I’m having a fun trip with another series! I’m catching up on the “Speakeasy” series by K. Evan Coles and Brigham Vaughn! I’m reading through the first three books and reviewing them leading up to the release of the fourth! Follow along!!!
Book 2: Extra Dirty
Book 3: Behind the Stick
Book 4: Straight Up (Coming June 9th)
The Official Description: Love, served extra dirty.
Jesse Murtagh loves his life as a wealthy bisexual businessman dedicated to the pursuit of pleasure. With a circle of friends he trusts implicitly, he enjoys a successful career in his family’s business and as co-owner of Under, an uptown speakeasy, with his friend with benefits, Kyle McKee.
Music teacher and part-time DJ Cameron Lewis lives modestly in a DUMBO loft and isn’t interested in serious relationships. However, he’s always up for some casual fun.
Doing a favor for his friend Carter Hamilton, Jesse meets Cam and is immediately charmed. When Jesse discovers Cam’s other life as a DJ, he is further intrigued. Viewing Cam as a challenge, Jesse pulls out all the stops, but his usual methods to avoid serious relationships fail. Though Cam has no intention of becoming attached, he begins to fall for Jesse, unaware that Jesse’s feelings are changing.
Afraid of heartbreak, Cam pulls away, leaving Jesse bewildered and hurt. They remain friends until a series of misunderstandings widens the rift to breaking point. When Cam steps in to help Jesse through a family crisis, they realize they care for each other more than they’ve been willing to admit. Jesse and Cam don’t want a traditional relationship, but can they build a future that makes them both happy?
Reader advisory: This book contains scenes of mmm ménage as well as references to homophobia and recreational drug use.
Just the facts: M/M romance, bisexual, pansexual characters, threesome. Diversity. Working out a relationship.
This is all about finding the things that a relationship is based on… and not the things that will tear it apart. – Kinzie Things
My thoughts bit: Okay! So book two is a whole lot different than book one! I really enjoyed it and the characters were fascinating!
Jesse Murtagh who was introduced in the first novel is a lot of things… he’s an independently wealthy businessman, co-owner of “Under” (The Speakeasy), bisexual, and a bit of a hedonist. Jesse is also a loving and committed friend, which is how he ends up picking up his friend’s son from school and meeting his music teacher.
That music teacher is Cameron Hamilton. He’s a day time teacher and nighttime DJ and he’s interested in Jesse as soon as they meet. But! He’s also hesitant to get involved with Jesse because the man’s reputation proceeds him.
It’s Jesse’s friend and past sexual partner, Carter who finally approaches Cameron. He lets him know that he’s not concerned about his son’s teacher potentially seeing his friend… and he convinces Cam to come to “Under”. Of course, once he takes him up on the invitation, he and Jesse hook up. Cameron wants a casual relationship and Jesse doesn’t want a commitment. It seems perfect, right?
Here’s the thing… Cam likes Jesse and the two men hit it off really well. But, when Cam finds himself developing feelings he panics. After all, Jesse has always been clear that he likes his life… and that’s what Cam said he wanted. He feels as though he has no business changing things. This gives off some real mixed messages to Jesse and complicates what had been working well for both of them. The night that Cam finally wants a threesome another friend… marks the beginning of the end for him.
Things go really sideways in Cam’s mind. But the main problem is communication! Argh! I thoroughly enjoyed being frustrated by these two characters. Ultimately – communication is what’s lacking in their relationship. It’s frustrating…but in the best possible way.
I really liked the style and feel of this installment. I was fascinated by the process of Jesse and Cam getting to know one another and negotiating their way through developing an “unusual” relationship. (Only in that it’s not what most would consider the norm.) Jesse has a great perspective on life… and I loved that the authors made certain to illustrate how dedicated he was to his friends and partners. Really enjoyable!
Things You May Want To Know: Please be aware, I’m by no means an expert on what may or may not have the potential to disturb people. I simply list things that I think a reader might want to be aware of. In this book: (SPOILERS) homophobic parents, open relationship, a character is hospitalized, mentions of character possibly having a stroke (stroke-like symptoms described), drug use.
Links: Goodreads // Brigham Vaughn // K. Evan coles //
I received an ARC of Extra Dirty by K. Evan Coles and Brigham Vaughn via Gay Book Promotions in exchange for an unbiased review.
Contact: TWITTER: @gaybookpromo INSTAGRAM: @gaybookpromotions WEB: https://gaybookpromotions.wordpress.com/become-a-host/
Kinzie Things 
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