Mad Man

Necessary Evils #5

by Onley James

Avi Mulvaney is many things. Son. Twin. Owner of the fashion label, Gemini. Murderous psychopath. Together, he and his brother, Asa, make one brutally efficient monster, ridding the world of predators who victimize the innocent. History proves Avi and Asa don’t do well apart, but their father has decided to test that theory.

Felix Navarro knows exactly who he is. Baby brother. Fashionista. Vigilante. While he’s not happy that his big brother married a Mulvaney, the union has its perks. Like a paid internship with Gemini. But all good things come with a cost and, for Felix, that’s enduring Avi Mulvaney each day, which inevitably leads to thinking about him every night.

Felix doesn’t like Avi. He’s cocky, condescending, overbearing, and inappropriate. He’s also sexy, brilliant, and twice as lethal as Felix. Still, Felix loathes him. Even if he keeps letting him kiss him. And touch him. Even if he slipped just once. It was still hate sex, and it would never happen again. Ever.

Except, Avi’s being sent to help take down a dangerous crime ring and he’s ordered Felix to come along. Felix has vowed to stay strong. To remember he hates Avi. But they’re trapped together and there’s only one bed, and it’s so hard to hate Avi in the dark when he’s whispering how Felix belongs to him. Felix belongs to no man, but Avi is determined. He has one week to prove to Felix that he’s the exception to his rule. After all, who says no to a Mulvaney?

Mad Man is a scorchingly hot, intense, enemies to lovers, psychopath romance with an HEA and no cliffhangers. It features a dirty talking, brutally vicious killer and a sharp tongued murderous fashionista who are both too stubborn for their own good. As always, there’s gratuitous violence, very dark humor, enough blood to film the final scene in the movie Carrie, and enough heat to melt your panties. This is book 5 in the Necessary Evils series. Each book follows a different couple.

TAGS: psychopath, enemies-to-loves, dark humor, much violence, jealousy, bad boys doing bad things, long distance snark, only one bed, hate sex, more hate sex, hate sex that becomes apathetic sex then maybe something like love, if two killers are better than one what's three killers, Avi is jealous, Asa is preoccupied, August is still August, Lucas is frazzed, Archer is still drunk, Thomas is at his wits end, Aiden is still in denial, Noah is still the psychopath whisperer and Adam is still a dick.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Dark Romance, Dark, Contemporary, LGBT, Audiobook

296 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 7, 2022

About the author

Onley James lives in North Carolina with her daughter, her daughter-in-law, son-in-law, and a menagerie of animals, both good and evil. James splits her time between writing m/m romance and mainlining dangerous levels of caffeine and attempting to maintain her ever-slipping sanity.

When not at her desk you can find her whining about how much writing she has to do while avoiding said writing by binge-watching unhealthy amounts of television and doom scrolling on social media. She loves true crime documentaries, anti-heroes, and writing kinky, snarky books about morally gray men who fall in love with other men.

Stay up to date: www.onleyjames.com/newsletter

Find me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Onley...

Want more: linktr.ee/OnleyJames

Reviews

[mina reads™️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

murder husbands is just always gonna be a serve. The Navarro brothers makes the series ten times better I loved Felix in this, my little anxiety ridden murderous fem cinnamon roll 🥺 and Avi the full time Felix simp! I loved it

the pacing is always super weird in this series but I still enjoyed it

my necessary evils playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3HO...

[Florence . · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars

“I’m not lying, kitten. Do it. Carve your name into my skin. Stake your claim. I want you to.”

I will probably sound like a broken record at this point. I haven’t been enjoying this series as much as I thought I would and wanted to (I honestly thought all of the books in this series would be 5 stars for me) but I have a massive emotional connection to the characters in this series and I go into each new book with so much hope that I will adore them, so every time I don’t give 5 stars to the books, I just feel so bad, it’s like a part of me breaks. I just wish that these books weren’t always a copy and paste of each other, I would do anything for a new flavour, a new plot point, anything. I just feel like i’m reading the same book over and over again and I enjoyed it the first time, I really enjoying it the second time around but now that it’s the fifth time, i’m a little blaze of it all.

And trust me, this hurts me to say because Onley James is at the top of my favourite writers list and when asked who my go to author for books that always work for me, her name is the first one that comes to my mind. Most of her books have been 5 stars reads for me, so i’m saying this with a lot of love. I just want something different from what feels like the same exact book 5 times in a row.

But now to what I enjoyed about this book, I learnt some very important things while reading this book:

1- Aiden is a lumberjack with rugged hair, a unruly beard and thats just hot as fuck and I adore that about him.

2- The next book in the series is the book i’m the most hyped for and I haven’t been this excited for a book in years. I just absolutely adore Archer already and I want everything about him and his love interest, Mac, whom is already a favourite of mine. I’m so happy that the next book in the series is a kind of a crossover with my second favourite Onley James book of all time, Captivating.

Brief Summary
Avi and Felix have been turning around each other for months but they are avoiding each other and their attraction to each other. Everything comes to head when Avi has to go spend a week with his brother Aiden to investigate a crime scene and Avi brings Felix along. They end up realizing that they both want each other and they fall in love during that time.

But this book was about Avi and Felix, so I would say that they were pretty fine too. Like always, I enjoyed their possessiveness, I enjoyed their banter, I enjoyed the idea of them as a couple, I really enjoyed the set up of this book, this sounded like everything I have ever wanted in a book and their pairing just sounded so lovely to me, at first. I just wanted more of everything when it comes to their relationship, I wanted them to feel better suited for each other, I wanted them to trust each other more, I wanted them to communicate more, I wanted them to spend more time bounding together, but mostly I just wish that they explored their kink side more because we are told times and times again how Avi loves pain and to be dominated but I feel like we never got to see it enough on page. As an example, the knife play in this book is literally only two sentences … I just wanted way more of it. Also, I felt like the start of this book was so good and it was super strong, I seriously was so into the entire set up of this book and I was loving it so much, but then around 40%, everything became super stagnant and I felt like everything that I loved about the start of the book was gone. This book had such a strong start and I was convinced I would love the book because of it, but then this book started to lose me more and more each chapter, I just couldn’t see any of the any of the start of the book anymore, it’s like everything I was loving before disapeared to leave way to a shell of the book of the book, without all of the fun parts I previously enjoyed.

Also, I just want to talk about something that really made me sad. I didn’t only like Felix’s behaviour. He has a lot of trust issues and he keeps pushing Avi away and Avi is clear with Felix and he keeps telling Felix over and over about how he wants him and wants to be with him and Felix refuses to trust Avi on that and he keeps pushing Avi away and he plays games on Avi, which makes Avi sad because since he’s a psychopath he cannot process why Felix pushes him away, since Felix never tells Avi why he pushes him Avi, so Avi kept feeling rejected, which made me feel super sad for him and I just wanted to hold him. So yeah, I just wasn’t a fan of Felix’s behaviour in this because he kept hurting Avi when Avi was just super sweet to him and never did anything wrong.

All in all, I just feel like this book was the draft of the plan for this book and that everything needed to be developed more. I just wanted every part of this book to be developed more, but this book all felt very surface level. You know when you’re people watching and you see a couple across the street, and you learn some things about their relationship but nothing even detailed, thats how I felt about Avi and Felix’ relationship and the crime plot in this book. Which I will be frank, I just didn’t care about. I know that these books all have an investigation side plot but I felt like the one in this book was just really flat and it never caught my attention.

In other news, I’m so hyped for Archer’s book, I just know i’m probably going to adore it and i’m so excited to read it.

[moonlight ☾ [semi-hiatus] · Rating 2 out of 5]

i don't think yall understand just how disappointed i feel to give this book 2 stars.

i loved and adored, was obsessed with the first three books in the series. still love them to this day (especially my bbs Jericho and Atticus. they're still my fav relationship in this series with Jericho being my fav character and the Mulvaney family as my fav psychopath family <3) and, keep in mind, i've been looking forward to Avi and Felix's romance ever since we've seen glimpses in book three but it seems like every time i have high expectations on something, it always goes downhill lol. maybe some side characters just... need to stay as side characters? i loved the Jericho/Atticus crumbs and one thing that's consistent about my love for this series is the interactions between the Mulvaney family.

***

AVIFELIXAVIFELIXAVIFELIXAVIFELIX

these two have had me on a chokehold ever since book three and the fact that their book is releasing in a few days... I'M NOT PREPARED.

[Jay H (Hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can’t believe this is the only book I’ve read in 6 days but at least am finally in the mood to finish this series. These two had me in a chokehold. The CARVING??!! 🔥🥵I did not know Felix would be that freaky😭

[Mica ♡Hopeless Deviant♤ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excited for this, BUT also wanna say fuck everyone and gimme the pirate's story. Archer has me going out of my mind and all I really know is he's a drunkard bastard who plays poker and gets shitfaced. I NEED this!!!

UPDATE: Did I skip straight to the preview for Archer's book after pretending it didn't exist for two whole chapters of this book? Yes. Yes I did.
Was I torn between disappointment that he's actually not an alcoholic and excitement at how his brothers are going to react? Yeasssss!!!

For now though, Felix and Avi were enough of a distraction.

Felix stared at him with wide eyes. “Are you insane?” he shouted.
“Clinically,” Avi confirmed

Come on! I will probably be laughing at this for the rest of the week.

I knew Felix was gonna be a handful from the moment we met him but holy shit the will power on this man??? Like, who knew Avi was such a lovestruck, super sweet, horny idiot???

What is better than, "You look so fucking beautiful wearing my blood."

Felix is lucky his insecurities were legit (at least to me) because I was super close to reaching through my screen to slap him🤨

Alas, Jericho and Atticus are still my favorite couple but if Mackenzie plays his cards right (that was a coincidental pun), things might be different🤗

[Imme [trying to crawl out of hiatus] van Gorp · Rating 4 out of 5]

|| 3.5 stars ||

This was, without a doubt, my favourite book in the series. It was just better executed and had a little bit of a different vibe from the other ones (who, unfortunately, genuinely all felt like exact copies of each other).

I think what made this so much more enjoyable was the fact that Avi and Felix had an actual build-up in their relationship with some push-and-pull and everything. I also loved that this had some depth to Felix’s insecurities, and how attentive Avi was to that.

The dynamic of this couple was honestly just pretty awesome in general: Avi was like a murderous psychopathic golden retriever, while Felix was a bratty little spitfire. They matched so well and I truly liked both of them separately too.
The way Avi worshiped the literal ground Felix walked on had me weak: Avi’s adoration for Felix was a 10/10, and you don’t even understand how much I turned into a giant puddle of mush every time Avi was obsessing over him. There’s no doubt in my mind that he would have done anything Felix asked of him, without even having to think about it twice.

Nonetheless, I did once again prefer the first half of the book over the second half as it got slightly more repetitive later on. The difference this time around was that I cared about these two enough to even enjoy their more bland scenes that did not focus on their romance, but, for example, focused on the crime/murder stuff.

Also, I want to give an honourable mention to Felix and Zane’s relationship because even though it was only introduced near the end of the book, I was still a major fan of it.
However, I didn’t (and still don’t) want to read Zane’s book, because I already know his romance with Asa would have bothered me; it’s honestly giving me abusive vibes. Asa is definitely not doing it for me and Avi is 100% the superior twin.


'Necessary Evils' series:
1. Unhinged - 2.5 stars
2. Psycho - dnf
5. Mad Man - 3.5 stars
7. Maniac - 2.0 stars

Novella:
3.5. Damaged - 2.5 stars

[Marci · Rating 2 out of 5]

Aiden and Thomas *not* being related was only mentioned like three times instead of one million times like in previous installments… Progress! 😃 And we got the most mentions and interactions for them thus far. But I don’t think it’s a great sign that the most enjoyable aspects of this book for me were the other characters brief appearances but that’s what happened. Zane my sweet sunflower getting fired up at Asa when he says something a little mean?! Yes. More please! Jericho, my leather jacket wearing babe telling Atticus AKA Freckles to put on more sunscreen!?!?? Exactly! I didn’t feel that much for the main couple here. I thought if I had waited a while since I’d read book 4 I’d have more fun with this one because then it’d feel newer but alas, that was not the case! The sex scenes were so meh that I was actually shocked. Onley. We’ve all read Moonstruck … we know what you’re capable of!!! The banter felt recycled and already done. But that’s the thing - I guess my overall thoughts are we’ve been there, we’ve done that and we need something a bit…different as we get more and more books. The chain of the events is always the same which I don’t love but what I really need is some better and fresher character dynamics and banter. Some pizzaz! Some surprise! Not even going to get into how easily solved the case was because that’s the name of the game! I definitely feel like Onley holds back a bit. I’m amazed that we’re five books into this series and we haven’t gotten any explicit touch my man and I’ll kill you scenes. Or even something more tame. But it speaks to the tell and not show of this series. We get teased with something amazing and then we never get to see much if any of it. 😶☹️ Definitely my least favorite couple and book. I still adore this series and this family so much though. 🥰 Archer’s book interests me so much because we’ve heard barely anything from him so fingers crossed for book 6! 🤞🏻 Jericho & Atticus continue their reign as my favorite couple💘

[Chelsea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bro, I'M SO BORED AND DISAPPOINTED AT THIS POINT.
🤷🏻🤷🏻🤷🏻

I was so excited for Felix's book, the ultimate sass queen with twin 2.
I was so excited for banter, and sexy push-and-pull, and resistance from Felix...

WHAT I WAS NOT READY FOR FELIX, THE OVER EMOTIONAL CRYBABY "boo hoo everyone's going to leave me" FELIX AND HAVING THEM FUCKING BY 7% ????

And the whole "Avi hates me" trying to create tension thing WAS SO DUMB.

It would be like:
AVI: I did all this stuff for you because I thought you were having a bad day, and also you're really hot and I could show you how good I am with my fingers.
Felix: omg, boo hoo, he hates me.


?????????????????????



It's taking the "I know what to expect when I read this book" to disproportionate levels of ridiculous.

I SWEAR TO GOD, IF THOMAS AND AIDEN'S BOOK BOMBS, I'M GOING TO FUCKING RIOT, BECAUSE I AM IN SPAIN WITHOUT THE S, CRAWLING THROUGH THE FUCKING EMOTIONAL TRENCHES TO GET TO THEM AND IF THEY LET ME DOWN............................





p.s can someone let the author know that not everyone needs to get married? 🤭

[Renae Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this book***

Felix and Avi!!!! They are my second favorite couple following very closely behind August and Lucas. Their snarky comments elevated their banter to hilarious levels. I loved seeing the depth of their connection. The devotedness of Avi is a great complement to Felix's possessiveness.

Mad Man was a steamy addictive ride from beginning to end. Watching Avi's swoon worthy submission too meet Felix's needs was so well done. I also loved how Avi would relieve Felix of any insecurities and worries he had about the seriousness of their relationship.

Mad Man has the classic Mulvaney possessiveness, which only grows once a Mulvaney meets his person, and seeing Avi prove his devotion to a skeptical Felix was perfect. Felix has a lot of fears and watching Avi disprove all of his worries was so tenderly done.

Felix and Avi have an amazing connection, making Mad Man such a treat.

Loved the sneak peek into Archer's story, he is definitely a surprise.

[lakshmi · Rating 4 out of 5]

OJ’s teasing the hell outta me with Aiden and Thomas.

I need them like air.😮‍💨😮‍💨


Moving on. This book? It was good. I loved Felix, he was such an amazing character and his personality and faults and quirks all spoke to me so well

Avi, I gotta say, I prefer over Asa. He was needy and clingy and confident and arrogant and so much more. I felt like the couple complimented each other so well.

I don’t remember much of the plot and mystery aspect. It wasn’t my favorite out of this series which is fine because I liked the romance so much better and I loved that we got to see a lot more of Aiden and Thomas

Random scenes that I highlighted


- them making fun of felix’s driving

“Asa laughed. “Yeah, you know, push down on the gas pedal, let off the gas pedal, push down on the gas pedal, let off the gas pedal.”
“Asa,” Zane admonished.
“What? You got seasick the last time he drove.”
- talking about having kids🥰

“Do you want babies?” Felix asked out of nowhere.
“Now?” Avi asked. “I mean, I don’t think we can bend the laws of science, but I’m willing to fake it ‘til we make it.”

- Avi’s nickname

“ You really are like a murderous golden retriever,”

- Thomas and Aiden hints baby!!!

“ My last name isn’t Mulvaney anymore, Calliope,” Aiden said, shifting uncomfortably in his seat.
“For now,” Calliope muttered under her breath. ”

- Needy Avi

“ Yeah, usually when I call you kitten, you find some super creative way to threaten me and then we, like…banter. But there’s been no banter for two whole days. Just you…ignoring me. I don’t like when you won’t play with me,” Avi said, tone almost sulky.”

- they’re back and forth

“ If you’re trying to tell me you’re rocking a Gemini jockstrap under those pants, I might have to drag you into the bathroom to check for myself. Just to be sure.”
Felix batted his lashes at Avi. “I’ll be sure to tell HR of your dedication to company policy when I file my lawsuit.”

[~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though I'm still bitter that the author chickened out of twincest, I did like Felix and Avi together.

Felix's icy, snarky demeanor hides an insecure soul. Felix is so afraid Avi will leave him, he pushes Avi away over and over. Fortunately, Avi (the masochist to Asa's sadist) is patient and loves clingy Felix.

This book is super sexy. Except for the blood thing. That wasn't sexy. But it worked for Avi and Felix so whatever.

The black humor that was missing in the last couple of books was alive and well in Mad Man. I love the banter between the brothers.

And the Thomas/Aiden pairing is getting heated!

Archer is next. My theory is that he doesn't drink nearly as much as everyone thinks he does.

[Kati *☆･ﾟ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5***** stars


I was totally excited to read this book, even though I was unsure if I would like it after Headcase being a little of a disappointment for me. But fortunately I was not disappointed with this one. Not in the slightest.

I really adooooored Avi & Felix! As I knew I would. They were just beautiful together. And more intense than I experienced with the other couples so far. Especially Felix made a deep impression on me. What a colorful, beautiful, sensitive and caring character. I loved them and their story very much.

(Buuuuut, as I said, I loved them a lot!! but not quite enough for them to push Adam & Noah from the position of my favorite couple in this series. Nevertheless they own a solid 2nd place on my list.)


Soooo… as I don’t have anything else of substance to say, I complete my review with a nice quote from Avi - it’s good to remind yourself sometimes:

„Life isn’t meant to be lived in moderation. We only get one chance at this, and I have no interest in depriving myself of things I enjoy knowing that they’ll disappear someday. Or that I will. What’s the point of living if you’re just going to keep yourself locked away from ever experiencing life?”

*********
I am suffering over here. All these small glimpses into Thomas’ and Aiden’s story 🥺 ...and there is not even an announcement for a book for them. It’s torture!

“My last name isn’t Mulvaney anymore, Calliope,” Aiden said, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. “For now,” Calliope muttered.

-----------------

“We don’t want to behave. We’re horny,” Zane whined, taking Felix’s hand and sliding it down his pants. “Please come home?”

Awww, a wish come true. Sexy times with all four of them together 🥰

Pity, it’s not in the novels. But thankfully she wrote a short on her patreon. #thanks -- Maybe there’ll even be a second part. I hope so.




************
Necessary Evil Series:

Book #1 - Unhinged - 4.5 stars ♡
Book #2 - Psycho - 4.5 stars
Book #3 - Moonstruck - 4.5 stars
Book #3.5 - Damaged - 4.5 stars
Book #4 - Headcase - 4 stars
Book #5 - Mad Man - 4.5 stars
Book #6 - Lunatic - 3.5 stars
Book #7 - Maniac - no rating

[BookSafety Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book safety, content warnings, and tropes & tags down below.

“My love of murder doesn’t have anything to do with my capacity for cuddles. They’re not mutually exclusive.”

Damn, I really really love Felix and Avi. I kinda already knew I would adore Felix from all of his previous appearances, but when I didn’t connect as much with Zane and Asa, I got a little worried. I shouldn’t have worried tho, because Avi and Felix had super chemistry, and I totally bought their connection and romance. Asa and Avi are mirror twins, and it was super clear in this book.

Felix was described as an alley-cat with a rhinestone collar, and I don’t think I could find a better way to explain him as a character. He is super prickly, mega emotional (which I love), pretty freaking crazy, as well as super beautiful, arrogant and funny. He’s all of that, but he still makes a lot of sense. You never feel like he’s acting out of character. Quite the opposite, really. Every time he does something unhinged, you end up thinking ‘yup, that tracks’.

I remember feeling a little unsure about how close Avi, Felix, Asa and Zane were gonna end up being after reading some spoilers, as well as hearing about what happens between them on Onley’s patreon, but I just decided to go with it. I ended up loving their dynamic. I’m still not a massive fan of Asa, but that’s totally fine. Not every character is going to work for me. However, Felix and Zane? I *love* them. So much. I could read an entire book about their friendship. Felix will cut a bitch to protect Zane, and I’m here for it. He’s like the mama bear of the group. I also love how they’re cuddly together. They’re described as being one stop above siblings and one step below lovers, and that fits pretty well.

I was also a big fan of finally getting to know Aiden a little better. I can’t wait for his and Thomas’ book.

Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️

⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Virgin MC
Boss/intern
Found family
Psychopath MC
Twin MC
Designer
Femme MC
Possessive and obsessive
Murderous golden retriever
Masochist

⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Unsafe sex
Self harm
Torture
Graphic violence
Blood play (cutting, licking)
Face slapping (sexual and consensual)
Mentions of rape (side character, off page)
Brief mention of the death of a sibling

⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM drama: No
Third-act breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, dual POV
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles

[Gloria (in a slump? idk) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yeah I floved this and I'm not ashamed

But omg the amount of Thomas and Aiden teasers we got in this book 😩😩 I only hope to survive their story

[Preeti · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 🌟 Well!! I did like the 1st few chapters. Sassy Felix completely lived up to my expectations and Avi was not bad at all. I liked their banter in the start and even though initially the insta love felt too forced, I did get invested in their blood plays.

But, guess what all this good stuff got over by 120 pages and then started a never-ending journey of the drama. I was least interested in the 'Hunt' and less so in any of the Mulvaney boys. The book felt too long and even a few scenes of Jericho couldn't make me feel better

The worst thing is constantly being teased by the Aiden-Thomas angle. I mean at this point we have to get tired of hearing "they are not related" by every character in this series. Okay, I got you OJ, you don't want us to think of it as taboo but still be excited about it.🤔🤔 Not happening…..

The worst thing is when you don't have time to read and you still squeeze a book and it turns out to be fucking disappointment. I think I should have done a favour to myself and reread 'Moonstruck' instead of reading this one. 🤭🤭

[PhrasingComplex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm rating this before I've read it because some @$$ had the audacity to give it 1-star without even reading it.
I really enjoy this series.

[Megan [At The Cottage] · Rating 3 out of 5]

MM Romance
Snarky Psychopaths
3 Stars

After being totally disappointed by Headcase, I was hoping Mad Man would redeem my love of the murder twins and in some ways it did. However, I found this book quite boring in places and I thought the case was a total bore. I was more interested in the interactions between Mulvaney and fam than Felix and Avi as a couple. The first 20% of this book kept my interest but at about 40% I found myself setting this book down a lot. I even fell asleep reading it and considering I was on pins and needles waiting for this book to release, that's a problem.

My biggest issue with this book was how Felix and Avi's relationship evolved. The past books have been setting up this perfect enemies to lovers scenario and I was excited for it because when done right enemies to lovers books are my absolute favorite trope. The build up in books like this are usually fabulous with all the tension that turns into passionate hate fucking but there was no build up in this since they were fucking at the 6% mark. Seriously? It was mentioned constantly that Avi was inappropriate at work with the things he did and said to Felix but none of that was shown and had I not read the previous books, I would have never expected to get an enemies to lovers story. I had thought their already established relationship would have taken this series on a new path and out of the same formula because they are all beginning to blur together with the instalove but alas it was the same thing once again. Everything about their relationship felt superficial to me and while there was a lot of snarky banter between them, I never felt that passionate, I love you type spark from either of them. Unfortunately.

Secondly, while this book gave me some of the kink I was expecting and hoping for since Avi likes pain, I just felt like this could have been so much more. I liked the blood play but I wanted more than one scene and Avi mentions wanting to bottom for the first time but nothing comes of it. It's included in the bonus epilogue on the author's website but I wanted it in this book instead of the same scenes with Felix being the bossy bottom. They just became quite repetitive and it pains me to say that because Onley James writes HOT sex scenes but I just found myself wanting to skim through them.

Thirdly, I found the case so ungodly boring. A bunch of rich assholes all killed people with no knowledge of doing it and when it finally got to the who and why, it got a bit better but overall it was just so lackluster compared to others in the series. It also tied into Felix's memories of his sister Mercy and he was able to find some closure there but I just felt very mehhh about it. The cases are usually one of my favorite parts because I am a true crime junkie but this one just didn't do it for me.

But then there are things I absolutely loved which makes me struggle with what to rate this because when I think of the books I've rated 2 stars so far this year, this one is leagues above those and while I liked this one more than Headcase which I rated 3 stars, I can't imagine giving this one 4 stars.

I absolutely LOVED all the character interactions in this book. There are so many scenes with Aiden who has been quite a mystery until now. I love how the group keeps getting bigger once new partners are brought in and the dynamic of all of them together and the banter was everything. It had me laughing out loud at times especially during the scene where all the Mulvaney's are digging graves and their partners are sitting there discussing their bodies while they are all sweating in the sun. There was great banter between everyone and that was probably my favorite thing in this book.

On this same subject of interactions, I LOVED the friendship that developed between Felix and Zane. These two had each other backs and the four of them (Asa, Avi, Zane and Felix) had this special bond. They are all like one unit but not sexually and while I wanted that initially, I know now that it would have never worked for a bunch of different reasons.

I also loved all the Aiden and Thomas crumbs being thrown about. Up until now I haven't really been all that excited for Aiden or Archer's books because they've been so mysterious but after reading all about Aiden's life in Washington, I am curious as fuck about him and Thomas. It's obvious they had something going on for years although I am not sure what that is at the moment. I loved how Aiden was super grungy and a slob (hello, sloth. I see what you did there OJ) but when he knew Thomas was going to be around or on video call he was suddenly put together and all clean. It was so obvious even Avi noticed and he was oblivious half the time.

This was also the first time that I could see how each of the Mulvaney's fit their sin. In case anyone is unaware, these books tie into the 7 deadly sins. I figured this out when looking at the Mad Man cover and realizing 'Lust' was written over and over again. I went back and looked at each of the other covers and saw 'Envy' written on Adam's, 'Wrath' on August's etc. Since Unhinged is my favorite book in this series, I have always known why Adam is Envy but some of the others were unclear. Avi's POV described how he saw his brothers and its the first time I had that aha! moment where they all made sense to me.

Onley James says at the end of this book that she is going to put some more time between releases and that Archer's story won't be out until August. At first, I was upset but I think this could be a good thing. If she has more time to write her stories then maybe they will read different from the rest. Could these last two books have suffered from being released to close together? Would I have liked Asa's book better if Avi's was released first because I felt like I understood Asa more after reading this one than I did reading his own. Either way I am glad this author is going to be putting space between her new books because I am hoping if I take a break from this series, when it comes back I will love it again. Fingers Crossed.

[D.L. Howe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avi is Asa’s reflection every way and I love that dynamic. Where Asa is sadistic, Avi’s masochistic. Where Asa is dominating, Avi likes to give up control.

Which explains part of his obsession with Felix. Even though Felix comes in a small package there’s no denying that he’s the boss bitch.

Yeah Felix could be off putting at times but he certainly grew on you, much like a fungus. My love for him grew when he discovered what happened to Carradine and how much that pissed him off.

Well it seems these assholes are getting just what they deserve. When they went to question that fucker in Oregon, I haven’t felt that kind of disgust in a hot minute. I almost wish they would help get them off the murder charges and let Aiden’s happy ass loose on them.

Karma’s a bitch … don’t drop the soap.

But then that wasn’t enough for Felix, not that I can blame him and what came to pass for all those men was revenge at its finest. Yet another creative torture.

My favorite part was when the men dig holes shirtless while Noah, Zane and Felix compared each brother, Lucas and Jericho.

“You know who I bet looks amazing shirtless,” Felix said casually. “Thomas.” “Mm,” Noah and Zane said in unison. “Okay, that’s enough out of you three,” Aiden snapped. “Either grab a shovel and help or shut up.”

We also got a big taste of Aiden that we were missing before. I’ll say this, the build up to his and Thomas’ story is both exciting and excruciating. I need that book like I need air to breathe.

This wasn’t my favorite but I adored getting a taste of the life the four of them built together. I wouldn’t mind more of that while I wait for Thomas and Aiden.

[Nina Quill · Rating 5 out of 5]

C’était tellement biennnnn !!! Comme prévu j’ai adoré le personnage de Felix mon bibou, l’amour de ma vie !!! C’est un King et il le sait ! Il est super confient et en même temps il a du mal à s’attacher aux gens parce qu’il a peur de les perdre (on relate)!
J’ai adoré Avi également. C’est le total opposé de son frère jumeau ( ça tombe bien j’ai pas du tout aimé le bouquin sur son frère mdr) il est drôle, mignon, romantique, zinzin et complètement fou de Felix has he should !!! Leur relation est incroyable !!
Et alors petit bonus pour la relation Felix/Zane/Avi/Asa le petit moment polyamoureux I didn’t know I needed !
Ça faisait longtemps que j’avais pas fangirlé autant sur un livre et ça fait trop plaisir de retrouver mes réflexes de lectrice de fanfiction mdr

[magic_of_darkness_and_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's official Mad Man is my favorite book in the series so far! 🥰

This book was soooo good!!! I can't believe it!!! 😍
Felix and Avi were everything!!! I didn't like Felix in the previous books and wasn't really interested in the twins too. But after reading this book Avi become my favorite one of all the brothers and Felix too. I could relate to some of the feelings Felix had and this made me love him even more!

The possessiveness in this book, the way Avi and Felix were together, KITTEN, the fierce and amazing way Avi treated Felix when he was insecure, the hot scenes, the family all working together and teasing each other!!! Ughh, it was perfection!!! And I loved how Felix, Avi, Asa, and Zane were together. 💖💖💖💖 I was worried about how that will play out but Onley James did it in such an amazing way. The only way I can describe the relationship between the four of them is with the word: special!!! And omg all the little teasers about Aiden and Thomas!? I can't wait for their book!!! 💖

"He's fragile."
"Fragile?" Avi echoed.
"Yes. Fragile like a hand grenade," Noah said. "Fucking handle with care or he'll blow up your whole goddamn life."

Yeah, but he's like a murdery golden retriever. Fiercely loyal but willing to kill.

But it was so hard to quiet the 'what if' whispering in his head.

That's all I'm going to say because if I don't stop now I don't think I will at all. I can talk about this book for hours!

P.S. The bonus epilogue was EVERYTHING!!! UGHH, I LOVED FELIX AND AVI SOOOO MUCH! 💖💖 I'll be doing a reread soon! And Archer's book!? I can't wait for that too!

[ivy]

DNF @ 40% - I don’t know how Felix held out for so long, I would have given in to whatever Avi wanted in two seconds. 🤷🏻‍♀️
Love love love Avi but that was all.

[Gaby · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was boring, I thought Asa’s book was meh but this one really said hold my poodle and went for it.

It was such a big disappointment. We've been getting glimpses of Felix and Avi since book 3, and it turned out just 😑.

Felix's “everyone I love dies” drama was too much, considering he has a very much alive brother and a bunch of close friends he lives with. So clearly, not everyone dies, Felix!

Avi acted as the least psychopath of all the Mulvaneys in this book. We were told he has “blank eyes” or whatever, but besides that, the dude was full-on empathic with Felix.

The mystery of the case was solved too quickly and it’s only purpose was to now hype Aiden and Thomas relationship 🤦🏻‍♀️

[any · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know the books are incredibly similar to each other but I can't help but love them. I laugh so much with this family. I feel part of it.

Avi please he managed to steal my heart completely. (maybe) my number 1.
and Felix to be honest i hate characters there are similar to me. felix insecurities are the same as mine. and I was like “Jezzz drama queen” AND I’M THAT SAME WAY! but i swear i love him.

however I was sad that after they got together the banter was gone. WHY.

and more two things:
i just KNOW arche’s book is going to be GOOD.
if i have to wait until next year for aiden’s book i will DIE.

[layla is a picky reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.25 stars*

you had me at *hate sex that becomes apathetic sex then maybe something like love* 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥👌

obsessed with each other - enemies to lovers is my crack your honor ❤️‍🔥

[Simona · Rating 5 out of 5]

My fav killer family🥰
I also appreciate that they got so along together, such as Noah, Zane forming a gossip trio together.
Really awesome!

[Grace · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 rounded down. This was... fine.

I mean, I knew I was going to be disappointed, which is why I kept putting it off, because I just can't get over the utter lack of Asa/Avi goodness. Their relationship started so interesting and had SO much possibility, and it's utterly baffling to me that the author just wasted all that potential. Besides the fact that I 100% believe this should have been twincest or at the very least some kind of explicit poly situation, I'm just generally disappointed by how little interaction we actually get between the twins. All of the ~mental~ connection stuff (which is minimal) is seen from Felix's POV, so we never actually get to experience it, and the few times the brothers are together, they're either in a group, or it's off screen while we once again get Felix's POV. I honestly don't understand how you build up twins as being two halves of the same whole and then never show them together. And then at the end of the book Avi basically says Felix is more vital to him than his brother, and sorry, I'm 100% not here for that. I don't understand any of the choices the author has made for the twins, as they make zero fucking sense.

Then there's the kink, which was, like all of the books, really weirdly tame. We keep hearing about how Avi's a subby masochist, and we get a couple of pretty tame scenes with a knife, and basically just regular mildly possessive sex otherwise. No whips? No CBT? No piercing or nipple torture or IDK, anything more than a couple of scratches? Avi doesn't even fucking bottom once, which I'm not saying he can't be a service top situation, but it was weird that it never even came up at all. What is this author's problem with setting up premises she can't or won't deliver on? Why is a series about psychopaths so fucking vanilla and heteronormative? Why are people incapable of feeling love raising children and all settling down and getting married in monogamous white-picket-fence bliss?

Also, what was the point of Felix being a random virgin? What purpose did that serve? How am I possibly supposed to believe that is anything other than author wish fulfillment that made no sense for the character or the narrative?

IDK. I liked Avi and Felix, I didn't hate them together, the case was interesting, but try as I might, I'm really struggling not to let my resentment over lost potential not take over. Aiden/Thomas has so much potential, but again, the way the author has gone SO hard in the "we're not related" schtick makes me think that their story is gonna be a letdown when we get it. Archer was so freaking obviously not an alcoholic degenerate, that the ~reveal~ for the next book is 0% shocking, but I'm curious, partially because I just want to move past the disappointment of the twin books.

[ML · Rating 3 out of 5]

Avi and Felix

Felix is very prickly and not a fan of love or so he thinks. Avi is like a wrecking ball to everything Felix thought he knew. The love/hate and push/pull of these characters was SO hot. HOT! Plus..who knew blood could be so hot. Just saying 🔥🔥🔥🔥
I loved it. They really are perfect for each other. Matching coffins ⚰️ is right! Couples that kill together stay together should be a Mulvaney motto.

The mystery that pulls them together also gave us some insight into Aiden which was a cool reveal.

All the Mulvaney’s participate in this installment in their own ways. Some with hilarious results.
Gallows humor is the best. The Zane/Asa loop gets closed too. That 1st meeting was something!

Like the previous books in this series, the bad guys really get what they deserve. In the very best way!!

The HEA was just what I wanted too.
Love this series hard.

[Vini · Rating 4 out of 5]

did i love this one because i just missed the mulvaneys so much? probably! but still!! i loved felix and avi. avi is a golden retriever psychopath, and felix is an anxious murderous fem cinnamon roll 🥺

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not logical,
original, or real life.
But it's sexy fun.

[Lover of Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well Onley James has DONE it again! I absolutely adored this book. It was superb in every way. In this one we get Avi's story. I was so ready for his book especially after Asa got his book and I was curious if we would get more insight into their connection as twins. I also was curious to see how Avi and Felix would be together and I actually really loved this. The author really got creative with some of the character dynamics. I really was so drawn into their dynamic and there was so much depth to their story. And both Avi and Felix are NOT what they appear on the surface. There are so many layers to their individual personalities that the author really made shine through in this one. The romance was really well done and if you love high spice, then you can depend on this author to deliver a full story that is beyond satisfying. We of course get a solid mystery and some bad people that they get to here haha I swear each time they never stop being "creative" in how they kill these bad peeps. I did love how passionate Felix was in going after these men that raped this girl. I loved that he was so determined to see it through. In ways that the main family group, just wasn't. I also really enjoyed seeing how the four of them (twins with their partners) got along together. And the ways that the twins would do "parent trap" to their partners was pretty hilarious, but it didn't work. Still they don't stop trying lol We also get a build up of the chemistry that is building between Thomas and Aiden so I am very curious where the author will take their story.

Overall I had a blast with this one and eager to continue with these books. Just loving this writing style of this author.