Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

These Monstrous Deeds #2

A Dangerous Game

Rate this book
Everything has changed.

Carter now knows the truth. The man he thought was his master is really his rescuer. His brother's best friend. An American Hero in disguise. His heart is broken. His mind is in chaos. And the man he hates - and also maybe kind of still loves - isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

To maintain the operation and save thousands of lives, Nathan and Carter have to work together. They realize quickly that the best way to do so is by playing roles. Life is a lot easier when they're not two broken-hearted men. When they're just a master and his slave. When they can pretend.

But playing these roles turns out to be a dangerous game.

The goal is to make it to the end of the operation alive. Maybe they will. But if they do, will their hearts still be intact?

*** Due to the nature of the plot, this book contains scenes that some might find triggering and/or disturbing, as well as explicit sex scenes between the main characters. I’ve included the warnings I feel are the most important, but not all could be covered without giving away too much of the novel.

*** This is book 2 in a 3 book series. This series DOES end in a HAPPY ENDING if you’re willing to stick around ***

329 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 13, 2022

128 people are currently reading
571 people want to read

About the author

T.J. Hamel

8 books288 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
747 (49%)
4 stars
520 (34%)
3 stars
188 (12%)
2 stars
43 (2%)
1 star
10 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
Profile Image for Kati *☆・゚.
1,321 reviews713 followers
May 8, 2025
4.25**** stars


Damn skippy, THAT ENDING!! I’m immediately on to the last part. And can’t already wait for the survivors’ books next.

But man, did I want to throttle Carter a few times for fucking up so bad. Multiple times. Even if his anger and attitude was very much relatable.


But it’s that one question that is probably impossible to answer for most people: Risk it all to save the one you love or risk their well-being to save them all.

Nathan signed over his life to do the latter while Carter practically demands the first—unable to see the bigger picture in his hurt over all he had to endure. Just impossible to balance.


⇢ PLEASE HEED TRIGGER WARNINGS!!
*************
These Monstrous Deeds Series

Book 1 - These Monstrous Deeds - 4.5 stars
Book 2 - A Dangerous Game - 4.25 stars
Book 3 - One Last Time - 4.5 stars

⇢ Sequel Series: Monstrous Survivors

Profile Image for ♡ sorcerer supreme ♡.
771 reviews349 followers
August 21, 2022
"My little slave. Mine. No one else's. No one but me will ever touch you. You're going to die knowing only my hands. It's just sir. Always sir. My little slave. My little fuckslut."


do some of you remember that wicked book some of us read last year with a glorified sex slavery as its core theme? well i just finished the sequel. this book was brutal from start to finish maybe okay a little lesser because the first book takes the crown for it. as for the characters, no matter what happens, nathan and carter have my heart. still rooting for them. i don't know how a third book is possible but i'm trusting hamel's writing skills. i just need more nathan and carter moments especially after the events of this book. they got me on a choke hold and i love it.
Profile Image for Lore.
255 reviews107 followers
February 22, 2025
This book does so much for the whole plot of the series. It has the perfect balance of action,build up and a hint of romance: just what this book needs.

Only love for the author how she writes these difficult themes in such a beautiful story.

Straight into book 3 I go!
Profile Image for normie :).
68 reviews19 followers
February 3, 2025
I’m not sure what was worse… keeping the secret from Carter to begin with... or telling him midway through the operation.

Honestly, that whole plot (when Carter finally found out the truth about Nathan) was just one big mindfuck— and almost also anti-climactic in a way. Like why not just tell Carter from the beginning, why cause him all the unnecessary heartache and confusion. I think I honestly would have preferred that they had committed to the lie until the very end, because this book just ended up causing so many emotionally draining hot and cold/ push and pull situations.

Once the secret was finally out, it was also really difficult for me to read how Carter was emotionally only able to allow himself to want Nathan and be comforted by him, if he was acting as his “Sir.” Because I was reading perspectives from both sides, I knew they both still had love for each other— so it was really difficult to read them constantly try to push it aside because of the betrayal and lies.

Fair warning, this opinion might also be a little controversial.. but I wish that Carter was less “lucky” and “treated better” than the other slaves. I was so annoyed whenever Nathan would remind him of this fact, as if what he was going through wasn’t just as difficult as well. I guess I would have preferred if the playing field was more leveled in a way, or if Carter went through something that would have finally caused him to “break” (IK IM SORRY THAT SOUNDS SO WRONG!). We were constantly teetering on the edge of: don’t let Carter break, but make sure to do enough, but not enough to cause any lasting damages, etc., etc. It felt like whenever I read what the others were going through (like Caseys Gang-Grape) it was more difficult for me to sympathize with what Carter was going through— strictly just because of the way everyone else was framing it in the book.

I will say, this author does a spectacular job of developing side characters. When Nathan and Carter started reading through the files that Nathan had on each of the slaves… my heart sunk to the floor. I really wanted to not care about the other characters, because I was already feeling too much for Carter and Casey… but with the way the author drops details about them and then explains their roles and what their life is like, it was difficult not building a connection with them as well. I hated this, because while I was trying to focus solely on Carter, I was also thinking about Casey and Nolan and Brian, etc. It would just make me so sad.. thinking about Carter and then everyone else. They were all so broken, and I just really wanted them to all finally heal and find their happiness.. I really just wanted for it to all end perfectly.

So ultimately, although the second book in the series wasn’t a 6-STAR read like the first one, it was still very exciting and entertaining.. of course, I am still super excited, if not literally bouncing off the walls eager to read Casey and Jake’s book. I can’t wait to move onto the third and final book in this series, and hopefully get to read about Carter and Travis’ hard earned HEA!
Profile Image for Dani.
1,718 reviews346 followers
July 30, 2024
Again I have the same complaint - I needed this to be first person for me to be truly immersed in the story and feel the emotional turbulence experienced by both Carter and Nathan/Travis, and not feel like a bystander.

I actually did like the relationship between Carter and Nathan, and seeing Nathan trying to figure out how he could make things right between them so he didn't lose the man he loves did have me warming to him slightly, but I'm still unsure as to how I really feel about what he was doing to Carter when he didn't have to... Again, a lot of grey and black areas, but this story just pulled me in and I couldn't stop reading regardless of my personal opinion of the 'bad' characters.

I did like the way the operation was concluded, even if it did feel a bit OTT and far fetched, but I liked how there weren't a load of loose ends or unfinished plot points.

I did really like Carter, I just wish I'd been more inside his head to see what he was thinking and feeling, rather than being told by a narrator. I even started to really like Travis, but I just don't enjoy a book as much with that detachment from the emotions of a character.
Profile Image for Nelly S..
679 reviews171 followers
February 10, 2023
tw: sexual slavery, humiliation, torture, violence

“Nathan loves you because you remind him that he’s more than a monster. He’s more than blood and violence. You’re like this little light in the darkness. This little bit of humanity. Of hope. You make him believe that everything might actually turn out alright.”

This book requires you to suspend a lot of disbelief. It seems impossible that Nathan’s cover isn’t blown given how tumultuous his and Carter’s relationship is. They can barely keep it together once Carter finds out that Nathan is not really a trafficking kingpin, but is instead a deep undercover government agent working to take down an international trafficking network. Carter feels betrayed, furious and starts acting out. He begins to doubt every single thing about their relationship. Meanwhile Nathan is riddled with feelings of guilt and struggles to compartmentalize his different identities. I felt a deep sense of dread as I was reading and kept waiting for things to fall apart. They continue to have hot “consensualish” sex though a couple of scenes might push your comfort levels.
Profile Image for Julian Escobar.
72 reviews5 followers
December 9, 2024
2nd (or maybe 3rd) reread. 4.5 ⭐️ I literally can’t get enough of this series. The complexity of the characters and the situation are *chef’s kiss* perfection. I do wish it had been written in first person pov rather than third person but I feel like we would’ve missed out on some good in the moment thoughts/feelings from both of the MMC’s. Overall still one of my favorites 👏🏻
Profile Image for BeckieLouLou.
690 reviews21 followers
July 9, 2023
Still dark, still disturbing, still interesting. The previous book ends on a pretty good cliffhanger, so moving directly into the second book was a no-brainer. This second part of the story is about setting up and finishing the undercover operation. Everyone has a role and keeping to those roles provided all kinds of entertainment and heartbreak. We see a conclusion to the operation, but our boys are a long way from a HEA.

Book two of a trilogy, m/m, must be read in order, m/m, still waiting for our HEA, mob boss, human trafficking, undercover operation.
Profile Image for Megan.
78 reviews13 followers
August 13, 2022
It's dark and I really felt terrible for both after and Nathan, but I am rooting for them!

Human trafficking. Book one-Carter is stolen and sold as revenge against his brother who is working against the traffickers. It's brutal and on page. It's complicated when Carter starts falling in love with his owner, and his owner is trying hard not to fall for someone who can not give his consent. Book 2 is after the truth comes out that Nathan is working with Carter's brother. This story is them trying to find a balance that won't leave them both broken or dead as they work together to escape and end the trafficking ring.

Read the warnings. Be prepared for the noncon darkness as well as what it means to discover you enjoy aspects of being owned and dominated in this situation. It's a lot! I love the character and the struggle to not break each other even when they are doing whatever it takes to survive. Sacrifices and pain and a love that we hope can find a way...

Did I re-read book one til 3 am? YES. Did I just finish book 2 and run here to recommend it? Yes. It's not the final book so know that before you read.
Profile Image for Evelyn220.
681 reviews42 followers
July 16, 2023
5⭐️ Amazing follow-up to book one. Suspenseful, angsty, action-packed, heart-wrenching, and emotional.
The truth is out, Carter knows about the operation that will save thousands of trafficked slaves, and he knows that his brother and Nathan have been lying to him all along. He is gutted and devastated. But he doesn’t even have time to really come to terms with those feelings of betrayal because they still have a dangerous mission to complete.

The trust and relationship between Carter and Nathan (Travis) is broken and feels irreparable. But I love how the author still gives us hope that things will eventually work out between them. I cannot wait to read the final book.
I am so attached to these characters, I’m going to miss them when I’m finished. 🥺🥺😭😭
104 reviews28 followers
August 14, 2022
Heartbreaking, intense, engrossing, excellent writing. Just perfection, can't wait for Book 3!!
Profile Image for Jess.bookrecs.
624 reviews57 followers
March 2, 2024
The last 15% of this nearly made my heart beat out of my chest.
Profile Image for Eli.
306 reviews23 followers
May 14, 2024
Um wow yeah this series is really uncomfortable to read but I’ve also read these two books in 24 ish hours so like 🤪. Check trigger warnings HEAVY on this series. But like Carter and Nathan/Travis are cute and the plot is plotting.
Profile Image for Ez Rah .
147 reviews13 followers
July 2, 2024
5 stars - my favourite book in the series. A brilliant balance of drama/romance and action/suspense. This book does most of the heavy lifting in terms of moving the overall plot along. I'm avoiding spoilers. This was great! Can't stop reading!!!
Profile Image for Lisa.
916 reviews40 followers
December 26, 2023
I preferred this to number 1. A different dynamic, a good ending- no cliff hanger and super enjoyable. Xx
Profile Image for Jamie.
1,182 reviews97 followers
July 24, 2023
I still can't decide which is worse for Carter - to be in the dark about the truth or knowing what is going on, especially after certain things have happened and his feeling developing for Nathan/Sir/Travis. Talk about a mind fuck.

To make it worse is also that he knows nothing Nathan did was "real" and yet it was absolutely real and an utter nightmare. And we have the fact that Nathan is a bad guy and a good guy - talk about a rock and a hard place. The whole concept is hurt one, to save many. What would anyone do? Not to mention Nathan was thrown into this without really knowing everything that would be demanded of him. Then let's layer in the request from Maison! There was no winning for Nathan.

Carter was left so confused and destroyed. He also wanted to help. He wanted to do more for Casey and Elliot and all the others he met. He couldn't reconcile what had happened with the man he was falling in love with but also the man he hated.

This was so rough but it was also incredible. The way we got this full spectrum of feelings and situations without resolution kept me going - I needed and wanted to feel everything the characters did - and I was captivated!
Profile Image for Crex.
329 reviews50 followers
August 18, 2024
2.5🌟

This book is so repetitive, everything that happened in book 2 should have entered book one 🤦‍♀️😏
Profile Image for Leigh Gaskill.
848 reviews34 followers
July 25, 2024
Emotional, hard to read, but fantastic

“𝙋𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙧— 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚.”

So of course once I started I was not going to be able to stop, especially with the treat of the truth looming in the next book.

Honestly, the authors attempt at portraying true human emotion to this messed up situation throughout the entire book was why I gave it five stars. There was no quick solution here, no ‘well he did this because he had to and I love him so I’m just going to get over it’. These characters run the gauntlet of emotions through the entire book. And just because the truth is out there doesn’t mean the difficult parts are done, because they’re NOT.

“𝙄 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙞𝙛 𝙖𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙚’𝙫𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧… 𝙄 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙞𝙛 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝, 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙚.”

We can definitely see there’s a codependency between Nathan/Travis/Sir and Slave/Carter/Pet. Where this takes us in the next book is anyone’s guess as these two started off entirely unconventionally and in the worst possible way but in a messed up situation for the greater good. I anticipate this will be difficult to resolve.

I am itching to finish One More Time and get started on the spin offs with Benny/Jake - Casey and Maison - Nolan, but sadly I have other awesome ARCS to read in the meantime.
Profile Image for Hailee Flaherty.
215 reviews6 followers
April 5, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Honestly perfection again. After Carter learns the truth and is heartbroken, I was worried either he would forgive Nathan too easily or that he would shut him out completely, but I loved how how the author balanced Carter being upset but still having feelings for Nathan.

This book was constant HIGH angst, but certain stressful parts were over quickly so sometimes you didn’t have to worry for long. This book had less humor and didn’t have as many sad emotional parts as the first book, instead this one had more “heartbreak” emotions and made me anxious. Of course it was beautiful like the first book was too. The scene with the daffodils was amazing and very symbolic.

The use of everyone’s different personas was really effective in the storytelling. At the beginning it was kind of funny how Carter kept calling him “Nathan/Travis/Sir/asshole” and then I loved how they started to separate them all.

Honorable Mention: 3 times in a row? (Iykyk)

Profile Image for Ally.
404 reviews44 followers
August 12, 2024
CARTER. BABY. ANGEL. I LOVE YOU. I REALLY DO. BUT IF YOU DON'T START TAKING CARE OF MY BABY TRAVIS I WILL CRAWL INTO THESE PAGES AND DO IT MY DAMN SELF!!!!!!!

Okay, now that that's out of the way. My obsession grows. Just when you think things can't get worse for these two they are forced to do more things that push them towards their mental limits. Travis is constantly putting on a brave face for everyone, doing things that destroy him inside, sacrificing his own sanity AND I NEED PEOPLE TO HELP THIS MAN BEFORE HE BREAKS. If he breaks, I break. Travis must be protected at all costs. LOVE HIM CARTER. LOVE HIM AND NEVER LET HIM GO! These two are making me want to buy a stuffed moose to hold and cry into until I get to their HEA.

There were so many quotes in this that just sent me to my knees. The fireworks. I CAN NOT!!!!

On to the next book!!!!
Profile Image for Vikigirl.
8 reviews
January 18, 2026
tw: on page rape, on page abuse
Per apprezzare la complessità dei personaggi deve essere compresa la complessità della situazione, dov’è il confine tra stupro e consenso ?
Purtroppo io ho un soft spot per Travis, per il semplice fatto che nessuno sottolinea mai come anche lui sia stato rilegato a una vita di abusivi; ma ci arriverete nel terzo libro, therapy is soooo important amici.
Infinito apprezzamento da parte mia dell’ultilizzo della cintura (no one judge me please), l’autrice fa secondo me un ottimo lavoro nel far comprendere a Carter la sua parzialità verso la possibilità di apprezzare veramente una dinamica simile nella sua vita sessuale, consenziente ovviamente.
Maison my baby <3 essendo la mia terza rilettura della intera saga ho già vissuto quello che gli accade sia dal punto di vista di Jake che poi finalmente dal suo, questo purtroppo non mi permette ora di scrivere lucidamente quello che dovrei sul suo personaggio, semplicemente perché credo che, dopo Casey, sia veramente quello che, fisicamente e psicologicamente, ha subito gli abusi peggiori.
Profile Image for Aloha_friends.
397 reviews
February 1, 2026
Ending of the operation was highkey epic😛

i still dont really understand why the operation included to expand their human trafficing buisness in order to kill all these bad people in a fire?😭there is no relation to it because these guys showed up because Maison was playing bait??
I know this book tried to buy time in order to built Nathans and Carters relationship but storyline wise it was NOT necessary.

Pretty jail to admit but i kinda understood now why Nathan didnt tell Carter before because he couldnt think rationally after the truth (which is absolutely understandable but still risked the case)

Im just happy that my favorite Character, Casey, was rescued and i love him and Benny even when im not Reading their book because the daddy kink is not for me💀💀💀🙏
Profile Image for gena_bookish_reviews.
592 reviews36 followers
September 2, 2024
Travis/Nathan and Carter’s "love" isn't perfect or anything. If that thing is even love I don't know.. Personally I believed that they were both nuts.

They both looked so battered and broken and in the end they were like "YOU CAN'T BELIEVE HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU"

Nah.. that's ok. I'm good. 💀

At this point I need to be convinced that it's really even love and not a trauma bond/Stockholm syndrome thing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.