Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Undercover
SERIES: Vino & Veritas
AUTHOR: Eliot Grayson
NARRATORS: Cooper North & Tim Paige
PUBLISHER: Tantor Audio
LENGTH: 6 hours and 2 minutes
RELEASE DATE: July 13, 2021
BLURB:
Gabe wants Alec between the sheets…too bad Alec’s undercover already….
Rich kid. Party boy. Gabe is tired of the labels. He’s a smart guy, but ever since he got kicked out of grad school, people are only interested in his no-limit credit card and his pierced ears…and other places.
Tall, dark, and scowling Alec hates Vermont, with its artisanal-freaking-everything and its irritating people. To be fair, most people irritate Alec, including the FBI director who sent him here to investigate a smuggling scheme involving yoga mats.
When one of the cutest twinks Alec’s ever seen takes an interest, Alec knows there’s an ulterior motive. No one with multi-colored hair, piercings, and an ass like that would want boring, serious Alec. The kid must be up to no good. Either way, Alec can’t blow his cover. If only he could keep his hands off of Gabe long enough to find out what he’s up to….
Can they ignore their explosive chemistry long enough to foil a smuggling ring? Or will their budding relationship sink faster than a yacht full of contraband?
Contains mature themes.
REVIEW:
Alec Kominsky is an undercover FBI agent who has been sent to Burlington VT to investigate an international drug smuggling operation. Seriously? Who did he piss off to deserve this. He’s not happy about it all. But he is intrigued by Gabe Middleton. They have a bit of a strange first meeting – Gabe buys books for Alec at Vino & Veritas and then Alec sort of stalks him after learning who he is and have some suspicion that his family business is involved in this case. Middleton boats and the Marina are a perfect cover and vehicle for moving the drugs. But when he gets to know Gabe – despite a really terrible first date – he really likes him. He doesn’t think he has anything to do with his case – but he can’t be so sure about the rest of the family.
When he attends a formal function with Gabe, things get a bit weird and his suspicions become focused on another target. The night overall goes really well though and Gabe and Alec get closer. But when the case comes to a surprising climax, Gabe is not happy with Alec. Like at all. Alec might have solved his case, but he may have lost the best thing to ever happen to him.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and overall I really enjoyed it. I totally felt for Gabe – crisis of faith in himself, not knowing if people really liked him for himself or his looks/money, parents who were really self-involved, etc. Alec could not be more opposite. Hard-working, nose to the grindstone kind of guy, former military, serious FBI agent. Definitely a case of opposites attract. Their initial encounter was definitely different – although for people who have complained about it – how much different was it really to two people almost hooking up in a club? There are so very funny moments too, despite the seriousness of the overall situation. I loved how awkward their dates were and how Alec owned huis terrible date energy. His true crime obsession/disdain was also kind of funny along with his grumpiness at so many things 😉 I really would have liked more of Alec and Gabe together, but I thoroughly enjoyed the time they did have.
The narrating duo of Cooper North and Tim Paige worked really well I thought here – better that some of the pairings in this series. Mr. North doe a great job with the less sure of himself Gabe. I believe his lack of confidence and low self-esteem. I thought the pitch and tone for the character were spot on. Tim Paige has become a favorite over the last year, as he narrates one of my favorite series ever by another author. His grump Gus characterization of Alec, who is overthinking things half the time and not thinking at all the other half, was perfect. I really enjoyed the dual POVs. Recommended!
RATING: 
BUY LINK:
Audible