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imme_van_gorp's review
2.0
|| 2.0 stars ||
I’m going to be honest here: I really skimmed the hell out of this book. I was just so damn bored, I couldn’t be bothered to read most of it.
I think it’s mostly because the book was so plot-driven with the whole mafia/cartel business (which I did not care about whatsoever), and because we hardly got any romantic interaction between Dom and Seth. It was just really really really boring.
Furthermore, I really didn’t like the fact that Dom suddenly forced Seth to be coldblooded and cruel. I would have assumed that Dom wants to protect Seth from stuff like that, but apparently not. Which was unfortunate because I truly like it much more when Dom is being protective and possessive of Seth and desperately wants to keep him safe… not force him to be a killer like Dom. It kinda ruined their relationship dynamic for me.
It’s also just such a shame because the reason I love Seth so much is because he is sweet and naive (despite living in such a harsh world), so it kind of sucked that his character wasn’t anything like that now…
P.S. I still can’t STAND Mark. He’s such an ungrateful brat!!
'Guns n' Boys' series:
1. He Is Poison - 3.0 stars
2. He Is Mine - 4.0 stars
3. Homicidal Instinct - 2.5 stars
4. Swamp Blood - 3.0 stars
5. Chokehold - 3.5 stars
6. Bloodbath - 2.0 stars
7. Gilded Agony - 1.5 stars
8. A Breath of Innocence - 3.0 stars
Novella:
2.1. Paris - 2.5 stars
I’m going to be honest here: I really skimmed the hell out of this book. I was just so damn bored, I couldn’t be bothered to read most of it.
I think it’s mostly because the book was so plot-driven with the whole mafia/cartel business (which I did not care about whatsoever), and because we hardly got any romantic interaction between Dom and Seth. It was just really really really boring.
Furthermore, I really didn’t like the fact that Dom suddenly forced Seth to be coldblooded and cruel. I would have assumed that Dom wants to protect Seth from stuff like that, but apparently not. Which was unfortunate because I truly like it much more when Dom is being protective and possessive of Seth and desperately wants to keep him safe… not force him to be a killer like Dom. It kinda ruined their relationship dynamic for me.
It’s also just such a shame because the reason I love Seth so much is because he is sweet and naive (despite living in such a harsh world), so it kind of sucked that his character wasn’t anything like that now…
P.S. I still can’t STAND Mark. He’s such an ungrateful brat!!
'Guns n' Boys' series:
1. He Is Poison - 3.0 stars
2. He Is Mine - 4.0 stars
3. Homicidal Instinct - 2.5 stars
4. Swamp Blood - 3.0 stars
5. Chokehold - 3.5 stars
6. Bloodbath - 2.0 stars
7. Gilded Agony - 1.5 stars
8. A Breath of Innocence - 3.0 stars
Novella:
2.1. Paris - 2.5 stars
bookish_notes's review
4.0
This book takes me the longest time to read every single time I read it. It’s not because it’s bad or anything, but it’s just SO intense that I can only read little parts of it at a time. That was true for when I read this book the first time in e-book when it was first coming out, and it’s the same thing the second time around while listening to the audiobook. I think the book is great, but it also gives me anxiety? I have come to realize that stories where the main characters are undercover with great threat to their lives gives me anxiety while reading. I loved reading from Seth and Dom’s perspectives in this book, but I do find that Mark’s chapters drag a little. It all goes fast though if you're listening to the story in audio, so I guess I didn't mind too much.
Content notes include misogyny, homomisia, bimisia, kidnapping, human trafficking, drug use, violent murders, non consensual relationship that is challenged in this book, and animal death.
You know you’re in for an intense time when a book in the middle of the series decides to start off with a sex scene. That’s just how it goes with dark romance books that follow a couple through multiple books, because you just KNOW they’re probably not hooking up again for awhile. Seth, Dom, Mark, and their new vengeful friend Miguel are looking to infiltrate Toro’s inner circle which will lead them one step closer to their intended target, Toro's boss, Raul Moreno. Raul Moreno is an extremely terrifying man and his son Nero is equally unpredictable. We also meet back up with Dana in this book, who has been spying on Toro for Dom.
The first time I read this book, I had not read all the Sex & Mayhem series books that the authors had published at the time. While it’s not entirely necessary to read that series, if readers want more information on Dana during the time she spent away from Seth and Dom in this series, I would definitely check out book 6 from the Sex & Mayhem series (One Step Too Close) with the Coffin Nails MC from Louisiana. That’s the book with the most overlap with the Guns n’ Boys series. Not necessary reading, but I recommend it.
There’s definitely a lot of things about this series I appreciate more in hindsight. I didn’t care for Nero when we first met him, but knowing he has a spin-off book where he gets his HEA? It puts him in a different light. He comes off as extremely unhinged all things considered. He’s a gay man in a cartel who flaunts his sexuality with no shame or fear. This almost gets Seth and Dom killed. Nero even has his teeth shaved to resemble shark teeth, which is a CHOICE and creepy as hell. So for anyone who may not like Nero in this book, I'm just going to tell you that you will come to love him if you don't already.
Although I can’t say I loved Charlotte in this book, I do appreciate her character in that it eventually leads Mark to get his HEA. Charlotte in British and comes from a rich family, and has unluckily been captured by a human trafficking operation that leads her to Seth, Dom, Mark, and Miguel. I guess my one positive note about her character showing up in this book is that I enjoy her character much more in audiobook form than in text because the audiobook narrator, Wyatt Baker, has to do a British accent for her every time she speaks.
And speaking of audiobooks, I love Wyatt Baker as the audiobook narrator for this series. He does excellent work and I think this series challenges him more than other audiobooks I’ve listened to him do in the past because he really has to COMMIT to doing accents. He does retain his normal American accent while reading character thoughts and the third-person POV narration, but when the characters speak? Italian for Seth and Dom. Sometimes German, American, Russian, or British for Dom as well when Dom is donning a persona. But luckily, the choice was made that with all the Latin American characters in this series, no accent in attempted (they just sound American) and I’m fine with that. Because that could go wrong very quickly. I can’t wait for the audiobook for Mark and Griffith’s book because Griffith has his own POV chapters and he’s British. That’s going to be fun to listen to.
Like I said at the beginning, this book is extremely intense and we see Dom fraying at the seams for once and not being able to keep his cool as he would normally be able to do during an undercover mission. He has more at stake this time with his husband (Seth) and their adopted son (Mark) in the fray. They are not expertly trained in lying and living among the worst of men like Dom was. So, he worries. But what we do see here is that Dom is willing to do anything for his family, and Seth and Mark really stepping up their game.
I enjoyed this book, and it’s a needed part of the story as we follow Seth and Dom’s journey at maybe one day finally being able to go back to Italy.
Content notes include misogyny, homomisia, bimisia, kidnapping, human trafficking, drug use, violent murders, non consensual relationship that is challenged in this book, and animal death.
You know you’re in for an intense time when a book in the middle of the series decides to start off with a sex scene. That’s just how it goes with dark romance books that follow a couple through multiple books, because you just KNOW they’re probably not hooking up again for awhile. Seth, Dom, Mark, and their new vengeful friend Miguel are looking to infiltrate Toro’s inner circle which will lead them one step closer to their intended target, Toro's boss, Raul Moreno. Raul Moreno is an extremely terrifying man and his son Nero is equally unpredictable. We also meet back up with Dana in this book, who has been spying on Toro for Dom.
The first time I read this book, I had not read all the Sex & Mayhem series books that the authors had published at the time. While it’s not entirely necessary to read that series, if readers want more information on Dana during the time she spent away from Seth and Dom in this series, I would definitely check out book 6 from the Sex & Mayhem series (One Step Too Close) with the Coffin Nails MC from Louisiana. That’s the book with the most overlap with the Guns n’ Boys series. Not necessary reading, but I recommend it.
There’s definitely a lot of things about this series I appreciate more in hindsight. I didn’t care for Nero when we first met him, but knowing he has a spin-off book where he gets his HEA? It puts him in a different light. He comes off as extremely unhinged all things considered. He’s a gay man in a cartel who flaunts his sexuality with no shame or fear. This almost gets Seth and Dom killed. Nero even has his teeth shaved to resemble shark teeth, which is a CHOICE and creepy as hell. So for anyone who may not like Nero in this book, I'm just going to tell you that you will come to love him if you don't already.
Although I can’t say I loved Charlotte in this book, I do appreciate her character in that it eventually leads Mark to get his HEA. Charlotte in British and comes from a rich family, and has unluckily been captured by a human trafficking operation that leads her to Seth, Dom, Mark, and Miguel. I guess my one positive note about her character showing up in this book is that I enjoy her character much more in audiobook form than in text because the audiobook narrator, Wyatt Baker, has to do a British accent for her every time she speaks.
And speaking of audiobooks, I love Wyatt Baker as the audiobook narrator for this series. He does excellent work and I think this series challenges him more than other audiobooks I’ve listened to him do in the past because he really has to COMMIT to doing accents. He does retain his normal American accent while reading character thoughts and the third-person POV narration, but when the characters speak? Italian for Seth and Dom. Sometimes German, American, Russian, or British for Dom as well when Dom is donning a persona. But luckily, the choice was made that with all the Latin American characters in this series, no accent in attempted (they just sound American) and I’m fine with that. Because that could go wrong very quickly. I can’t wait for the audiobook for Mark and Griffith’s book because Griffith has his own POV chapters and he’s British. That’s going to be fun to listen to.
Like I said at the beginning, this book is extremely intense and we see Dom fraying at the seams for once and not being able to keep his cool as he would normally be able to do during an undercover mission. He has more at stake this time with his husband (Seth) and their adopted son (Mark) in the fray. They are not expertly trained in lying and living among the worst of men like Dom was. So, he worries. But what we do see here is that Dom is willing to do anything for his family, and Seth and Mark really stepping up their game.
I enjoyed this book, and it’s a needed part of the story as we follow Seth and Dom’s journey at maybe one day finally being able to go back to Italy.
zane_acrbooks's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
blibli's review
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I am starting to think that the authors have some fixation with Wild animals because there was not only a caiman attack in this book, there was also a jaguar one. Like okay.
Mark's romance with Charlotte happened to fast. He fell in love almost immediately. I think they should have made more chapters in Mark's perspective because his story was half-made and abandoned.
I think this is the book with most misogny, and that is alarming considering the fact that all the others were not that god in that matter. Dom also said some biphobic bullshit but al least Seth scolded him after It.
This book also included: Dom Being pro-life, a gay dude called Nero Who was kind of fun, imagining a pregnant Seth, Dom getting mad at the thought of someone being to bad to his and Seth's non-existent daughter, criticizing a crime lord's interior design, coming out in a room full of gangters and Seth being throw out at a rose bush.
I hope Miguel keeps showing out, I like him.
And Who the fuck is This guy Diego Who wants to fuck Seth??
Pd: A salute to My friend who is also reading this. Muajajajja I finished It first.
Mark's romance with Charlotte happened to fast. He fell in love almost immediately. I think they should have made more chapters in Mark's perspective because his story was half-made and abandoned.
I think this is the book with most misogny, and that is alarming considering the fact that all the others were not that god in that matter. Dom also said some biphobic bullshit but al least Seth scolded him after It.
This book also included: Dom Being pro-life, a gay dude called Nero Who was kind of fun, imagining a pregnant Seth, Dom getting mad at the thought of someone being to bad to his and Seth's non-existent daughter, criticizing a crime lord's interior design, coming out in a room full of gangters and Seth being throw out at a rose bush.
I hope Miguel keeps showing out, I like him.
And Who the fuck is This guy Diego Who wants to fuck Seth??
Pd: A salute to My friend who is also reading this. Muajajajja I finished It first.
kenznelz's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
reading_rainy's review
5.0
*4.5* I was nervous to dive into this story, especially with this title! It wasn’t necessarily more violent, but the body count was certainly higher than the previous books.
I wasn’t a fan of Mark’s path in this one, but felt it was needed to mature his character and move him in a path for his future. I was almost as proud as Dom when his used his skills to protect himself.
When Dom looked at him now, he didn’t see a stubborn kid but a glimpse of the man who Mark would eventually become. Standing up for what he believed was right, even if it could cost him dearly.
Seth was the highlight of this book. I couldn’t help but agree with so many of his thoughts and how hard to tried to go against his own nature to be the man he feels Dom deserves. This story highlights his sensitivity, and his struggle to figure out who he really is.
“It’s too much, Dom. I thought I could handle whatever we’d face here, but I’m messed up. I can’t sleep, and when I do sleep I wake up worried what fresh fuckery the day will bring. I wish I was like you, but I’m not.”
This journey also focuses on Dom’s deep love and respect for Seth, just the way he is. Dom finally recognizes how hard Seth is trying to be someone else, and he doesn’t want that for his husband.
“It’s okay. You’re brave. You are... beautiful,” whispered Domenico, leaning into a soft kiss. Seth’s arms closed around him, and he shut his eyes, enjoying the embrace tightening around him. “I shouldn’t have asked you to do this.”
It honestly melts my heart to watch them fall deeper into a relationship that is based on so much more than the physical. Not that they aren’t all over each other, but it’s so, so much more than that.
I wasn’t a fan of Mark’s path in this one, but felt it was needed to mature his character and move him in a path for his future. I was almost as proud as Dom when his used his skills to protect himself.
When Dom looked at him now, he didn’t see a stubborn kid but a glimpse of the man who Mark would eventually become. Standing up for what he believed was right, even if it could cost him dearly.
Seth was the highlight of this book. I couldn’t help but agree with so many of his thoughts and how hard to tried to go against his own nature to be the man he feels Dom deserves. This story highlights his sensitivity, and his struggle to figure out who he really is.
“It’s too much, Dom. I thought I could handle whatever we’d face here, but I’m messed up. I can’t sleep, and when I do sleep I wake up worried what fresh fuckery the day will bring. I wish I was like you, but I’m not.”
This journey also focuses on Dom’s deep love and respect for Seth, just the way he is. Dom finally recognizes how hard Seth is trying to be someone else, and he doesn’t want that for his husband.
“It’s okay. You’re brave. You are... beautiful,” whispered Domenico, leaning into a soft kiss. Seth’s arms closed around him, and he shut his eyes, enjoying the embrace tightening around him. “I shouldn’t have asked you to do this.”
It honestly melts my heart to watch them fall deeper into a relationship that is based on so much more than the physical. Not that they aren’t all over each other, but it’s so, so much more than that.
weathersreadsgarbage's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Here’s the thing: If you’re this deep into this series you know damn well what you’re walking into. And you hopefully dig that because woo boy Bloodbath just continues the increasingly stupid decisions of our little ragtag family.
Everyone is horny and stupid, everything is toxic, and you’ll probably have to put the book down to do a good old fashioned “what the fuck is this” sigh. But this is genuinely the most fun series I’ve ever read because of how unapologetically unhinged they are.
Basically what I’m saying is that Bloodbath provided me more serotonin than my stupid brain has provided me in the past six weeks.
Everyone is horny and stupid, everything is toxic, and you’ll probably have to put the book down to do a good old fashioned “what the fuck is this” sigh. But this is genuinely the most fun series I’ve ever read because of how unapologetically unhinged they are.
Basically what I’m saying is that Bloodbath provided me more serotonin than my stupid brain has provided me in the past six weeks.
mwlgal's review
5.0
So in love with this series. Hot hot hot and great suspense. We got to know Mark who added so much to the plot. The dynamic between Dom and Seth is fascinating. Their roles reverse a bit and it's so interesting to watch how it affects their relationship. Dom really does have a soft side and Seth can be a bad ass when called upon. Love this series so much, but had to take a break. Then intensity got to me a bit - not in a bad way - just need to break things up a bit. Read something not so intense and heading back soon to finish series. Highly recommended.
thegoddessbooks's review
4.0
4/5 estrellas.
Al contrario de los primeros cinco libros, Bloodbath me tomo demasiado tiempo de terminar, tomando en cuenta los días que le invertía a terminar los anteriores que no pasaban de los 3 días como máximo, y siendo honesta, el libro se me hizo lento, demasiado para la trama que se veía venir.
La primera mitad fue lenta y algo tediosa, no lograba atraparme en lo absoluto y se veía la misma dinámica entre los personajes que leí en “chokehold” sólo que aquí en una especie de escenario macro, ya cuando iba en la segunda mitad del libro, creo que del capítulo 12 en adelante la historia se hizo más ágil y fue cuando realmente me termino atrapando, qué decir de los últimos capítulos, como las acciones tiene consecuencias y me agrado que hubiese un capítulo narrado desde la perspectiva de Dom para darse cuenta de lo que sus elecciones le estaban causando al hombre que ama.
Los nuevos personajes me parecieron interesantes, la dinámica entre Miguel y Nero, el primero a quien conocimos en el libro anterior hace pequeñas apariciones y pues leyendo la escena cortada, yo pensaría que tiene algo de homofobia internalizada, por la manera en la que se comportaba a ciertas actitudes de Mark al principio y con Nero. Este segundo personaje me pareció bastante fresco y entretenido, y pues no mentiría si digo que me encantaría ver a dónde van sus interacciones y contactos con Miguel y ver si posiblemente tienen algún futuro.
Mark también es otro de los personajes que he llegando a querer, su storyline en este libro fue tierna y pues es algo que se esperaba desde el primer momento en que había visto a Charlotte. Espero que el libro que trata sobre él le dé lo que merece.
En la escena post créditos, apareció un nuevo personaje que fijó su mirada en Seth, muero por saber que surgir de ello, porque a Domenico no le va a gustar.
En general el libro no fue malo pero desde mi punto de vista fue algo largo y se extendieron demasiadas cosas para llegar al punto fulminante, pero las escenas de acciones me gustaron bastante.
haletostilinski1's review
5.0
4.5 stars
Pretty great 6th installment in this series that I am loving so much.
This finds Dom and Seth about 8 months after the end of the last book heading to Colombia to finally infiltrate Toro's organization.
They pretend to be human traffickers - although they don't know that until they kill the actual ones and find a girl being held in a trunk - to get into the organization.
Dom and Seth play straight when they get there, so for weeks they aren't able to even tough each other, really, and it frustrated both of them to no end.
But of course, when some jealousy comes into play, that changes some things. (i.e. Dom gets too possessive to let it go or just let Seth handle it.)
But that ends up speeding things along and before long, things ramp up and a takeover approaches.
I was happy that for the most part Dom and Seth were in a good place during this installment - because I've read the blurb and review for the next one, so that'll be oh so fun to read - and we got at least one big with no major blow up between these two. (It doesn't have to be all angst all the time.) There was one fight between these two, but would there be a book with these two without at least one fight? (even if it's a minor one)
And I was actually expecting Seth to go a little closer to the edge that he does in this based on the blurb, but I don't think Seth lost much of himself. It took a toll on him, for sure, and maybe eventually he would have lost parts of himself, but for the most part he still had what made Seth Seth so I was actually a little relieved and had expected much worse, like Seth becoming very closed off and acting more brutal than he ever has and changing for the worse, but that didn't happen.
And maybe the takeover happened at around the right time, because Seth was beginning to feel the effects of pretending to be such a brutal person.
Mark's story was interesting in this too. He falls for Charlotte, the girl who is taken to be given to Raul Moreno eventually, as he's guarding her - because Dom and Seth say that Mark is gay so Toro thinks it's safe to leave him with her - but they were doomed from the start, because it starts when Charlotte is a prisoner and they're confined to this one room. Sure, that's a lot of time to talk (and have sex) but it's still only getting to know each other in this one room, with what's happening to Charlotte hanging over their heads.
And Mark finally truly comes into his own in this as someone who is supposed to be in this world should be like. I don't know - or think - he'll ever get to Dom levels, but I think there's parts of that ruthlessness now in Mark.
And Mark isn't as sure of Charlotte as Dom and Seth are of each other, so Mark chooses to stay.
There's also the introduction of Nero, who is strangely funny. Annoying at first and his persistent flirting in annoying, but he is intriguing. Wonder if he and Miguel will have a romance? Hm...
And also this Diego guy...didn't like his POV at the very very end. I'm really getting tired of having to deal with people trying to get with Dom and Seth, and I'm sure Diego will be the worst yet, so...fun *sigh* no more after this dude, please. Enough is enough.
Buttt to end on a high note, Dom and Seth were as perfect together as ever and their love, as always, shines through in this. (And Seth saving Dom was pretty damn nice. Seth isn't meant for this life but when push comes to shove, Seth is no weakling or pushover.)
Onto the next!
Pretty great 6th installment in this series that I am loving so much.
This finds Dom and Seth about 8 months after the end of the last book heading to Colombia to finally infiltrate Toro's organization.
They pretend to be human traffickers - although they don't know that until they kill the actual ones and find a girl being held in a trunk - to get into the organization.
Dom and Seth play straight when they get there, so for weeks they aren't able to even tough each other, really, and it frustrated both of them to no end.
But of course, when some jealousy comes into play, that changes some things. (i.e. Dom gets too possessive to let it go or just let Seth handle it.)
But that ends up speeding things along and before long, things ramp up and a takeover approaches.
I was happy that for the most part Dom and Seth were in a good place during this installment - because I've read the blurb and review for the next one, so that'll be oh so fun to read - and we got at least one big with no major blow up between these two. (It doesn't have to be all angst all the time.) There was one fight between these two, but would there be a book with these two without at least one fight? (even if it's a minor one)
And I was actually expecting Seth to go a little closer to the edge that he does in this based on the blurb, but I don't think Seth lost much of himself. It took a toll on him, for sure, and maybe eventually he would have lost parts of himself, but for the most part he still had what made Seth Seth so I was actually a little relieved and had expected much worse, like Seth becoming very closed off and acting more brutal than he ever has and changing for the worse, but that didn't happen.
And maybe the takeover happened at around the right time, because Seth was beginning to feel the effects of pretending to be such a brutal person.
Mark's story was interesting in this too. He falls for Charlotte, the girl who is taken to be given to Raul Moreno eventually, as he's guarding her - because Dom and Seth say that Mark is gay so Toro thinks it's safe to leave him with her - but they were doomed from the start, because it starts when Charlotte is a prisoner and they're confined to this one room. Sure, that's a lot of time to talk (and have sex) but it's still only getting to know each other in this one room, with what's happening to Charlotte hanging over their heads.
And Mark finally truly comes into his own in this as someone who is supposed to be in this world should be like. I don't know - or think - he'll ever get to Dom levels, but I think there's parts of that ruthlessness now in Mark.
And Mark isn't as sure of Charlotte as Dom and Seth are of each other, so Mark chooses to stay.
There's also the introduction of Nero, who is strangely funny. Annoying at first and his persistent flirting in annoying, but he is intriguing. Wonder if he and Miguel will have a romance? Hm...
And also this Diego guy...didn't like his POV at the very very end. I'm really getting tired of having to deal with people trying to get with Dom and Seth, and I'm sure Diego will be the worst yet, so...fun *sigh* no more after this dude, please. Enough is enough.
Buttt to end on a high note, Dom and Seth were as perfect together as ever and their love, as always, shines through in this. (And Seth saving Dom was pretty damn nice. Seth isn't meant for this life but when push comes to shove, Seth is no weakling or pushover.)
Onto the next!