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Wicked Cool
Junk removal specialist Stu Van der Meer has been burned before in love affairs with corporate professionals who underestimate him as a blue-collar guy who's good with his hands. When he meets property manager Brian Hawthorne, Stu knows he shouldn't get involved with him, especially since he senses that Brian might be in serious trouble.
Stu, however, can't ignore their immediate sexual chemistry. He also can't deny his curiosity about Brian's secret past, specialized knowledge, and unusual accent. Brian has something to hide, and it tests the limits of each man's willingness to trust the other as Stu pursues the truth.
Is Brian a criminal? A victim? Is he only using Stu as a distraction from his fears? As their relationship deepens, Stu must decide what risks he will take to protect them when Brian faces a threat from the past... 18,000 words total.
Genres: Gay / Contemporary / Mystery / Detective / Suspense / Thriller / BDSM (Light) / Exhibitionism / Public Places
85 pages, ebook
First published September 19, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
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October 20, 2010I flew through Wicked Cool in a couple of readings, which is unusual for me in a story that doesn’t have paranormal elements. While I’d classify it more as a contemporary than a crime, thriller or mystery, the love interest Brian is still a puzzle. He has something going on with his past where he won’t tell Stu anything about himself, and where he’ll make up a lie if he was cornered. What’s this thing he’s running from? All we can tell is that it was really bad.
The need to escape the mysterious, heavy thing was the catalyst for the sex in the story, which was always edgy, down-‘n-dirty, and on the verge of being public. Brian was desperate for human contact, to connect, and also to forget, to lose himself in the act if only for a few minutes.
Kink is something in erotic romance that usually turns me right off, because it can so often seem implausible, tacked-on, or just plain dumb. In Wicked Cool I was riveted. This is kink how it should be done: raw and needy, and integral to the character arcs and the way the two characters converge.
There was also a shooting range scene that I loved, because the author has firearms training and so the scene is clearly well-researched, but it doesn’t read at all like, “This is my hobby so now I’m going to bore you with a bunch of detailed exposition you don’t care about.” Instead, you feel like you’re right there at the shooting range, chatting with some colorful characters about how you might go about shooting someone in self-defense.
While I never saw the big reveal coming, I felt like every thread had led to it, and it was the perfect culmination of everything that had led up to it.
The need to escape the mysterious, heavy thing was the catalyst for the sex in the story, which was always edgy, down-‘n-dirty, and on the verge of being public. Brian was desperate for human contact, to connect, and also to forget, to lose himself in the act if only for a few minutes.
Kink is something in erotic romance that usually turns me right off, because it can so often seem implausible, tacked-on, or just plain dumb. In Wicked Cool I was riveted. This is kink how it should be done: raw and needy, and integral to the character arcs and the way the two characters converge.
There was also a shooting range scene that I loved, because the author has firearms training and so the scene is clearly well-researched, but it doesn’t read at all like, “This is my hobby so now I’m going to bore you with a bunch of detailed exposition you don’t care about.” Instead, you feel like you’re right there at the shooting range, chatting with some colorful characters about how you might go about shooting someone in self-defense.
While I never saw the big reveal coming, I felt like every thread had led to it, and it was the perfect culmination of everything that had led up to it.
October 29, 2010
Stu Van der Meer and Brian Hawthorne meet when Brian hires Stu's junk removal company. The men are attracted to each other but neither is ready to act on it due to their working relationship. When the job is done though all bets are off and they began to see each other. As they spend time together feelings develop but their new relationship will be tested many times by Brian's secretiveness and Stu's need for the truth. Will Stu be able to trust in Brian despite not getting all his questions answered and when Brian's past finally catches up with him will they survive it?
Wicked Cool is a well written and fast paced story. Stu and Brian are likable and interesting characters and their story kept me engaged throughout. Since it's told in Stu's third person POV he's the more well drawn of the two but that works well to keep Brian's mysterious past a mystery. I particularly enjoyed the fact that they don't immediately fall into bed instead the author lets them get to know each other a bit before they get physical. But when they do, watch out, it's smoking hot! Another thing I enjoyed was the humor throughout the story. Stu's obvious enjoyment of Brian's Boston accent and some of their interactions had me chuckling, especially an early scene with the men and a potato bug.
The mystery of Brian's past was handled well and while it's not too hard to figure out the truth the actual reveal and suspenseful action scenes at the end came together really well. If there's one complaint that I have about the story is that I would have really liked to have seen them dealing with Brian's real life together but I'm sure that was more a product of word count requirements than anything else. I did enjoy the quick peek of them a year later but I would have liked more.
Overall I found Wicked Cool very entertaining and from beginning to end I was engaged in Stu and Brian's story. Despite being only novella length the author did infuse a lot of details as well as emotional depth into the book. This is Val Kovalin's second published work and I eagerly look forward to reading more from her in the future. Recommended.
Wicked Cool is a well written and fast paced story. Stu and Brian are likable and interesting characters and their story kept me engaged throughout. Since it's told in Stu's third person POV he's the more well drawn of the two but that works well to keep Brian's mysterious past a mystery. I particularly enjoyed the fact that they don't immediately fall into bed instead the author lets them get to know each other a bit before they get physical. But when they do, watch out, it's smoking hot! Another thing I enjoyed was the humor throughout the story. Stu's obvious enjoyment of Brian's Boston accent and some of their interactions had me chuckling, especially an early scene with the men and a potato bug.
The mystery of Brian's past was handled well and while it's not too hard to figure out the truth the actual reveal and suspenseful action scenes at the end came together really well. If there's one complaint that I have about the story is that I would have really liked to have seen them dealing with Brian's real life together but I'm sure that was more a product of word count requirements than anything else. I did enjoy the quick peek of them a year later but I would have liked more.
Overall I found Wicked Cool very entertaining and from beginning to end I was engaged in Stu and Brian's story. Despite being only novella length the author did infuse a lot of details as well as emotional depth into the book. This is Val Kovalin's second published work and I eagerly look forward to reading more from her in the future. Recommended.
September 13, 2011
Awesome book!
I really liked the characters and although the story was told mostly from Stu's pov, Brian's character's fleshed out really good. The book started hot, involved into mystery and ended as a tender and self-sacrificing love story. I loved every moment of it :)
I really liked the characters and although the story was told mostly from Stu's pov, Brian's character's fleshed out really good. The book started hot, involved into mystery and ended as a tender and self-sacrificing love story. I loved every moment of it :)
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February 21, 2011A quick and little wicked white-collar/blue-collar romance turns suddenly in an adventurous plot and all in the span of a novella.
When Stu meets Brian, he is not sure he likes the guy; sure Brian is cute, and with hungry eyes all focused on him, but Stu has already had a bad past experience trying to have a love story with a white collar: people like them only see the drop-out from college blue-collar and don’t think he can have feelings or being above average clever.
But Brian is different from his appearance, he is not the dress he wears, and their relationship is good and nice almost from the first time they have sex; problem is that Brian is obviously hiding something and Stu doesn’t like to be left in the dark.
It’s strange, but interesting, how the story changes genres completely almost from night to day; truly it was good enough how it started, an opposites attract type of romance, the little joy to discover your soon-to-be lover from little details, his home, his interests, what you have in common. But the author chose to make this side of the love story “difficult”, while Stu is open and friendly, Brian is reticent to talk about his past, even if he denies everything Stu can think: ex-wife, bad break-up, bankruptcy. In the end the only explanation is obviously the right one, and of course Stu and Brian will have to find another balance to their relationship.
In any case, even when Stu was thinking the worst about Brian, he has never considered to leave him, probably since Stu is basically a good guy, but above all since Brian needs Stu, even if he is not able, or cannot, express his feelings.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0043GXV6M/?...
When Stu meets Brian, he is not sure he likes the guy; sure Brian is cute, and with hungry eyes all focused on him, but Stu has already had a bad past experience trying to have a love story with a white collar: people like them only see the drop-out from college blue-collar and don’t think he can have feelings or being above average clever.
But Brian is different from his appearance, he is not the dress he wears, and their relationship is good and nice almost from the first time they have sex; problem is that Brian is obviously hiding something and Stu doesn’t like to be left in the dark.
It’s strange, but interesting, how the story changes genres completely almost from night to day; truly it was good enough how it started, an opposites attract type of romance, the little joy to discover your soon-to-be lover from little details, his home, his interests, what you have in common. But the author chose to make this side of the love story “difficult”, while Stu is open and friendly, Brian is reticent to talk about his past, even if he denies everything Stu can think: ex-wife, bad break-up, bankruptcy. In the end the only explanation is obviously the right one, and of course Stu and Brian will have to find another balance to their relationship.
In any case, even when Stu was thinking the worst about Brian, he has never considered to leave him, probably since Stu is basically a good guy, but above all since Brian needs Stu, even if he is not able, or cannot, express his feelings.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0043GXV6M/?...
June 28, 2011
I like Val's writing (I'm still praying for Trinity Trespass sequel), but I really disliked Brian.
I liked the humor centering around Brian's accent, but I really disliked Brian.
As a former sport shooter, I know the scene at the shooting range was spot-on and it was a nice story spice for me, in addition to other details Val incorporated into novella (that bug creeped me out though), but... yeah, not so hot about Brian.
You can say that I liked pretty much everything about Wicked Cool except one of the protagonists. Brian entered the WitSec and, knowing all the possible dangers, started the new relationship without any warning to his partner. Now, if Stu was just a casual fuck, I would understand that. But, even when the relationship turned serious and, therefore, relevant for his situation (and people who were after him), Brian refused to say anything while whining to Stu and asking for his help. And, not going to the police or his handler. You know that old one: If Woody had gone right to the police, this would never have happened. Man, Stu was a saint.
All this said, maybe I wouldn't have disliked him so much if his POV was presented, so I could understand him better. That probably wasn't an option due to the word count limitations.
Don't let my grumbling fool you, I liked the story. So much so that the next book I read will be Val's too. But, because of Brian (poor guy, I really bashed him), 3.75 start rounded to 4.
I liked the humor centering around Brian's accent, but I really disliked Brian.
As a former sport shooter, I know the scene at the shooting range was spot-on and it was a nice story spice for me, in addition to other details Val incorporated into novella (that bug creeped me out though), but... yeah, not so hot about Brian.
You can say that I liked pretty much everything about Wicked Cool except one of the protagonists. Brian entered the WitSec and, knowing all the possible dangers, started the new relationship without any warning to his partner. Now, if Stu was just a casual fuck, I would understand that. But, even when the relationship turned serious and, therefore, relevant for his situation (and people who were after him), Brian refused to say anything while whining to Stu and asking for his help. And, not going to the police or his handler. You know that old one: If Woody had gone right to the police, this would never have happened. Man, Stu was a saint.
All this said, maybe I wouldn't have disliked him so much if his POV was presented, so I could understand him better. That probably wasn't an option due to the word count limitations.
Don't let my grumbling fool you, I liked the story. So much so that the next book I read will be Val's too. But, because of Brian (poor guy, I really bashed him), 3.75 start rounded to 4.
November 1, 2010
Stu Van der Meer may be working junk removal, but there's more to him than his heavy-lifting abilities. Brian Hawthorne is from New England, somewhere, but he won't reveal more than this. The two men hit it off on the spot although Stu has been burned before in relationships with professionals and Brian seems to hide something serious. But as they get closer, things take on a faster pace until Brian's past catches up with them and their relationship literally becomes a matter of life and death all of a sudden.
This was one of the stories which left me wishing it was longer. Although Brian and Stu felt attracted to each other immediately, they took their time getting to know each other, which I really liked. Also, when they finally got to it, their sex was hot enough to scorche a fender. Brian's secret was well-elaborated and just outlandish enough to make Stu's cluelessness fathomable, and the grand finale...wow. Just that, grand. Still, I'd have liked to see them deal with the fallout afterwards instead of having it wrapped up in a few sentences. Also, I'd have liked to meet Brian's family.
A nice, fast read to spice up a lazy Sunday. I enjoyed it a great deal. Recommended.
This was one of the stories which left me wishing it was longer. Although Brian and Stu felt attracted to each other immediately, they took their time getting to know each other, which I really liked. Also, when they finally got to it, their sex was hot enough to scorche a fender. Brian's secret was well-elaborated and just outlandish enough to make Stu's cluelessness fathomable, and the grand finale...wow. Just that, grand. Still, I'd have liked to see them deal with the fallout afterwards instead of having it wrapped up in a few sentences. Also, I'd have liked to meet Brian's family.
A nice, fast read to spice up a lazy Sunday. I enjoyed it a great deal. Recommended.
October 7, 2010
Stu is a junk removal specialist who takes a job for project manager Brian. They are attracted despite their differences and Brian’s refusal to speak about his past. Finally Stu can’t stand it and forces the issue without much success, but Brian starts getting paranoid that people are following him or in his house and he makes Stu teach him to shoot a gun. Stu’s not sure what the heck is going on until he finds someone in his own house. I won’t say much more, I suspected Brian’s secret, but that didn’t detract from the story and Brian and Stu were hot hot hot. I liked how Stu tried to be patient with Brian’s secret, but I could also relate to his frustration of wondering if the guy was an axe murderer or something. Congrats Val on a second successful foray into being published.
October 8, 2010
I loved Stu, and I loved the way he enjoyed Brian's Boston accent. The story is told in 3rd limited from Stu's POV, which helped keep Brian's secret, never letting the reader in on what makes Brian tick. The ending was sort of abrupt, I suspect due to publisher word limits.
November 15, 2010
As a Boston girl, I have to love a story about a Boston boy. Loved the phonetic spelling of the accent!
August 23, 2012
Nice writing, but logical holes to drive eighteen-wheelers through: no selfrespecting hitman who is hired to kill a witness in a mob trial would "stalk" this guy for weeks. Dude, if the professional hitman is so stupid that he watches the guy instead of killing him outright, you should ask for your money back. This and the repeated "not as in the movies/novels" remarks, nearly ruined the otherwise kind of sweet story for me.
What I liked: although a rather short story it was no insta-love. The MCs were attracted to each other right away, but the relationship had some development.
All in all, it had a bit of an unfinished feeling about it.
What I liked: although a rather short story it was no insta-love. The MCs were attracted to each other right away, but the relationship had some development.
All in all, it had a bit of an unfinished feeling about it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2010
This is a very yummy novella about junk removal specialist Stu (who is from Dutch origin :)) and secretive property manager Brian. They meet at the job and feel attracted and start seeing each other, but Brian’s secret becomes a problem. It ended a little abruptly but although it was a short story it felt as a full-fledged one. And Stu and Brian are a hot couple.
January 14, 2011
Fast paced and full of action, Wicked Cool is just that -- wicked cool. The intrigue kept me riveted to the story, and what a hot sex scene! Yikes! The only thing more I could have asked for is that the story be a little longer. I would have liked to see Brian and Stu's debate over where to live, and would have loved to see Stu meet Brian's family.
September 19, 2010
Very good short m/m romance about a guy with a junk removal business who becomes very intrigued by a mysterious property manager he meets while on a job. Can he deal with the unknown, or will all the secrets drive them apart?
February 2, 2012
Novella about the relationship between a junk hauler and a lawyer-turned-property-manager who is hiding a deep! dark! secret! -- enjoyable despite the fact that you can see all the telegraphed secrets coming at you from miles away...
March 7, 2012
3.5 stars
August 21, 2012
Meh, too short to like it...
October 11, 2012
Preparation for GRL 2012
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
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