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squishysnail's review
3.0
An interesting mix of intrigue and romance bogged down by too many details.
A lot of research seems to have gone into this book regarding slot machine programming and the history of the Nevada gaming industry. It's obvious by the amount of detail shared in the story. I found it quite fascinating.
Unfortunately, the amount of technical and historical details tend to slow down the pace of the story and at times, distract the reader from the storyline, both the intrigue and romance.
The main characters are quite interesting. Nick is an out and proud gay man while Brandon's deeply in the closet. Their journey was definitely not smooth and there were really painful moments. I enjoyed their story.
A lot of research seems to have gone into this book regarding slot machine programming and the history of the Nevada gaming industry. It's obvious by the amount of detail shared in the story. I found it quite fascinating.
Unfortunately, the amount of technical and historical details tend to slow down the pace of the story and at times, distract the reader from the storyline, both the intrigue and romance.
The main characters are quite interesting. Nick is an out and proud gay man while Brandon's deeply in the closet. Their journey was definitely not smooth and there were really painful moments. I enjoyed their story.
alex_whitehall's review
4.0
Stars: 3.5/5
Overall
Don't judge this book by it's cover! Especially if you have the cover I did, which is a--I assume--Native American man (shirtless torso) in the foreground, a general casino backsplash, and a (shirtless torso) man in the middle ground who I assume is trying to be sexy but kind of looks in pain. I started reading it because 1) I got it free from MLR Press 2) I needed some bad fiction. Sometimes I just get my hopes up and they are dashed, or I know a story is going to be good but painful (emotionally) to read. Bad books rarely move me.
So imagine my surprise when this wasn't a bad book! The opening is a little rough, but the characters sucked me in, the plot was great, and I really enjoyed reading it. Even the parts I found weak (which I'm guessing is extremely personal preference), were easy enough to skim through and still enjoy.
I'd recommend this, especially to readers who like light mystery novels (where there is a mystery, but it shares the spotlight with the romance.
Review
So the cover I have is BAD, but GoodReads tells me it's not the only one, so hopefully it was improved in other incarnations. If this were a print book I'd be embarrassed to hold that book in my hands. Thankfully it wasn't and I was able to dive into the story.
I had some issues in the beginning, I suspect mainly because the early chapters are heavy on sex and sex isn't really my thing in general, and this tended to be, while not porny, definitely a more sexualized encounter. And some of the sex dialogue makes me giggle, but sex dialogues tend do that. So it starts with Nick and Brandon meeting up at a con and having lots of yummy sex. They return to life and that's when things get interesting.
The development of the murder mystery storyline is blended seamlessly into the story, providing all the necessary information to solve the whodunit while not feeling that the characters are being dense or that the author is withholding information. In the beginning of the unraveling, everything feels natural and part of the story, not highlighting any specific events as part of the larger plot. Obviously as the characters begin to actively pull on strings, the events become more forced as they are the ones forcing things to happen. Still, it was all effortlessly pulled together. A word of note, this is not a suspenseful novel that makes your skin crawl and nervous glances over the shoulder. Overall it's as sunny as the location where it takes place.
These two guys are fun, quirky, and sweet. They like goth culture, being tied up, and hard screws in the night. I liked them and I liked their relationship, when they were together, and despite a somewhat hanging ending (since this is part of a series), it has a closed case and is hopeful.
Be sure to check out my other reviews on my blog.
Overall
Don't judge this book by it's cover! Especially if you have the cover I did, which is a--I assume--Native American man (shirtless torso) in the foreground, a general casino backsplash, and a (shirtless torso) man in the middle ground who I assume is trying to be sexy but kind of looks in pain. I started reading it because 1) I got it free from MLR Press 2) I needed some bad fiction. Sometimes I just get my hopes up and they are dashed, or I know a story is going to be good but painful (emotionally) to read. Bad books rarely move me.
So imagine my surprise when this wasn't a bad book! The opening is a little rough, but the characters sucked me in, the plot was great, and I really enjoyed reading it. Even the parts I found weak (which I'm guessing is extremely personal preference), were easy enough to skim through and still enjoy.
I'd recommend this, especially to readers who like light mystery novels (where there is a mystery, but it shares the spotlight with the romance.
Review
So the cover I have is BAD, but GoodReads tells me it's not the only one, so hopefully it was improved in other incarnations. If this were a print book I'd be embarrassed to hold that book in my hands. Thankfully it wasn't and I was able to dive into the story.
I had some issues in the beginning, I suspect mainly because the early chapters are heavy on sex and sex isn't really my thing in general, and this tended to be, while not porny, definitely a more sexualized encounter. And some of the sex dialogue makes me giggle, but sex dialogues tend do that. So it starts with Nick and Brandon meeting up at a con and having lots of yummy sex. They return to life and that's when things get interesting.
The development of the murder mystery storyline is blended seamlessly into the story, providing all the necessary information to solve the whodunit while not feeling that the characters are being dense or that the author is withholding information. In the beginning of the unraveling, everything feels natural and part of the story, not highlighting any specific events as part of the larger plot. Obviously as the characters begin to actively pull on strings, the events become more forced as they are the ones forcing things to happen. Still, it was all effortlessly pulled together. A word of note, this is not a suspenseful novel that makes your skin crawl and nervous glances over the shoulder. Overall it's as sunny as the location where it takes place.
These two guys are fun, quirky, and sweet. They like goth culture, being tied up, and hard screws in the night. I liked them and I liked their relationship, when they were together, and despite a somewhat hanging ending (since this is part of a series), it has a closed case and is hopeful.
Be sure to check out my other reviews on my blog.
bitchie's review
4.0
Doesn't quite hold up on reread 10 years later. I guess I'm just weary of Brandon's closetedness, not that he's in one, but just the way he treats Nick throughout. You don't have to flirt with everything with tits to keep people from thinking you're gay. You don't ignore the guy you're supposedly crazy about, and you don't get all pissy on him for calling you, when you freaking told him to call you.
I did still get a kick out of Nick himself, his gothness, his hearse, blaring Rob Zombie as he flies down the freeway, such a great image. I just wish he had a bit more self respect at times.
I did still get a kick out of Nick himself, his gothness, his hearse, blaring Rob Zombie as he flies down the freeway, such a great image. I just wish he had a bit more self respect at times.
stang_gt3's review
3.0
This book wasn't what I was expecting at all, but as a read it's not bad. I'd probably give it 3.5 stars overall. Things were a little rushed in places, and sometimes the emotional reactions felt a little over the top for the circumstances, but I enjoyed the main plot. I understood Brandon's fears about being discovered by he was so quick to anger of things that it made his true feelings about Nick feel questionable.
This story flowed smoothly as your reading, but I just felt like certain elements and the reactions to them felt out of sync. But I liked Nick a lot. I liked that these two guys were really a more than a little goth on their free time. I giggled every time Nick's chosen method of transportation is mentioned. I mean the hearse was such a fantastic touch. Ultimately I think Nick and Brandon are a good fit for each other but they still have a lot of figuring things out to do. Especially since Brandon is still so scared to come out of the closet.
The details about the casinos and how the Gaming Commission worked on the computerized slot machines was actually really interesting. These little pieces added a lot to the story and really fleshed out the color of the world. I liked how Nick didn't even really have any interest in gambling because of his job. Must make living in Vegas an interesting experience. :)
All in all I might check out the second book in the series as I'm curious to see how Nick and Brandon grow together now that a few people know their secret. Probably won't run to it right away, but I'm sure I'll get there eventually.
This story flowed smoothly as your reading, but I just felt like certain elements and the reactions to them felt out of sync.
Spoiler
Nick's ex basically raping him and leaving him tied up gets blown over as a no big deal, when I'm sorry it was a very big deal! Even though Brandon knows Nick slept with his ex he doesn't know the details and it did nothing to Nick's ability to trust. The rules of BDSM were broken and yet Nick doesn't even seem phased by it. Or when Nick is caught by the bad guys and Brandon figures it out, I really didn't like how slow to respond his partner was, even not knowing that Nick was Brandon's partner the idea of anyone in trouble should have sent them jumping without needing Brandon's explicit spell out. They're cops. If his partner trusted Brandon's instincts at all he should have been more willing to help.The details about the casinos and how the Gaming Commission worked on the computerized slot machines was actually really interesting. These little pieces added a lot to the story and really fleshed out the color of the world. I liked how Nick didn't even really have any interest in gambling because of his job. Must make living in Vegas an interesting experience. :)
All in all I might check out the second book in the series as I'm curious to see how Nick and Brandon grow together now that a few people know their secret. Probably won't run to it right away, but I'm sure I'll get there eventually.
lddurham's review against another edition
4.0
First of all, hot and sexy, right from the start. But after that, it remained hot and sexy but threw in great emotion and an intriguing murder mystery.
Nick works as a Gaming agent, or, he's a computer nerd who works on regulating gaming machines for the state of Nevada. Buchanan explains everything in fairly easy to understand speech, but it's still pretty technical, involving International regulations and the inner workings of slot machines. I figured I'd get pretty bored with it quick, but, strangely enough, I didn't! It flowed into and through the story seamlessly, without feeling forced. I never once thought, "Yeah, yeah. The author read a book and now wants to impress us." No, it was good info, most of it needed, and told in an easy voice. I was very impressed.
The relationship was a good one. I really enjoy Buchanan's character's because they are so very real. They live and breathe in between those pages. I got pulled into their emotions and bumps and highs. You better believe that I am very excited that there is more to these two. There is a lot more to be explored and enjoyed.
Nick works as a Gaming agent, or, he's a computer nerd who works on regulating gaming machines for the state of Nevada. Buchanan explains everything in fairly easy to understand speech, but it's still pretty technical, involving International regulations and the inner workings of slot machines. I figured I'd get pretty bored with it quick, but, strangely enough, I didn't! It flowed into and through the story seamlessly, without feeling forced. I never once thought, "Yeah, yeah. The author read a book and now wants to impress us." No, it was good info, most of it needed, and told in an easy voice. I was very impressed.
The relationship was a good one. I really enjoy Buchanan's character's because they are so very real. They live and breathe in between those pages. I got pulled into their emotions and bumps and highs. You better believe that I am very excited that there is more to these two. There is a lot more to be explored and enjoyed.
sk_m's review
4.0
Why not a 5? Well three reasons.
1) Brandon was an asshole. Like, complete and utter, needs a kick in the nuts then a drop kick out of a moving car asshole. Who the hell he thought he was? To rant properly would be a spoiler, but suffice it to say no matter how hot he sounded (and he sounded VERY hot) I would have dumped him and run away screaming in the other direction.
2) The thing with Jake. Just, no. It made me squirm and not in a good way. I'm definitely NOT generally a 'cue sweet music and a train going through a tunnel' kinda girl, but reading that bit made me feel disappointed in Nick. I thought Brandon's reaction was so OTT, but I wasn't happy with Nick at all. Of course, he didn't deserve what Jake did, and his revenge was just CLASS but I still didn't like it.
3) All the Gaming stuff detail. On the one hand, if I wanted to know all of it that, the author totally went to town with details, and I'm sure some people will be fascinated. Unfortunately, based on other reviews I've seen, I wasn't the only person who skipped pages upon pages of extraneous detail. The knowledge gained was impressive, but I didn't need to read it - just make it so I know you know what you're talking about.
Overall, the sex scenes were seriously hot. How they met was incredibly ingenuous - I was impressed, very. I think the insecurities and ambiguities Brandon felt were very clearly shown. How delicate Nick was under this big exterior also quickly became obvious. But I don't think it's good that I almost hated one of the main love interests and not in a 'I hate you, take me now' kinda way but in a 'run him over with my car and reverse to make sure' kinda way.
This was my first James Buchanan and I will definitely be reading more. I even intend to read the sequel to this. Recommended but I think you'll see what I mean when you read it.
1) Brandon was an asshole. Like, complete and utter, needs a kick in the nuts then a drop kick out of a moving car asshole. Who the hell he thought he was? To rant properly would be a spoiler, but suffice it to say no matter how hot he sounded (and he sounded VERY hot) I would have dumped him and run away screaming in the other direction.
2) The thing with Jake. Just, no. It made me squirm and not in a good way. I'm definitely NOT generally a 'cue sweet music and a train going through a tunnel' kinda girl, but reading that bit made me feel disappointed in Nick. I thought Brandon's reaction was so OTT, but I wasn't happy with Nick at all. Of course, he didn't deserve what Jake did, and his revenge was just CLASS but I still didn't like it.
3) All the Gaming stuff detail. On the one hand, if I wanted to know all of it that, the author totally went to town with details, and I'm sure some people will be fascinated. Unfortunately, based on other reviews I've seen, I wasn't the only person who skipped pages upon pages of extraneous detail. The knowledge gained was impressive, but I didn't need to read it - just make it so I know you know what you're talking about.
Overall, the sex scenes were seriously hot. How they met was incredibly ingenuous - I was impressed, very. I think the insecurities and ambiguities Brandon felt were very clearly shown. How delicate Nick was under this big exterior also quickly became obvious. But I don't think it's good that I almost hated one of the main love interests and not in a 'I hate you, take me now' kinda way but in a 'run him over with my car and reverse to make sure' kinda way.
This was my first James Buchanan and I will definitely be reading more. I even intend to read the sequel to this. Recommended but I think you'll see what I mean when you read it.
marq123's review
3.0
This is my first m/m romance novel. I didn't know exactly what to expect. I really need to start paying closer attention to the synopsis because I expected Cheating Chance to be soley focused on the relationship between Nick and Brandon. I wasn't expecting a plot that included expecting crime, death, drugs and the Mexican mafia/gang.
Nick is out of the closet. Brandon is not. But they are attracted to each other and an encounter that started off as strictly sex between strangers turn into a relationship. When the book focused on the dynamics of Nick and Brandon's relationship, it was great. But when it focused on the Nevada Gaming Commission and EDROMs and other stuff I had no interest in, it wasn't. I would skim or skip those pages altogether. The author provided detailed background information regarding Nick's job and what it all entailed. Sometimes a little too detailed. So detailed that I would catch myself being impatient and wanting to put the book down. But I didn't because I was too invested in Nick and Brandon's relationship.
Cheating Chance was good when it focused on the relationship. All the extra stuff I could do without. Thank goodness for the hot man love that kept the book interesting. I had downloaded Inland Empire without having read Cheating Chance. Nick and Brandon's story continues in Inland Empire. I hope there's more focus on the relationship and Brandon dealing with being an in the closet homosexual who's dating a guy who's completely out of the closet.
Nick is out of the closet. Brandon is not. But they are attracted to each other and an encounter that started off as strictly sex between strangers turn into a relationship. When the book focused on the dynamics of Nick and Brandon's relationship, it was great. But when it focused on the Nevada Gaming Commission and EDROMs and other stuff I had no interest in, it wasn't. I would skim or skip those pages altogether. The author provided detailed background information regarding Nick's job and what it all entailed. Sometimes a little too detailed. So detailed that I would catch myself being impatient and wanting to put the book down. But I didn't because I was too invested in Nick and Brandon's relationship.
Cheating Chance was good when it focused on the relationship. All the extra stuff I could do without. Thank goodness for the hot man love that kept the book interesting. I had downloaded Inland Empire without having read Cheating Chance. Nick and Brandon's story continues in Inland Empire. I hope there's more focus on the relationship and Brandon dealing with being an in the closet homosexual who's dating a guy who's completely out of the closet.
___tamara___'s review
3.0
I liked the writing, but sometimes it felt a little heavy on the technical lingo (even though it was relevant to the plot, it still felt like going off on a tangent). As for the romance, I felt like their relationship was a bit toxic and I was never really happy with it. A lot of issues got put under the rug, and the focus was instead on all the kinky sex they had. I'm guessing some of the issues I had will be addressed in one of the next installments though.
j_bookaholic's review against another edition
3.0
This dragged out for me and felt like it was twice as long. Way too much detail in things that just weren't necessary and I was quite bored through a lot of it. In saying that, the writing itself was good and I will attempt another by this author, but I won't continue with this particular series.
bitchie's review against another edition
4.0
Doesn't quite hold up on reread 10 years later. I guess I'm just weary of Brandon's closetedness, not that he's in one, but just the way he treats Nick throughout. You don't have to flirt with everything with tits to keep people from thinking you're gay. You don't ignore the guy you're supposedly crazy about, and you don't get all pissy on him for calling you, when you freaking told him to call you.
I did still get a kick out of Nick himself, his gothness, his hearse, blaring Rob Zombie as he flies down the freeway, such a great image. I just wish he had a bit more self respect at times.
I did still get a kick out of Nick himself, his gothness, his hearse, blaring Rob Zombie as he flies down the freeway, such a great image. I just wish he had a bit more self respect at times.