the new development and I'm excited to see them grow as a couple as they learn to navigate . 🥺❤️
Love these two, and all the side characters, just as much as always 💛
July 31, 2021
I love Mal, I do. I love Cole McCade’s writing too.
But MAN! These guys talk like women on estrogen overload sometimes! Who talks like that???
Anyway, I’ll be reading the rest of this series regardless.
But MAN! These guys talk like women on estrogen overload sometimes! Who talks like that???
Anyway, I’ll be reading the rest of this series regardless.
June 6, 2021
😭😭😭😭😭Cliffhanger. I swear I'm going to die of disappointment due to cliffhangers very soon.
That was a promising start to a new season at least. I just hope I end up as shocked as possible 'cause that was some suspense. I need to know about Malcolm's partner and that particular news that apparently shook even Sten, at the end.
That was a promising start to a new season at least. I just hope I end up as shocked as possible 'cause that was some suspense. I need to know about Malcolm's partner and that particular news that apparently shook even Sten, at the end.
August 30, 2022
I’ve finished sulking.
The end of the previous annoyed me so much I’ve been sulking ever since. But I couldn’t sulk forever and I’m so glad I’m back. This book is amazing and I’ve missed these guys so much.
As always the writing is fabulous and there’s so much going on. I struggled to put it down and it’s straight onto the next one now.
The end of the previous annoyed me so much I’ve been sulking ever since. But I couldn’t sulk forever and I’m so glad I’m back. This book is amazing and I’ve missed these guys so much.
As always the writing is fabulous and there’s so much going on. I struggled to put it down and it’s straight onto the next one now.
January 9, 2026
Começando 2026 claro com criminal intentions 😎 Eu sempre achei que Mal deveria ter a chance de ser pai, mesmo que ele próprio ache que não mereça, eu acho que o autor fez isso de forma genial.
September 17, 2022
La noticia de que Malcom podria ser padre, llega en el peor momento posible, cuando tanto Seon-Jae y el se estaban acostumbrando a ser pareja y estaban comenzando a idear un futuro juntos. Pero ahora Malcom tiene que enfrentar uno de sus miedos mas grandes, la perdida de su bebe, para poder enfrentar su posible paternidad y la posibilidad (muy concreta) de criar a un bebe junto con Seon-Jae. Pero primero lo primero, hay que probar que es su bebe, ademas tienen que pasar su examen psicologico.
Mientras tanto en el precinto la capitana AnnJulie esta luchando por mantener a sus policias en orden y evitar el linchamientos de los posibles asesinos de un policia, mientras en casa intenta mantener a Gaby tranquila y centrada, despues de los eventos que tuvo que escuchar. Y ahora solo espera que sus mejores detectives regresen a trabajar para poder tener alguien de confianza dentro de la investigacion.
Esta serie la estaba dejando, esperando que salieran los 12 libros completos, pero al parecer el autor esta pasando algunos problemas con ella porque solo ha liberado 3 de los 12 libros que se espera para esta "temporada". Sin embargo, es una de las mejores series de detectives que he leido, me gustan muchisimo la diversidad de personajes, la cantidad de personas y situaciones reales que presenta el autor y como las prensenta.
Es un libro que se leer facil y rapido, ya que esta lleno de accion, emocion e intriga. Es obligatorio leer los libros anteriores para poder entender la trama y enamorarte de los personajes, pero tambien tienes que tener buena memoria para recordar muchos de los personajes que vimos en los primeros doce libros, porque el autor en ningun momento hace ningun resumen o "hacer-recordar" a sus personajes, asi que me costo un poco hacer memoria sobre algunas de las acciones y/o personajes que se hablaban porque hace un tiempo que termine los otros libros.
Sin embargo, voy a continuar con estos libros esperando que el autor en algun momento (preferiblemente este año) continue la serie y asi no me quedar guindando mucho tiempo.
Mientras tanto en el precinto la capitana AnnJulie esta luchando por mantener a sus policias en orden y evitar el linchamientos de los posibles asesinos de un policia, mientras en casa intenta mantener a Gaby tranquila y centrada, despues de los eventos que tuvo que escuchar. Y ahora solo espera que sus mejores detectives regresen a trabajar para poder tener alguien de confianza dentro de la investigacion.
Esta serie la estaba dejando, esperando que salieran los 12 libros completos, pero al parecer el autor esta pasando algunos problemas con ella porque solo ha liberado 3 de los 12 libros que se espera para esta "temporada". Sin embargo, es una de las mejores series de detectives que he leido, me gustan muchisimo la diversidad de personajes, la cantidad de personas y situaciones reales que presenta el autor y como las prensenta.
Es un libro que se leer facil y rapido, ya que esta lleno de accion, emocion e intriga. Es obligatorio leer los libros anteriores para poder entender la trama y enamorarte de los personajes, pero tambien tienes que tener buena memoria para recordar muchos de los personajes que vimos en los primeros doce libros, porque el autor en ningun momento hace ningun resumen o "hacer-recordar" a sus personajes, asi que me costo un poco hacer memoria sobre algunas de las acciones y/o personajes que se hablaban porque hace un tiempo que termine los otros libros.
Sin embargo, voy a continuar con estos libros esperando que el autor en algun momento (preferiblemente este año) continue la serie y asi no me quedar guindando mucho tiempo.
August 22, 2021
Well that was.. quick. The thing I thought we would have to earn, after season two's big finale, has already kind of resolved itself. And I love McCade for that? Sure, complications are going to exist, there'll be struggle, emotional whatevers, but the concept of it being settled? Love love.
This is a very Malcolm-centric emotional arc, and may be a very Malcolm-centric emotional season for all I know, but I'm pretty here for it at this point. I like the dynamic these two guys have and seeing Yoon step up, be vocal, articulate everything.. yeah, I like.
That therapy montage was hilarious, too. I actually lol'd.
I also like that we are jumping right into the deep end with this corruption stuff even though I can only imagine how ugly and uncomfortable it's going to get. Still waiting for a full Scooby Gang meeting, as I was a little off my game (or maybe a little premature) a few reviews back thinking everyone would gang together to solve.. well, crime. It could still happen though! Once they bring more people into the cone of silence and suspicion.
Once again, a really great start to a new season. Hoping it brings more fours than the last arc did, though!
This is a very Malcolm-centric emotional arc, and may be a very Malcolm-centric emotional season for all I know, but I'm pretty here for it at this point. I like the dynamic these two guys have and seeing Yoon step up, be vocal, articulate everything.. yeah, I like.
That therapy montage was hilarious, too. I actually lol'd.
I also like that we are jumping right into the deep end with this corruption stuff even though I can only imagine how ugly and uncomfortable it's going to get. Still waiting for a full Scooby Gang meeting, as I was a little off my game (or maybe a little premature) a few reviews back thinking everyone would gang together to solve.. well, crime. It could still happen though! Once they bring more people into the cone of silence and suspicion.
Once again, a really great start to a new season. Hoping it brings more fours than the last arc did, though!
July 31, 2021
Okay I’ll just say it. I’m not thrilled with this “little” surprise CM has brought to Mal & SJ’s door. Though it certainly won’t deter me from reading on. I’m curious how it will all play out. CM hasn’t disappointed me yet…..
27 books in and I am still LOVING these two guys. My heart hurts for Malcolm but man oh man does Seong-Jae take even better care of him. ❤
In Gently come Knocking Malcolm and Seong-Jae have return to active duty and Anjulie wastes no time in getting them knee deep in one case that has some men in the BPD acting edgy. The whole situation is making me very nervous. The other case is off the cuff and loops in Gabi. It appears things are about to get even messier than they already are.
What the hell is going on inside the BPD? I mean can Danford be a bigger ASSHOLE? WTF is wrong with that guy? And the shit that is starting to heat up again with Huang’s operation is not good AT ALL!
The ending. UGH!!
July 17, 2021
Soo glad our boys are back! Ugh, and poor Malcolm! McCade was not joking when he said he was going to wreck him. D:
So far I am liking how it is playing out with the baby. However, we shall see how it'll go once she is in the picture more. But I love Seong-Jae's support here and all the loving/reassuring things he says to Malcolm to help keep him together. Not only that type of support, but also the way he makes Malcolm laugh is wonderful. They get each other so well, and I love their banter.
I wasn't really a fan of the flashbacks. They were new and felt off - confusing at first. I can also see how they might be needed, though, and did not detract my enjoyment since there were so few.
Very interested in seeing what happens next, and worried for Carlo! Those officers are trash; exactly who needs to be taken out of the BPD. Waiting for the sweet moment when Matheson is taken down and Anjulie takes his place! She is amazing.
I just... won't get into Juliette besides this: I get it, but talk about cruel. Malcolm should have been involved from the beginning.
And I'll leave y'all with some quotes. <3
"Slowly, those thick, burly arms drifted up to slip around Seong-Jae's waist - and then Malcolm seemed to come back to life again, just a little, as his arms suddenly locked tight, clutching on to Seong-Jae for dear life, squeezing the breath out of him.
Seong-Jae did not care.
He let Malcolm hold him as tight as he needed, and pressed his lips to Malcolm's hair, and stroked his fingers through the long, rippling, silver and gray strands again and again.
"No one actually wants to hear the honest truth when they ask what's wrong, or how you're feeling," Malcolm answered. [...] "They only want to hear what makes them feel safe looking the other way, escaping as quickly as possible, not acknowledging it, making it not their business. They only want to hear what lets them continue to feel comfortable. And honesty...well." He creased his lips, but it didn't really feel like a smile. "The fastest way to make someone uncomfortable is to be honest."
This is so true for most people. I don't even know how long I've thought this way, but for Malcolm to say this is heartbreaking. He's such a sweet, giving man.
[...] Malcolm conceded, then tilted his head, studying the man sprawled in his lap like he owned it. Sometimes Seong-Jae was a wild crow, but more and more with Malcolm he was just a lazy, prideful cat. "Why are you so cute?"
Instant scowl, dark and ferocious and borderline murderous. Seong-Jae bared his teeth in a hiss. "Of all the four-lettered C-words in the English language, you choose the most offensive one possible."
"...I think there are a few more offensive ones that than."
"You are struggling with something difficult, and I am worried for you, but you are not hurting me. I promise, Malcolm. I am not something you need to be concerned with."
"I...okay." With a heavy sound, Malcolm buried his face into Seong-Jae's hair. "Was this how you felt...? That...by needing you this way, by feeling so completely broken...I'm taking something from you. Something I don't deserve."
Closing his eyes, Seong-Jae butted his head gently under Malcolm's chin, rubbing into his thick, wild beard. "Every time," he admitted softly. "And yet every time...you made me feel as if I deserved your love, and your support, until it no longer felt like taking...it simply felt like being with you. And I am here with you now...and you deserve everything I have to give you, Malcolm. So if you feel broken...let me help you hold the scattered pieces."
Seong-Jae did not need to share the experience to simply hold his omr, and care for him, and love him through the pain.
"Being with you, feeling this with you, is never using me," Seong-Jae promised. "I can only endure sex because it is you. Because with you, it is not simply enduring." [...] "It is an intimacy so terrifying that I can only share it with someone I trust. As I trust you. As I will always trust you." [...] "It is not using me, Malcolm - because you love me, because I love you, and because I want you just as much. It may, perhaps, be for different reasons...but I always feel unquestioningly right with you, as well. And for me, that is a comfort."
This! Thank you.
"Do you ever shut off?" Seong-Jae demanded.
"...at least I can't get you pregnant?"
Crow-black eyes widened. "Malcolm!"
Too soon, Malcolm. Too soon. Lmao.
"I cannot say, at the moment, that I have any particular defined feelings toward your potential miniature human," he said, then offered, "She is...very small?"
-
Initial thoughts:
Of course...! Knew that was going to happen! D:
Review to come. It is late and I need to gather my thoughts. So many good quotes from this... Also great afterword and acknowledgements.
Glad they're back and eagerly awaiting the next book!
So far I am liking how it is playing out with the baby. However, we shall see how it'll go once she is in the picture more. But I love Seong-Jae's support here and all the loving/reassuring things he says to Malcolm to help keep him together. Not only that type of support, but also the way he makes Malcolm laugh is wonderful. They get each other so well, and I love their banter.
I wasn't really a fan of the flashbacks. They were new and felt off - confusing at first. I can also see how they might be needed, though, and did not detract my enjoyment since there were so few.
Very interested in seeing what happens next, and worried for Carlo! Those officers are trash; exactly who needs to be taken out of the BPD. Waiting for the sweet moment when Matheson is taken down and Anjulie takes his place! She is amazing.
I just... won't get into Juliette besides this: I get it, but talk about cruel. Malcolm should have been involved from the beginning.
And I'll leave y'all with some quotes. <3
"Slowly, those thick, burly arms drifted up to slip around Seong-Jae's waist - and then Malcolm seemed to come back to life again, just a little, as his arms suddenly locked tight, clutching on to Seong-Jae for dear life, squeezing the breath out of him.
Seong-Jae did not care.
He let Malcolm hold him as tight as he needed, and pressed his lips to Malcolm's hair, and stroked his fingers through the long, rippling, silver and gray strands again and again.
"No one actually wants to hear the honest truth when they ask what's wrong, or how you're feeling," Malcolm answered. [...] "They only want to hear what makes them feel safe looking the other way, escaping as quickly as possible, not acknowledging it, making it not their business. They only want to hear what lets them continue to feel comfortable. And honesty...well." He creased his lips, but it didn't really feel like a smile. "The fastest way to make someone uncomfortable is to be honest."
This is so true for most people. I don't even know how long I've thought this way, but for Malcolm to say this is heartbreaking. He's such a sweet, giving man.
[...] Malcolm conceded, then tilted his head, studying the man sprawled in his lap like he owned it. Sometimes Seong-Jae was a wild crow, but more and more with Malcolm he was just a lazy, prideful cat. "Why are you so cute?"
Instant scowl, dark and ferocious and borderline murderous. Seong-Jae bared his teeth in a hiss. "Of all the four-lettered C-words in the English language, you choose the most offensive one possible."
"...I think there are a few more offensive ones that than."
"You are struggling with something difficult, and I am worried for you, but you are not hurting me. I promise, Malcolm. I am not something you need to be concerned with."
"I...okay." With a heavy sound, Malcolm buried his face into Seong-Jae's hair. "Was this how you felt...? That...by needing you this way, by feeling so completely broken...I'm taking something from you. Something I don't deserve."
Closing his eyes, Seong-Jae butted his head gently under Malcolm's chin, rubbing into his thick, wild beard. "Every time," he admitted softly. "And yet every time...you made me feel as if I deserved your love, and your support, until it no longer felt like taking...it simply felt like being with you. And I am here with you now...and you deserve everything I have to give you, Malcolm. So if you feel broken...let me help you hold the scattered pieces."
Seong-Jae did not need to share the experience to simply hold his omr, and care for him, and love him through the pain.
"Being with you, feeling this with you, is never using me," Seong-Jae promised. "I can only endure sex because it is you. Because with you, it is not simply enduring." [...] "It is an intimacy so terrifying that I can only share it with someone I trust. As I trust you. As I will always trust you." [...] "It is not using me, Malcolm - because you love me, because I love you, and because I want you just as much. It may, perhaps, be for different reasons...but I always feel unquestioningly right with you, as well. And for me, that is a comfort."
This! Thank you.
"Do you ever shut off?" Seong-Jae demanded.
"...at least I can't get you pregnant?"
Crow-black eyes widened. "Malcolm!"
Too soon, Malcolm. Too soon. Lmao.
"I cannot say, at the moment, that I have any particular defined feelings toward your potential miniature human," he said, then offered, "She is...very small?"
-
Initial thoughts:
Of course...! Knew that was going to happen! D:
Review to come. It is late and I need to gather my thoughts. So many good quotes from this... Also great afterword and acknowledgements.
Glad they're back and eagerly awaiting the next book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2021
And my guys are back! As I expected, this season started with an emotional bang! Both Mal and Seong-Jae try to figure out a way forward while dealing with their emotions in myriad of ways. I think since last season was focused on Seong-Jae fighting his demons, this season will be focused on Mal and his emotions more. I loved protective and soft Seong-Jae. He was there for Mal and it was so heartfelt.
There are many threads in this episode. The author is setting the tone here: less gore but more political intrigue and power plays, old characters making come back and so much emotional intensity. I love the trust and strong bond between Mal and Seong-Jae. They will lean on them heavily in the coming days.
As always there was suspense, precise police procedures, beautifully written intimate scene *swoon* and Seong-Jae all sharp edged to vulnerable but stoic Mal. Loved it!!!! Can't wait to read the next one!
There are many threads in this episode. The author is setting the tone here: less gore but more political intrigue and power plays, old characters making come back and so much emotional intensity. I love the trust and strong bond between Mal and Seong-Jae. They will lean on them heavily in the coming days.
As always there was suspense, precise police procedures, beautifully written intimate scene *swoon* and Seong-Jae all sharp edged to vulnerable but stoic Mal. Loved it!!!! Can't wait to read the next one!
July 21, 2021
If you haven’t started reading these books … do it now. Start. Right. Now.
That is all.
Start reading now!
That is all.
Start reading now!
July 15, 2021
4.5 stars
Only because parts of the story are circling back to people and events from S1 and I simply can’t remember enough. Who the hell was Edmund Bishop? I also don’t remember enough about Matheson. Maybe I’ll go read S1 again. Anyhow, Malcolm and Seong-Jae are still hot as fire together. They have lots to deal with in this episode but at least this is more normal-ish life events, and urban crime as opposed to horrific butchery. A little gore but at this point, it seemed almost refreshing….
*An ARC was provided by the author and I have chosen to publish a fair and honest review*
Only because parts of the story are circling back to people and events from S1 and I simply can’t remember enough. Who the hell was Edmund Bishop? I also don’t remember enough about Matheson. Maybe I’ll go read S1 again. Anyhow, Malcolm and Seong-Jae are still hot as fire together. They have lots to deal with in this episode but at least this is more normal-ish life events, and urban crime as opposed to horrific butchery. A little gore but at this point, it seemed almost refreshing….
*An ARC was provided by the author and I have chosen to publish a fair and honest review*
July 13, 2021
one of the most amazing things about cole's writing is the way he makes you feel every tiny bit of emotions the characters are feeling while you read and this book is the proof of that.
malcolm's feelings towards the lost of his daughter is something that was showed to us just a couple of times, mostly brief mentions, after he told seong-jae about it in book 5 but now we learn more about and it's so heartbreaking that i just wanted to get inside the book and hug malcolm and tell him that it was not his fault but thankfully he has seong-jae for that. it was beautiful (and also sad because i hate when one of them is suffering) seeing seong-jae being there for malcolm and doing everything he could to show malcolm that, even thought things seens awlful and hopeless at the moment, he would be there supporting and loving him.
i'm gonna be honest: it's kinda of weird not having the case solved at the end of the episode but also know that they aren't chasing the same person throught the whole season like in season two but i'm excited to see more of how this "new format" will work :).
and also: i'm very happy with the fact that the boys are finally going to therapy because after all that they faced and will face they really (like REALLY) need it.
**DISCLAIMER: I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.***
malcolm's feelings towards the lost of his daughter is something that was showed to us just a couple of times, mostly brief mentions, after he told seong-jae about it in book 5 but now we learn more about and it's so heartbreaking that i just wanted to get inside the book and hug malcolm and tell him that it was not his fault but thankfully he has seong-jae for that. it was beautiful (and also sad because i hate when one of them is suffering) seeing seong-jae being there for malcolm and doing everything he could to show malcolm that, even thought things seens awlful and hopeless at the moment, he would be there supporting and loving him.
i'm gonna be honest: it's kinda of weird not having the case solved at the end of the episode but also know that they aren't chasing the same person throught the whole season like in season two but i'm excited to see more of how this "new format" will work :).
and also: i'm very happy with the fact that the boys are finally going to therapy because after all that they faced and will face they really (like REALLY) need it.
**DISCLAIMER: I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.***
July 12, 2021
First of all the the cover and the color theme this season is amazing.
In this first book we slowly or should I say fastly (cause hello A BABY) delve into Mal’s feelings, memories, the things he went through in the past and will go through with this new surprise development! Poor Mal, will hurt some in the road to his happy ending still. My heart broke for him a lot while reading some parts.
Seong-Jae and Mal… their path still have bumps on the road but now that they are solid they will slowly get through these together. You can see them going strong between each other and trying to solve things together. Not alone never alone again. Seong-Jae being protective over Mal and being a paddle for him too was worth to read. I love love reading them, their dynamic and relationship so much. They are SO IN LOVE PLEASE.
I love how Cole writes the emotional or the parts that includes heavy feelings and thoughts . He gives them to the reader so well that you are there with Mal and Seong-Jae and you feel with them. Plot was amazing too, love to see them turning back to their own place and doing their thing with their own ways again!
(I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.)
In this first book we slowly or should I say fastly (cause hello A BABY) delve into Mal’s feelings, memories, the things he went through in the past and will go through with this new surprise development! Poor Mal, will hurt some in the road to his happy ending still. My heart broke for him a lot while reading some parts.
Seong-Jae and Mal… their path still have bumps on the road but now that they are solid they will slowly get through these together. You can see them going strong between each other and trying to solve things together. Not alone never alone again. Seong-Jae being protective over Mal and being a paddle for him too was worth to read. I love love reading them, their dynamic and relationship so much. They are SO IN LOVE PLEASE.
I love how Cole writes the emotional or the parts that includes heavy feelings and thoughts . He gives them to the reader so well that you are there with Mal and Seong-Jae and you feel with them. Plot was amazing too, love to see them turning back to their own place and doing their thing with their own ways again!
(I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.)
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