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Immoral
Grady
A preacher’s son. I’ve done everything I can to defy his rules. Reckless, destructive, immoral. But after all this, there’s only one thing I haven’t allowed myself to indulge in . . . Him.
Ryan
A welder's son. I’ve done everything I can to make him proud. Hard-working, loyal, strong. I’ve accomplished all his dreams while denying my own. But there was only one thing I’ve ever wanted . . . Him.
A preacher’s son. I’ve done everything I can to defy his rules. Reckless, destructive, immoral. But after all this, there’s only one thing I haven’t allowed myself to indulge in . . . Him.
Ryan
A welder's son. I’ve done everything I can to make him proud. Hard-working, loyal, strong. I’ve accomplished all his dreams while denying my own. But there was only one thing I’ve ever wanted . . . Him.
254 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 9, 2021
183 people are currently reading
1359 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Dykes
95 books2,534 followersNicole Dykes is a wife and a professional assistant/mom to two gorgeous girls. Currently residing in Kansas, she’s a lover of coffee, Kansas City Chiefs, and all things romance.
She's found her passion in writing M/M romance because love is love is love. Some popular works include Hostile, The Spark of Hope Series, and The Kensley Panthers Series!
Email at nicoledykes_author@yahoo.com
Or visit my website at Www.authornicoledykes.com
She's found her passion in writing M/M romance because love is love is love. Some popular works include Hostile, The Spark of Hope Series, and The Kensley Panthers Series!
Email at nicoledykes_author@yahoo.com
Or visit my website at Www.authornicoledykes.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 436 reviews
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August 13, 2021DNF @35%
I almost never give up on books, but life's too short to read shit that enrages you.
With a few exceptions, M/F romance authors should stick to that genre.
I stopped reading M/F mostly due to the OTT angst, including tortured internal monologues, which we get here.
But the main reasons I almost threw my Kindle against a wall:
- The MCs are interchangeable (in M/F romance, the story is almost always from the woman's POV; it's lazy writing)
- Gross, stereotypical depictions of gay femme men
- Grady outs Ryan to his (Grady's) manager without Ryan's permission. Indeed, Ryan specifically tells Grady he's in the closet and not ready to come out. And it's no big deal apparently. YOU NEVER OUT PEOPLE, GRADY. NEVER. WTF is wrong with an author who'd normalize this?
- Massive misogyny (treating the word "vagina" like it's dirty and vowing not to ever say it again, ha ha; yeah, that's not fucking funny, and this coming from a female author)
Perhaps the story gets better, but I wasn't going to stick around to find out.
No rating since I DNF.
I almost never give up on books, but life's too short to read shit that enrages you.
With a few exceptions, M/F romance authors should stick to that genre.
I stopped reading M/F mostly due to the OTT angst, including tortured internal monologues, which we get here.
But the main reasons I almost threw my Kindle against a wall:
- The MCs are interchangeable (in M/F romance, the story is almost always from the woman's POV; it's lazy writing)
- Gross, stereotypical depictions of gay femme men
- Grady outs Ryan to his (Grady's) manager without Ryan's permission. Indeed, Ryan specifically tells Grady he's in the closet and not ready to come out. And it's no big deal apparently. YOU NEVER OUT PEOPLE, GRADY. NEVER. WTF is wrong with an author who'd normalize this?
- Massive misogyny (treating the word "vagina" like it's dirty and vowing not to ever say it again, ha ha; yeah, that's not fucking funny, and this coming from a female author)
Perhaps the story gets better, but I wasn't going to stick around to find out.
No rating since I DNF.
August 15, 2021
"If only he knew - he's beautiful, inside and out. Always has been."
Nicole Dykes is a new-to-me author and wow, what an introduction to her work Immoral was. I absolutely loved it.
Grady and Ryan are childhood friends who have big ambitions to escape their small home town and make something of their lives. They always planned to do that together in the major baseball league, but their plans go awry when Grady gets signed up to a record label and they part ways at the end of their senior year. But not before their drunken end of year celebration turns into something a bit hot and heavy, enough to make Ryan flip and leave without saying goodbye.
"Because now I've had a fucking taste. And I have no idea how I'm going to come back from that."
Fast forward 7 years and Ryan is playing in the major baseball league in his first World Series. And Grady and his band Immoral are headlining the gig.
Get ready for an awkward reunion and some tough questions. Not to mention that Ryan is gay but not out because of his career and Grady is totally straight with groupies hanging off him at every turn. Or is he?
If rockstars, baseball players, gfy bi-awakening, first times and friends-to-lovers are your jam, then oh my, is this the one for you! 😍
There are some triggers (homophobic parents) but this is otherwise a low angst, medium steam 🔥🔥 read.
Oh and I totally shipped Grady and Ryan 💙💚.
Highly recommended.
4.5 ✨✨✨✨✨
Nicole Dykes is a new-to-me author and wow, what an introduction to her work Immoral was. I absolutely loved it.
Grady and Ryan are childhood friends who have big ambitions to escape their small home town and make something of their lives. They always planned to do that together in the major baseball league, but their plans go awry when Grady gets signed up to a record label and they part ways at the end of their senior year. But not before their drunken end of year celebration turns into something a bit hot and heavy, enough to make Ryan flip and leave without saying goodbye.
"Because now I've had a fucking taste. And I have no idea how I'm going to come back from that."
Fast forward 7 years and Ryan is playing in the major baseball league in his first World Series. And Grady and his band Immoral are headlining the gig.
Get ready for an awkward reunion and some tough questions. Not to mention that Ryan is gay but not out because of his career and Grady is totally straight with groupies hanging off him at every turn. Or is he?
If rockstars, baseball players, gfy bi-awakening, first times and friends-to-lovers are your jam, then oh my, is this the one for you! 😍
There are some triggers (homophobic parents) but this is otherwise a low angst, medium steam 🔥🔥 read.
Oh and I totally shipped Grady and Ryan 💙💚.
Highly recommended.
4.5 ✨✨✨✨✨
August 13, 2021
Thinking about how to rate…
So, okay...By the time I have figured out my rating, and I have been reading through the raving reviews here, I am really confused. Did I read a different book then those other readers did?
Because this book did not work for me at all.
I have issues and I have quite a lot of them, honestly.
I try to think of something positive to start with.
I love the cover! That's something, at least.
And that's really all I can come up with...
I hate having to write a non-positive review.
But I have received an ARC and promised to write one. A review, that is.
And I also think it's a good thing for other potential readers to see that not everyone is as positive as you might think when seeing all these 4/5 star reviews.
So, on to my issues then.
Even if I had not known this was this author's first attempt to write mm romance, I would have known. There is something about writing mm that takes another approach then when you write an mf book. You can't just simply replace the female character by a male one and write the same cliched, formulated book. There's a reason I stopped reading mf and this book is another reminder of why I did.
The constant use of the word asshole...was that meant to remind us as readers that we are truly dealing with masculine mc's here? I did not like that.
Dialogues. To me they are a very important part for me to like or dislike a story. I'm a sucker for real life dialogues. They can make or break a book. Here, unfortunately, I was not impressed. I don't think people talk like this irl, and besides, sometimes the dialogues were really off. Like they were meant to go into a certain direction, but were not fitting the conversation. Often, when they made an attempt to talk, they ended up having sex (again - I even started to skip those scenes because they never felt authentic), and the issue that they were going to touch, was not touched again, or if it was, it was short and did not have the depth it required.
These guys never had a proper conversation to begin with.
After having been best friends, Ryan and Grady did not talk or see each other for 7 years. The way they pick up where they left off, felt awkward and unrealistic. Grady forced himself on Ryan by inviting himself into his house, and then also dropped that bomb: I am staying for 3 weeks! Ehm, sorry??
But after Grady barrels into Ryan's house (uninvited), there's a lot of cursing and calling each other assholes and that's it? Grady makes a lot of assumptions of why Ryan left 7 years ago, making it all about him, and then he never seemed to worry about losing that friendship all over again when forcing himself onto Ryan. Why not first try to at least be friends again? Talk about the past, sort things out about the last 7 years. And why doesn't Grady question himself more? Like it's a normal thing to discover one day you like dick just as much as vagina's, when it never occurred to you you might? Even if it's all about your best friends' dick.
And if this story is about Ryan being in love with Grady, why is Grady the one writing those love songs about Ryan? And where were Grady's bandmates? They were never mentioned in the story, it was as if Grady was a one-man band.
Then there's also Jenny, Ryan's manager. She is not a concerning agent. She was a woman with a shitty character, almost seemed like a caricature to me. She was so unrealistically portrayed, and then constantly showing up in Ryan's house, using her key, where I believe it would be polite to at least ring the bell once so you won't interrupt someone's privacy like she did.
And Grady outing Ryan to her, when Ryan was so concerned about coming out and what repercussions it would have for his career, was just something that's a huge NO! It's just not done!!
There was hardly any character development and the story was much more about telling and not showing. I did not feel any of the emotions, did not feel their chemistry at all.
There were quite some plot holes and loose ends. What about Grady's father? I expected his religion and disagreement about his son's lifestyle to be a much bigger issue, but it dies out before it even started. The protest he organized did not make any sense to me and the thing with Grady's ex-girlfriend was very confusing, because I cannot imagine the preacher toeing off to Los Angeles to organize a protest to harass her. But then, when Grady and Ryan do come out, nothing happens. Why built up to it when there's hardly any trouble mentioned concerning the preacher? After reading the blurb, I assumed this was going to be an important, maybe even huge part of the story, the clash between his father's religious believes and Grady being gay, but it wasn't there. So why mention it in the blurb at all?
I think there's only one thing left for me to say: if I was to give this author some advice: stick to writing mf. Not every mf author is able to pull off writing a heartfelt, non-cliched mm story.
I was kindly given an ARC by Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review
So, okay...By the time I have figured out my rating, and I have been reading through the raving reviews here, I am really confused. Did I read a different book then those other readers did?
Because this book did not work for me at all.
I have issues and I have quite a lot of them, honestly.
I try to think of something positive to start with.
I love the cover! That's something, at least.
And that's really all I can come up with...
I hate having to write a non-positive review.
But I have received an ARC and promised to write one. A review, that is.
And I also think it's a good thing for other potential readers to see that not everyone is as positive as you might think when seeing all these 4/5 star reviews.
So, on to my issues then.
Even if I had not known this was this author's first attempt to write mm romance, I would have known. There is something about writing mm that takes another approach then when you write an mf book. You can't just simply replace the female character by a male one and write the same cliched, formulated book. There's a reason I stopped reading mf and this book is another reminder of why I did.
The constant use of the word asshole...was that meant to remind us as readers that we are truly dealing with masculine mc's here? I did not like that.
Dialogues. To me they are a very important part for me to like or dislike a story. I'm a sucker for real life dialogues. They can make or break a book. Here, unfortunately, I was not impressed. I don't think people talk like this irl, and besides, sometimes the dialogues were really off. Like they were meant to go into a certain direction, but were not fitting the conversation. Often, when they made an attempt to talk, they ended up having sex (again - I even started to skip those scenes because they never felt authentic), and the issue that they were going to touch, was not touched again, or if it was, it was short and did not have the depth it required.
These guys never had a proper conversation to begin with.
After having been best friends, Ryan and Grady did not talk or see each other for 7 years. The way they pick up where they left off, felt awkward and unrealistic. Grady forced himself on Ryan by inviting himself into his house, and then also dropped that bomb: I am staying for 3 weeks! Ehm, sorry??
But after Grady barrels into Ryan's house (uninvited), there's a lot of cursing and calling each other assholes and that's it? Grady makes a lot of assumptions of why Ryan left 7 years ago, making it all about him, and then he never seemed to worry about losing that friendship all over again when forcing himself onto Ryan. Why not first try to at least be friends again? Talk about the past, sort things out about the last 7 years. And why doesn't Grady question himself more? Like it's a normal thing to discover one day you like dick just as much as vagina's, when it never occurred to you you might? Even if it's all about your best friends' dick.
And if this story is about Ryan being in love with Grady, why is Grady the one writing those love songs about Ryan? And where were Grady's bandmates? They were never mentioned in the story, it was as if Grady was a one-man band.
Then there's also Jenny, Ryan's manager. She is not a concerning agent. She was a woman with a shitty character, almost seemed like a caricature to me. She was so unrealistically portrayed, and then constantly showing up in Ryan's house, using her key, where I believe it would be polite to at least ring the bell once so you won't interrupt someone's privacy like she did.
And Grady outing Ryan to her, when Ryan was so concerned about coming out and what repercussions it would have for his career, was just something that's a huge NO! It's just not done!!
There was hardly any character development and the story was much more about telling and not showing. I did not feel any of the emotions, did not feel their chemistry at all.
There were quite some plot holes and loose ends. What about Grady's father? I expected his religion and disagreement about his son's lifestyle to be a much bigger issue, but it dies out before it even started. The protest he organized did not make any sense to me and the thing with Grady's ex-girlfriend was very confusing, because I cannot imagine the preacher toeing off to Los Angeles to organize a protest to harass her. But then, when Grady and Ryan do come out, nothing happens. Why built up to it when there's hardly any trouble mentioned concerning the preacher? After reading the blurb, I assumed this was going to be an important, maybe even huge part of the story, the clash between his father's religious believes and Grady being gay, but it wasn't there. So why mention it in the blurb at all?
I think there's only one thing left for me to say: if I was to give this author some advice: stick to writing mf. Not every mf author is able to pull off writing a heartfelt, non-cliched mm story.
I was kindly given an ARC by Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2021
*ARC received from author in exchange for my honest review. *
Grady & Ryan's story was something I didn't know I needed until I read it. Seriously though, a baseball romance meets a Rockstar romance then you toss in a bit of friends to lovers and you have the perfect story to give you all the feels. Not to mention these two were seriously sexy, I mean SWOON!!!
Friends for years Ryan and Grady both had their fair share of problems at home but found something in one another that lasted through high school until one night a kiss locks their fate into place.
Ryan has always wanted to be a major league baseball player and now he is living that dream at 25 years old. His life is good but not being able to be his true self is starting to wear on him but coming out when you play a major sport has repercussions that he is not sure he is ready to face. That is until, Grady comes to sing the national anthem at the biggest game of his life. He hasn't seen Grady in 7 years but now the only man he ever loved and the friend he lost all those years ago is about to be thrust back into his life and Ryan is not ready.
Grady has been living the Rockstar life for 7 years and life is good, really good. The only thing missing is the friend he lost all those years ago because of one kiss. Now, he is about to see the guy for the first time, and he doesn't know what to make of all these feelings that he has. He is straight after all but there is just something about Ryan not being in his life that has left a hole there that only he can fill. Even if he has to track down his long lost friend, he is going to get the answers he never got all those years ago.
As Ryan & Grady fall back into their friendship like no time has passed there are still some very raw unresolved feelings from both sides until they share another kiss but this time there is no running away. Both men have to figure out exactly what his could mean for them and how they move forward from this point. If there is one thing they both know it is that they don't want there to be another 7 years of not being in one another's life.
Immoral shattered all my expectations in the best possible way. Through this book I kept waiting for the inevitable that never came and that was honestly so refreshing. It isn't very often that a story can take a turn and surprise me, this one did. Grady & Ryan were equally loveable in their own way because while Grady was very live life and go with the flow, Ryan was much more calculated. They balanced each other out beautifully and I just know that this story will stay with me for years.
Immoral will be one of those I re-read when I need a book to pick me up and make believe that even through all the problems life throws at you love can prevail.
Grady & Ryan's story was something I didn't know I needed until I read it. Seriously though, a baseball romance meets a Rockstar romance then you toss in a bit of friends to lovers and you have the perfect story to give you all the feels. Not to mention these two were seriously sexy, I mean SWOON!!!
Friends for years Ryan and Grady both had their fair share of problems at home but found something in one another that lasted through high school until one night a kiss locks their fate into place.
Ryan has always wanted to be a major league baseball player and now he is living that dream at 25 years old. His life is good but not being able to be his true self is starting to wear on him but coming out when you play a major sport has repercussions that he is not sure he is ready to face. That is until, Grady comes to sing the national anthem at the biggest game of his life. He hasn't seen Grady in 7 years but now the only man he ever loved and the friend he lost all those years ago is about to be thrust back into his life and Ryan is not ready.
Grady has been living the Rockstar life for 7 years and life is good, really good. The only thing missing is the friend he lost all those years ago because of one kiss. Now, he is about to see the guy for the first time, and he doesn't know what to make of all these feelings that he has. He is straight after all but there is just something about Ryan not being in his life that has left a hole there that only he can fill. Even if he has to track down his long lost friend, he is going to get the answers he never got all those years ago.
As Ryan & Grady fall back into their friendship like no time has passed there are still some very raw unresolved feelings from both sides until they share another kiss but this time there is no running away. Both men have to figure out exactly what his could mean for them and how they move forward from this point. If there is one thing they both know it is that they don't want there to be another 7 years of not being in one another's life.
Immoral shattered all my expectations in the best possible way. Through this book I kept waiting for the inevitable that never came and that was honestly so refreshing. It isn't very often that a story can take a turn and surprise me, this one did. Grady & Ryan were equally loveable in their own way because while Grady was very live life and go with the flow, Ryan was much more calculated. They balanced each other out beautifully and I just know that this story will stay with me for years.
Immoral will be one of those I re-read when I need a book to pick me up and make believe that even through all the problems life throws at you love can prevail.
February 28, 2024
A bit underwhelming 😑 I think I've just read this story before or one very similar so....
August 12, 2021
This was a sweet Friends to lovers/Bi-awakening story about a Rockstar and a baseball player I enjoyed it just wish it had more angst i feel they got together too quickly after 7 yrs apart.
sampled-didn-t-work-for-me
August 12, 2021I read this sample and it’s a huge NO for me.
I stopped reading m/f books because they became ott cliches and when I pick up a m/m book from an author who usually writes m/f I am rarely impressed. The formula is the same from their m/f books and it seems like they aren’t writing m/m truthfully. I know a lot of women write m/m but so many of these writers are writing it from the heart, not because it’s the “thing” to write right now. I wish m/f writers would stick to their cliche and not attempt a m/m book.
I stopped reading m/f books because they became ott cliches and when I pick up a m/m book from an author who usually writes m/f I am rarely impressed. The formula is the same from their m/f books and it seems like they aren’t writing m/m truthfully. I know a lot of women write m/m but so many of these writers are writing it from the heart, not because it’s the “thing” to write right now. I wish m/f writers would stick to their cliche and not attempt a m/m book.
April 17, 2022
"Gay for you" was never belivable for me. But otherwise it was nice and quick read.
June 30, 2023
3.5/5 stars
March 9, 2022
"Music has a way of saying things we can’t always get out when we’re just talking.”A preachers son and a welders son are childhood best friends, until they are separated at the age of 18...
He kissed my fucking brains out. And then I couldn’t handle being in love with a straight guy, so I ditched town early without saying goodbye, and now I’m sure he hates me....and reunited seven years later. One is now going into the World Series and the other is the headliner singing the national anthem.
I really loved this premise and wanted this book to work. It kinda did? Very character driven, and lighter than I expected for the subject matter. It lacked that raw depth I crave in my book characters. It's gfy, and instant reconnecting without much needed discussions.
*I will add as someone who grew up with a gay uncle and his friends, I can tell you the "vagina" discussion (while cringy) are spot on to many conversations I overheard growing up.
Recommended for readers who like a warm, second chance, sweet, MM romance between two famous best friends.
January 10, 2024
You know what? I think I'm done here.
DNF AT 34%
I've read so many books with tons of misogyny lately that I think I'm going to hurl my new year's dinner just about now.
The minute I read some shit like this again, I'm rating the book with 1⭐.
I DON'T CARE what these two bozos are up to, fuck them. And fuck anyone else who comes up with this shit, says it like it's the most hilarious thing in the world and not only that - someone then puts it in writing.
"He offers me a megawatt smile of his own. “So, the fact that he has a dick and not a . . .” his face actually scrunches up in disgust, “vagina . . .”
He shudders, and fuck, I do too, hearing him say the word.
“Don’t ever say that again.”
He holds up one hand in the air. “That I can promise.”"
DNF AT 34%
I've read so many books with tons of misogyny lately that I think I'm going to hurl my new year's dinner just about now.
The minute I read some shit like this again, I'm rating the book with 1⭐.
I DON'T CARE what these two bozos are up to, fuck them. And fuck anyone else who comes up with this shit, says it like it's the most hilarious thing in the world and not only that - someone then puts it in writing.
"He offers me a megawatt smile of his own. “So, the fact that he has a dick and not a . . .” his face actually scrunches up in disgust, “vagina . . .”
He shudders, and fuck, I do too, hearing him say the word.
“Don’t ever say that again.”
He holds up one hand in the air. “That I can promise.”"
August 2, 2022
Since I'm in a reading slump and not in the mood to start new books, I decided to finish a few stories I've dnf'd this year.
Quality-wise it was not bad, but I'm so tired of these formulaic books. Give me something new, I don't want to read the same story again and again.
But it has a playlist at the beginning and I found a new favorite music (jxdn - Angels & Demons), so thanks for that.
-----------------------------------------------
DNF at 78%
It is not a bad book, I just feel like I've read this story a million times before and I also find it boring when the only problem they have is to come out or not to come out. I get it, but also, I want more and I want something different for once. Romance has so many sub-genres, and they are not only for the cis straights.
Quality-wise it was not bad, but I'm so tired of these formulaic books. Give me something new, I don't want to read the same story again and again.
But it has a playlist at the beginning and I found a new favorite music (jxdn - Angels & Demons), so thanks for that.
-----------------------------------------------
DNF at 78%
It is not a bad book, I just feel like I've read this story a million times before and I also find it boring when the only problem they have is to come out or not to come out. I get it, but also, I want more and I want something different for once. Romance has so many sub-genres, and they are not only for the cis straights.
December 22, 2022
Tropes:
- friends to lovers
- sports (baseball)
- rockstar
- gay for you
After sharing a kiss on graduation night with his straight best friend, Ryan hasn’t seen Grady in 7 years. Fate brings them back together when Grady sings the national anthem at the World Series game Ryan is playing, and the pair reconnect.
I’m not sure what exactly I expected from Immoral, but this wasn’t it. I wanted more angst and pining between Ryan and Grady, but this jumped right into them reconnecting after years apart to being in love.
- friends to lovers
- sports (baseball)
- rockstar
- gay for you
After sharing a kiss on graduation night with his straight best friend, Ryan hasn’t seen Grady in 7 years. Fate brings them back together when Grady sings the national anthem at the World Series game Ryan is playing, and the pair reconnect.
I’m not sure what exactly I expected from Immoral, but this wasn’t it. I wanted more angst and pining between Ryan and Grady, but this jumped right into them reconnecting after years apart to being in love.
March 1, 2023
🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧
I've been missing some MM romance lately and although I've read Nicole Dykes before, I've never read any of her MM novels, but I'm glad that I did it now.
Ryan and Grady are best friends since forever and after a hot kiss when they were about to part ways after highschool, Ryan couldn't handle the outcome and fled.
Both followed their careers in opposite sides as a baseball player and a rockstar, until they finally met again and rekindled their friendship, and their obvious attraction.
This book is about acceptance... about love who you want to love, despite what everyone will think of you. It's sweet and amazing to see Ryan finally taking action about his life, when push come to shove.
I loved their story, the way that Grady handled his feelings and the way that he stood up for Ryan when that was what he always wanted.
This book definitely warmed my heart and it was an amazing and fast listen!
Highly recommend it!
< 🎧 About the Audiobook Narration 🎧
Narrated by Christian Black and Dash Coleman and it was great!
Ryan's voice was soothing while Grady's have that gruff quality that made them both sound hot and fitted perfectly to the story.
I've been missing some MM romance lately and although I've read Nicole Dykes before, I've never read any of her MM novels, but I'm glad that I did it now.
Ryan and Grady are best friends since forever and after a hot kiss when they were about to part ways after highschool, Ryan couldn't handle the outcome and fled.
Both followed their careers in opposite sides as a baseball player and a rockstar, until they finally met again and rekindled their friendship, and their obvious attraction.
This book is about acceptance... about love who you want to love, despite what everyone will think of you. It's sweet and amazing to see Ryan finally taking action about his life, when push come to shove.
I loved their story, the way that Grady handled his feelings and the way that he stood up for Ryan when that was what he always wanted.
This book definitely warmed my heart and it was an amazing and fast listen!
Highly recommend it!
< 🎧 About the Audiobook Narration 🎧
Narrated by Christian Black and Dash Coleman and it was great!
Ryan's voice was soothing while Grady's have that gruff quality that made them both sound hot and fitted perfectly to the story.
May 21, 2022
This was a cute, quick best friends to lovers read. My one axe to grind is that there was a lot of unnecessary misogyny. It just made me dislike the main characters tbh.
But overall it was a sweet story w the perfect blend of sports and rock star romance.
Nothing to write home about but if the mood strikes you —Would recommend!
But overall it was a sweet story w the perfect blend of sports and rock star romance.
Nothing to write home about but if the mood strikes you —Would recommend!
August 9, 2022
Sugary sweet, a little over the top with juvenile angst, far-fetched at times, but also hot as hell. There are plenty of skimmable parts, but it was a mostly enjoyable and easy read.
August 3, 2021
Great MM debut for this author!
Ryan and Grady are childhood friends.
They were supposed to go to college together to play baseball but Grady took a different path.
Fast forward several years and they meet up again. Their chemistry is seriously hot.
Grady is a bit in denial of his true feelings for Ryan. His self discovery was pedal to the metal though. Grady’s can’t contain his want and makes a move. Thank god because the UST was killing me.
This is the story how two best friends reconnect and find love. It’s sweet, sexy AF AND romantic. Loved these characters for their realness and wanting to be their true selves. The HEA is pretty spectacular too!
Ryan and Grady are childhood friends.
They were supposed to go to college together to play baseball but Grady took a different path.
Fast forward several years and they meet up again. Their chemistry is seriously hot.
Grady is a bit in denial of his true feelings for Ryan. His self discovery was pedal to the metal though. Grady’s can’t contain his want and makes a move. Thank god because the UST was killing me.
This is the story how two best friends reconnect and find love. It’s sweet, sexy AF AND romantic. Loved these characters for their realness and wanting to be their true selves. The HEA is pretty spectacular too!
August 11, 2021
This is a wonderful story of true friendship, and love that stands the test of time. The way Nicole Dykes writes the bond between Grady, and Ryan made it almost palpable. Great read, I will definitely be reading more from this author!
August 30, 2022
3 - 3.5 stars!
Immoral is a MM best friends-to-lovers romance. Grady and Ryan grew up thick as thieves and on the eve of them going their separate ways to pursue their dreams, they share a passionate kiss. Ryan has suspected he was gay but kissing his best friend sealed it for him and he left to begin his baseball career without saying bye to Grady even though it felt like he was ripping his heart out of his chest.
Grady hasn't forgotten the emotional moment he shared with Ryan and after countless attempts to get in touch with Ryan, he tries to move on. But fate has other ideas and seven years later, Grady is singing at the World Series that Ry is playing in.
Grady barges back into Ry's life and the two of them rekindle their friendship and start a romantic relationship very quickly. But the world can be mean and their love won't be accepted by everyone. They'll have to weather the storm together and hopefully come out on top.
I have mixed emotions about Immoral. I did like this...it was swoony and sweet but almost a little too cheesy at times. I both appreciated the lack of internal angst in the relationship and hated it. I didn't want them to question their connection but I also could have used a little more turmoil.
I liked Ry - he was an enjoyable character that didn't lack sense. I liked Grady but his nonchalant attitude got on my nerves just a bit at times. I really liked that both of them were manly men. In my opinion, there's nothing hotter than two manly alpha males together.
Honestly, my biggest issue with this story is how Jenny was portrayed for 75% of the story. Jenny was Ry's agent and she was written as such a cold hearted bitch and it was weird. I felt like this story made the idea of being female and having female parts dirty at times and it was off putting to say the least. I really liked Grady's agent Waylon though. Such a sweet and funny soul. I kind of want his story!
The steam in here was delicious and I liked that the story was character and relationship focused. So overall, I liked this despite its flaws for me and I will definitely be trying more of Nicole's books!
Immoral is a MM best friends-to-lovers romance. Grady and Ryan grew up thick as thieves and on the eve of them going their separate ways to pursue their dreams, they share a passionate kiss. Ryan has suspected he was gay but kissing his best friend sealed it for him and he left to begin his baseball career without saying bye to Grady even though it felt like he was ripping his heart out of his chest.
Grady hasn't forgotten the emotional moment he shared with Ryan and after countless attempts to get in touch with Ryan, he tries to move on. But fate has other ideas and seven years later, Grady is singing at the World Series that Ry is playing in.
Grady barges back into Ry's life and the two of them rekindle their friendship and start a romantic relationship very quickly. But the world can be mean and their love won't be accepted by everyone. They'll have to weather the storm together and hopefully come out on top.
I have mixed emotions about Immoral. I did like this...it was swoony and sweet but almost a little too cheesy at times. I both appreciated the lack of internal angst in the relationship and hated it. I didn't want them to question their connection but I also could have used a little more turmoil.
I liked Ry - he was an enjoyable character that didn't lack sense. I liked Grady but his nonchalant attitude got on my nerves just a bit at times. I really liked that both of them were manly men. In my opinion, there's nothing hotter than two manly alpha males together.
Honestly, my biggest issue with this story is how Jenny was portrayed for 75% of the story. Jenny was Ry's agent and she was written as such a cold hearted bitch and it was weird. I felt like this story made the idea of being female and having female parts dirty at times and it was off putting to say the least. I really liked Grady's agent Waylon though. Such a sweet and funny soul. I kind of want his story!
The steam in here was delicious and I liked that the story was character and relationship focused. So overall, I liked this despite its flaws for me and I will definitely be trying more of Nicole's books!
August 8, 2021
I feel I need to start this review with a warning, so please take note! - Make you have a few hours spare because once your start this book you will not be able to put it down! I devoured it, loved it and wanted to go back and read it again!
Ryan and Grady have been best friends for years. They share a kiss before they depart school for their futures. Grady wasn’t fazed by their kiss and brushes it off but Ryan feels more, knowing who he is. Before they can talk properly, Ryan leaves the next day never to see Grady again.
Fast forward seven years and fate brings them together again with Grady hunting Ryan down looking for answers to why he’s been ignoring him for years.
When Ryan and Grady come back together there were a few awkward moments but their chemistry was insane! There was so much want between them! And just wait until they get hot and heavy, I loved their exploration of each other and how they couldn’t keep their hands off each other.
Ryan is gay but because of his career (MLB) he’s not out and Grady is straight. Although old feelings and jealous moments stir something inside Grady, once he makes his mind up, Ryan will be his.
I loved Grady’s character. He was so sure of himself and what he wanted. He never questioned his love for Ryan and would have done anything for him. I also loved his sarcastic tone and the way he was with Jenny, the agent, he had me laughing lots!
Ryan knew who he was and was comfortable in his sexuality but had lived for years getting hookups to sign NDA’s to keep his secret safe. He would never get Grady to sign one and although he doubted Grady on occasion his love for him was so much more.
If you love MM or are new to it you are going to love this read. The story filled my heart with so much love and I swooned so bad over this pair. The angst was low, making this an easy and enjoyable read. The author did amazing for her first MM release.
ARC received for an honest opinion
____________________
Overall Ratings;
POV - dual
Hero’s - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Story - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Steam - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Chemistry - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Ryan and Grady have been best friends for years. They share a kiss before they depart school for their futures. Grady wasn’t fazed by their kiss and brushes it off but Ryan feels more, knowing who he is. Before they can talk properly, Ryan leaves the next day never to see Grady again.
Fast forward seven years and fate brings them together again with Grady hunting Ryan down looking for answers to why he’s been ignoring him for years.
When Ryan and Grady come back together there were a few awkward moments but their chemistry was insane! There was so much want between them! And just wait until they get hot and heavy, I loved their exploration of each other and how they couldn’t keep their hands off each other.
Ryan is gay but because of his career (MLB) he’s not out and Grady is straight. Although old feelings and jealous moments stir something inside Grady, once he makes his mind up, Ryan will be his.
I loved Grady’s character. He was so sure of himself and what he wanted. He never questioned his love for Ryan and would have done anything for him. I also loved his sarcastic tone and the way he was with Jenny, the agent, he had me laughing lots!
Ryan knew who he was and was comfortable in his sexuality but had lived for years getting hookups to sign NDA’s to keep his secret safe. He would never get Grady to sign one and although he doubted Grady on occasion his love for him was so much more.
If you love MM or are new to it you are going to love this read. The story filled my heart with so much love and I swooned so bad over this pair. The angst was low, making this an easy and enjoyable read. The author did amazing for her first MM release.
ARC received for an honest opinion
____________________
Overall Ratings;
POV - dual
Hero’s - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Story - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Steam - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Chemistry - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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July 31, 2021
This one is a combination of friends-to-lovers and second chance romance. At the same time, it’s a sports romance and a rockstar romance. When the opportunity comes for them to be face to face after years apart, neither could have guessed how their lives would change if instead of resisting, they both gave in to temptation. These two are really good together without being overly sweet. This is one of those stories where a good bit happens off page, but it makes sense given the overall length of the story and the amount of time covered. If you’re expecting a super deep character study, you won’t find that here.
August 11, 2021
Be still my heart!!
Nicole Dykes got her sh*t together and has given us an MM!!! I cannot. Everything we’ve come to love and expect from her and she did not disappoint! Grady Bell. Ryan Bailey. THESE BOYS OWN ME.
Honestly, if you’re a fan of MM, rockstar, baseball, hot scenes and head over heels kinda love, you’ll want to pick this beauty up ASAP.
I know she stated this was a standalone, but I am SO invested in these side characters. I NEED MORE.
Nicole Dykes got her sh*t together and has given us an MM!!! I cannot. Everything we’ve come to love and expect from her and she did not disappoint! Grady Bell. Ryan Bailey. THESE BOYS OWN ME.
Honestly, if you’re a fan of MM, rockstar, baseball, hot scenes and head over heels kinda love, you’ll want to pick this beauty up ASAP.
I know she stated this was a standalone, but I am SO invested in these side characters. I NEED MORE.
October 7, 2021
Genre/Tropes: MM, Friends-to-Lovers
POV: 1st, Dual
Standalone
STEAM LEVEL: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
I needed this book so bad and I didn’t even know it. With a world gone topsy-turvy, it was both heartbreaking and heartwarming reading a MM romance like this. The challenges faced, the angst and tension was just killer and most of it was outside influences and I loved that! The romance between these two MMCs was absolutely breathtaking. It was passionate and masculine, a wonderful combo you don’t often see.
Ryan and Grady were best friends, but Ryan was secretly in love. After a drunken kiss, Ryan leaves to start his baseball career and Grady, after years of homophobic preaching from his dad, doesn’t go after him and starts his career as the singer of Immoral. Seven years later Fate puts them in the same place at the same time…the World Series where Ryan wins the trophy and Grady was there to perform. Fireworks exploded and while the guys worked out their feelings , one of THE most beautiful romances bloomed. Bell and Bailey. Bailey and Bell. Their love was so honest and true I’m just, stunned lol
Y’all. The tension was insane. Grady was the optimist and the protector. He was wild and reckless. Ryan was more timid and insecure but the development and progress was just phenomenal. And the smegsy times were just 🥵🥵. The jealousy Grady showed and how he just went with the flow was refreshing. Both men were masculine and that is HOT. And that epilogue? 😭😍
I’m in love with this couple. I must own this book forever and immediately.
⭐️ 𝙀𝙙𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙨 𝙪𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩. ⭐️
August 11, 2021
Please write more MM.
I devoured this book! I read it in one sitting. Oh, I loved Grady and Ryan and the love they had for each other. The story flowed well and had the perfect HEA. Please write more of them, the author has my support for the next works.
I devoured this book! I read it in one sitting. Oh, I loved Grady and Ryan and the love they had for each other. The story flowed well and had the perfect HEA. Please write more of them, the author has my support for the next works.
October 31, 2021
I 10/10 thought this was going to be angsty but it was really fluffy. Not what I was expecting but not a bad read either.
August 2, 2021
Book three in the 'Summer of Standalones' from Nicole and Immoral is her first MM romance and she did a fantastic job. Ryan is a Catcher in the MLB and Grady is a rock star phenomenon. Both were best friends growing up when a drunken kiss shared between them creates a seven year time period without communication. Many women and a mass of success later for Grady and a world series win and the occasional discreet hook-up for Ry who cannot let the world know who he really is, and they finally cross paths once again.
I adored the instant chemistry of this friends to lovers novel. Grady has such a playful, care free personality that balances out Ry's constant worry over being outed and disowned by his club and his fans. The relationship between the two Hero's was quick to flourish but it didn't feel rushed, Nicole did a wonderful job at making us feel like we have know Ry & Grady for a long time, the connection was easy to build. Immoral was low in angst compared to some of Nicole's back catalogue but that doesn't mean it was any less of a fantastic read.
I enjoyed the exploration of a mutual respect, love and adoration Grady and Ry have for one another and the sexual chemistry between them both is HOT! Reading how they navigate a new relationship in the public eye, while wishing things could be different really highlighted the challenges people face when confronted with the fear or the reality that love isn't love to everyone and unfortunately that's the world we live in. But if this story doesn't highlight all the ways that you can't help who you love and happiness goes hand in hand with finding your soul mate whoever that is I don't know what will. Grady and Ry's story filled me with so much joy and it was exactly what I love about reading romance.
I adored the instant chemistry of this friends to lovers novel. Grady has such a playful, care free personality that balances out Ry's constant worry over being outed and disowned by his club and his fans. The relationship between the two Hero's was quick to flourish but it didn't feel rushed, Nicole did a wonderful job at making us feel like we have know Ry & Grady for a long time, the connection was easy to build. Immoral was low in angst compared to some of Nicole's back catalogue but that doesn't mean it was any less of a fantastic read.
I enjoyed the exploration of a mutual respect, love and adoration Grady and Ry have for one another and the sexual chemistry between them both is HOT! Reading how they navigate a new relationship in the public eye, while wishing things could be different really highlighted the challenges people face when confronted with the fear or the reality that love isn't love to everyone and unfortunately that's the world we live in. But if this story doesn't highlight all the ways that you can't help who you love and happiness goes hand in hand with finding your soul mate whoever that is I don't know what will. Grady and Ry's story filled me with so much joy and it was exactly what I love about reading romance.
August 8, 2021
Honestly, I do not think that I could've spent my day in any better way other than binge reading what I can only describe as an incredible must read. As many of you may already know, I love Nicole's work. There's no doubt about that. But her debut MM book is by far one of my favourites! If you're looking for a steamy MM or something to introduce you into the trope, but also like the sports, rockstar and best friends to lovers trope, this is for you. I don't really think I can say much about this book other that wow, well done, and I can't wait to see what else you have in store for us both in the FM and MM tropes.
September 6, 2022
To start, this book kinda took off out of no where - they went from not talking for seven years to starting a relationship right away- no tension, no buildup, nothing…
Also- this book is supposed to be dual pov but both characters had the exact same inner voice so good luck trying to keep up with which pov you’re supposed to be reading at any given moment.
Also- this book is supposed to be dual pov but both characters had the exact same inner voice so good luck trying to keep up with which pov you’re supposed to be reading at any given moment.
August 9, 2021
I fell for Grady Bell and Ryan Bailey SO HARD!!! From the first page to the last I was riveted - their friendship, chemistry, and pasts all combine for an addictive, FIVE STAR MM read.
These two guys are absolute perfection together - Grady is the sexy, confident, rock and roll star who dives headfirst into everything he wants; and Ryan is the broody, alpha baseball player who is hesitant to make waves without a plan. Even with the time jump in this book, their connection never wavers. Their chemistry is HOT, HOT, HOT, and I was not ready to say goodbye to these two.
N Dykes does a fabulous job of telling their story of personal challenges, along with pursuing their dreams and making sacrifices for those you love. It is heartfelt, real and raw at times, and oh so relevant to the LGBTQ community today. I absolutely loved this story and hope to see more of these characters in books to come! Well done once again N Dykes!!!
These two guys are absolute perfection together - Grady is the sexy, confident, rock and roll star who dives headfirst into everything he wants; and Ryan is the broody, alpha baseball player who is hesitant to make waves without a plan. Even with the time jump in this book, their connection never wavers. Their chemistry is HOT, HOT, HOT, and I was not ready to say goodbye to these two.
N Dykes does a fabulous job of telling their story of personal challenges, along with pursuing their dreams and making sacrifices for those you love. It is heartfelt, real and raw at times, and oh so relevant to the LGBTQ community today. I absolutely loved this story and hope to see more of these characters in books to come! Well done once again N Dykes!!!
August 12, 2021
It is my first time reading this author and I do not regret giving her words a chance, I really enjoyed this book, I loved the supporting characters, but I loved and enjoyed Grady and Ryan very much, despite the adversities and that Sometimes we ourselves are the problem, love can do everything and without a doubt that is what this book left me with. Recommended for MM fans, bi awakenig like me.
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