Reviewed by True
TITLE: Barbarian
SERIES: Jericho’s Boys #3
AUTHOR: Onley James
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 459 pages
RELEASE DATE: January 21, 2025
BLURB:
Nico Michaels pretends to be carefree, avoiding anything serious, especially relationships; his chaotic past has taught him that love only complicates things. He’s content with one-night stands and his close-knit group of friends, including his roommate, Malachi Mizrahi.
Neurodivergent and gender-fluid, Malachi wakes up each morning with a whole new personality, but one thing remains constant: his love for Nico. They clicked perfectly from day one, sharing a love of everything from anime to nature documentaries. They even share a bed. Platonically, of course.
One night, the lines blur when they share a kiss, but before things can go further, a desperate call from one of Mal’s dance students throws them into a missing person’s case that leaves them with more questions than answers. To complicate matters, Mal reveals he’s been quietly orchestrating Nico’s whole life without him even noticing. Nico is shaken to his core, his perception of their relationship shattered.
As they navigate the perilous world of a vicious Chinese triad, their bond deepens, and Nico begins to see that Malachi is not only the perfect friend, but the perfect man to fulfill all his needs. Together, they must face their past and survive their present if they want any chance of a happy ending in their future.
Barbarian is a friends-to-lovers, dark romance with an HEA and no cliffhangers. It features a masochistic vigilante with ADHD and a video game addiction and his sadistic and controlling best friend who worships the ground he walks on. As with any Onley book, you’ll find dark humor, steamy sexy times, and gratuitous violence, but only against people who totally deserve it. This is book 3 in the Jericho’s Boys series. Each book follows a different couple.
REVIEW:
A friends-to-lovers, dark romance with an HEA and no cliffhangers. Bam! This sums up everything I love
Nico: I don’t do relationships.
“If you promise not to get clingy and to not cockblock me when I’m trying to get laid, I promise I’ll only cuddle and do all those other things with you. Deal?”
Mal saw Nico already as his. He takes care of Nico in every way except the sexual one.
They are best friends, share a bed every night, play games, do jobs, go out, they do everything together.
Since Mal, Nico can’t seem to find the right guy for a one-night stand (read: fuck and go)
It’s driving him crazy!
“I mean…we could kiss,”
No, no Nico is burning for Mal, he can’t do kissing. Oh well, they did it as well. And oh boy, it was scorching.
Mal has feelings, and while everybody doubts it because they say he’s a psychopath, he certainly feels.
Nico is so oblivious to what they have together.
Gosh, they are so sensual, watching them made my breath stop.
Mal is determined to show Nico they belong together.
Two wonderful crafted characters, Mal neurodivergent and gender-fluid in love with Nico, Nico a masochist with ADHD, pretending to be carefree, is convinced relationships hurt people, and needs Mal more than anyone else. Their dynamic was amazingly done, and their chemistry was off the charts!
The main plot about their relationship was well written, full of tension and wonderful moments.
The secondary plots were well woven throughout this narrative.
Overall a wonderful addition to this series!
RATING: 
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