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josy's review against another edition
5.0
~ 4.5 stars ~
I really enjoyed this series! The banter and teasing between the MCs was quite funny and I couldn't help but laugh out loud several times. But it's not all sunshine and rainbows. One of the MCs is dealing with a traumatic past and there are references to past sexual abuse. The mystery was good and I was as surprised as the MCs to find out who was behind the murders.
Nick J. Russo's narration was great as always!
I really enjoyed this series! The banter and teasing between the MCs was quite funny and I couldn't help but laugh out loud several times. But it's not all sunshine and rainbows. One of the MCs is dealing with a traumatic past and there are references to past sexual abuse. The mystery was good and I was as surprised as the MCs to find out who was behind the murders.
Nick J. Russo's narration was great as always!
coffeeintherain's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
imaginary_sauropod's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Mac has been framed for the murder of a drug dealer who was claiming he was buying from him. The investigation into his work is getting more intense, leading to Henry having to take Mac into hiding while they try to clear his name.
Mac takes Henry and his sister Viola to hide at his family’s house why they try to figure out who is setting him up and to protect Henry who will only stay to protect his sister.
A great conclusion to the series. It makes me want to read more cop/crime romances.
Mac takes Henry and his sister Viola to hide at his family’s house why they try to figure out who is setting him up and to protect Henry who will only stay to protect his sister.
A great conclusion to the series. It makes me want to read more cop/crime romances.
suze_1624's review against another edition
5.0
Well, what a great book to end the series on. Maybe because it is the last I felt it was really good.
Mac and Henry continue to snark at each other and there are some great comedy lines.
What really got to me in this one was Henry's introspection and the insight into how he became how he is - molded by life experiences.
I enjoyed Vi and Cory together, can see them being fast friends - but what happens when Cory out develops Vi?
I quite liked the final chase/denouement scenes being likened to a script by Henry, it kind of deflected some of the unlikeliness of it.
I would love to read more of 'Mac and Cheese' but this is the slated last book, but definitely a series to be reread back to back - think I'll make a note for the first stay in doors day of autumn.
Mac and Henry continue to snark at each other and there are some great comedy lines.
What really got to me in this one was Henry's introspection and the insight into how he became how he is - molded by life experiences.
Spoiler
I was sad about Remy, although he was the perfect alternate path foil for Henry.I enjoyed Vi and Cory together, can see them being fast friends - but what happens when Cory out develops Vi?
I quite liked the final chase/denouement scenes being likened to a script by Henry, it kind of deflected some of the unlikeliness of it.
I would love to read more of 'Mac and Cheese' but this is the slated last book, but definitely a series to be reread back to back - think I'll make a note for the first stay in doors day of autumn.
tiggers_hate_acorns's review against another edition
4.0
The series is called Playing the Fool and to my mind Henry is the fool in question. Pretending to be happy-go-lucky he is anything but, hiding a world of hurt behind his facade. Though parts of the story are a bit unbelievable this was a fitting end to a great series.
verityw's review against another edition
4.0
*****Copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review****
I have really enjoyed this series about Mac and Henry and this is a very satisfying conclusion. All the dangling threads from the previous books neatly tied up by the end, plenty of action, plenty of peril, some steamy scenes too. I really like Mac and Henry as a duo - and I could happily read more about their adventures if its as fun as these have been.
I haven't read a lot of male/male romances, but I really enjoyed Mac and Henry's relationship - so I'll be keeping my eyes open for more similar books.
I have really enjoyed this series about Mac and Henry and this is a very satisfying conclusion. All the dangling threads from the previous books neatly tied up by the end, plenty of action, plenty of peril, some steamy scenes too. I really like Mac and Henry as a duo - and I could happily read more about their adventures if its as fun as these have been.
I haven't read a lot of male/male romances, but I really enjoyed Mac and Henry's relationship - so I'll be keeping my eyes open for more similar books.
alejandrasnow's review
3.0
14/04/2022-14/04/2022
Henry was so fucking annoying in this one. Running away and getting in a stranger’s car when ppl are looking for them and they’re on a run??? Annoying.
In the two books since the first book he goes on about how he won’t run and how he took a bullet for him. And he keeps doing the same shit. It’s so repetitive.
Henry was so fucking annoying in this one. Running away and getting in a stranger’s car when ppl are looking for them and they’re on a run??? Annoying.
In the two books since the first book he goes on about how he won’t run and how he took a bullet for him. And he keeps doing the same shit. It’s so repetitive.
kaje_harper's review against another edition
4.0
This book completes the "Playing the Fool" series, giving us closure after the cliff-hanger endings of the first two installments. I really enjoyed watching Henry and Mac banter and argue and finally allow each other some entry into the important parts of their lives, and hearts.
The best part of this series is Henry, with his painful past, and his divided loyalties between his sister Viola, his well-worn persona as Henry the unemotional con man, and his relationship with Mac, the man he's coming to love. Henry covers his emotions with jokes and snark and banter. He tries to play all the angles, even when he knows he's pushing too hard. And he's loyal and loving, although you have to dig deep to get him to admit it. This story has moments of real pain for Henry, as well as moments of warmth.
Mac is a solid, stalwart foil for Henry's erratic brilliance. Mac's family, who play a significant part in the story, are warm and fun, although the niece Cory is a very precocious nine-year-old at times. They offer something to Henry, and to Vi, that they haven't had for a long time - the support of stable, accepting, affectionate parental figures. Of course, the mystery plot, complete with bad guys, invades that warm sanctuary in a dramatic way.
The action towards the end becomes fast and furious, and a bit unbelievable. A couple of bits hit pet peeves of mine, and I personally enjoyed the slower, more emotional moments of introspection better. But there is some fun to be had, a successful wrap-up of the tension and the case, and a workable happy ending. There's a light feel to these books, for all the painful past that Henry is dealing with, and the action sequence fits with that lighter tone. A fun series, and well worth a read, especially if you are a fan of both snark and thriller-mystery action.
The best part of this series is Henry, with his painful past, and his divided loyalties between his sister Viola, his well-worn persona as Henry the unemotional con man, and his relationship with Mac, the man he's coming to love. Henry covers his emotions with jokes and snark and banter. He tries to play all the angles, even when he knows he's pushing too hard. And he's loyal and loving, although you have to dig deep to get him to admit it. This story has moments of real pain for Henry, as well as moments of warmth.
Mac is a solid, stalwart foil for Henry's erratic brilliance. Mac's family, who play a significant part in the story, are warm and fun, although the niece Cory is a very precocious nine-year-old at times. They offer something to Henry, and to Vi, that they haven't had for a long time - the support of stable, accepting, affectionate parental figures. Of course, the mystery plot, complete with bad guys, invades that warm sanctuary in a dramatic way.
The action towards the end becomes fast and furious, and a bit unbelievable. A couple of bits hit pet peeves of mine, and I personally enjoyed the slower, more emotional moments of introspection better. But there is some fun to be had, a successful wrap-up of the tension and the case, and a workable happy ending. There's a light feel to these books, for all the painful past that Henry is dealing with, and the action sequence fits with that lighter tone. A fun series, and well worth a read, especially if you are a fan of both snark and thriller-mystery action.
annen's review against another edition
5.0
I have never been a fan of series that have the same characters book after book, I like to meet new characters in every book, this series though has left me wishing that there is more Henry and Mac for me to enjoy.
The first awesome thing about this book was it's narrator, Nick J. Russo gave such animation to it such that you felt all the moments, the sad (you could hear tears in his voice), the happy, the scary, the heartbreaking, the humorous, the nostalgic, it was all so well done. I loved that he sang so well. He gave Mac and Henry completely distinct and well fitting voices, the was no doubt who was speaking when.
The story was amazingly well written with a great balance of romance and suspense. All three books had good side characters that made the stories richer and more fulfilling.
There were some really depressing and sad moments in parts of these stories but they were balanced by real humour and lightness that was mostly brought out by Henry. For someone who had such a hard life, he had very little bitterness or even hardness to him. He really complemented grouchy Mac.
I was surprised by how little sex there was in this book, it was very explicit in language but many of the sex scenes faded to black and the first book had no sex at all. What was on paper was good thought and I didn't miss the sex much.
All in all, great books, I wish there was more of these guys.
The first awesome thing about this book was it's narrator, Nick J. Russo gave such animation to it such that you felt all the moments, the sad (you could hear tears in his voice), the happy, the scary, the heartbreaking, the humorous, the nostalgic, it was all so well done. I loved that he sang so well. He gave Mac and Henry completely distinct and well fitting voices, the was no doubt who was speaking when.
The story was amazingly well written with a great balance of romance and suspense. All three books had good side characters that made the stories richer and more fulfilling.
There were some really depressing and sad moments in parts of these stories but they were balanced by real humour and lightness that was mostly brought out by Henry. For someone who had such a hard life, he had very little bitterness or even hardness to him. He really complemented grouchy Mac.
I was surprised by how little sex there was in this book, it was very explicit in language but many of the sex scenes faded to black and the first book had no sex at all. What was on paper was good thought and I didn't miss the sex much.
All in all, great books, I wish there was more of these guys.
fleurette's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book just after the two previous ones because I couldn't wait to know what happens next.
Mac and Henry are on the run. Mac is suspected of buying heroin from a dead offender and only Henry saves him from being arrested. They hide in an old house on the property of Mac's parents and they try to find out who is behind the plot to send Mac to jail.
Mac and Henry spend lot of time together which is great. And the action part is also good. I really enjoy the ending even though it isn't surprising. I wish there will be another book of Mac and Henry adventures, it would be great to see them happy together and working on some case.
Mac and Henry are on the run. Mac is suspected of buying heroin from a dead offender and only Henry saves him from being arrested. They hide in an old house on the property of Mac's parents and they try to find out who is behind the plot to send Mac to jail.
Mac and Henry spend lot of time together which is great. And the action part is also good. I really enjoy the ending even though it isn't surprising. I wish there will be another book of Mac and Henry adventures, it would be great to see them happy together and working on some case.