Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Pretty Things
AUTHOR: Devon McCormack
PUBLISHER: self-published
LENGTH: 414 pages
RELEASE DATE: May 2, 2019
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TY:
Pretty Thing–the moment Liam McKinney first uttered those words will be embedded in my mind forever.
He’s mysterious, intriguing…and off-limits since he’s my father’s friend.
Easier said than done.
The moment I laid eyes on the man with the dark eyes and intense stare, he awoke a primal hunger within me unlike anything I’d ever experienced before. For some time, I’ve been confused about my attraction toward men, but there’s no confusion when I look at him–just pure, unfettered desire to feel his body against mine, taste his flesh, breathe in his scent.
So many things an experienced man like Liam could show me.
But I don’t just want to sate my desire for his body–the physique of a Titan, those abs practically chiseled from stone, and one particular challenge that looks more than slightly intimidating…Yes, I want all that, but also so much more. To know everything about him.
There’s something behind the facade he presents to the world. Sometimes, it’s as though I’m offered a glimpse behind the smokescreen–to who he really is. Yet it’s tricky to know the real Liam when he’s determined to keep his secrets.
I assumed he had a dark past.
But I didn’t realize he hadn’t left it behind and that I’d wind up roped into it–into a dangerous world so different from the one I’ve spent most my life living.
It’s a world of secrets, deception, and peril.
I quickly discover there’s a price to being with Liam McKinney.
But no price is too great when the reward is being the man in his arms and his heart.
Being his very own Pretty Thing.
*Pretty Things features two men who can’t get enough of each other, action/adventure involving secret government agencies and nefarious conspiracies, and sexy shenanigans that’ll make it impossible for you to forget you’re in a Devon McCormack novel. The book contains references to suicidal ideation and scenes of peril that could act as triggers for some readers.
REVIEW:
First and foremost, TRIGGERS! There are some very rough scenes in this book. Kidnapping, attempted kidnapping, forced fighting scenes, forced suicide attempts, discussions of severe torture and dismemberment, murder and such. If any of this is a trigger for you, please be careful.
Also, this is …..a sequel…spinoff? Not sure the right word here. You really need to read the BFF series before reading this to get a clue to everything going on. That is where Ty and Liam are first introduced to us and each other.
This book went in a direction I was not….ready for? I knew it was going to be angsty or something, because it’s Devon. Lol. And after everything with Eric and Jesse, and eventually Ty and parts of his life, I knew it was going to be emotional and that there was going to be a lot of intense moments. I did get something kind of right with this book, though. Something about Liam, from the moment I first ‘met’ him, I knew he was into some secretive stuff. I knew it had to be some government thing or assassin type person. Something. He was TOO secretive and a bit shady. Not in a bad way, and now I know why. This book is mega intense and very, very good and I really loved the way it played out. So suspenseful.
We get to learn a lot more about Ty in this book as well. I won’t lie. I bawled for both he and Liam in this. Wow. Ty has had a lot of changes come in his life lately. With Jesse and Eric, coming out himself, a new career change and going to school for it, and now, his intense connection with Liam. It’s been a lot to take in. To the point, Ty is kind of lost in himself. Almost doubting himself, hoping he hasn’t screwed up his life. Not about Liam, but Liam frustrates the crap out of him. He is almost positive Liam is attracted to him, but he constantly puts up walls and pulls away. After finally being able to give Liam his number and letting him make the next move, it’s about a year before they finally, really connect. But Liam is adamant. Only as friends. Doesn’t stop Ty from trying. One on fateful night, Ty’s world is turned upside down as he and Liam are arguing. Someone is trying to kidnap them. Thankfully, Liam beats the tar out of the guys, with a bit of help from Ty before he’s drugged. Liam gets them to safety, but he knows something severe is up. And it’s time to spill the secrets he’s been so closely guarding. Ty is thrust into a world he never knew. A part of him feels naive and stupid, but he’s trying to cope with it all. It helps as Liam is opening up to him more. But it’s taken a lot of hurt feelings to get there. They try to start something, but agree it would be better to get more serious if they get out of danger. They can’t stop the chemistry between them, though. But before they can even get the chance to get out of danger, they are fighting for their lives. And this time, they may not get free.
You always see this government shows or movies, like Bourne or Bond etc, and think it’s just this magical thing where the good guys get the bad guys and poof, life goes on. Unfortunately, it doesn’t really work that way. And Ty soon found out. In ways he didn’t want to know. The more information Liam gave him about what was going on, especially when his old team showed up, the more it took for Ty to wrap his head around everything. It’s bad enough, his own life, he felt, was a mess, but now it really was. And the more they are together, the more Liam is opening up to him about his past. It’s heartbreaking and wonderful at the same time. Ty is more than sympathetic about Liam’s past, but the more he opens up, the more Ty feels like Liam is trusting him and that there could actually be something between them. There’s one moment in the book, towards the end, where everything between them just comes together. And it will make you cry at the beauty of it. But it takes a lot to get there.
I understood Liam’s point of view with Ty. In his line of work, it’s dangerous to get too close to anyone. And the first time in a long time that he even remotely let an inch of his guard down, something bad does happen. The guilt he feels over everything that is happening to Ty, almost knocks him to his knees. And yet Ty keeps insisting on something between them. He wants it more than he wants to breathe. He has never felt for anyone what he feels for Ty. Ever. But look at what his life has put Ty through. At least that’s what he thinks. It’s such a catch-22. You’re damned if you don’t and damned if you do.
I’m still quite shocked in how this storyline went. I know I shouldn’t be, all things considered. But it is quite a story. I loved every page.
RATING: 
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