Mr. and Mr. Smith

HelenKay Dimon has been an auto-buy author for me from the moment I discovered her books. I adore her stories and especially love when she writes in the romantic suspense genre. Mr. and Mr. Smith was another wonderful story from Ms. Dimon. I do wish we had gotten a chance to see Fisher and Zach interact before this story started. I totally got Fisher's anger and resentment at discovering Zach's betrayal as the book opens, but without seeing them before, I wanted a bit more background to see where their relationship started. I did love the flashbacks Fisher had letting us see how they first met. I'm a big fan of undercover stories with spies and various special agencies. The fact that both Fisher and Zach were part of the CIA, under different divisions, made it way more believable for me that they would not know anything about the other being in the agency. As both Fisher and Zach had lied about pretty much everything in their live since they met, I thought Fisher was a little over the top in his anger at Zach, but soon realized his anger came from feeling betrayed by someone he loved more than concern for his own life. I really enjoyed the whole Pentasus storyline and look forward to what will happen with this on-going storyline over future books. Seriously love the idea of bad guys kidnapping special agents and auctioning off their deaths to the highest bidder. Why yes, I'm a bit morbid, but it is such an interesting premise to me. I really did love the chemistry between Fisher and Zach. I hated their relationship was used against Fisher repeatedly, but could feel how much they each loved one another. Add is the super hot M/M sex scenes, and I have to say my kindle screen steamed up quite a few times. Overall, I really enjoyed Mr. and Mr. Smith. I had issues with Fisher repeatedly throwing the fact Zach was undercover and hadn't been truthful in his face. I loved the premise of the whole Pentasus storyline and think it will be interesting to see where it goes in future books in the series. Review copy provided by publisher

The secrets and danger from their professions damage the relationship between Fisher and Zach. I was pulled in at the beginning although it dragged a bit in the middle. The feelings between the two men brought me back. I had to keep reading to see if they made it.

Mr. and Mr. Smith is the first book I’ve read by Ms. Dimon and boy what an introduction to her writing! OK, I have to admit that the first chapter kind of confused me but I’m so glad that I kept reading. It had been a while since I read the story synopsis (I highly recommend you read it even if you usually skip them). I knew this was an M/M story but I really wasn’t getting how the story started out. So…after a couple of pages I went back and read the synopsis and then it all made sense. What I had forgotten was that this book was described on NetGalley as edgy and thrilling, about two men who can handle any threat. What I find strange is that Amazon’s Best Sellers Rank doesn’t show anywhere that it’s a suspense or thriller but boy it sure is! I don’t think I’ve ever read such an edgy, suspenseful M/M story. I guess I tend to read ones that are more about friends becoming lovers; maybe I need to change that. This book had me on the edge of my seat for nearly the entire story. The plot is complex and the writing style kept me captivated from beginning to end. I did not want to put this book down until I finished it! Fisher and Zach are both CIA operatives but Fisher doesn’t know that Zach is CIA and he also doesn’t know that Zach knows he is. OK, I know that may read a little confusing but trust me the story is not confusing – it’s fantastic. If you read M/M stories because they’re hot, don’t be alarmed; this one won’t disappoint you there either. Fisher is the strong, broody type and doesn’t want to admit what he feels for Zach – especially after he feels betrayed by him – but he just can’t seem to keep away. Zach knows that Fisher is his soul-mate but he’s not sure how he will overcome the hatred and mistrust Fisher has for him because of the choices his job forced on him. This book is supposed to be the start of a new series but it standalones with no cliffhanger and I couldn’t find a name for the series. There are several interesting secondary characters so perhaps there will be other stories coming about some of them. ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my review. Review will be posted to Xtreme-Delusions dot com on or soon after release date.

✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ FOUR-STAR ✩ REVIEW ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ ⭐ ⭐ Provided by Netgalley in Exchange for an Honest Review ⭐ ⭐ Judging a Book by it's Cover: Two men dressed in business-type attire, black and white tone. Title font is bold, author's name is almost obscured. The title catches the eye, the synopsis piques the interest. Looking Deeper: Third-person POV. While the story begins in the midst of a situation, hinting to an adrenaline-rich and action-packed thrill ride waiting to be read, it left me feeling like I'd missed some key and crucial information somewhere, so far as to checking if this book was not a later installment to a series as opposed to a series starter as the synopsis implies. Two men meet in a bar, neither are who they appear to be. While the story moves along at a solid pace and the writing is smooth, it's consumed with espionage and the cat-and-mouse spy games best described as a Spy Thriller with only SOME Gay Romance content. Both men are strong, well-developed characters, but even at the halfway mark, it was still difficult to feel any connection to either man or in the men together as an involved couple. Even though it was touted, often, that the sex was great, it had an emotional disconnect. The secondary characters helped to support the plot without being too invasive. Dialogue is strong, interaction felt natural. By the end of the book, I was still left feeling as though Zach and Fisher had more of a workplace bond than a romantic connection, there was no tangible spark between them. The plot was interesting and had so much potential, but if fell a little flat for me. There was a lack of depth, dynamics and dimension that I look forward to in suspenseful romances that is really did not have. There were many conflicts, presented from several external sources as well as those that were self-imposed. A number of the issues were addressed and resolved, a HEA was implied, but there was just enough of an opening for the series to continue onward with the storyline without containing a full-on cliffhanger. Predictability was low and there were no real surprises to liven things up. Overall: the writing was good and the plot had a lot of potential, but the romantic element did not ring true and the experience fell just a bit flat. I'd still recommend it to fans of Espionage / Spy Romances, but it was not a category I favored. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rating: [R] ~ Score: 3.9 ~ Stars: 4 -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fisher and Zach have had a good thing going. So good, Fisher moved him in with him. Then one night he finds out he really does not know Zach at all. The truth could kill him. Both men work in covert business, but Zach has enemies that Fisher never knew of. Fisher finds himself in danger and Zach right along with him. Can they make it out alive? Heart pumping action, with heart pumping heat. Has an fast pace and a good story. This book will keep you on your toes! I could not put it down as it was a complete page turner. ***This ARC copy was given by Netgalley and its publisher in exchange for an honest review.