Reviewed by Taylor

TITLE: Dirty Deeds

SERIES:  Dirty Deeds #1

AUTHOR: SE Jakes

PUBLISHER: Riptide Publishing

PAGES: 94

BLURB: Two seasoned operatives finally meet their match: each other.

Cillian works for the mysterious Special Branch 20: an organization that runs black ops commissioned by the British government. His specialty is deep undercover assignments with virtually no support. He’s been alone for so long that he no longer knows anything else.

Mal’s also used to being alone. Wanted in several states and even more countries, he’s not allowed in the vicinity of any of his former Navy SEAL teammates. And his current assignment is to track Cillian in order to discover the spook’s endgame. Except he’s no longer sure which one of them is getting played.

Cillian isn’t about to let the mission that’s consumed him for the past several years crumble because an outsider is poking around where he doesn’t belong. But Mal forces his way through Cillian’s defenses—and into his heart—exposing a devastating betrayal that could destroy them both.

REVIEW:

So first off, this book is a spin-off of another series & set in the Extreme Escapes, Ltd. world, so I’d advise a reader that they may want to read at least the High or Hell Water series first before starting this one.  You shouldn’t be lost if you don’t read them and it isn’t necessary, but plot points are fairly essential in other books. Cillian works for Special Branch 20: an organization that runs black ops missions, and for the most part, that’s all the reader (or Mal & his crew) know about him.  He’s a mystery completely.  Flirty, confident, efficient but a complete mystery in regards to motives and even personality.

Mal used to be a Navy SEAL and partnered with Prophet (from the author’s other books) and several other team members (I’m hoping will be in future books).  But he’s considered too dangerous now; too unpredictable and his use is better served elsewhere.

So stay with me.  Cillian and Mal were both featured in the author’s previous books but this is definitely THEIR story.  Everything has its purpose.  The plot focusing on John and the hurt and anguish he has caused so many of these men is always front and center.  John is a former team member to Mal, the other guys and Prophet (even Prophet’s lover).  How he betrayed them, the results of that betrayal and the future actions all change these mens’ lives.  Mal is now following Cillian, to find out who he is, what his motives are, what his level of involvement with John is and how all of that combined affects his friends.

I’ll be upfront to admit that I’ve given this author several chances at reads.  I’ve read two of the author’s other books, and both Hell or High Water books with Tommy and Prophet.  I am OBSESSED with Tommy and Prophet.  Seriously, I never buy paperbacks anymore and I had to immediately buy both in paperback, but the other books of hers I’ve read didn’t captivate me in the same way.  They were good, but I wasn’t quite as in love with them as the Hell or High Water novels.  Now many might think of this as a downfall.  But I truly don’t; in a way, it’s almost more special to me.  I never expect for me to love EVERYTHING by an author.  I don’t love EVERYTHING at my favorite restaurant or store, so why would I like every book by an author equally?  I love Tommy and Prophet with something so intense and pure and I was worried no couple or work from this author would measure up and that was OK with me.

But…GODDAMN.  Mal and Cillian.  SE Jakes what have you done to me?????  This author’s strength lies in her characters interactions with side characters, how they react to problems and, most importantly, how they react to loved ones and let their walls down.  Part of it feels so extremely realistic in the way these men act and the other part feels SO idealistic in how we wish men would act in relationships.  And that’s why it all works for me.  It’s the perfect combination of what we get from men and what we want from men.  Who wouldn’t bury themselves in leaves and hope Mal or Cillian wouldn’t fall in to their privates?  Who doesn’t want someone so frank and sexual with what they want from you, but breaks down enough to let you see the true them and that hidden vulnerability?  It’s also a bit of a nod to the genre and online friendships and relationships with how Mal and Cillian interact.  For anyone to say that what they reveal or how they bond isn’t as important as face-to-face contact has never formed a relationship with someone online.  My friendships with my online friends are just as important as my real life ones, and in many ways, more personal. And I also loved that she pointed out that not every relationship or interaction is the same (but it doesn’t mean you don’t love them – just differently).  How Mal interacts with Prophet is not the same as it is with Cillian…and that difference gutted me.  Sometimes you just click with people, the way they talk to you, the ease with which you feel with them, that sexual tension.

From the first few pages I was like: ohhhhh, OK, it’s going to be melting ice on my skin book.  That bar scene and the biting and the dirty internal thoughts.  Motherf*cker!!!  But then it didn’t just turn into a PWP (Porn Without Plot) book.  There are informants, broken friendships, regrets, indecisiveness, questioning your gut, humor, etc.  There were so many lines that I was sending to my friend as a tease (who has never read this author) that after the final one she emailed me:  I’m definitely reading her next!!!

I was biting my damn nails towards the end and I was in awe continuously at the up and down emotions I felt in only 90 or so pages.  Cillian and Mal don’t replace Tommy and Prophet but they are definitely EQUAL to them.  I’m so mad that I can’t buy this in paperback, because it’s so short it won’t be published.  Riptide, pleaseeeeee combine a few of the novellas into a paperback!! Please.  Anyhoo, yeah, this has tension of all kinds…friendships, loved ones, work relationships, and sexual tension coming out the ass (no pun intended).

That ending.  *shakes fists to the sky* OK, cliffhangers.  Some cliffhangers royally suck donkey d*ck and I’m like seriously???…that’s a cliffhanger?  And some are so good you can just imagine yourself with that slow-mo gif face where you are holding a glass of wine with bug eyes going “noooooooooooooo” ß Finding Nemo whale voice.  The latter was this book.  You ended it there?!  I get it.  It makes perfect, perfect sense and now I’m obsessed when the new one is coming out because I want to cry I love these two men so much.  Cry, folks.

So, yes, please read this.  AFTER you’ve read the awesome as f*ck Hell or High Water series or if you don’t read them; catch up  :D.

RATING:

BUY LINK: Riptide