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Criminal Intentions #2
Junk Shop Blues
A murdered night club mogul unlocks a web of infidelity and deceit. The most likely suspect? The daughter of the richest family in Baltimore, if only Detectives Malcolm Khalaji and Seong-Jae Yoon can piece the evidence together. The clues just aren't lining up--but Malcolm can't tell if he's missing a piece of the puzzle or completely missing the mark. The McAllister case still haunts him. So many dead. So many he couldn't save. It's throwing him off his game. And the only one who really understands is his strange, coldly aloof partner. A partner he can never see the same way, after a moment of intimacy that haunts him as much as the voices of the dead. Seong-Jae Yoon is struggling in his own way. He can't solve the case when he can't trust Malcolm, and he can't trust Malcolm when the grizzled old wolf is growing increasingly erratic, increasingly dangerous. What disturbs Seong-Jae is how much he needs to trust Malcolm. He doesn't get that close. He doesn't get that involved. But he may have no choice, if they want to stop a powerful killer from slipping away. Contains mature themes.
Audible Audio
First published March 29, 2018
120 people are currently reading
760 people want to read
About the author
Cole McCade
65 books1,532 followersSlender. Angry. (Part) Asian.
Yeah, that about sums me up.
Hi. I’m Cole. Xen. Whatever you want to call me; both are true, and both are lies. My pen names are multitudes, my nicknames legion. Tall, bi/queer, introverted author of a brown-ish persuasion made up of various flavors of Black, Asian, and Native American. I’m cuter than Hello Kitty, more bitter than the blackest coffee, and able to trip over cats in a single half-asleep lurch; I’m what happens when a Broody Antihero and a Manic Pixie Dream Boy fight to the death, and someone builds a person from the scraps left behind. Beardless, I look like the uke in every yaoi manga in existence; bearded or not, I sound like Barry White. About half my time is spent as a corporate writer, and the other half riding a train of WTFery that sometimes results in a finished book. Romance, erotica, sci-fi, horror, paranormal; LGBTQIA and cishet; diverse settings and diverse characters from a diverse author.
Sometimes I shout about things on the internet. Usually intersectional feminism and marginalized voices, and whomever’s punching down in those directions today. Sometimes human sociology, the psychology of sex and gender, and my own gender non-conforming arse (he/him, by the way). Sometimes I get really mad at Stephen Hawking and nerd out all over the place about hairy black holes, and believe it or not, that’s not a terrible pun or even worse innuendo.
That’s it. I’m a huge dork. My humor’s so dry it could empty oceans. I’m a native Southerner from the New Orleans area with zero Southern accent; I’m a mess of multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-lingual influences; I have two cats. I wake up at daft hours of the morning to go running. I crochet terrible, lumpy things that never really turn into anything. I’m older than you think I look. I’m much more shy than my fury makes me sound (signifying gods only know what, but probably nothing). Recently I decided, at 36, that I needed to restart my life and move cross-country, so I tossed 75% of my possessions in the trash and randomly trucked it to Seattle. I’m in love with books and music and technology, and they war with each other for dominance and sometimes come together in a beautiful confluence. Most of the physical books I own are strange, obscure, out of print, overseas imports, or any combination of the four. Most of the physical books I used to own were destroyed in Hurricane Katrina, and have been replaced with the infinite library on my Nook. My wallet has a dangerous attraction to anything with pages; it flirts and teases and gives its all, until there’s nothing left but emptiness and ruin.
There will always be things you don’t know, and I won’t tell.
But ask me late at night over live music in a seedy bar, and you might just get an honest answer.
...or you can poke me via:
* Email: blackmagic@blackmagicblues.com
* Twitter: @thisblackmagic
* Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/xen.cole
* Website & Blog: http://www.blackmagicblues.com
* Tumblr: http://thisblackmagic.tumblr.com/
And there's my Xen Sanders SFF / Horror profile:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Yeah, that about sums me up.
Hi. I’m Cole. Xen. Whatever you want to call me; both are true, and both are lies. My pen names are multitudes, my nicknames legion. Tall, bi/queer, introverted author of a brown-ish persuasion made up of various flavors of Black, Asian, and Native American. I’m cuter than Hello Kitty, more bitter than the blackest coffee, and able to trip over cats in a single half-asleep lurch; I’m what happens when a Broody Antihero and a Manic Pixie Dream Boy fight to the death, and someone builds a person from the scraps left behind. Beardless, I look like the uke in every yaoi manga in existence; bearded or not, I sound like Barry White. About half my time is spent as a corporate writer, and the other half riding a train of WTFery that sometimes results in a finished book. Romance, erotica, sci-fi, horror, paranormal; LGBTQIA and cishet; diverse settings and diverse characters from a diverse author.
Sometimes I shout about things on the internet. Usually intersectional feminism and marginalized voices, and whomever’s punching down in those directions today. Sometimes human sociology, the psychology of sex and gender, and my own gender non-conforming arse (he/him, by the way). Sometimes I get really mad at Stephen Hawking and nerd out all over the place about hairy black holes, and believe it or not, that’s not a terrible pun or even worse innuendo.
That’s it. I’m a huge dork. My humor’s so dry it could empty oceans. I’m a native Southerner from the New Orleans area with zero Southern accent; I’m a mess of multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-lingual influences; I have two cats. I wake up at daft hours of the morning to go running. I crochet terrible, lumpy things that never really turn into anything. I’m older than you think I look. I’m much more shy than my fury makes me sound (signifying gods only know what, but probably nothing). Recently I decided, at 36, that I needed to restart my life and move cross-country, so I tossed 75% of my possessions in the trash and randomly trucked it to Seattle. I’m in love with books and music and technology, and they war with each other for dominance and sometimes come together in a beautiful confluence. Most of the physical books I own are strange, obscure, out of print, overseas imports, or any combination of the four. Most of the physical books I used to own were destroyed in Hurricane Katrina, and have been replaced with the infinite library on my Nook. My wallet has a dangerous attraction to anything with pages; it flirts and teases and gives its all, until there’s nothing left but emptiness and ruin.
There will always be things you don’t know, and I won’t tell.
But ask me late at night over live music in a seedy bar, and you might just get an honest answer.
...or you can poke me via:
* Email: blackmagic@blackmagicblues.com
* Twitter: @thisblackmagic
* Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/xen.cole
* Website & Blog: http://www.blackmagicblues.com
* Tumblr: http://thisblackmagic.tumblr.com/
And there's my Xen Sanders SFF / Horror profile:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 518 reviews
April 24, 2023
— 4 stars ☆
omg NOW i can see why this is so fucking addictive!! i love Seong-Jae so so much already - he's so cold and gentle and yet has a hidden side to him that makes me want to just pinch his cheeks and see what he thinks of it, lol 😌. and Malcolm - well. i'm slowly coming to terms with liking him as well. but i have to say, the crime/thriller part of this is surprisingly catching my attention pretty fast, especially with the banter.
this is seriously so freaking slow burn, but i loved it. and that scene when they had to *reenact* the crime scene?? THE TENSION THE CHEMISTRY AHH i could feel it jumping off the pages. i mean, there are sex scenes with other people? with Malcolm and all but that actually didn't matter to me in the least bc i felt like they weren't even together, lol. and that is so surprising to me.
so overall, i love the writing - it's so lyrical and i'm always a sucker for that - and i'm slowly becoming hooked with this series, so don't be surprised to see me binging this through the next few weeks, haha. 💗💗
omg NOW i can see why this is so fucking addictive!! i love Seong-Jae so so much already - he's so cold and gentle and yet has a hidden side to him that makes me want to just pinch his cheeks and see what he thinks of it, lol 😌. and Malcolm - well. i'm slowly coming to terms with liking him as well. but i have to say, the crime/thriller part of this is surprisingly catching my attention pretty fast, especially with the banter.
this is seriously so freaking slow burn, but i loved it. and that scene when they had to *reenact* the crime scene?? THE TENSION THE CHEMISTRY AHH i could feel it jumping off the pages. i mean, there are sex scenes with other people? with Malcolm and all but that actually didn't matter to me in the least bc i felt like they weren't even together, lol. and that is so surprising to me.
❝The two of you are bullies of the worst kind, are you aware of that?❞
❝Are we?❞ Malcolm tossed Seong-Jae a mild glance. ❝Am I a bully, Seong-Jae?❞
❝You have your moments.❞
❝I'll take that as a compliment.❞
But for a moment Malcolm lingered on Seong-Jae, and something unreadable flickered in his eyes. Something almost like question; something almost like warmth; something almost like neither, strange and impossible to decipher.
so overall, i love the writing - it's so lyrical and i'm always a sucker for that - and i'm slowly becoming hooked with this series, so don't be surprised to see me binging this through the next few weeks, haha. 💗💗
November 28, 2021
Reread - November 2021
Ugh! Silas exist. 😭😫
Daddy Mal is a little h**. 😩😂😂
Seong-Jae is Seong-Jae. 😍😍
All is well. 🤓
**********************************
4.25 stars
Gaaah! I am already a goner. It is not 5 stars because the case wasn't that interesting like the one in book one, other than that;
The UST alone is enough to make my pants explode.
We Stan the writing!
We Stan Khalaji!
We Stan Seong-Jae!
We Stan Sade!
Love! Love! the Q&A at the end of the book.
Onto the next.
Thank you so much, An Innocent Intentions Fan for this gift.
Ugh! Silas exist. 😭😫
Daddy Mal is a little h**. 😩😂😂
Seong-Jae is Seong-Jae. 😍😍
All is well. 🤓
**********************************
4.25 stars
Gaaah! I am already a goner. It is not 5 stars because the case wasn't that interesting like the one in book one, other than that;
The UST alone is enough to make my pants explode.
We Stan the writing!
We Stan Khalaji!
We Stan Seong-Jae!
We Stan Sade!
Love! Love! the Q&A at the end of the book.
Onto the next.
Thank you so much, An Innocent Intentions Fan for this gift.
June 14, 2024
***5 Stars*** for an already bad case of addiction
And that after only two books. I have no friggin' clue how I will survive the wait for every single new book...
I'll make it short again. This story was not as dark as the first one in its gory glory, but since Malcolm and Seong-Jae - and I - are still haunted by their first case, it was a bit of a relief. In my humble opinion, this time the interaction of the guys was more in the foreground than the case itself and the dynamics between both men was fascinating to watch - umm, read.
Romance-wise we are back to being in a denial and I-don't-even-like-that-guy phase. Suuure! Keep telling you that and it might be true someday. Not. I know, this sounds totally frustrating as hell, but surprisingly it's not. To the contrary, this dancing around each other, their banter and fascinating dialogues intrigued me beyond all measure.
And the ending???
No, it's not what you think. Denial, remember? But that last scene made my heart swell in my chest and I'm already counting the days until I can get to book #3...
And that after only two books. I have no friggin' clue how I will survive the wait for every single new book...
I'll make it short again. This story was not as dark as the first one in its gory glory, but since Malcolm and Seong-Jae - and I - are still haunted by their first case, it was a bit of a relief. In my humble opinion, this time the interaction of the guys was more in the foreground than the case itself and the dynamics between both men was fascinating to watch - umm, read.
Romance-wise we are back to being in a denial and I-don't-even-like-that-guy phase. Suuure! Keep telling you that and it might be true someday. Not. I know, this sounds totally frustrating as hell, but surprisingly it's not. To the contrary, this dancing around each other, their banter and fascinating dialogues intrigued me beyond all measure.
And the ending???
Even when Seong-Jae's breaths evened and slowed and Malcolm knew he had fallen asleep, he stayed. He listened. He held on to this for as long as he could. In the morning, Seong-Jae would likely pretend this had never happened - and that, too, was all right. Morning was morning. Now was now.
And for now, Malcolm hung on Seong-Jae's every sleeping breath, and wondered if he would ever feel this calm again.
No, it's not what you think. Denial, remember? But that last scene made my heart swell in my chest and I'm already counting the days until I can get to book #3...
March 1, 2023
3.75 Stars!!
Thoughts:
The slow burn continues with many heated stares, some forced “but not so forced” proximity, and banter galore!
The only reason this didn’t get a 4 star review was because I wasn’t as invested in the case for this one. The only real pick up in the murder case was towards the end during a chasing and capturing scene. However, overall another enjoyable read! The writing continues to be just as gorgeous as the first book.
The slow but steady development between Seong-Jae and Malcolm is EVERYTHING! We are getting closer to learning more about their hidden pasts and reasons for their secrecy. We get just a taste of what is to be revealed, but nothing was fully given away much to my intrigue and impatience. Additionally we get touches of spotlight on some of the supporting characters which I’m very curious about, so this added to making it that much better!
I’m rooting for these two dummies as I continue the series! Slightly nervous, but very thrilled to see what happens next!
p.s. This ending is so damn cute!
Would I recommend this and to who:
Crime junkies and slow burn romance lovers
Paperback/Hardcover/Audiobook/E-book:
E-book
How did I discover this:
The beautiful and lovely Lila
Pace:
Fast
Cover thoughts:
Loving the theme to these!
POV: (single or multi)
Multi - Malcolm and Seong-Jae primarily
Quotes:
“You’re my partner, we stick together”
“As you say.”
“I hate you,” … “I am aware of this.” … “No, I really, really hate you.”
“Then we simply…stay?” “Yeah. It’s all right to just stay.”
Triggers:
Death, Murder, Graphic Horrific Details, Swearing, Sexual Content, Injury, Gore, Homophobia, Toxic Relationships, etc.
Thoughts:
The slow burn continues with many heated stares, some forced “but not so forced” proximity, and banter galore!
The only reason this didn’t get a 4 star review was because I wasn’t as invested in the case for this one. The only real pick up in the murder case was towards the end during a chasing and capturing scene. However, overall another enjoyable read! The writing continues to be just as gorgeous as the first book.
The slow but steady development between Seong-Jae and Malcolm is EVERYTHING! We are getting closer to learning more about their hidden pasts and reasons for their secrecy. We get just a taste of what is to be revealed, but nothing was fully given away much to my intrigue and impatience. Additionally we get touches of spotlight on some of the supporting characters which I’m very curious about, so this added to making it that much better!
I’m rooting for these two dummies as I continue the series! Slightly nervous, but very thrilled to see what happens next!
p.s. This ending is so damn cute!
Would I recommend this and to who:
Crime junkies and slow burn romance lovers
Paperback/Hardcover/Audiobook/E-book:
E-book
How did I discover this:
The beautiful and lovely Lila
Pace:
Fast
Cover thoughts:
Loving the theme to these!
POV: (single or multi)
Multi - Malcolm and Seong-Jae primarily
Quotes:
“You’re my partner, we stick together”
“As you say.”
“I hate you,” … “I am aware of this.” … “No, I really, really hate you.”
“Then we simply…stay?” “Yeah. It’s all right to just stay.”
Triggers:
Death, Murder, Graphic Horrific Details, Swearing, Sexual Content, Injury, Gore, Homophobia, Toxic Relationships, etc.
April 24, 2025
Re-read.
As good as the first!
I think my highlight here was all the bickering between Malcolm and Seong-Jae.
Seong-Jae, with his coolly unruffled stare, icy calm and aloof elegance, was getting under Malcolm's skin.
And Malcolm, a puzzle, a bundle of contradictions that Seong-Jae was finding annoying to solve.
They were grating on each other's nerves, both not too happy about being partners still.
Seong-Jae's unorthodox method of assessing a crime scene was another delight. *snort*
The tension is building slowly but thickly.
“I would like to return to the crime scene. We departed far too hastily for a proper assessment.” It took a moment to sink in—but when the meaning processed, Malcolm flushed, heat simmering under his skin and building in his temples, until the throb of his pulse was almost loud enough to drown out the grind of his teeth resonating into his skull.
Malcolm Khalaji is showing himself to be one of a kind.
Onto the next!
As good as the first!
I think my highlight here was all the bickering between Malcolm and Seong-Jae.
Seong-Jae, with his coolly unruffled stare, icy calm and aloof elegance, was getting under Malcolm's skin.
And Malcolm, a puzzle, a bundle of contradictions that Seong-Jae was finding annoying to solve.
They were grating on each other's nerves, both not too happy about being partners still.
Seong-Jae's unorthodox method of assessing a crime scene was another delight. *snort*
The tension is building slowly but thickly.
“I would like to return to the crime scene. We departed far too hastily for a proper assessment.” It took a moment to sink in—but when the meaning processed, Malcolm flushed, heat simmering under his skin and building in his temples, until the throb of his pulse was almost loud enough to drown out the grind of his teeth resonating into his skull.
Malcolm Khalaji is showing himself to be one of a kind.
Onto the next!
May 3, 2021
*3.5 stars
Junk Shop Blues has disappointed me a little because I figured out the killer’s identity and I think they should have resolved it without external help. After all, they are the detectives. But I'mn aware my expectations were too high since the first case was epic. I guess you cannot have ex-boyfriends murdered and sliced into pieces by a serial killer every week…
Cold, closed off, downright menacing half of the time… but he’d sit here and eat food that apparently disgusted him simply because it meant something to Malcolm?
It really was about the small things with Seong-Jae, sometimes.
Despite that, now I’m a mix between irritated and curious and totally addicted to this series!! I need Malcolm and Seong-Jae to be together as much as I need air to breath. I don’t know how the author manages to make me want to keep reading even when this is the slowest slow-burn ever.
I suppose it’s all about the small gestures. Malcolm and Seong-Jae are getting to know each other, slowly, inch by inch, and every time they do something that makes them closer, as partners, as friends -as lovers, I hope-, I sigh and smile and fangirl all over the place. It’s frustrating and I need to read the third episode like… yesterday.
Also, I love that I’m not the only one irritated in this party:
Fuck a stranger to stop thinking about Seong-Jae and wake up with Seong-Jae standing over his bed, watching him like analytical impassivity with which he might watch a crime scene.
It sounds weird, but it was actually really funny because Malcolm’s hook-ups are hilarious.
“So, uh…”
The pianist was watching with () that sense of an unspoken question on his lips. Malcolm exhaled, shaking his head with a rueful smile.
“No. You can’t have my number.”
The pianist laughed. “Damn.” Then he cocked his head toward the door. “What about your partner’s?”
“Get out,” Malcolm snarled, struggling to not laugh. “I’m surrounded by insolent wretches.”
*PLEASE let it be something, anything in the next book because I’m dying *
Junk Shop Blues has disappointed me a little because I figured out the killer’s identity and I think they should have resolved it without external help. After all, they are the detectives. But I'mn aware my expectations were too high since the first case was epic. I guess you cannot have ex-boyfriends murdered and sliced into pieces by a serial killer every week…
Cold, closed off, downright menacing half of the time… but he’d sit here and eat food that apparently disgusted him simply because it meant something to Malcolm?
It really was about the small things with Seong-Jae, sometimes.
Despite that, now I’m a mix between irritated and curious and totally addicted to this series!! I need Malcolm and Seong-Jae to be together as much as I need air to breath. I don’t know how the author manages to make me want to keep reading even when this is the slowest slow-burn ever.
I suppose it’s all about the small gestures. Malcolm and Seong-Jae are getting to know each other, slowly, inch by inch, and every time they do something that makes them closer, as partners, as friends -as lovers, I hope-, I sigh and smile and fangirl all over the place. It’s frustrating and I need to read the third episode like… yesterday.
Also, I love that I’m not the only one irritated in this party:
Fuck a stranger to stop thinking about Seong-Jae and wake up with Seong-Jae standing over his bed, watching him like analytical impassivity with which he might watch a crime scene.
It sounds weird, but it was actually really funny because Malcolm’s hook-ups are hilarious.
“So, uh…”
The pianist was watching with () that sense of an unspoken question on his lips. Malcolm exhaled, shaking his head with a rueful smile.
“No. You can’t have my number.”
The pianist laughed. “Damn.” Then he cocked his head toward the door. “What about your partner’s?”
“Get out,” Malcolm snarled, struggling to not laugh. “I’m surrounded by insolent wretches.”
*PLEASE let it be something, anything in the next book because I’m dying *
March 10, 2019
3.5 Stars
Told mostly in dual POV, 3rd person. It’s the second installment in the "Criminal Intentions" season 1 and should be read in order. The crime part was a disappointment for me. I knew the perp the exact moment I met them in the story, it was so obvious. The relationship between Malcolm & Seong-Jae hadn't made any progress. I hope they do "The Talk" soon. And at the end, I had more questions; about their pasts and about those letters! Overall, despite those issues, I still liked it and hope you enjoy it too!
Content warnings:
Told mostly in dual POV, 3rd person. It’s the second installment in the "Criminal Intentions" season 1 and should be read in order. The crime part was a disappointment for me. I knew the perp the exact moment I met them in the story, it was so obvious. The relationship between Malcolm & Seong-Jae hadn't made any progress. I hope they do "The Talk" soon. And at the end, I had more questions; about their pasts and about those letters! Overall, despite those issues, I still liked it and hope you enjoy it too!
Content warnings:
![Profile Image for moonlight ☾ [semi-hiatus].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1645500038i%2F37448930._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
September 14, 2021
”Now you pull your hand away, and there is only me, the knife…and the fall.” Seong-Jae let himself fall backward—only Malcolm was there, suddenly behind him, catching his body against his chest and embracing him in hard-corded arms, the pressure of Malcolm’s breaths and his heat against Seong-Jae’s back.
“And then I catch you and drag you over to the bed?” Malcolm asked, his voice a rumbling seismic quake working through Seong-Jae, the sound husky against his ear. Malcolm’s beard scraped and tickled his throat, and Seong-Jae’s pulse jumped.
His chest felt tight, strange. What was wrong with him?
THE TENSION. im loving the slow burn bc i just wanna see them finally confess and such but i know it won’t be for a while and the tension makes it worthwhile. 😭🤭
honestly, im also loving the side characters and find myself interested in getting to know them (particularly the ones Malcolm and Seongjae work with). 👀 as for the mystery in this book specifically, im bad when it comes to guessing things so let’s just say im along for the ride when it comes to the mystery plot in this series. 🤣
i just wanna gush about Malcolm and Seongjae even tho im only two books in but i also wanna keep reading so brb. 🏃🏼♀️💨
“And then I catch you and drag you over to the bed?” Malcolm asked, his voice a rumbling seismic quake working through Seong-Jae, the sound husky against his ear. Malcolm’s beard scraped and tickled his throat, and Seong-Jae’s pulse jumped.
His chest felt tight, strange. What was wrong with him?
THE TENSION. im loving the slow burn bc i just wanna see them finally confess and such but i know it won’t be for a while and the tension makes it worthwhile. 😭🤭
honestly, im also loving the side characters and find myself interested in getting to know them (particularly the ones Malcolm and Seongjae work with). 👀 as for the mystery in this book specifically, im bad when it comes to guessing things so let’s just say im along for the ride when it comes to the mystery plot in this series. 🤣
i just wanna gush about Malcolm and Seongjae even tho im only two books in but i also wanna keep reading so brb. 🏃🏼♀️💨
March 16, 2024
IM IN LOVE WITH MALCOLM KHALAJI AND HE MAKES ME WANT TO RIP OUT MY HAIR AND SCREAM MORE THAN HALF THE TIME-
and seong-jae my preciousok fr tho i typed precious and saw "wanning" in the suggestions even my keyboard knows sj reminds of chu wanning- feral cat?? pls thats so wanning 😭 i love him sm i just need to know more about him, hes so closed off i need more of sj 😭😭
“If you hate it so much, you really don’t have to eat it.”
Seong-Jae shrugged stiffly. “It seems to have significance to you.”
did i mention how much i love seong-jae???
ngl mal annoyed me a lot in this one, especially with how he was with sj most of the timesbut i have a thing for assholes what can i say
BUT THE TENSION?? STILL FUCKING SERVED
THE BANTER???? HAD ME ROLLING
and the ending was everything omggggg i just need them to get together pronto
also i should be happy i CORRECTLY guessed the killer this time but eh honestly it was too easy i still dont understand how it took them so long to get it.
and seong-jae my precious
“If you hate it so much, you really don’t have to eat it.”
Seong-Jae shrugged stiffly. “It seems to have significance to you.”
did i mention how much i love seong-jae???
ngl mal annoyed me a lot in this one, especially with how he was with sj most of the times
BUT THE TENSION?? STILL FUCKING SERVED
THE BANTER???? HAD ME ROLLING
and the ending was everything omggggg i just need them to get together pronto
also i should be happy i CORRECTLY guessed the killer this time but eh honestly it was too easy i still dont understand how it took them so long to get it.
October 9, 2024
Reread 2
These two 🥹
Mal's attraction and SJ's budding attraction 🤌🏻
...............
Reread #1
❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍
Gahh I love them so much.
................
Q: Am I invested?
A: Hell yes I am!
Q: Was the case enjoyable?
A: Yup! Even though the killer was for me, a bit predictable.
Q: Did anything annoy me?
A: YUP! Ch: 7. Cole you utter ASSHOLE.
Q: How are the #ladyBlueBalls?
A: Swollen and frustrated.
Q: Why?
A: Because M and SJ don't even kiss! The assholes.
Q: What was my favorite moment?
A: That phone call. #SwoonCity
Buddy read with B!
These two 🥹
Mal's attraction and SJ's budding attraction 🤌🏻
...............
Reread #1
❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍
Gahh I love them so much.
................
Q: Am I invested?
A: Hell yes I am!
Q: Was the case enjoyable?
A: Yup! Even though the killer was for me, a bit predictable.
Q: Did anything annoy me?
A: YUP! Ch: 7. Cole you utter ASSHOLE.
Q: How are the #ladyBlueBalls?
A: Swollen and frustrated.
Q: Why?
A: Because M and SJ don't even kiss! The assholes.
Q: What was my favorite moment?
A: That phone call. #SwoonCity
Buddy read with B!
April 16, 2019
Another 5 stars
It's killing me that this series isn't in audio, because RL doesn't allow me much uninterrupted reading time.
It's killing me that this series isn't in audio, because RL doesn't allow me much uninterrupted reading time.
January 6, 2025
The grace in his movements was captivating; Malcolm had never seen anyone he liked to simply watch walk, but watching Seong- Jae move was like watching an elegant, slim blade in motion, wielded by a practiced hand. No one Malcolm had ever met married fey, foxlike beauty with cold- edged, killing strength with such smooth simplicity, and—
And if he wasn’t careful, he was going to end up fucked up over a partner he didn’t want or even like.
Goddammit.
Okay yes! I get it! The dynamic and the slow burn potential! I am thoroughly sat at the table and waiting for another course, heap my plate up please.
I think my favourite part of a true slow burn dynamic, that's paced over multiple books like this, is watching the slow build from a reluctant co-existence, to begrudging respect and then attraction and emotional connection, so that when you finally get to that tipping point where they give in to the pull between them you're about as feral for it as the characters are.
I can tell I'm in deep when I felt my stomache swoop reading about Malcolm fantasizing about grabbing a handful of Seong-Jae's hair in a good grip and just fucking pulling it. I am a simple woman and that sort of desire makes me weak.
Worth a mention that there is a very explicit one night stand with a nameless character in here (there was a very brief one in book one that didn't bare mentioning, but I think this one does). I was a little taken aback by how hot that spicy scenes was (Malcolm can Fuck with a capital F, lordy 🥵) and it kind of just builds my anticipation for the dynamic between Malcolm and Seong-Jae when it finally happens.
Writing? Amazing. Character work? Top notch. Sexual tension? Delivering. Crime mystery? Honestly pretty expected of any crime procedural, but honestly it's shockingly almost beside the point cause I'm enjoying it so much. I totally understand the McCade hype train
And if he wasn’t careful, he was going to end up fucked up over a partner he didn’t want or even like.
Goddammit.
Okay yes! I get it! The dynamic and the slow burn potential! I am thoroughly sat at the table and waiting for another course, heap my plate up please.
I think my favourite part of a true slow burn dynamic, that's paced over multiple books like this, is watching the slow build from a reluctant co-existence, to begrudging respect and then attraction and emotional connection, so that when you finally get to that tipping point where they give in to the pull between them you're about as feral for it as the characters are.
I can tell I'm in deep when I felt my stomache swoop reading about Malcolm fantasizing about grabbing a handful of Seong-Jae's hair in a good grip and just fucking pulling it. I am a simple woman and that sort of desire makes me weak.
Worth a mention that there is a very explicit one night stand with a nameless character in here (there was a very brief one in book one that didn't bare mentioning, but I think this one does). I was a little taken aback by how hot that spicy scenes was (Malcolm can Fuck with a capital F, lordy 🥵) and it kind of just builds my anticipation for the dynamic between Malcolm and Seong-Jae when it finally happens.
Writing? Amazing. Character work? Top notch. Sexual tension? Delivering. Crime mystery? Honestly pretty expected of any crime procedural, but honestly it's shockingly almost beside the point cause I'm enjoying it so much. I totally understand the McCade hype train
July 9, 2025
👏YAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSS BOYSSSSSSSSSSS👏,
GIVE US ✨ABSOLUTELY FUCKING NOTHINGGGG✨
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
(I know this is usually used in a sarcastic context, but there is NOT even a TEENY TINY MICRO WHIFF of sarcasm here, because I fucking LOVE BEING EDGED BY A BOOK LIKE THIS)
The slow burn, is BURNING SLOW.
Is the gas on?
Did we even go in the kitchen?
Is the stove on?
NO, IT'S STILL OFF, and THANK GOD because I wanna get takeaway and let them stay cold and simmering internally for another book or two to keep the TENSION AS TIGHT AS A NUNS POOSAYYYYYYYYYY, because I AM HOT, BOTHERED, AND SAT.
Can I also add that I FUCKING LOVE THE MURDER VICTIM POV'S?????????
THEY ARE SO INTERESTING. I love the way the author is describing peoples thoughts and feelings during their final dying moments. It's so oddly satisfying.
Pre-read thoughts:
ROUND FUCKING 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GIVE US ✨ABSOLUTELY FUCKING NOTHINGGGG✨
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
(I know this is usually used in a sarcastic context, but there is NOT even a TEENY TINY MICRO WHIFF of sarcasm here, because I fucking LOVE BEING EDGED BY A BOOK LIKE THIS)
The slow burn, is BURNING SLOW.
Is the gas on?
Did we even go in the kitchen?
Is the stove on?
NO, IT'S STILL OFF, and THANK GOD because I wanna get takeaway and let them stay cold and simmering internally for another book or two to keep the TENSION AS TIGHT AS A NUNS POOSAYYYYYYYYYY, because I AM HOT, BOTHERED, AND SAT.
Can I also add that I FUCKING LOVE THE MURDER VICTIM POV'S?????????
THEY ARE SO INTERESTING. I love the way the author is describing peoples thoughts and feelings during their final dying moments. It's so oddly satisfying.
Pre-read thoughts:
ROUND FUCKING 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 1, 2024
This episode is a bit slow. Not a bad thing, because like Malcolm and Seong-Jae, I still had to digest their first case. The case in this book is relatively boring if you want to compare it to the first one. But it does have its peaks. And even though I haven't yet been surprised by who the murderer was, sorry was kind of obvious in both cases, the way they are presented is very good.
It's fascinating how the relationship between Malcolm and Seong-Jae doesn't develop ... i.e. how they drive each other a bit crazy and sneak around the elephant in the room.
He didn’t even like Malcolm. The man was an annoying bundle of contradictions, and Seong-Jae would like it very much if he would settle on one mode of behavior, one psychological archetype, rather than continuously contrasting himself and redefining himself with each new thing Seong-Jae learned. 🤭💞🤭
Fuck a stranger to stop thinking about Seong-Jae, and wake up with Seong-Jae standing over his bed, watching him with the same analytical impassivity with which he might watch a crime scene. For fuck’s sake. 🤭💞🤭
The ending, phew a bit heartbreaking. And oh gosh, I wanted to read other books this week, but it's really hard to stop thinking about these two …
“He frustrates you, then. Why?”
“He’s just so…” Malcolm unfolded his hands and gestured helplessly. “Him.” 😂
It's fascinating how the relationship between Malcolm and Seong-Jae doesn't develop ... i.e. how they drive each other a bit crazy and sneak around the elephant in the room.
He didn’t even like Malcolm. The man was an annoying bundle of contradictions, and Seong-Jae would like it very much if he would settle on one mode of behavior, one psychological archetype, rather than continuously contrasting himself and redefining himself with each new thing Seong-Jae learned. 🤭💞🤭
Fuck a stranger to stop thinking about Seong-Jae, and wake up with Seong-Jae standing over his bed, watching him with the same analytical impassivity with which he might watch a crime scene. For fuck’s sake. 🤭💞🤭
The ending, phew a bit heartbreaking. And oh gosh, I wanted to read other books this week, but it's really hard to stop thinking about these two …
“He frustrates you, then. Why?”
“He’s just so…” Malcolm unfolded his hands and gestured helplessly. “Him.” 😂
March 25, 2025
Phew, I’m relieved because this case was much easier to handle than the last!
But I’m slowly getting that these cases aren’t really the focus of these books anyway because it’s all about THE SEXUAL TENSION, CHEMISTRY AND VULNERABILITY, BABY ❤️🔥
Honestly, when you get butterflies in your stomach reading a post mortem or a murder reenactment, you know they are the real deal lol
There was explicit, on-page OP action during this book and I 100% expected to be majorly bothered by it but y’all. IT WAS SO HOT THOUGH TASTEFUL I DIDNT EVEN CARE ONE BIT 😭🥵 I can only imagine how it’s gonna be between them and I’m sure I’ll combust right on the spot. Seriously.
And when I tell you I lost my mind in these last 10 percent of the book I’m not even kidding, because WHERE IS SADE GOING?! And EX-WIFE?! And the O. AND V.?!
AND THEIR CALL WHERE THEY JUST BREATH TOGETHER TO NOT FEEL ALONE?! Dead. 😩😭♥️
WOW, these are addicting, so onto the next, I guess!
4,5⭐️
But I’m slowly getting that these cases aren’t really the focus of these books anyway because it’s all about THE SEXUAL TENSION, CHEMISTRY AND VULNERABILITY, BABY ❤️🔥
Honestly, when you get butterflies in your stomach reading a post mortem or a murder reenactment, you know they are the real deal lol
But Malcolm didn’t let him go. Instead his gaze dipped downward, a near-palpable touch to Seong-Jae’s lips, paired with an audible hitch to his breaths, their edges turning ragged. Malcolm’s hands clenched against Seong-Jae’s clothing, just a subtle flex of strength as his fingers dug in, and the pit of Seong-Jae’s stomach turned far too warm, heat stealing over him.
“Seong-Jae,” Malcolm breathed, and the rough, hungry edge on his name made Seong-Jae’s heart give an entirely distressing flip.
“…Malcolm…?” 😮💨😮💨
There was explicit, on-page OP action during this book and I 100% expected to be majorly bothered by it but y’all. IT WAS SO HOT THOUGH TASTEFUL I DIDNT EVEN CARE ONE BIT 😭🥵 I can only imagine how it’s gonna be between them and I’m sure I’ll combust right on the spot. Seriously.
And when I tell you I lost my mind in these last 10 percent of the book I’m not even kidding, because WHERE IS SADE GOING?! And EX-WIFE?! And the O. AND V.?!
AND THEIR CALL WHERE THEY JUST BREATH TOGETHER TO NOT FEEL ALONE?! Dead. 😩😭♥️
“Seong-Jae…”
“Yes?”
“You don’t have to hang up.”
“But I do not have anything else to say.”
“You don’t need to.” Malcolm smiled to himself, closing his eyes until it was just the dark and the sound of Seong-Jae’s breaths. “You don’t need to say a single word.”
Seong-Jae sounded so uncertain of himself. So young. “Then we simply…stay?”
“Yeah. It’s all right to just stay.”
After a considering silence, Seong-Jae said softly, huskily, “As you say.” 😭
WOW, these are addicting, so onto the next, I guess!
4,5⭐️
October 31, 2023
2.5/5
This episode will probably be my last favorite, but in overall I liked it. We see an improvement in Malcolm and Seong-Jae's relationship, and I definitely enjoyed their cute moments. Malcolm still opening doors for Seong-Jae every time will be my favorite thing, and when did he make him coffee the way he liked it? Ughh it so was cute.
Honestly, my rating is so low only because of one scene which I pretty much hated, and I don’t know why she even was in the book. Yeah, I’m talking about Malcolm and the pianist guy doing the deed. I mean, this chapter could easily be mentioned and not THAT described. I know it meant nothing to Malcolm and he did that kinda to forget about Seong-Jae, but I just don’t like that stuff in books where it’s not with the love interest. It wasn’t cheating, because they are not together, at lest yet, so I continue with my reading. Normally I would probably dnf it.
Anyway, I never thought I will be so invested in this series, I know it’s only the second book but it’s addictive. If by some miracle someone decides to make a series out of it, I will definitely watch it.
This episode will probably be my last favorite, but in overall I liked it. We see an improvement in Malcolm and Seong-Jae's relationship, and I definitely enjoyed their cute moments. Malcolm still opening doors for Seong-Jae every time will be my favorite thing, and when did he make him coffee the way he liked it? Ughh it so was cute.
“So am I your good luck now?”
“I don’t need your mouth right now, Seong-Jae,” Malcolm muttered—then flushed, a touch of heat creeping over his cheeks, down his throat, as he thought of Seong-Jae’s ripe, soft mouth"
"And for now, Malcolm hung on Seong-Jae’s every sleeping breath, and wondered if he would ever feel this calm again."
Honestly, my rating is so low only because of one scene which I pretty much hated, and I don’t know why she even was in the book. Yeah, I’m talking about Malcolm and the pianist guy doing the deed. I mean, this chapter could easily be mentioned and not THAT described. I know it meant nothing to Malcolm and he did that kinda to forget about Seong-Jae, but I just don’t like that stuff in books where it’s not with the love interest. It wasn’t cheating, because they are not together, at lest yet, so I continue with my reading. Normally I would probably dnf it.
Anyway, I never thought I will be so invested in this series, I know it’s only the second book but it’s addictive. If by some miracle someone decides to make a series out of it, I will definitely watch it.
May 9, 2025
Came here for the emotionally unavailable men. Stayed for the plot and the longing.
I’m going to pretend that every time Seong-Jae says ‘As you say,’ he means it with the same romantic energy as Westley’s ‘As you wish’ in The Princess Bride. 💁🏻♀️
I’m going to pretend that every time Seong-Jae says ‘As you say,’ he means it with the same romantic energy as Westley’s ‘As you wish’ in The Princess Bride. 💁🏻♀️
July 20, 2021
⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*Meh?*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱
The book one week after the kiss, after book one was finished. Mal and Seong-Jae has now been partners for a week and a half. They now have a new case to solve where something doesn't feel right. Problem is Mal is struggling with personal problems and moving on from the previous case, and Seong-Jae is having problems trusting Mal. Can they put their heads together and figure out who the killer is?
Overall, it was very meh. While I don't mind the detective part of the book/series, I find it a bit boring. There's too little personal scenes for my taste. My problem, I think, with this book, this series, is that I'm finding it hard to connect. With the story, but mostly with the main characters. They are so detached from the readers that I just don't feel with them.
Also I'm sometimes struggling with understanding what they mean. Like Mal would say something along the lines of "don't do that" Seong-Jae would reply with "what?" and then Mal would just say "nothing" and I'm like what did he do?! I'm still gonna give this series a shot. Let's hope episode (book) three is better. The gif is who I picture as Seong-Jae.
The Characters:
The list is a bit long so I've put it in a spoilers tag.
Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (Adult) Contemporary (Slow-Burn)
Series: - Series, Book Two.
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Favorite character? - Malcolm ‘Mal’ Khalaji.
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Yes, I think so.
Would I recommend this book/series? - Unsure.
Will I read this again in the future? - Probably not...?
Rating - 2.5 stars.
March 19, 2024
4.5 Stars! O crime desse episódio livro não foi tão bizarro como o primeiro, mas o momento de prender o culpado foi bem empolgante ( adoro ação). O Seong-Jae brilhou nesse episódio, adorei seus momentos sarcásticos e suas respostas para o Malcolm ( o cara me faz rir sem querer). A química de Mal e Seo está cada vez melhor! Gosto de romances rápidos, mas tbm aceito um com desenvolvimento lento pq faz mais sentido para o tipo da história, gostando bastante de como Cole está desenvolvendo isso. Nas respostas do autor para o público ele disse que essa série terão muitos episódios ( já vi que tem muitos livros) já que ele trata cada livro como um episódio. Realmente é como um programa de TV acabo 😅
August 7, 2018
4.5 stars
Malcolm and Seong-Jae are back, and this time around they’re investigating the demise of a nightclub owner.
So where do we start?”
I’m not going to go into why I‘m loving this series—my review for S1E1 The Cardigans here covers that—but what is apparent, aside of the suspense, is the how things are developing between Malcom and Seong-Jae and, as they continue to deal with events of book one and the after effects, they lower their guard around one another, letting us see a little deeper into their characters.
There was a part of him that wanted to know Seong-Jae, to understand what was behind that coldness, to at least be comfortable with him by picking up on his cues and unspoken things and those long, meaningful silences.”
With so many possibilities to be had with this series, I’ve booked my seat for the next episode.
Morning was morning. Now was now.”
Copy received courtesy of of the author for an honest and unbiased opinion.
Malcolm and Seong-Jae are back, and this time around they’re investigating the demise of a nightclub owner.
So where do we start?”
I’m not going to go into why I‘m loving this series—my review for S1E1 The Cardigans here covers that—but what is apparent, aside of the suspense, is the how things are developing between Malcom and Seong-Jae and, as they continue to deal with events of book one and the after effects, they lower their guard around one another, letting us see a little deeper into their characters.
There was a part of him that wanted to know Seong-Jae, to understand what was behind that coldness, to at least be comfortable with him by picking up on his cues and unspoken things and those long, meaningful silences.”
With so many possibilities to be had with this series, I’ve booked my seat for the next episode.
Morning was morning. Now was now.”Copy received courtesy of of the author for an honest and unbiased opinion.
May 9, 2021
I'm loving this series so much!🙈.
Khalaji and Yoon have returned to another case. This time, someone murdered a famous rich man with many dirty connections. Could it be the lover, who was recorded leaving the scene after the murder? The husband for revenge? Or someone else?
The two men still have trouble getting along, with baby steps they are learning to work together and, above all, to trust. Every day they get to know a few little things, and although they don't want to admit it, they intrigue each other.
I love the tension. I love the writing style and how the crime scene is described and how the dots are connected to solve the case. They both see things from different perspectives, but somehow complement each other when they watch their backs.
This romance is so slow, but damn if my heart wasn't pounding when they had these moments, especially at the end, when Yoon called Khalaji because he had a nightmare. They do not speak and do not hang up, they remain silent, giving themselves calm🥺❤️❤️.
Khalaji and Yoon have returned to another case. This time, someone murdered a famous rich man with many dirty connections. Could it be the lover, who was recorded leaving the scene after the murder? The husband for revenge? Or someone else?
The two men still have trouble getting along, with baby steps they are learning to work together and, above all, to trust. Every day they get to know a few little things, and although they don't want to admit it, they intrigue each other.
I love the tension. I love the writing style and how the crime scene is described and how the dots are connected to solve the case. They both see things from different perspectives, but somehow complement each other when they watch their backs.
This romance is so slow, but damn if my heart wasn't pounding when they had these moments, especially at the end, when Yoon called Khalaji because he had a nightmare. They do not speak and do not hang up, they remain silent, giving themselves calm🥺❤️❤️.
June 12, 2021
I loved the first book so much it shocked the heck out of me. Whilst this book is a lot "lighter" in the murder department I still floved every word.i tried reading a book by another author after finishing this one before jumping straight into the next one and .... Epic fail. So I'm going back to my boys for another helping of all things Mal and Seong-Jae.
February 19, 2019
I am pretty sure I can safely say that this will become one of my all time favourite series.
It is simply awesome!
Malcolm and Seong-Jae have blown me away again. And there wasn't even any real PDA in this episode! But the UST! The UST is more nail-biting than the mystery plot (which incidentally is also totally fine!).
You get the impression that some kind of invisible force pulls these guys together and as much as they might kick and scream (on the inside) and pretend they don't feel anything (Ha!), they can't help 'wanting'. And this is not sexual only. There is this yearning for love and safety, for someone to understand the daily horrors of their job. There is so much more to it than simple sexual desire.
But for various reasons neither man can look any of this into the eye right now and acknowledge it.
And of course they are very different, but then again, sometimes so similar. I adore the snark between them! It's epic and so blooming brilliantly written!
Just to warn some readers out there - There is a full blown sex scene with Malcolm and another guy. However, I can assure you this is neither betrayal nor cheating. Malcolm and Seong-Jae are not together. They don't know if they ever will be. But having sex with another guy brings home so many things to Malcolm - like what he's really looking for and what he is missing.
Loved that we also get to know some of the secondary characters better. (Sade, The Captain, Helen)
There are so many levels of awesomeness to this, and I have hardly started. the series!
And then all those little hints that there is so much more going on with the mystery plot. Good God, where is it all going to lead?
And ultimately - we get that last scene. It was EVERYTHING! Toe-curling good!
It is simply awesome!
Malcolm and Seong-Jae have blown me away again. And there wasn't even any real PDA in this episode! But the UST! The UST is more nail-biting than the mystery plot (which incidentally is also totally fine!).
You get the impression that some kind of invisible force pulls these guys together and as much as they might kick and scream (on the inside) and pretend they don't feel anything (Ha!), they can't help 'wanting'. And this is not sexual only. There is this yearning for love and safety, for someone to understand the daily horrors of their job. There is so much more to it than simple sexual desire.
But for various reasons neither man can look any of this into the eye right now and acknowledge it.
And of course they are very different, but then again, sometimes so similar. I adore the snark between them! It's epic and so blooming brilliantly written!
Just to warn some readers out there - There is a full blown sex scene with Malcolm and another guy. However, I can assure you this is neither betrayal nor cheating. Malcolm and Seong-Jae are not together. They don't know if they ever will be. But having sex with another guy brings home so many things to Malcolm - like what he's really looking for and what he is missing.
Loved that we also get to know some of the secondary characters better. (Sade, The Captain, Helen)
There are so many levels of awesomeness to this, and I have hardly started. the series!
And then all those little hints that there is so much more going on with the mystery plot. Good God, where is it all going to lead?
And ultimately - we get that last scene. It was EVERYTHING! Toe-curling good!
May 13, 2023
I’ve had been fighting with this book a whole week. I have no idea why is not working for me. The writing is good, the story too the characters are interesting, nothing bad to say about it, still it was a hard work to finish. Only thing I wanted to say. Fifty carats ring?? Muhahaha that’s ridiculous. The biggest diamond ring was 69 carats the Taylor-Burton diamond. After one wear Taylor remaided it to a pendant because she almost couldn’t move her hand :D
https://www.naturaldiamonds.com/epic-...
https://www.naturaldiamonds.com/epic-...
May 24, 2021
3.5 stars 💫
“This book took me a while to go through. But I'm loving this series. My inner heart says that MCs will gonna make a great couple. Highly recommended” I said. 😃
“As you say,” Seong-Jae said. 😌
“This book took me a while to go through. But I'm loving this series. My inner heart says that MCs will gonna make a great couple. Highly recommended” I said. 😃
“As you say,” Seong-Jae said. 😌
November 23, 2018
This is not a review, except to say thanks darling Simone for yet another addiction! *side-eyes Simone* ;)
No time for more, I'm halfway through episode three and they're making me crazy!
No time for more, I'm halfway through episode three and they're making me crazy!
July 3, 2023
²/²⁰²⁰_⁴
⁹/²⁰²¹_³.⁵
⁷/²⁰²³_³.²⁵
.
.
.
.
𝟬𝟮/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟬 - 𝟰
𝟬𝟵/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟭 - 𝟯.𝟱
𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗚 𝗥𝗘𝗖
— 𝗙*𝗰𝗸𝗻 𝗔𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱
Huh… okay, so maybe I do need the cases to be a tad bit tighter. Or, at least in the earlier books… cause, if I'm being honest, I am (most definitely) here for all the Seong-Jae and Malcolm banter.
However, I do remember being invested in the cases the first time around, but… yeah… what I was actually invested in was the budding romance between Mal and Seong-Jae.
𝗠𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦 (𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗗 𝗚𝗢 𝗔𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗)
♥ 𝗦𝗘𝗢𝗡𝗚-𝗝𝗔𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗢𝗡
— What can I say other than, I absolutely adore this ice-King. I'm just gonna admit it, Seong-Jae is my favorite character in this series. Like, don't get me wrong, I love Mal, but, idk… there's something about Yoon's positively cutting remarks that hits just right.
🅾🅺 𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗠 𝗞𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗝𝗜
— Okay, please withhold throwing rotten fruit at me, but… I was not feeling Malcolm in this installment. You know, it's probably a credit to how great COLE MCCADE is as a writer, because I truly felt Mal's bad attitude irl. Like, I don't know if I just wasn't in the mood for his BS or what, but… I had zero patience for Mal's BS. But, even Mal at his worst isn't even that bad. The old wolf had his moments, and I know this episode was pretty one off for Mal.
✘ 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗘
— Oof. The case this time around was a bit… rough. And what I mean by that is, it was kinda boring 🤷♀️ I don't know, it just was. I was just not invested in the case, which sucks, because episode ones case held up so much better.
✘ 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗦𝗧
— I don't know what it is, but… this time around it bothered me that Malcolm slept with some random dude. I think it's because I now firmly see Mal as being Seong-Jae's and Seong-Jae as being Mal's. Which, I know, I know, that's not how actual healthy relationships should operate, but… i don't know… it was still weird. I felt offended on Seong-Jae's behalf, even though the first time I read season one I didn't even care? So, does this feeling of… betrayal make sense? Lmao, no. But, I can admit it was sooo satisfying when Seong-Jae woke Mal up with the intensity of his judgmental stare.
°
°
°
Despite JUNK SHOP BLUES not being my absolute favorite installment, I still had a ton of fun reading it. The banter between Seong-Jae and Mal was top notch, as usual. In addition, I loved seeing all the little ways Seong-Jae shows Mal he cares, and vice versa. For example, the scene when Mal makes Seong-Jae coffee. Like - 😭👏✨ More of that, please.
┍━━━━━✧✦━━━━━┑
𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦: 𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗡𝗘
𝟭. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗻𝘀 - 𝟰.𝟱 ✩
𝟮. 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗸 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀 - 𝟯.𝟱 ✩
𝟯. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗘𝘆𝗲 - 𝟰 ✩
𝟰. 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 - 𝟰.𝟲 ✩
𝟱. 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 - 𝟱 ✩
𝟲. 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗦𝗺𝗼𝗸𝗲 - 𝟰 ✩
𝟳. 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 - 𝟰.𝟮𝟱 ✩
𝟴. 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲 - 𝟰.𝟳𝟱/𝟱 ✩
𝟵. 𝗔 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲'𝘀 𝗙𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗲 - 𝟰.𝟮𝟱 ✩
𝟭𝟬. 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 - 𝟰.𝟱 ✩
𝟭𝟭. 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗼 - 𝟯.𝟱 ✩
𝟭𝟮. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿'𝘀 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲: 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗜 - 𝟯.𝟮𝟱 ✩
𝟭𝟯. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿'𝘀 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲: 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗜𝗜 - 𝟰 ✩
┕━━━━━✧✦━━━━━┙
⁹/²⁰²¹_³.⁵
⁷/²⁰²³_³.²⁵
.
.
.
.
𝟬𝟮/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟬 - 𝟰
𝟬𝟵/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟭 - 𝟯.𝟱
❝I’ll brief you in the car,❞ Malcolm muttered. ❝When we get back, put in a requisition for your own desk. If you had your own desktop, you’d already have the prelims by now.❞
❝But I like your desk,❞ Seong-Jae pointed out.
❝Of course you do.❞ Malcolm tried to bite his tongue, but then added under his breath, ❝…asshole.❞
❝Jot,❞ Seong-Jae countered without missing a beat.
𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗚 𝗥𝗘𝗖
— 𝗙*𝗰𝗸𝗻 𝗔𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱
Huh… okay, so maybe I do need the cases to be a tad bit tighter. Or, at least in the earlier books… cause, if I'm being honest, I am (most definitely) here for all the Seong-Jae and Malcolm banter.
However, I do remember being invested in the cases the first time around, but… yeah… what I was actually invested in was the budding romance between Mal and Seong-Jae.
𝗠𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦 (𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗗 𝗚𝗢 𝗔𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗)
❝That’s not a bad outlook,❞ Malcolm murmured. ❝Sometimes your ice queen act can be useful.❞
❝Why are you under the impression that my behavior is an act?❞
Malcolm sighed. ❝Wishful thinking, I suppose.❞ ...
♥ 𝗦𝗘𝗢𝗡𝗚-𝗝𝗔𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗢𝗡
— What can I say other than, I absolutely adore this ice-King. I'm just gonna admit it, Seong-Jae is my favorite character in this series. Like, don't get me wrong, I love Mal, but, idk… there's something about Yoon's positively cutting remarks that hits just right.
❝You have my apologies,❞ he said, and pivoted on his heel to stride toward the door.
❝Hey,❞ Malcolm barked after him.
Seong-Jae paused, poised mid-stride, and glanced back. ❝Yes?❞
❝Don’t apologize if you don’t fucking mean it.❞
❝Very well, then. You do not have my apologies,❞ Seong-Jae retorted. ❝And I will not be pleased if you are hung over and as foul today as you were yesterday.❞
❝I already told him you’re not my boyfriend. You don’t get to nag like one.❞ Malcolm snorted. If this wasn’t fucking déjà vu all over again. ❝Out, Seong-Jae.❞
🅾🅺 𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗠 𝗞𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗝𝗜
— Okay, please withhold throwing rotten fruit at me, but… I was not feeling Malcolm in this installment. You know, it's probably a credit to how great COLE MCCADE is as a writer, because I truly felt Mal's bad attitude irl. Like, I don't know if I just wasn't in the mood for his BS or what, but… I had zero patience for Mal's BS. But, even Mal at his worst isn't even that bad. The old wolf had his moments, and I know this episode was pretty one off for Mal.
❝Seong-Jae?❞
Seong-Jae had glanced away, but now he lifted his inscrutable gaze to Malcolm, black eyes seeming to see into him—to see every doubt, every question that was creeping up on Malcolm and making him second-guess his every decision. ❝Yes, Malcolm?❞
❝If you get something, you’ll tell me, yeah?❞
Seong-Jae considered, then asked, ❝If I tell you, will you listen?❞
❝…I’ll try.❞
❝Then when I have something, I will tell you.❞
❝Thanks.❞ Fuck. That shouldn’t have been so hard to say. He didn’t know if he was having trouble trusting Seong-Jae, having trouble trusting himself, or both.
✘ 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗘
— Oof. The case this time around was a bit… rough. And what I mean by that is, it was kinda boring 🤷♀️ I don't know, it just was. I was just not invested in the case, which sucks, because episode ones case held up so much better.
Seong-Jae sighed. He really rather wasn’t overly fond of human interaction. They were much easier to deal with when they were dead.
✘ 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗦𝗧
— I don't know what it is, but… this time around it bothered me that Malcolm slept with some random dude. I think it's because I now firmly see Mal as being Seong-Jae's and Seong-Jae as being Mal's. Which, I know, I know, that's not how actual healthy relationships should operate, but… i don't know… it was still weird. I felt offended on Seong-Jae's behalf, even though the first time I read season one I didn't even care? So, does this feeling of… betrayal make sense? Lmao, no. But, I can admit it was sooo satisfying when Seong-Jae woke Mal up with the intensity of his judgmental stare.
Fuck a stranger to stop thinking about Seong-Jae, and wake up with Seong-Jae standing over his bed, watching him with the same analytical impassivity with which he might watch a crime scene. For fuck’s sake. Not exactly how he wanted to start his morning.°
°
°
°
Despite JUNK SHOP BLUES not being my absolute favorite installment, I still had a ton of fun reading it. The banter between Seong-Jae and Mal was top notch, as usual. In addition, I loved seeing all the little ways Seong-Jae shows Mal he cares, and vice versa. For example, the scene when Mal makes Seong-Jae coffee. Like - 😭👏✨ More of that, please.
┍━━━━━✧✦━━━━━┑
𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦: 𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗡𝗘
𝟭. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗻𝘀 - 𝟰.𝟱 ✩
𝟮. 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗸 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀 - 𝟯.𝟱 ✩
𝟯. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗘𝘆𝗲 - 𝟰 ✩
𝟰. 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 - 𝟰.𝟲 ✩
𝟱. 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 - 𝟱 ✩
𝟲. 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗦𝗺𝗼𝗸𝗲 - 𝟰 ✩
𝟳. 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 - 𝟰.𝟮𝟱 ✩
𝟴. 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲 - 𝟰.𝟳𝟱/𝟱 ✩
𝟵. 𝗔 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲'𝘀 𝗙𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗲 - 𝟰.𝟮𝟱 ✩
𝟭𝟬. 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 - 𝟰.𝟱 ✩
𝟭𝟭. 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗼 - 𝟯.𝟱 ✩
𝟭𝟮. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿'𝘀 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲: 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗜 - 𝟯.𝟮𝟱 ✩
𝟭𝟯. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿'𝘀 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲: 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗜𝗜 - 𝟰 ✩
┕━━━━━✧✦━━━━━┙
September 15, 2022
Reading this series feels to me like watching those crime TV dramas that my dad used to love. Gritty, intense, and strangely aesthetic. On top of that, Criminal Intentions features an awesome MM pairing that I really root for (Malcom & Seong-Jae is 100 out of 10).
Cole McCade has a way with crafting nuanced, flawed, yet very lovable characters. This goes above the main couple. I enjoyed reading about Anjulie and Karen; and can’t wait to dive deeper.
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Cole McCade has a way with crafting nuanced, flawed, yet very lovable characters. This goes above the main couple. I enjoyed reading about Anjulie and Karen; and can’t wait to dive deeper.
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
May 28, 2022
4 Stars
Loved! Just chugging my way through this series 👀
There will always be a place in my heart for grumpy, broody men. I'm dying to know more about Malcolm and Seong-Jae's pasts, but I'm sure the author doesn't give us that info for awhile 😩 Also, I'm not usually a fan of but my eyes were glued to the page 😏🥵
Loved! Just chugging my way through this series 👀
There will always be a place in my heart for grumpy, broody men. I'm dying to know more about Malcolm and Seong-Jae's pasts, but I'm sure the author doesn't give us that info for awhile 😩 Also, I'm not usually a fan of but my eyes were glued to the page 😏🥵
December 1, 2021
4.25 stars**
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