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axmed's review against another edition
cliché, white and copaganda....no thank you
jaded_8's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
teresab78's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I was sucked into this book from the beginning! I loved Kuro so much! There is a ton of action and tasty food. I wish I had a Kuro to cook for me!
The mystery was mysterious and kept me guessing until the end. I loved most of the supporting characters and even Trey’s sister grew on me in the end.
There were some sad moments, scary moments, and funny moments. I definitely recommend.
liza5326's review against another edition
4.0
A fast and fun romp, completely Rhys Ford and just the way I like it! This was a great open to a new series and I can't wait to see how their romance develops in the next story. But, GOD!! Trey's family was so frustrating!
missawn's review against another edition
3.0
It took me nearly a year to finish this book. I started it and then left it for a few months -- unsure if I would get back to it or end up DNFing it. I did come across the audiobook and gave it another chance. I usually really like [a:Rhys Ford|4968409|Rhys Ford|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1308678470p2/4968409.jpg] writing -- I love her imaginative and fast paced writing. She is probably the most unique and diverse writers in this genre and remains a favorite of mine. For some reason, this book was a bit of a miss for me -- it was a strange combination of over the top and very convoluted ridiculousness and type of cruelty in it's characters that I rarely enjoy. It is actually really hard to put my finger on what exactly it was about this book that I did not enjoy and why it failed to keep me engaged. In the end I finished the book -- there are moments that I did enjoy and the romance is quite sweet. I would not say this is my favorite book by this author but I will definitely continue reading what she writes.
myzanm's review against another edition
4.0
With a title like that you might expect this to be a totally whimsical and light hearted mystery.
Well at least that was what I expected.
So wrong. I was way out there...
There is actually a surprisingly good plot. The characters are also a pleasant surprise. Both MC’s are likable and there are a great cast of secondary characters as well.
I especially liked that, even though the MCs clearly were attracted to each other, they didn’t fall into bed at the first (in)convenient time.
Well at least that was what I expected.
So wrong. I was way out there...
There is actually a surprisingly good plot. The characters are also a pleasant surprise. Both MC’s are likable and there are a great cast of secondary characters as well.
I especially liked that, even though the MCs clearly were attracted to each other, they didn’t fall into bed at the first (in)convenient time.
haletostilinski1's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 happily given stars!
I think Rhys Ford is at her best when she's writing suspense and crime with her romance. My favorite books by this author have been the [b:Murder and Mayhem|24937601|Murder and Mayhem (Murder and Mayhem, #1)|Rhys Ford|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1429206720s/24937601.jpg|44594669] series, and this follows along that route.
Although neither Trey or Kuro are cops, cops are involved in this and crime is happening around them.
Trey is a washed up child actor who was a drug addict and alcoholic and has had many stints in rehab, except the last time at the start of this was two years prior, so he's been committed to staying clean more than he ever was before.
Kuro is a former black ops officer - we aren't told, but I guess he worked for the CIA? - who has to retire when his latest mission puts his face all over the news, and thus blows his cover. So, now retired, he moves to LA and opens up a ramen shop, pretty dedicated to living the normal life now.
For months, Trey has been coming to his shop, and while they haven't talked, there's been a connection.
But one late night, Trey is running through LA at night to shake off intense cravings for drugs and alcohol, a habit he's come into to be doing something when his cravings get too intense. Unfortunately, while he's running near the ramen shop, he runs into two thugs caring something very large...that turns out to be a body....that Trey recognizes.
But he doesn't have much time to think about it before the two thugs are shooting at him, and as he's being shot at outside the ramen shop, Kuro steps out of the shop in the alley and shoots at the men while protecting Trey.
Everything changes for them, not only romantically but in other parts of their life as whoever is behind the death of the man tries to kill Trey because of what he saw.
I found it a tad far-fetched that Trey ran into a crime that was connected to him - beyond them gunning for him after he sees the body - even at 3 in the morning in LA, and that that crime was happening not that far from the ramen shop, but for the story I can mostly let it go.
Because I really enjoyed Trey and Kuro together, I loved their connection and they had great chemistry. I wish we had gotten to see the full sex scene between them (we get the penetration, but it skips over mutual blowjobs and most of Kuro fingering Trey) but from what we did get it was really good. It was the only sex scene, so I wish we had gotten more, although at the same time I get that they had to establish a connection and so much shit was going on...but hey, I'm greedy ;)
The secondary characters were interesting, although Trey's older half-sister pissed me off. But then she redeemed herself at the end...but for the majority of this I wasn't feeling sympathetic toward her, even though logically I could understand her hesitance, what with Trey's past addictions and probably all he put his family through. Still, just giving her brother the tiniest chance and compassion would have been nice. (It comes near the end, but...it almost felt too little, too late.)
Overall, this was a wonderful start to this series, and I really enjoyed Trey and Kuro together, so much so I already want more. Wonder when that second installment will come out? *wink wink, nudge nudge*
I highly recommend this, and while the story and characters are different, the crime angle felt similar to Murder and Mayhem to me, so if you've enjoyed that series, then I definitely recommend this, it's worth a read.
Two thumbs up from me!
***ARC generously provided by the Alpha Book Club in exchange for an honest review***
I think Rhys Ford is at her best when she's writing suspense and crime with her romance. My favorite books by this author have been the [b:Murder and Mayhem|24937601|Murder and Mayhem (Murder and Mayhem, #1)|Rhys Ford|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1429206720s/24937601.jpg|44594669] series, and this follows along that route.
Although neither Trey or Kuro are cops, cops are involved in this and crime is happening around them.
Trey is a washed up child actor who was a drug addict and alcoholic and has had many stints in rehab, except the last time at the start of this was two years prior, so he's been committed to staying clean more than he ever was before.
Kuro is a former black ops officer - we aren't told, but I guess he worked for the CIA? - who has to retire when his latest mission puts his face all over the news, and thus blows his cover. So, now retired, he moves to LA and opens up a ramen shop, pretty dedicated to living the normal life now.
For months, Trey has been coming to his shop, and while they haven't talked, there's been a connection.
But one late night, Trey is running through LA at night to shake off intense cravings for drugs and alcohol, a habit he's come into to be doing something when his cravings get too intense. Unfortunately, while he's running near the ramen shop, he runs into two thugs caring something very large...that turns out to be a body....that Trey recognizes.
But he doesn't have much time to think about it before the two thugs are shooting at him, and as he's being shot at outside the ramen shop, Kuro steps out of the shop in the alley and shoots at the men while protecting Trey.
Everything changes for them, not only romantically but in other parts of their life as whoever is behind the death of the man tries to kill Trey because of what he saw.
I found it a tad far-fetched that Trey ran into a crime that was connected to him - beyond them gunning for him after he sees the body - even at 3 in the morning in LA, and that that crime was happening not that far from the ramen shop, but for the story I can mostly let it go.
Because I really enjoyed Trey and Kuro together, I loved their connection and they had great chemistry. I wish we had gotten to see the full sex scene between them (we get the penetration, but it skips over mutual blowjobs and most of Kuro fingering Trey) but from what we did get it was really good. It was the only sex scene, so I wish we had gotten more, although at the same time I get that they had to establish a connection and so much shit was going on...but hey, I'm greedy ;)
The secondary characters were interesting, although Trey's older half-sister pissed me off. But then she redeemed herself at the end...but for the majority of this I wasn't feeling sympathetic toward her, even though logically I could understand her hesitance, what with Trey's past addictions and probably all he put his family through. Still, just giving her brother the tiniest chance and compassion would have been nice. (It comes near the end, but...it almost felt too little, too late.)
Overall, this was a wonderful start to this series, and I really enjoyed Trey and Kuro together, so much so I already want more. Wonder when that second installment will come out? *wink wink, nudge nudge*
I highly recommend this, and while the story and characters are different, the crime angle felt similar to Murder and Mayhem to me, so if you've enjoyed that series, then I definitely recommend this, it's worth a read.
Two thumbs up from me!
***ARC generously provided by the Alpha Book Club in exchange for an honest review***
susanmacnicol's review against another edition
5.0
As always I can't fault Rhys's books. Her story telling is so effortless, so engaging that I forget where I am for a little while and simply immerse myself in her characters, in her plots and her unique style of writing. This author's voice is one that flows seamlessly and with Kuro and Trey and their antics trying to stay alive, shaking off the bad guys and wreaking havoc wherever they go, you are transported to another world. A gritty, oft dark world of child abductions and terror, of men willing to do what it takes to save the fragile balance between good and evil. Highly recommended.
isalaur's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
5.0
This book has been sitting in my TBR pile for a while and for some reason it jumped out at me today. I’m really glad it did. It was an exciting and action filled read and I couldn’t put it down. Was a bit irritated when adulting interfered a few times!
Trey is such a great character. I loved him from the beginning and really, really hated his sister and the rest of his family. And Kuro is a wonderful hero. Plus the whole ramen chef angle is unique and adds a fun twist to the story with all the food descriptions.
The story arc moves well as does the character development. It takes a while for the mystery to come into focus but that works because I felt like I was as stumped as the characters as to why all this was happening so it made me more sympathetic with them.
I figured out the villain long before the end when it was revealed. I’m shocked none of the characters did because the clue seemed really obvious to me. But I didn’t know I was right for sure until the end so none of the action/suspense was ruined for me.
I would have liked a bit more epilogue to know how things go in Trey’s life and with his family. But overall I loved the book and will definitely read more of this author’s work.
Trey is such a great character. I loved him from the beginning and really, really hated his sister and the rest of his family. And Kuro is a wonderful hero. Plus the whole ramen chef angle is unique and adds a fun twist to the story with all the food descriptions.
The story arc moves well as does the character development. It takes a while for the mystery to come into focus but that works because I felt like I was as stumped as the characters as to why all this was happening so it made me more sympathetic with them.
I figured out the villain long before the end when it was revealed. I’m shocked none of the characters did because the clue seemed really obvious to me. But I didn’t know I was right for sure until the end so none of the action/suspense was ruined for me.
I would have liked a bit more epilogue to know how things go in Trey’s life and with his family. But overall I loved the book and will definitely read more of this author’s work.
suze_1624's review against another edition
3.0
3.5*
A new RF book, based in K-town in LA - I was expecting Cole and Jae-Min to go strolling by!
A fairly gentle paced book interspersed with action but I didn’t feel gripped by the action like I have in some of her other books.
I enjoyed Kuro and his gentle way of caring for Trey - the only one apart from Sera. I found the toxic emotional abuse by Trey’s family very hard to understand in someways but then it was the easy way to deal with him.
The who’s and why’s were quite intricate in the end but the culprits did seem to come out if left field.
I will get a book two if it comes out
A new RF book, based in K-town in LA - I was expecting Cole and Jae-Min to go strolling by!
A fairly gentle paced book interspersed with action but I didn’t feel gripped by the action like I have in some of her other books.
I enjoyed Kuro and his gentle way of caring for Trey - the only one apart from Sera. I found the toxic emotional abuse by Trey’s family very hard to understand in someways but then it was the easy way to deal with him.
The who’s and why’s were quite intricate in the end but the culprits did seem to come out if left field.
I will get a book two if it comes out