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gailygirl527's review
4.0
I didn't expect this story to be as good as it was. I was attracted to the story because of the New York setting and because a southern boy and gang banger were involved, but I kept reading because the story was that engaging. I can't keep going without a spoiler, but imagine a Social Worker and a gang members worlds colliding because the Social Worker performed a home visit for an associate of the gang. Things get real hinky when the Gang Member has to choose between his secret love and family loyalty.
The only real problems I saw were a few moments when the author mixed up the character names, so Logan was performing actions that were really supposed to be Gianni, and another moment when there was confusion over their descriptions. But otherwise, if you want to read a hot, suspenseful book about two men from opposite sides of the tracks then have at this one. :-)
The only real problems I saw were a few moments when the author mixed up the character names, so Logan was performing actions that were really supposed to be Gianni, and another moment when there was confusion over their descriptions. But otherwise, if you want to read a hot, suspenseful book about two men from opposite sides of the tracks then have at this one. :-)
the_novel_approach's review
4.0
Kade Boheme takes you on a great ride while finding the answers to those questions. His books are part romance, part smoking hot sex, part mystery and part something that defies definition. He makes you love Gianni, even when you don’t want to. He makes you want Logan to love Gianni and forgive his past sins. The ability to make a reader feel such empathy for his characters is a gift.
See the entire review at The Novel Approach: http://thenovelapproachreviews.com/2013/12/06/kade-boehme-wants-to-welcome-you-to-gangster-country/
See the entire review at The Novel Approach: http://thenovelapproachreviews.com/2013/12/06/kade-boehme-wants-to-welcome-you-to-gangster-country/
anitalouise's review against another edition
4.0
This was a solid 3 star read until the end. The twist and the HEA was such a surprise and left me with a goofy smile on my face. I do have to say, though, that there was some unfortunate stereotyping. I live in NYC and cringe when authors say things like this "For an East Harlem apartment building, this one was surprisingly well-kept. Instead of smelling of stale cigarettes and urine in the hallways, they were greeted by the smell of incense and fresh paint." Painting all of East Harlem's buildings with the same brush because oh yeah, people in Harlem live in filth was the norm. Outrageous! Just perpetuates the stereotype. Please do better! And I see this too often "Romero was a short Columbian man..." Someone from Colombia is Colombian with an "o." Please do your research if you wish to write about people from other countries. At any rate, I did like Logan and Gianni. Engaging characters with some good action.
mxmreads's review against another edition
3.0
Well, I did not like this as much as I hoped I would.
It's not your typical A-Z MM romance. Logan and Gianni meet, argue and get down and dirty in the first chapter. So far, so typical. But then there is a one-year break in which these two get closer, become lovers, have (kind of) a relationship. (Unfortunately) All of it happens off-page. We get thrown back in at a time when Gianni is struggling with his life, his decisions and his love for Logan. He's a criminal in the closet - no other option - and his family would have his head if they ever found out. Logan on the other hand is struggling with the secrecy, with the hiding of his relationship. His constant struggle to finally, finally get to know the REAL Gianni is exhausting, frustrating and becomes harder as time flies by. Until it all collapses around them in a (rather predictable) moment of coincidence and fate.
I think my biggest problem with this was that I didn't get invested fast enough. Since most of the relationship building happened off-page, I had a harder time connecting to the two MCs before shit hit the fan. I was also very sceptical on how these two made it that far without ever really... being together. Communicating. Living life as a couple. Without Logan asking QUESTIONS all the damn time. Ergo, when everthing started to explode, I was prepared to say goodbye to that couple and move on. But that's not what happened. Instead we got something a little too close to insta-forgiveness for my taste. When your man tells you he is a criminal and a killer, it's hard to imagine you go from hate to forgiveness in one night. But maybe that's me and my missing connection talking.
But then there was Logan, who made it that much harder to believe in that massive change of mind. He was all around GOOD. He was the epitome of pure, kind-hearted and just... too damn good. He and Gianni? I don't now. Just didn't click with me.
But the writing was good, and I loved the cover. So. Where does that leave me? With 2.5 stars, rounded up to three because it's Kade Boehme and because I did enjoy parts of the story.
It's not your typical A-Z MM romance. Logan and Gianni meet, argue and get down and dirty in the first chapter. So far, so typical. But then there is a one-year break in which these two get closer, become lovers, have (kind of) a relationship. (Unfortunately) All of it happens off-page. We get thrown back in at a time when Gianni is struggling with his life, his decisions and his love for Logan. He's a criminal in the closet - no other option - and his family would have his head if they ever found out. Logan on the other hand is struggling with the secrecy, with the hiding of his relationship. His constant struggle to finally, finally get to know the REAL Gianni is exhausting, frustrating and becomes harder as time flies by. Until it all collapses around them in a (rather predictable) moment of coincidence and fate.
I think my biggest problem with this was that I didn't get invested fast enough. Since most of the relationship building happened off-page, I had a harder time connecting to the two MCs before shit hit the fan. I was also very sceptical on how these two made it that far without ever really... being together. Communicating. Living life as a couple. Without Logan asking QUESTIONS all the damn time. Ergo, when everthing started to explode, I was prepared to say goodbye to that couple and move on. But that's not what happened. Instead we got something a little too close to insta-forgiveness for my taste. When your man tells you he is a criminal and a killer, it's hard to imagine you go from hate to forgiveness in one night. But maybe that's me and my missing connection talking.
But then there was Logan, who made it that much harder to believe in that massive change of mind. He was all around GOOD. He was the epitome of pure, kind-hearted and just... too damn good. He and Gianni? I don't now. Just didn't click with me.
But the writing was good, and I loved the cover. So. Where does that leave me? With 2.5 stars, rounded up to three because it's Kade Boehme and because I did enjoy parts of the story.