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Cold Hard Cash #4

Strapped for Cash

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A Dark Mafia Romance.

Before Roderick Legrand was Boss Cold, he was just Cold, a gangster planning to take the city out from under the Luchesi mafia family with the help of an assassin named Mickey Tamerlane.

454 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 21, 2021

66 people are currently reading
247 people want to read

About the author

K.L. Hiers

55 books400 followers

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5 stars
114 (48%)
4 stars
73 (31%)
3 stars
36 (15%)
2 stars
9 (3%)
1 star
2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
September 6, 2021
So, this series has been so much damn fun from the beginning! I thought it was very clever to do a prequel with two of Cold's Gentlemen to mix it up a bit. There's so many side characters in this series that it's great to get to know more about them.

In this book, the POV is from Mickey who is basically an assassin. He's able to hit his targets pretty much every time no matter what gun or distance he has tried. He starts working for the main mob family in the city but gets short-changed by one of the brothers of his boss so he retaliates but is met by Cold and Jules and who ask Mickey to start working with them to take over the city.

In comes Roger to the crew who is instantly attracted to Mickey which Mickey can't fathom because of his own looks since Roger is gorgeous. Mickey has alopecia and doesn't have any hair so he is very intimidating to most people and he is also surly af! Roger doesn't care and pursues Mickey and they go at it like sex-crazed bunnies every chance they get. It's all about the dirty talk & spanking and rough sex for those two.

It's still very tumultuous because they're both psychopaths & wouldn't know a healthy relationship if it hit them in the face. Through it all, they start catching feelings which Mickey doesn't know what to do with because romantic love is a foreign concept to him (and to Roger too for that matter.) It's quite funny seeing them try to navigate that.

While that's happening, they have a rat in their crew and it's almost brought them down but fortunately, Cold is smart as hell and surrounds himself with skilled people.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book although I was uncomfortable seeing Cold with someone other than Jimmy even though this was many years before that.
Profile Image for True Loveislovereview.
2,859 reviews1 follower
July 14, 2021
What a story, full of fun and thrilling excitement. It felt like a rollercoaster ride. I didn’t read the other books of this series and I didn’t have the feeling of missing anything.

Mickey Tamerlane takes care of business, making money, he takes care of his grandfather, the only family in his life, the one he loves.
So he’s in business, dirty business, he’s a hitman and good at it.

Cold is a legend, the captain to the Luchesi family, he has plans for the city, without the Luchesi family, he wants Micky to work for him in exchange for protection.

Micky is now a respected member of the Luchesi family, appreciated by the big boss.
Because of Cold, everyone in the city knows him now.

Meeting the graceful Roger Lorre is something else, Mickey doesn’t know if he wants to fuck or kill him. Roger is annoyingly funny and a big flirt, he likes what he sees and in no time he’s on his knees for Mickey.

Mickey and Roger and the other Gentlemen have work to do, take over the city for Cold.
Every time Micky and Roger collide there is anger, annoyance, and hot, steamy, explosive hate sex, and every time Mickey decides this is the last time.

On the road to conquer the city we can watch Cold’s men, plan, fight, kill, succeed, fail. There a rat among them, nobody is safe. With Luchesi’s men around family members could be targets.

Between all the excitement Mickey can’t deny Roger’s uplifting attitude, they are getting as close as possible. Mickey’s heart skips just looking at Roger’s beauty, he’s feeling very possessive!

Taking over the city, uh-huh, on both sides, one after the other fell over.

Fun, thrill, entertainment, rough talking men, hate sex, f-word in every conversation, hurting the one you love, it’s all here.

It’s crowded and still people are added, and I’m so bad with too many names and faces, lol.
But I did it, I managed it! And I loved it!
I must be honest, I adored this story but for my pleasure, it was a bit too long and sometimes a bit repetitive, I didn’t care too much because it was all delicious.

If you are easily offended by blasphemes, slurs and curses don’t read this. If you love some rough, tough, dirty-mouthed, hard-headed, silly humorous mafia stories, grab this one!
Profile Image for Maureen.
3,729 reviews39 followers
March 24, 2022
I finally got around to reading this, I've read all the previous Boss Cold stories. My only regret is that I wish I'd read this one before A Quick Buck, it would have let me understand Alistair Star a little better. As with all the others in this series it's an outstanding, amazing read, I said before I never knew I'd be so into gangs, mobsters, and shoot-outs, still loving it, I do hope there will be more to come, just great reading.
Profile Image for Faith.
483 reviews18 followers
December 29, 2021
DNF @ 10%

I'm sure it's interesting, I just have no patience for this one.
Profile Image for Amos24601.
1,287 reviews44 followers
June 13, 2021
The rise of Boss Cold

For anyone who has read Cold Hard Cash, this is a definite must read. For anyone who hasn’t read CHC, this is an excellent place to start. In Strapped for Cash, we meet Mickey and Roger and what an introduction it is. Mickey and Roger both work for Cold, an up and coming mobster who is taking over Strassen Springs one hit at a time. Mickey is an excellent sniper and Roger is a safe cracker. Together, they are two of Boss Cold’s Gentleman. Taking over a city is never easy and this book is filled with the action packed events that lead to Boss Cold’s reign. Cold and his Gentleman systematically take on the opposing family, the Luchesis. The world building here is fantastic and the planning aspect of the takeover is staggering. KL Heirs knows exactly what she’s trying to convey and we are more than happy to be taken along for the ride.

Back to our main focus, Mickey and Roger. These two men are each a little unhinged in their own right. Together they make a ticking time bomb of epic proportions. They burn up the pages together. To be clear, this isn’t a soft a flowery romance. This is down and dirty in the best possible way. The filthy mouth on Mickey is scorching hot and Roger loves every single second. While their romance isn’t of the flowery variety, there is an undeniable connection between the two that neither can let go. Thankfully, we get to read the fruits of their labor. They certainly have their up and downs, but that connection keeps pulling them back together. The rare glimpse of emotion that Mickey lets slip through every once in a while is just enough to keep us rooting for these guys.

This series gets better and better with every book released and I never want it to end.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
1,957 reviews16 followers
June 21, 2021
I absolutely love this series and this one definitely doesn't disappoint. I love Mickey and Roger's story! These two have amazing chemistry and are so HOT together. Besides this being such an amazing story. I also love that we get to see how Cold got into his power. Just an absolutely amazing story that is perfect for this world.
5,704 reviews39 followers
July 18, 2021
this was well done.. good characters.. action packed.. angst.. hate.. love.. fun.. life. real emotions.. real personalities.. a lot of fun to read and i am really liking this series.
Profile Image for Latecia Jennings.
2,334 reviews10 followers
September 10, 2021
The series is so good. The author really goes all out with these characters and I'm glad we get to read this prequel. You get the violence but you also get romance that can be sweet at times. The friendships/relationships are bonded tight and it pulls the reader in their world. With this story you see how the two MCs met and develop their relationship over a period of time. Mickey and Roger are intense which makes this something you can't put down if you like it "rough" and dark. So since I love this series this prequel was a treat. Thanks K.L.!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
213 reviews
March 23, 2022
Good addition to the series

I like this background on Boss Cold's gentlemen. I do have to agree with the other reviews that mentioned how heavy on sex scenes this book is.

I actually started to skip the sex scenes to advance the takeover plot line more quickly. I figured I could always get back into them later if I wanted to.

I have read this series, some books more than once, and obviously enjoyed them and I will read any other books in the series.
Profile Image for Cris.
537 reviews10 followers
did-not-finish
January 8, 2022
@50%?

I just got the impression that the book wasn't going to end with a happy ending and I just.. no, I need my romance with hot steamy scenes, deep connections, and full romance. I was sure I was not going to get it here so I just stopped when I was ahead and skipped to the end, where my HFN awaited me.

Still Kat is an AMAZING author and I just can't stop reading their books.
Profile Image for hayden&#x1f98c;.
14 reviews1 follower
November 29, 2024
I LOVEDDD THISS i loved lorres n tamerlanes story their love is so unique
i also love how you can see how cold took over the city AND a bit on his relationship with Alistair (hes my fav character like ever) im kinda hoping on my book with just colds and alistairs story im so entranced on how they were with each other and how they r different with jimmy and noah
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
378 reviews1 follower
April 11, 2025
Solid MM read

Even for the darkest reader there's not a lot of romance here but there is a lot of passion. The background story is absolutely fantastic and is the real winner. I do love all the characters and this is a great prequel.4 stars is really just because a lot of the spice was repetitive And well deliciously dirty I would have liked to have seen some variety
Profile Image for Pamela Raglin.
386 reviews2 followers
Read
June 16, 2021
It Was A Dark And Stormy Love

When a monster meets a crazy slut can true love be far behind? Well, yeah, actually. Way far behind. War is hell, The Gentlemen, once they find each other, will be at war, and therein lies the tale.
Profile Image for Jessie H..
1,474 reviews126 followers
August 15, 2021
3 or 3.5/ 5 Stars

It wasn't interesting to get a look at how Boss Cold and the Gentlemen came to be. I'm still trying to figure out my overall rating for this book. I liked it and found it interesting but it's not going to be a favorite.
Profile Image for Maniyun.
160 reviews
May 25, 2024
It was good , though mostly i was interested to other characters and wanted to know more about them
Cold and Alstair would have made a perfect couple , they were power couple and sad how innocent doe eyes bratty boys are always the bottoms in mafia stories like homo version of a hetero novel
Profile Image for Ähmsry.
623 reviews12 followers
October 22, 2021
This one was perfect beautiful on the dark side of sweet and spicy.
1 review
July 4, 2022
Ttt
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
426 reviews1 follower
May 22, 2023
this was well done.. good characters.. action packed.. angst.. hate.. love.. fun.. life. real emotions.. real personalities.. a lot of fun to read
Profile Image for Esmee.
2,196 reviews2 followers
December 30, 2024
Maar het was echt langdradig.... Het had echt wel ruim100blz minder gekund... Er zaten wel leuke stukjes in.
495 reviews8 followers
June 24, 2021
Holy hell this book

This review will have some SPOILERS and its kind of a long review. I will put SPOILERS toward the end of my review with an alert.

Let me just say this book was amazing. The whole series is! After reading this book I plan to start on book 1 for a second time! The slut and the monster! These characters blew my mind. You could feel what they were feeling. During the sex scenes you will get hot, the funny scenes will make u laugh out loud with the characters, and during the sad scenes you will for sure shed a couple tears! The suspense plot and the action in this book was phenomenal. It kept me on the edge of my seat. I never wanted this book to end. The last couple chapters I would only read a few paragraphs then quit reading for awhile because I wanted to drag the book out. It was such an awesome hot steamy MM dark romance book. This author is by far my fave MM romance author!

Now onto my reasons on 4 stars instead of 5. This is where the SPOILERS come in.

**SPOILER ALERT **
Ok so I have 2 reasons for giving 4 stars and they're more or so my personal opinion.
First thing is i felt like there was a huge gap from the book to the epilogue. I felt like the epilogue came outta no where. And it never said how many yrs later the epilogue setting took place. Second was the epilogue had cheating. I don't really care for the cheating part. Granted it was their thing and turn on in the bedroom to reference it but Roger never actually cheated. Then bam the epilogue comes around and we find out Roger has cheated multiple times while they were together then also multiple times while Mickey was locked up. The author made it where Roger liked humiliation and being called a slut/whore which I loved but I hated that Roger cheated. Even if the make up sex was the bomb. Now if ur a reader who absolutely hates cheating in a book I still think this book is safe. No I didn't like the cheating part but doc, in the epilogue, explained it perfectly. And even if he hadn't I would've still given 4 stars.

Overall I would recommend this book to anyone who loves dark MM romance! Its very juicy and will leave you wanting for more! Which I hope the author gives us... Lol
Profile Image for John Fuller.
Author 9 books63 followers
August 20, 2021
I've read a lot of KL Hiers books now and this is my favourite after 'Last one to let me down'.
This serves as a prequel to 'Cold Hard Cash' so instead of focusing on Cold and Jimmy's relationship, it follows the story of Mickey and Roger and their part in Cold's initial takeover of Strassen Springs.
It's a typical KL Hiers book - pacy plot, likeable characters (somehow - even though these guys are actually terrible, Hiers manages to make them relatably human and appealing so you can't help rooting for them even if they're technically bad guys) and scorching sex scenes. I do really love how reliable Hiers's books are - I've not read a dud yet, every single one has been well-written escapist fun and this is definitely no exception.
As a matter of preference, the lead characters in this one and their relationship just gelled a little better for me than the average mm couple. The sex is hot as hell and there's absolutely nothing saccharine about them. It's refreshing to read a rather dysfunctional relationship that's never presented as anything but, their good naturedly abusive banter hits realistically for me and the subsequent deepening of their relationship feels all the more meaningful for it. Even at the end, they're far from fairytale perfect, but again this feels far more realistic for them than if they suddenly both changed into starry-eyed teens when they fell in love.
Note that this may not be the book for you if you like everything very sweet - it has more of the mixed tone of emotion/humour/violence/dysfunction that something like Sons of Anarchy has.
I also find Hiers's constant bucking of romantic lead tropes a relief as well: it's so good to see an 'ugly' leading man (even if Roger is still mainstream hot). I was definitely rooting for Mickey and for his wonderful relationship with his grandfather.
Also, you get to meet Rowena as a little girl and she's just adorable - what more could you want from a prequel?
37 reviews1 follower
June 14, 2021
This is the final (maybe?) book the the Cold Hard Cash series, and I didn’t even know how badly I needed it until I read it. Strapped for Cash is Micky Tamerlane and Roger Lorre’s book, primarily, but woven throughout is the story of how Cold became Boss Cold and how the Gentleman came to be. The fact that I got a two for one story thrilled me to no end, it’s not often I see two stories so well intermingled that you hardly notice that they are in fact two stories. I was happy to see that Mickey and Roger are just as explosive in this book as they were hinted at in previous books. As was hinted in the previous books, the sex between Mickey and Roger is anything but vanilla. It was off the charts hot how Mickey was able to become the monster Roger needed and wanted. I cannot recommend this book and series enough, if you haven’t read them already, please hop to it so you can bask in it’s wonderfulness with the rest of us!

Synopsis: After being gypped on a job by the Luchesi family, Mickey Tamerlane is hell bent to get back at them. Only problem is that before he can act out his revenge he stumbles upon Roderick ‘Cold’ Legrand putting his plan into action to take over Strassen Springs. No longer willing to work for the Luchesi’s he joins Cold’s rag tag clan, becoming one of the first members of the Gentleman. All seems to be going well in the slow but steady takeover of Strassen Springs, until Roger explodes into Mickey’s world, and then again, and again. There is something about Roger that makes Mickey want to become the monster that Roger claims to crave, but ultimately things are never that simple. When Cold’s plans keep getting derailed it seems like there might be a rat among the Gentleman and then Mickey’s world is turned upside down. What happens next is a journey not worth missing.
Profile Image for Josh Dale.
225 reviews5 followers
August 10, 2021
I love this whole series. I loved the dynamics between Cold and Mr poe in the previous books. But for me this is the best book in the series.

We start before the whole series, when Cold is putting his mafia gang together, a gang of unique men that each brings a special skill to the group.

Unlike the previous books, Cold and Mr Poe are not the main characters, in fact the story starts before Cold met Mr Poe.

I love the main characters Mickey Tamberlane the top assassin and Roger Lorre who knows how to push all of Mickey’s buttons. There are lots oh hot rough and sometimes angry sex between the two, no matter how much Mickey tries to to avoid it. The banter of the pretend love hate, between these two is soo good and fun to read.

I also liked how Cold collected his group and the way he operated on their mission to take the city.

I enjoyed learning more about Cold and Micky, but also the other Gentlemen too.

Mafia and street gang stories are some of my favourites and the author delivers an authentic and exciting characters and story. The way the characters do not automatically trust each other, gives it an authentic feel, let’s be straight here, a bunch of criminals getting together for the first time, each with their own agenda, are not going to be instant best friends for ever. But by the end of the book Cold manages to build that trust.

I really feel that this book, shows us why the Gentlemen are so loyal to Cold and each other. It is because they are their own made family.

A really enjoyable fun and exciting read, with some hot sex, and some intense nail biting action scenes too. If your new to the series, you get to start at the beginning of Colds rise in the city, and if you have already read some or all of the other books in the series, This is still a must read, as you get to see what the Gentlemen are made of, and how Cold rose to run the city.
Profile Image for Dee.
5,044 reviews56 followers
June 21, 2021
The addition starts with the book cover….yeah…yeah…yeah don’t judge a book by its cover they say ….well we all do it and this one here it is the scratch to your itch or better yet the filling to your oreos! Speaking of filling…..wait, that’s for later. Within the first chapters you get the panoramic view of whom you’re dealing with!
Bad boy….check
Bod boy’s crazy brother/friend…check
Bad boy’s Kryptonie…check ….check and check
By the time you’ve figured out who is who, you’re already hooked, and you may as well give up the fight and prepare yourself for an all-nighter!
Can’t say I didn’t warn you.
(Believe me when I say you won’t put it down until the last page is read…you will find yourself getting upset cause someone called, texted or bothered you while reading this one, you will find yourself up at ungodly hours just to finish it knowing you have to be at work early (like 3am early) the very next day)
This is book four of the Cold Hard Cash series it appears each book will read as a standalone however, why just read one when you can start at the beginning and keep reading through the series it won’t be a waste of time. I love this series; it is one that you can’t start and not finish from book one to book four. We get to see the very beginnings of Boss Cold taking over and keeping his city. This is Roger and Mickey beginning they can’t stay away from each other and at times they truly can’t stand one another. Mickey always seems in control until Roger and all control goes right out the window. This is a wild ride so buckle up we learn a lot about Boss Cold, and those who do his bidding but also Roger and Mickey will they make it, and can they be happy?
Profile Image for Shelf Blame.
332 reviews28 followers
July 27, 2021
When the description says this is a dark mafia romance, it means it! If murder, bloody violence, and BDSM aren't for you, neither is this book!

I haven't read any of the others in this series, so I figured the prequel would be a good place to start since I could just carry on from there. I will definitely be continuing!

Strapped for Cash follows Mickey, an eagle eye assassin in Boss Cold's crew, and Roger, a lock pick extraordinaire. The tension between them is evident and immediate from their first chance meeting, and it continues throughout the story. Tensions are high with a city takeover as the stakes, and with a rat in their midst, the Gentlemen are constantly looking over their shoulders. Roger is at once a comfort and an annoyance for Mickey. He's a bad person, no doubt. They both are. They're murderous and unforgiving with no remorse - but that's part of the draw for each other. Neither one cares about the other's baggage, and neither one really understands relationships or love in a relationship. They can't stand each other, and they can't stand to be away from each other either, which makes the spicy scenes extra spicy. Their banter back and forth is so funny at times, especially with Roger's devil-may-care attitude and quick wit.

As I said, I'll definitely be picking the rest of this series up!

Thank you to Gay Book Promotions for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Profile Image for Stephanie.
2 reviews
June 13, 2021
The long-awaited, highly anticipated, PRE-quel to the Boss Cold series is here! I live for a good Mobster AU and, as a dedicated fan to the first three books in the series (Cold Hard Cash, Hard Earned Cash, and Cold Hard Collection), this book did NOT disappoint. In this book we learn more about how The Gentlemen came to be, who the original members were, and how Cold became Boss Cold of Strassen Springs.

Told from the perspective of Mickey “The Shadow” Tamerlane, we get a closer look into Mickey’s life pre-Gentlemen and follow his rise from wayward rogue to one of Boss Cold’s most trusted. Along the way you’re reintroduced to some familiar (albeit much younger) faces, catch a glimpse of some new characters (to love or hate haha), and enjoy the dysfunctional roller coaster that is Mickey’s relationship with fellow Gentleman, Roger Lorre. Speaking of Roger, if you’re not into bratty Subs who desperately need to be put into their place by a dangerously powerful Dom then you might want to find another author, honey, because there’s a sexy showdown every time these two are in the same room – WHOO!

It’s Mobsters, it’s Smut, it’s Action and Drama! Seriously: buy it. And the others. All of them.

Because, by the end of the book, you’re all family.
I dare you to tell me you’re not craving lasagna when it’s over.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews

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