This book falls into my M/M Reading Challenge.
I bought this book at Chris' recommendation - Thanks Chris, you were right; I loved it!
Cheating Chance is about Nick, a young goth computer geek. He works for the Nevada State Gaming Comission checking the computer code in slot machines to make sure they're all legal. He's recently broken up with his boyfriend, Jake, who really did a job on Nick's psyche.
As the story opens, Nick is feeling sort of sorry for his situation when he meets Brandon at a Goth convention. There is instant attraction and they go back to Brandon's room. They intend to just have a fling, but their chemistry is strong and they exchange numbers and e-mail.
Brandon is a cop who lives in California, and is definitely NOT out. When Nick and Brandon get together for a fun weekend, Nick's feelings are hurt when Brandon starts flirting with women. Brandon exlains it's habit and promises to work on it because he wants the relationship to work. Of course, they stumble a few times and have some issues to work out, and Brandon has a few surprises for Nick.
The relationship storyline is nicely tied in to a mystery involving casino slot machines and a murder. There were a few scenes where I had to go back and read the technical stuff twice, but I pretty much understood what was going on and why Nick got involved; I got the "who" but was curious until almost the very end about the "why" of the mystery.
I loved the scenes between Nick and Brandon - the sex was hot and the emotional scenes drew me in. I was rooting for these two through the whole book. The scene where they talked about having sex with women had me in stitches - Nick is so freakin' cute! I got why it was difficult for Brandon to show his feelings for Nick outside the bedroom, and it made the ending that much more emotional. I'm definitely going to grab the next book about these two, Inland Empire.
I give Cheating Chance 4 1/2 out of 5 stars! Thanks Chris!!!
Hi Patti
ReplyDeleteGlad it worked for you :=) Sure sounds like a good one
You're welcome! Are you ready to read the next book? :)
ReplyDeleteoooh..I want!
ReplyDeleteBlodeuedd - It was a very good read.
ReplyDeleteChris - absolutely ready for the 2nd book!
Mandi - I think you'd really like this one (there may have been a bit of rope play involved *winks*)
And don't forget that there are Nicky & Brandon stories in Toy Box: Rope and Toy Box: Handcuffs (available at Fictionwise, but not at Torquere any more). They're the only really good stories in those collections, though.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I think there are some N&B freebies at James Buchanan's website.
Chris encouraged me to read this one as well. I didn't review it, but enjoyed the ride. And yeah, there are some ropes involved ;)
ReplyDeletePATTI! award for you at my blog! (sorries, for highjacking your comments, i didnt know where else to tell you =D ) xoxo
ReplyDeleteI'm buying this one Patti for my Friday Evenings with Man Love.
ReplyDeleteGreat review!!!
Chris: Got this one and the next at Amazon. Will have to check for the other ones. N&B freebies? I'm there!!! Thanks!!! Have Almost Like Being In Love up next after I finish Mind Games.
ReplyDeleteSVZ: Glad to hear; it was good, wasn't it?
Sparklybearsy: Thanks!
SmokinHotBooks: Oh, yes, definitely get it! Thanks!
Thank you. I'm glad you liked Nicky & Brandon. There are free Nicky/Brandon stories on the site. I will probably (after I finish doing a domain transfer) put the stories from the Toy-Boxes up there as well.
ReplyDeleteBook three All or Nothing, comes out the end of this month from MLR.
James: Wow, thanks so much for stopping by! I will definitely search for the short stories and looking forward to the rest of the series - at this point I do have a "momcrush" on Nicky!
ReplyDelete