Moonstruck

Necessary Evils #3

by Onley James

Atticus Mulvaney is the eldest son of eccentric billionaire, Thomas Mulvaney-a role he takes very seriously. Atticus takes everything seriously. Like his brothers, Atticus is a psychopath, raised to right the wrongs of a broken justice system. Unlike his brothers, he's not very good at it. Jericho Navarro is no psychopath, but he is a vicious killer. Like Atticus, he also has a secret life. To most, he's just a mechanic. But to a ragtag group of social misfits, he's Peter Pan, teaching them to eliminate those who prey on the weak with extreme prejudice. When Atticus and Jericho come face to face over a shared enemy, their accidental meeting ends in an explosively hot hookup neither can forget. But they have nothing in common. Atticus is a buttoned-up closeted scientist and Jericho is a man on a mission, determined to find and punish those responsible for the death of his sister. Still, Jericho can't stay away. And, truthfully, Atticus doesn't want him to. As Jericho's mission begins to bleed into Atticus's life, two separate but equally brutal families will need to learn how to fight together to take out a common enemy. But no amount of brute force can show Jericho how to scale the walls of a psychopath's heart. Can Jericho convince Atticus that, sometimes, the couple who kills together stays together? Moonstruck is a high heat, intense psychopath romance with an HEA and no cliffhangers. It features a fumbling, sexually confused maniac and the dominating, unapologetic gang leader who can't stop tormenting him. As always, there's gratuitous violence, very dark humor, more killers than you can count, and enough explosive chemistry to level a city block. This is book three in the Necessary Evils series. Each book follows a different couple.

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

342 pages, Paperback

First published October 27, 2021

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]

tfw you meet your soulmate by showing up at the same place to kill the same guy in some random cabin in the woods

“murder husbands” is the best trope argue with the wall! What’s more romantic than committing heinous crimes with your boo. Jericho and Atticus were sooo oddly sweet together in a serial murderers in love kinda way, we have to stan. Best book in the series thus far

p.s…the thomas and aiden thing???? what even???

more thoughts here: https://youtu.be/3hwdrN2dfIg

[lakshmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I KNOW THIS REVIEW SHOULD BE ABOUT JERICHO AND ATTICUS. BUT YOU GUYS. THOMAS AND AIDEN. I NEED THEM LIKE AIR😭😭😭

This book was by far my favorite out of the three. I loved it so much and I literally couldn’t put it down. Both ATTICUS and Jericho were perfect and complimented each other in the best ways possible.

10000% recommend this series to the ones you hasn’t started it yet.


“I’m a psychopath,” Atticus blurted.
The stranger leaned forward, his whisper conspiratorial. “I’m a Scorpio. I still like banging dudes.”

“We’re not dating. Not yet. But there’s just something about him. He’s under my skin.”
“Sounds like an STD if you ask me,” Felix said, his judgey expression nailed firmly back in place.”


“I’m not great company.”
“I don’t know. I find you pretty fucking entertaining. Who else would know off the top of his head that Asia has forty-eight countries?”
“I don’t think my knowledge of geographical trivia is enough to keep you entertained.”

“Atticus swallowed hard. “You’re the only one.”
Jericho kissed him again. “Good. ‘Cause I have no problems killing to protect what’s mine. I’m sure you know that by now.”

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

5 stars ☆

❝ Jericho kissed him again. “Good. ‘Cause I have no problems killing to protect what’s mine. I’m sure you know that by now.”
Atticus slipped his thigh between Jericho’s, snuggling closer to tuck his head against his chest. “I know. I don’t like killing, but I’d kill for you, too.”
Jericho’s stomach fluttered. “I know, Freckles. I know. ❞

i'll admit, this series (so far) has been repetitive and, normally, it would annoy me bc one of the reasons i love reading a series that centers around different couples is seeing the different dynamics and interactions with each couple but im honestly way too attached to the Mulvaney family at this point to care LOL. i understand how some may get tired of it so i wouldn't recommend if you're not a fan of that; however, imo, each couple still had their own unique charms to where i can distinguish the difference and it's more of the insta love/lust that just recycles from the previous books. personally, what stood out to me about Jericho/Atticus' relationship was how, in the first two books, it was Adam and August who pursued their love interests so it was refreshing to see Jericho being the one to make the first move. Atticus was such an intriguing character bc i've always loved the Mulvaney brothers' dynamic with one another so, after reading from his perspective, it was interesting to know his thoughts on how he felt like his family didn't love him. i just wanted to give him a hugg. 🥺 MY MAN, JERICHO. i loved him sm omg, his personality, his humor, his flirty nature, the way he cared for his siblings, the way he loved Atticus—chefs kiss.

im so excited about Thomas/Aiden!! ok tbh, when it was first hinted those two might be the pairing, i was like meh. i wasn't sure if i was gonna like it but, after thinking about it, the tension and longing?? immaculate, so im down for it. 🤣 i do have a feeling Aiden has always had a little crush on Thomas; hence, the distance he always put between them but what im really curious to find out is when/how Thomas reciprocated his feelings. i wanna know when it all began. 👀 i just find it interesting bc, imo, Aiden and Thomas are the two most mysterious characters in this family and they're going to be the couple lol. also, i think Avi/Felix will be a pair? if so, im excited for their story as well! 😭

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was this the best book in the series? Or was I just lonely and feeling extra horn dog?

(but honestly, this was probably my fave so far??)

I loved Jericho.
I loved Atticus.
I loved Felix.
I loved the Mulvaney family shenanigans.
Calliope is literally always a slay 💅


Jericho and Atticus were just so horny. And I support that.
I liked their dynamic, and nothing triggered me like the other 2 books did (minor things sure, but killed enjoyment) where as this one, I just had a great time.
I liked the mystery and murder of this book even if was mainly a plot squished into the end...
Let's be so fucking for real rn... I do not come to these books for plot...


I feel like this book opened the doors to so many new books and possibilities, and i'm sad people say that it really goes downhill from here because this book completely set up the Felix/Twin book, and set the scene for the Daddy Mulvaney/Aiden book...
Come on series... Don't let me down 🙏🙏🙏

[Marci · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book in the series so far! I enjoyed this one from start to finish. With book one and two I was forcing myself to read them both at times (book 2 more than book 1) but I was pleased that didn’t happen this time around. 🤗 Jericho and Atticus have my entire heart, I could not have loved them more!!! Especially Jericho. 🤭

“Don’t even try to tell me I can’t sleep over, Freckles. You’re sleeping in my arms tonight. Deal with it.” Atticus harrumphed like the spoiled brat he was. “Fine. I’m too tired to argue.” “Such a gracious host,” Jericho murmured, letting his lips trail over whatever skin they could reach.

One of my favorite aspects of this book was Atticus’ submissiveness and Jericho’s dominance. It was so rewarding to watch Atticus let his guard down and give into submission when he never felt like he could do that. This book is both a mystery and a romance but I also found it to be a story of finding yourself and actually even meeting yourself. Atticus has always mirrored what the other person talking to him does in an effort to get them to trust him and like him, in an effort to blend in. He has tried being the head of the Mulvaney family. He’s a doctor, he’s rich, he’s attractive, he’s got it all... But he never got to be himself because he never knew what that was and we get the privilege of witnessing Atticus’ self discovery as well as this beautiful love story Atticus believed he could never have.

“You’re early,” Atticus grumbled. Jericho raked his gaze over Atticus, from his pink face to his flushed torso, until his eyes snagged on his obvious erection tenting the cotton fabric around his waist. Jericho smirked. “Looks like I’m right on time, Freckles.”

Jericho described Atticus as a pillow princess and folks...it suits him perfectly!!! The sex scenes were incredible. Usually I’m not too big on a million sex scenes in a book but here I was happy as a clam because they were so damn good!!! I loved seeing how much Atticus appreciated Jericho telling him what to do about...anything. Atticus doesn’t know what he wants to eat tonight? Jericho has it covered. Atticus needs someone killed? Jericho’s got it! He got to be taken care of in all regards 😏😌 and be the glorious pillow princess he is!!!

Jericho ticked so many of my I-love-that-in-a-fictional-love-interest boxes. Very hot. Very easy to imagine owning several leather jackets (because he’s a hot bad boy and all.) Flirty, funny and perpetually smirking. Does not care what anyone thinks about him. Will set the world aflame for the people he loves. Domineering but also full of soft touches and so much love. Protective. Possessive. Will fight people over significant other whilst being protective and possessive (this includes significant other's family members.) 😌😌😌 I could go on and on and on and on but I shall stop there!!! Atticus and Jericho were absolutely made for each other and I find myself thinking that less than I’d hoped with the hundreds of romance books I consume but sometimes I’m just like well...I guess? I mean if there’s nobody either of them like more, I guess that works. But here I was...Jericho and Atticus’ biggest cheerleader because I was so enamored with this relationship and so in love with their love. I was rooting for them immediately because who else but these two are going to have that much chemistry over a meet-cute involving killing a guy?!?! Jericho was so self-assured and confident and I feel so strongly that that helped Atticus feel more okay about finding himself. 🧡

Atticus slipped his thigh between Jericho’s, snuggling closer to tuck his head against his chest. “I know. I don’t like killing, but I’d kill for you, too.” Jericho’s stomach fluttered. “I know, Freckles. I know.”

A song that suits this book -- Hold U by Indigo De Souza

[Florence . · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 “We’re the only ones who matter.” stars

“I’m not letting you go, Freckles. I’m just not. You can call it a business arrangement, an affair, a kidnapping, some kind of midlife crisis. But whatever you call it, you’re mine. And I protect what’s mine.”

I’m so sorry book, it really pains me that I didn’t like you more than I did. I wanted to love you so badly but sadly we just weren’t meant to be.

I don’t think I can begin to explain how sad I am that this book did not work for me. This is not something that often happens to me. I almost always love Onley James books and it’s really rare that they do not work for me. I absolutely loved the books in this series so far and this was the book in this series I was the most excited for. But somehow … this book just did not do it for me.

Brief summary
Atticus is sent to kill a man. He finds the man and another guy who’s already torturing that man, Jericho. Jericho and Atticus start flirting and Jericho gives Atticus a blow job. They cannot get enough of each other so they meet again and again. They realize that they are meant for each other and start a relationship.

First, I really enjoyed the dynamic between Atticus and Jericho. They had really good banter that I loved to read. They fit really well together and really seemed to compliment each other wonderfully. They were very well suited and I definitely loved them together. I did really enjoy how Atticus opened up to Jericho and how Jericho was the one person to make him feel, it was so sweet and so on brand for Atticus, it really worked for me. I also loved how protective of each other they were, it was so damn sweet. I also loved how starving for touch and attention Atticus was and how he seemed to come alive when Jericho was touching him, it was just lovely to read about.

Second, I did like how being with a guy wasn’t an issue for Atticus. He was attracted to Jericho so he went with it, even if he thought he was straight before. It was a really refreshing take on the straight guy trope and I really enjoyed it.

Third, I really enjoyed how obsessed with Atticus Jericho was. They met once and Jericho had given Atticus a blowjob and was already super possesive of him and calling him his, it was lovely to read it. I really loved how possesive of each other they were, it was so damn lovely to read about.

Fourth, this book had a lot of sex scenes and they were all ridiculously hot, because this is Onley James and her sex scenes are always insanely good to me.

Fifth, the meet cute in this book is one of the best meet cute I have ever read. I absolutely loved it and it was so damn good. I loved how they met because they both wanted to murder the same man and both very instantely attracted to each other, if that isn’t love then I don’t know what is.

Side note, Freckles is such an adorable nickname and I just love it so much.

Sixth, I really loved the start of this book. The premise was lovely and it was so promising to me. The first few chapters of this book made me think I would have another 5 stars read on my heads. But after a few chapters, the book just lost me. I felt like nothing was ever developed enough and all the cool ideas in the premise were not explored as much as I wanted them to be.

Case one : The entire premise of this book and we’re told this in great details in the prologue is that Atticus doesn’t have many feelings and mimicks people and mirrors what they do to fit in … but he does it like twice in the entire book. The rest of the time he’s just feeling good old emotions, which the premise let me to believe he wouldn’t be feeling, but he was somehow feeling them all the time. Nothing about Atticus attitude in the book was in tune with who the prologue and the first chapters of the book told me he is, it was hard for me to understand his character because of that.

Case two : At the start of the book Jericho and Atticus had more of dom/sub relationship ans they talked about Jericho being in charge and controling things and Atticus obeing. But it dissapeared after a few chapters. For most of the book there wasn’t a very pronounced power dynamic, there was some little hints but we didn’t get any of the things they talked about wanting at the start of the book. From earlier scenes in the book, I was expecting them to have more of a power dynamic and Jericho having a clear dominating role while Atticus had a clear submissive role (they have conversations about Jericho taking over and deciding everything for Atticus, etc.) … but thats not what I got, instead I got Jericho bossing Atticus a little in bed, and nothing else to hint at their power dynamic.

Case three: The book started off with Atticus thinking he was straight so I was hoping a part of the book would be about him exploring his sexuality. But while the sex scenes were hot as fuck, none of them felt like Atticus was new to being with a guy. The sex scenes sounded more like they had been a couple for 10 years and knew everything about each other than sexual exploration. Which is fine, I guess I just had too high expectations and wanted it to be more of a sexual exploration based on the premise.

Case four: There was a lot of instances in the book where they were torturing people but we were never shown most of it. There was a lack of gore in this book for me. We got to see them torture some people, in very short moments. But there was atleast three instances where they were hurting and dismenbering people and they all happened off page. I just wanted to actually read about the gore instead of being told that it happened without witnessing any of it. I feel like if you’re going to give me violence in the book, I rather have it be graphic than just told it’s happening but never witness any of it.

Case five: I really appreciate the different flavours of psychopaths in these books and I liked how Atticus wasn’t like the others. But, I really missed the psychopath characteristics that were really present in the first books of the series. We are told that Atticus is a psychopath and why is that in the first chapter of the book but I feel like I never got to see him display any of those traits, most of the time Atticus just read closer to being alike to Jericho, who isn’t a psychopath, instead of someone who is a psychopath.

All of this to say, the book just felt unfinished to me. This book felt like the big lines of a draft instead of a fully developed book. Every plot point felt barely developed and like there was much more information that should have been there but wasn’t. It felt like I spent the entire book reading an extended blurb and never got the actual book.

Seventh, I just want to talk about the side characters for a second. I don’t know what happened here but this book somehow made me really annoyed with the main characters of the previous books in the series, characters that I loved in their own books, but that were just really mean in this one. The entire Mulvaney family was really mean to Atticus and always made him feel bad for who he is and I couldn’t help but be very annoyed with everyone. Also Felix, Jericho’s brother, really annoyed me. I understand his motivations but I just wish he was nicer because every time he talked in the book he was just mean to our main characters and it got on my nerves after a while. I prefer side characters that are nice and supportive to side characters that are mean for no reason and I definitely felt like everyone (but Caliope, who is still my favourite here) was in the second category in this book.

Eight, the side plot in this book was them investigating what happened to Jericho’s sister who had dissapeared 8 years before and who was just found death and missing her liver. While I enjoyed the investigation parts, I felt like it was a little too predictable for me to really be invested in it. I would have liked a couple of twist and turns to keep the invesgation fresh but I had guessed what the reveal would be from the start, so it made me less interesting in reading that part of the story.

I think the issue here was that my expectations were too high for the book to ever reach them. This truly was the book in the series I was the most excited for, so i’m most likely just asking too much of the book because I was so excited for it.

P.S. All the teasing about Thomas’ book in this one had my absolutely living, i’m way too excited for that damn book.

I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest review.

[nark · Rating 1 out of 5]

dnf @ 60%.

🔪 i just can’t look at this book on my currently-reading anymore, so i’m dnf’ing it. self care.
🔪 this book is way too similar to books 1 and 2 for me to actually enjoy it. i read the first book in the series, liked it, but i want something that feels new and different now. book 2 didn’t give me that, and neither did this one.
🔪 the way the mcs in this series get together in the first chapters, and instantly form these magical, deep connections out of nowhere just doesn’t work for me.
🔪 i crave some actual relationship development, slow burn and tension before all that happens. instead i just feel absolutely nothing for these two. basically, me continuing to read this series is a recipe for disaster.
🔪 these psychopaths also don’t really feel all that psychotic to me, especially Atticus.
🔪 anyway i’m glad that so many people are loving this series, but i’m out.✌️🤣

[~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

~3.5~

The psychopathic brothers return, this time to battle an unhinged doctor who performs medical experiments on people, preying on the most vulnerable.

I didn't like this third installment as much as the two previous books.

What worked:

- Jericho calling Atticus "Freckles" (awww!).

- The first scene in the "murder cabin" when Jericho gives the bad guy an impromptu geography lesson while Atticus munches on a granola bar.

- High steam, gay sex virgin, and bossy Jericho.

- Atticus screwing his courage to the sticking place and saving his man, while redeeming himself as a "good murderer" after all (hey, we all have dreams).

- Jericho's crew of misfits, his ride or die (I'd love for the author to create a spinoff series for these guys).

- Jericho's conviction that Atticus is touch starved and not a true psychopath.

What didn't:

- A little too much focus on future MCs, especially morose Thomas (is anyone else disappointed that the murder twins are going to be separated? I always thought they were going to get their HEA together).

- Big thing is made of Atticus submitting, but the plot doesn't follow through on the premise (also, no exploration of Atticus's sexuality).

- The mystery involving Jericho's sister wasn't all that interesting.

- Lack of dark humor and bantering between the brothers (most of it fell flat).

- I prefer slower burn stories where the MCs have a conversation or two prior to fucking.

- The ending ... I dunno; the potential was there, but it was really rushed and summarized.

I'm kind of bummed that the next book is Asa's when so much was made of Thomas/Aiden and Avi/Felix. Don't leave me hangin' like that!

[Renae Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.***

Moonstruck is another fantastic entry in the Necessary Evils Series that was a fun surprise in how it switches the dynamic between the main characters in regards to who is pursued and who is the dominant/possessive/controlling personality.

Atticus was such a welcome surprise in terms of his personality and desires. I was not expecting to love how different he was compared to his brothers and he was a welcome change. Atticus's love interest, Jericho is a tornado of energy and domination that I was fully on board with from his first interaction with Atticus. They are a great pair that complement one another. It was nice seeing someone completely devoted and supportive for Atticus, considering he is the punching bag for his brothers.

Atticus and Jericho's connection is instant, passionate, and consuming, which surprises both characters immensely. I also enjoyed seeing how Atticus's family reacts to his new love interest. Those were some of my favorite scenes.

Moonstruck is another great entry in this series, filled with new characters and great moments between the brothers. We are slowly peeling away at other dynamics, which I am so excited to see more from. Thomas and Aiden's complicated relationship is shined upon and finally openly discussed. That conversation is one of my favorite aspects that hints at many interesting future developments that I am anxiously anticipating further down the line.

[Jay H (Hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

JERICHOATTICUS JERICHOATTICUS JERICHOATTICUS>>>>

These two may just be my favourite couple in this whole series!!! I love them so much. I could read a 500 page book about them. I mean he told Atticus he'll kill for him.

“Killing is hard.” [...] “I could kill for you. I don’t mind.”
Atticus frowned. “Like, you’d just go instead? Don’t you have your own kill list to take care of?”
“I don’t seek out targets, they come to me. Most days, I’m just a mechanic and babysitter. I wouldn’t mind killing for you, Freckles.” FRECKLES AHHH I know its basic but that is such a cute nickname

Jericho being protective over Atticus>>>

“The way I hear it, maybe you should worry about yourself. Didn’t you meet your man by fucking up a job and letting him get the jump on you? That was you, right? Seems to me you’ve done some fucking up of your own, so I’d be real careful who you go calling a fucking idiot, ‘cause from where I’m standing, you certainly don’t look like no fucking MENSA candidate.”

Adam I am sorry you know I love you but Jericho ate you tf up 😭😭

I loved Thomas in the first two books but I don't know how I feel about the way he treated Atticus.

“Was Atticus really a psychopath, or had nobody taken the time to try to love him?”

Am fine. Nothings wrong. Am just going to throw myself in front of a bus now. Gina Linetti Style


I did not expect Atticus to be a pillow princess but it just fits him so well.

“Do you think I want anybody else? Nobody compares to you, Freckles. You are this weirdly perfect combination of impenetrable and vulnerable and I can’t fucking get enough of it.”

“I have no problems killing to protect what’s mine. I’m sure you know that by now.”
Atticus slipped his thigh between Jericho’s, snuggling closer to tuck his head against his chest. “I know. I don’t like killing, but I’d kill for you, too.” 🫠

Guys am gonna be real with you. I did not expect Aiden to be in love with Thomas. It just weirds me out. I know they're not blood relatives and technically Thomas didn't raise Aiden but he is still his father or was since they dissolved the adoption so I can't read their book and give them it a fair rating. Am just gonna skip it.

I love Jericho's crew so much do you guys know if they will get a series of their own or just one of them gets a book? I know Felix ends up with one of the murder twins but I really wanted to read about seven and the rest.


_________
Reading update:

“There was a loud crinkling like a chip bag rustling and then Calliope was quietly munching in his ear. “You’re enjoying this,” he said, irritated.
“Of course, I am. This is better than a telenovela. All my boys are finding their happily ever afters. I have to admit, I didn’t think you’d be the next to fall, but I think it’s good for you. You need to lighten up.”

Can I just say that I love calliope so freaking much. And she is so right their lives are basically telenovelas. 😭😭

1. Unhinged - 4.5 Stars
2. Psycho - 3.5 Stars
3. Moonstruck - 4.5 Stars
3.5 Damaged - 2.5 Stars
4. Headcase - TBR
5. Mad Man - TBR
6. Lunatic - TBR
7. Maniac - TBR

[hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

***4.5 stars***

Firstly, Jericho does not only get a spot right into my top book boyfriends BUT— he also gets awarded for giving the CUTEST pet name ever. He called Atticus 'Freckles' and it was so fucking cute it had me weak in the knees 😭

“I’m not letting you go, Freckles. I’m just not. You can call it a business arrangement, an affair, a kidnapping, some kind of midlife crisis. But whatever you call it, you’re mine. And I protect what’s mine.”

“God, I love all these freckles,” Jericho muttered almost to himself, licking and biting at his shoulder as if to prove it.

Secondly, my babies, August and Lucas are now husbands, and I couldn’t be happier. They still remain as my number one couple in the series so far 🥰

“We have a computer whiz, but we don’t even know what she looks like. My other brother—the one who likes to kill people—his husband is psychic and a former FBI agent so we use him when we need quick intel.”

Okay now that I got those two specific details out of the way…onto the actual review

He needed to know that Atticus was as territorial as he was, as fucked up over him as he was over Atticus. That he’d kill for him. Die for him. That this obsessive compulsion was a two-way street. That there was some kind of unspoken agreement that the only way out of this relationship—no matter how fucked up—was if one of them stopped breathing.

Atticus and Jericho’s dynamic totally surprised me, and their dynamic turned out to be my favorite in the series so far. Atticus isn’t like the rest of his brothers, he doesn’t like killing and he doesn’t want to even though that’s what he was raised to do. His brothers have constantly made fun of him for not being as skilled as the rest of them despite him being the oldest of the Mulvaney’s. He just wanted someone who would take care of him, someone who he could be vulnerable with and submissive towards. Jericho described Atticus as a pillow princess and it had me melting how delicate he treated Atticus and how easily he could see what exactly Atticus needed. Jericho is a hitman, very possessive, and has a dominant personality but he was so tender and careful with Atticus. He supported him and stuck up for him against his brothers. His easy-going personality and confidence had me swooning. These two were each other’s perfect match and that’s all I know how to describe them as.

There was so many endearing/cute moments like...

He propped himself up on a few of Atticus’s overstuffed, but insanely soft, pillows, then patted the space between his open legs. Atticus hesitated for a minute before sitting where Jericho wanted him.

How Atticus tried to resist being touchy with Jericho because he's not used to being like this and is shy, but ultimately would give in because it's exactly what he wants. And Jericho was the only person who could give him that. Atticus was so touch starved 🥺

Atticus didn’t openly acknowledge the casual affection but Jericho got to watch the flush run from his neck all the way to the tips of his ears before he took a handful of popcorn and stuffed it in his mouth, pointedly refusing to make eye contact again. When he brought his hands around to run across Atticus’s stomach, he shivered. Atticus was definitely in shape, not an ounce of fat on him, but sitting as he was, he had a belly, and Jericho found he really liked it.

How fucking cute is that??? And just the way Jericho knew exactly how to soothe Atticus. Atticus was such a blusher and such a shy precious baby 😭

The sex scenes in this were definitely the hottest out of the series. Again, the insta love works for this book and just this whole series in general. I don’t know how to explain it, but the characters are always so in tune with each other it’s like they have known each other for years. The Mulvaney’s and their men are simply perfect 😌 and I’m officially Mulvaney property at this point ✨

I loved all of Jericho’s boys and I can't wait for that series to come out. Plus the teases of Aiden/Thomas and Avi/Felix??? Excited is an understatement for how I feel about their books.

Necessary Evils Series
Book #1 - Unhinged - 5 stars ❤️
Book #2 - Psycho - 5 stars ❤️
Book #3 - Moonstruck - 4.5 stars
Book #4 - Headcase - 3 stars
Book #5 - Mad Man - 3 stars
Book #6 - Lunatic - 3.5 stars
Book #7 - Maniac - 2 stars

[Preeti · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 "Fear me, love me, and I will be your slave" Stars.

Things I loved about this book
🏴‍☠️A needy psychopathic Mulvaney brother.
🏴‍☠️A possessive alpha hero.
🏴‍☠️A love interest who wants revenge.
🏴‍☠️A bunch of psychopaths who spend less time in planning, plotting mass murders and more on bickering with the latest member of the boyfriend club.
🏴‍☠️More meetings in the bat cave where Archer is drunk, twins are making some weird gestures, established couples are making out and poor Calliope is the only working professional in the group.

🏴‍☠️Hot sex...kinda D/s

Wait!!! Wait!! I think I kind of wrote the same review for the 1st book and…2nd.🤔🤔 Oopsie, it seems we have the same plot, same execution then why the hell did I give it 4 stars???

Let's improvise 
Things I loved about this book

🏴‍☠️A Mulvaney brother who hates to kill not because it's morally wrong but because it's messy and unsanitary. And, yeah he is more prickly than hedgehogs.😂😂

🏴‍☠️Jericho- First time in the series we get a true alpha love interest, he is hot, smart and thank god!! not a psychopath.
🚩Damn!!! He slaughters his victims slowly, precisely.
🚩Loves to make out anytime but mostly next to dead bodies. Actually, takes his date Atticus to these excursions. Where he slowly tortures these thugs and Atticus eats a granola bar and reads the latest papers of IMA.
🚩Has a bunch of queer boys as strays. He takes care of them and yeah!! loves to clean his neighbourhood by his killings.
🚩Adores grumpy Atticus 

"Freckles, you are this weirdly perfect combination of impenetrable and vulnerable and I can’t fucking get enough of it.”

🚩His crew has a whole bunch of new killers, a brother who is sure going to reappear in future books. 
🚩And he is the king of dirty talks.🤩🤩

🏴‍☠️Onley James also stopped all speculation around Thomas and Aiden. And, we get a lot of insight into the family dynamic of Mulvaneys. Plus, some latest updates too.

Yes, the OTT factor is increasing with each book. And, ideally, I wanted to give 3 stars but then I fell for Jericho, seconds within the first scene and kept falling for his cockiness and then he opened his mouth during sex…. 😝😝😝😝

P.S- Please dont miss the bonus epilogue.

[BookSafety Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

How did I never realize this book is just sex scene after sex scene after sex scene?? I love Atticus and Jericho but the story itself is actually boring as hell. I guess the fourth time reading is when I start noticing things lol

______________________________________

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

Oh, I didn’t expect it, but I think Jericho and Atticus might rival Adam and Noah for my favorite couple so far. I absolutely adored how Jericho is the slightly more unhinged one out of the pair, even though he’s the ‘normal’ one. His dominance and care was top notch, and I adored how Atticus really just needed affection. He needed someone to hug him and tell him he’s loved. Shut the front door, I’m melting.

He’d been in a dating slump since his brothers had decided to start mating for life like psychotic penguins.

It’s both super funny and super cute how Atticus is a ‘born killer’, it’s literally his job, and he both hates it and is really bad at it lol. I just really love Atticus, it seems.

“[…] I don’t like killing, but I’d kill for you, too.” Jericho’s stomach fluttered. “I know, Freckles. I know.”

I remember laughing at how the other guys teased Atticus in the first two books, and now I feel fucking awful about it. He’s got a way more sensitive soul than I saw coming, and now I just wanna protect him, lol. Thankfully Jericho spotted the problem immediately and did the protecting.

For the longest time I had only read Unhinged and Paladin, and I really liked seeing how Jericho’s Boys came to be, and just meeting his character properly. Paladin is absolutely one of my favorite Onley James books, and now I can appreciate it even more.

“I’m not letting you go, Freckles. I’m just not. You can call it a business arrangement, an affair, a kidnapping, some kind of midlife crisis. But whatever you call it, you’re mine. And I protect what’s mine.”

Next up is Headcase, even thought I have to admit I wish Felix’s book came first, because I freaking love him so much already, lol. I shall wait impatiently.

Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️

⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Doctor (MD/PHD)
Killer who doesn’t like killing
Psychopath MC
Sexual awakening
Gang leader
Found family
Mechanic
Two murder boys
Dirty talk
Mild D/s dynamic

⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Murder
Torture
Graphic violence
Mentions of human trafficking
Grief
Mentions of organ harvesting
Brief mentions of childhood neglect/abuse
Somnophilia

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

[♡ cal ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

probably the best one for me? i highly enjoyed this and i was so fucking ready to dnf this after few chapters. i feel unsure with the sex right in the first chapter. i know onley james isn't really known for her slow burns but damn that was so fast even for me. what i loved, however, was how jericho keeps calling atticus as freckles! everytime he calls him i got the chills lmao. idk if this is just me being dumb but why is this book called moonstruck though? i see clearly the relation of the titles in the previous books but in this i'm not really sure. overall, the same food but thank god i'm still digging it. looking forward for more!

[Shonee · Rating 1 out of 5]

ETA: I've decided to downgrade my rating of this book after thinking A LOT about this author's treatment of a reviewer.

4.5

Warning: I talk a lot about myself in this review. If that's not your thing, please skip.

I said it before, but I wasn't a fan of Atticus' in the first two books of this series. He seemed like a scared worrywart perfectionist. He is still those things. Yes, he deserves some ribbing for being so uptight, but seeing things from Atticus' perspective really changed things. He didn't deserve the level of contempt he got from his family.

I got teary multiple times while reading this because I could related so hard. We both have the neurotic tendency to not want things to go wrong, to be too cautious, to be a nag, even. It's made me a person that is hard to get along with in the past. Even at my big old age of 37, I still find meeting new people daunting because I'm sure I'm going to be an asshole in some way and the person will end up disliking me and I wouldn't be able to say they didn't give me a fair shot. I AM an asshole. Atticus is in that exact situation. He is still human and yearns for affection.

Hell, I didn't start hugging people until I was in my late 20s, and that was only because I became friends with a person who literally said "I love you," and hugs every time she sees a friend. Jericho is that for Atticus.

Damn, writing this is actually making me sad as shit because OF ALL THE BOOK CHARACTERS, why do I have to relate so hard to Atticus??

Anyway, it was hard to put this book down, to the point where I couldn't read any of my other in progress books without thinking about this one.

The only negative I have is that the ending seemed a bit off. Was it the pacing? I don't know.

[Barbara➰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread December 2024

Gah, I love this series.

Reread January 2024

Man these two...still love them.

Reread December 2021

Sigh...still love this series and Jericho.

Originally read October 2021

What can I say? This series keeps getting better and better.

Jericho was absolutely perfect in his pursuit of Atticus, and what a dirty talker he was. And oh so sweet Atticus, who knew he just needed someone to take charge.

I'm ready for the next one.

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

Don't know how she does it, but this stuff is crack and I'm addicted now. Oh well 🙃

[Julia (bookish.jka) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"This was his favourite Jericho. The raw, unfiltered, fresh from a kill Jericho. Atticus loved how animalistic he was. Sex was the only way to feed that need, to burn through all the adrenaline coursing through him."

Onley James you've done it again! 🧡🖤

Each time I pick up the the next book in this amazing series I think it can't be as good as the last one, but they just keep building on the previous books and I fall for the brother every time! This series is developing into my favourite series from this author. And that's saying something.

Moonstruck is book 3 in the Necessary Evils series and is Atticus' story. Atticus is the eldest of the Mulvaney brothers and has never quite taken to murder in the same way as the others. He's a 'mirror' of other people, which is how he manipulates and coerces in his 'regular' life, but the killing just doesn't come naturally to him. Maybe he's not even a psychopath after all?

Jericho is a killer, but he's no psychopath. He's a vigilante and looks after his team of boys, gay young adults who have no-one else and have been rejected by their family due to their sexuality. They put right wrongs, much the same as the Mulvaneys, but without the money and resources.

When Atticus and Jericho meet the attraction is instantaneous, despite the unusual circumstances. The fact that Atticus isn't gay doesn't seem to be a problem either....

"He'd never thought of himself as same sex oriented, but there was no denying he was Jericho-sexual. He just did it for him in every way."

Whilst the relationship of Atticus and Jericho is intrinsic to the story, there IS a fabulous story built around them. Jericho's sister has been missing for 8 years and there's a sinster group who seems to be harvesting organs and body parts...

If you love "gratuitous violence, very dark humor, more killers than you can count, and explosive chemistry" (seriously, there aren't many people who write M/M sex scenes like Onley James then you need to get on board with this series.

If you've read books 1 and 2 you know how good this is gonna be 🔥🔥🔥🔥.

Highly Recommended.

5 fabulously steamy stars ✨✨✨✨✨

[D.L. Howe · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

You definitely can’t say this was a slow burn.

Jericho and his merry men are the most entertaining trip! Or is it lost boys?

Hot damn, Jericho is hot af! I’m loving how submissive Atticus is. Especially since it’s the opposite of why I hated him in the previous books.

It took a hot minute but eventually Atticus grew on me. Like the saying goes, Jericho makes him a better man.

Jericho on the other hand needed no improvement. My God, this man rocks my world!

And when they come together, it’s downright combustible.

Out of all the books thus far, this one has had my favorite backstory. I’m pretty invested now in finding out what exactly happened to Jericho’s sister.

I’m especially enjoying Thomas’ new no-nonsense approach. Somebody’s been waking up on the wrong side of the bed. Or more likely said bed is missing something pivotal. 😉🤤

Is this the first of the series to make me cry?! Who would’ve thunk it, I guess I do love Atticus. Especially Atticus with Jericho.

And best anniversary president ever!!!

[any · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love how the dynamic in this one was little reversed.
atticus wanting to be taken care of and not the other way around? yes

one: I need avi and felix.
two: for me calliope is penelope from criminal minds

and WHY it's taking so long for aiden’s story i’m dying here. and after this one I know that onley will save his book for last.

reread: ”I don’t like killing, but I’d kill for you, too.”
and they say romance is dead.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow - I really wasn’t sure how I’d feel about this book because in previous books, Atticus was definitely not a favorite brother of mine! He’s always been kind of buttoned up and rude, especially to his brother’s boyfriends. But he won me over, the little beh-beh.

To back up - this is my favorite series of 2021, hands down. I love a psycho hero and the premise of this series is just so good - seven psychopaths adopted as children by a billionaire who trains them to be Dexter-style killing vigilantes.

Atticus is the oldest adopted son of Thomas Mulvaney. Atticus doesn’t particularly enjoy his after hours job of killing people, but he likes being perfect - he is a talented “mimic” and just mirrors people’s behaviors to appear normal.

I loved that in this book, we got a twist on the previous two in the series. In books 1 and 2, the brothers (Adam and August) were very dominant, enjoyed or were good at killing, are the domineering forces in their relationship, are the ones who latched on to their boyfriends (Noah and Lucas). In Moonstruck, Atticus’ counterpart isn’t someone unfamiliar with sneaking around and killing people… Jericho works on a smaller budget in a smaller operation, but he’s an accomplished killer cleaning up the streets of the neighborhood he lives in. He’s the one who pursues Atticus, he’s the one who’s a bit more dominant and forward and “you’re mine” - and he’s also the one who’s more comfortable with killing.

We learn so much about Atticus in this book, and I really, really felt for him. Onley James is keeping the series so fresh and dropping plenty of hints as to what we can expect from future books and I’m STOKED.

CW: violence, torture, murder, organ trafficking

This book will be out on KU Tuesday, 10/26!

[Billie Bloom · Rating 5 out of 5]

You guys. Get out of here!!! This series is freaking fire!!! I cannot wait for the rest of them ❤️‍🔥😬❤️‍🔥

[Aimora · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

I found the beginning ridiculous and almost stopped reading within the first 30%. Not enough details and too much insta love. The premise is so hot but again I find the execution lacking. Probably on me for expecting too much.

[S.K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, where do I begin? I guess I should begin with how I will forever imagine Netflix and Chill as Jericho and Atticus together on the sofa, with Jericho stroking through that red hair and Atticus doing whatever makes him feel comfortable!

Then I’d have to get into what a rollicking ride this story was! It has its serious sides – the storyline touches on drugs, trafficking, organ theft and much more – but the main plot-line is around Jericho and Atticus, as well as the Mulvaneys and the hot new family they meet!

The chemistry between our two leads is off the charts, with Jericho somehow tuning in to Atticus being touch-starved and making sure his ‘Freckles’ never has to feel like that again. It’s also easy to see how they fell in love with each other – it’s sudden, frenetic and occasionally causes whiplash with just how fast everything goes, but it makes sense. In their world, everything can be taken away so quickly so you need to grab onto happiness when it turns up in the middle of a murder. And the sex scenes are frequent, graphic and incredibly HOT!

It was fantastic seeing the rest of the Mulvaneys again, as well as two of our favourite couples. Noah is rapidly becoming a favourite of mine, although Calliope may hold that place forever – especially for her riding the petty copter and refusing to speak to anyone other than Jericho during a particular scene! Obviously, you need to be a strong person to hold your own against the Mulvaneys and Calliope is that and more!

There is more build up regarding Thomas, who seems to be unravelling slightly; we get more of the murder twins (squeee!!!) and all in all, this is just a fantastic read! An easy 5/5 for me, and I am champing at the bit waiting for the next instalment!

[Jenn (The Book Refuge) · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Thank you to the author for a review copy of this title.*

I have no chill about this book! Moonstruck was so hyped for me, just with my own excitement. I am so happy to say that it completely lived up to said hype when I got the chance to read it the other day. I did not know what to expect from Atticus Mulvaney, but I should have known that Onley James had some secrets and swooniness up her sleeves for us.

Our love interest for Atticus is Jericho, and their meet cute happens in a very unconventional way. They are both so surprised by each other and it culminates in a steamy moment where Atticus learns some new things about his personality. Which I will NOT spoil for you, but as soon as I found out I was squealing for joy. The dynamic between Jericho and Atticus was one of the hottest ones I've read yet in this series…

After that experience, they can't seem to stay away from each other and I couldn't take my eyes off the page. Onley James has such an addictive quality to her writing. You are all in for a real treat.

There of course is a bit of a mystery and some things from Jericho's past are haunting him and his unconventional family. Some things that Atticus and his family of Psychos could be very helpful with, if he can bring himself to introduce his new man friend to them. Chaos is guaranteed. And is very delightful.

There is also some more hinting about future couples in the series and I cannot wait for them. This whole book was a delight from start to finish and I am already salivating for the next one. This crazy family has me so wrapped up in them.

5/5 stars

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just no.

[yaishin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sigh, where do I start. Ok I think the author should make up her damn mind first of all. She should probably stick to romance because the writing, storyline or really anything about the book wasn't nearly as dark as what I think she meant to make it or what the theme she's picked suggested and it left me very disappointed. It was like a trainwreck that I couldn't seem to look away from, watching the author try to combine fluffy and psycho together- unsuccessfully I might add. Not even counting the fact that they all seemed to be the exact same to me.

Like first of all, the storyline- MC's court each other or one chases the other or whatever and then they come upon a horrific case just perfect for the Mulvaney brothers to take care of, they investigate for a while during which time they have ungodly amounts of sex and then they find the culprit, both the MC's kill him/them together and they live happily ever after. Basically every story I've read so far. The psychopathic brothers also seemed to suddenly want to go against their basic nature and want to cuddle and crave affection like, oh I don't know, a normal human being so there went the whole sleeping-with-a-killer vibe.

Second of all, the significant other that each psychopathic MC chose seemed to already know about their murdering tendencies and didn't mind which I already found disbelieving. I mean, one I can understand but all of them? Whatever their personal beliefs everyone is a hypocrite I'm sorry to say and making them seem not hypocritic is just unreal for a book focused on grey morality. And for a bunch of psychopaths- even though they were raised to pretend to be moral- they seem to have clear distinctions between right and wrong- which- sigh, tell me I'm not the only one seeing the problem here.

Another important discrepancy is that frankly, they all seemed to take killing very lightly, I get that they're psychopaths but even the other "normal" characters. Killing a person does more to the killer than to the one being killed I think and literally none of that was shown in any of the books in the series. If you want to go by definition there's at least 15 murderers described- 8 discounting the brothers. And the only one couple I liked in the whole series were Adam and Noah which is pretty sad considering there are already 4 relationships/potential relationships I've seen so far. I was also a bit intrigued by Asa and Avi but I just can't anymore with this series so I'm not continuing on with their books.

The only thing even getting that one extra star is the humorous parts. I admit I found some of them hilarious.

[Gabs (gaybism) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Favourite boys so farrrr😌

Atticus has to eliminate a target. When he walks into the cabin where the man lives, he finds Jericho already torturing him.

This was such a meet cute, I swear…the sparks were flying in their little murder cabin!

Atticus was so adorable and the way all his brothers treated him was annoying me…leave my bby alone. He was such a touch starved grump and I was here for it!

Jericho is IT! He is the best man ever. A vigilante who created a safe space for queer kids? Pls🥹

I loved their relationship dynamic so much. Freckles was so needy and Jericho was there to give him everything. The way he stood up for Att all the time! Swoon😭

I love the Mulvaney family…a bunch of overgrown psychotic golden retrievers. Add in Jericho’s boys to the mix and we get chaos. I am also obsessed with Felix💅

[Bree | breesoleilreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everybody deserves a Jericho!! Everybody deserves a Jericho!! Everybody deserves a Jericho!! Honestly he was my favorite part of the book the way he immediately gives Atticus anything and everything he needs?! Swoon! Also Atticus is an adorable bby, I didn’t expect to like him as much as I did. Loved them sm 🥹

[☆Kylie☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think re-reading this series made me a little more forgiven to all the missed points in this books. Maybe because I already know what I'm expecting so I don't feel disappointed.
This is way to much...
At the same time wasn't a hardship to read so... 2.75