Title:Dirty Love Word Count:223 pgs
Genre: Dark High School Gay Romance
Blurb:In a small town like ours, you’re either straight or you keep your mouth shut.
Being gay would be dirty.
Touching the guy who’s been your little brother since you were three would be dirty.
Falling in love with him would be even worse.
I protect him because it’s my job.
I resist him because I have to.
But when one night leads to two and two nights lead to more, lines are blurred and morals are tossed and my sanity takes a walk.
Now we’re risking everything we have for something we know we shouldn’t want.
And the only thing we’ll have left is each other.
This is a 60,000 word, M/M, dark high school, stepbrothers-to-lovers romance with themes some readers might find offensive.
Complete standalone with a HEA and no cliffhanger.
My Review: Living in a home where you are starved for affection is definitely not ideal. For Nicky and Kade, this is their reality. After witnessing their father murder their mother when they are 13, these stepbrothers know what true evil looks like. They’ve lived a twisted life, constantly walking on eggshells, trying to survive everyday with a psychopath. Their father is a cop who plays an upstanding citizen who is well respected. He has a squeaky clean persona and no one would ever suspect the evil that lurks beneath.
Kade being the older one by 3 months , has made him become the protector for Nicky. Nicky is very tiny and delicate compared to Kade’s brawny muscles. Kade has learnt to fight as a way to protect himself from their father’s wrath, but mostly as a way for him to earn money so he can take Nicky away from their horrible life. Kade puts himself in front of his father’s rage most of the times, taking most of the abuse. This frustrates Nicky and leads him to self-harm, cutting himself to alleviate the pain he feels inside.He promises Kade he will stop but sometimes it becomes too overwhelming. Having to face the terror together and knowing that there is no outside help, they’ve truly bonded. More so than most step brothers.
Their relationship might seem a little strange to the outside world, with Nicky always tagging along with Kade everywhere. Even to them, they know secretly in their hearts that their relationship has become somewhat taboo. Especially since Nicky told Kade that he is gay. Nicky is very promiscuous with Kade and is oftentimes flirty and inappropriate with his casual touches. It drives Kade insane and leaves him questioning. Kade knows he looks a little bit too long sometimes, but he tries to fight it even though they are not blood related.
When a new kid at school named Jasper seems to have his sights set on Nicky, Kade wants to beat him to a pulp. Kade doesn’t mind that Nicky is gay, he just knows the problems that will come if anyone finds out about it. He made Nicky promise to never tell. Kade knows Nicky feels stifled, but there is just no other way given their already toxic home life. He doesn’t want to see Nicky suffer even more if the bullying starts and he knows it will. When Jasper kisses Nicky at a party, Kade becomes furious and Jasper walks away pretty banged up with a black eye.
Kade is pushed to the brink and when Nicky taunts him with the kiss, things spiral between them. Kade pins him to the bed and before they know it they are kissing passionately and rubbing against each other. It is only when Kade hears his ex girlfriend Arianna calling his name, he is pulled from his sex craved stupor. He is filled with shame and lashes out and pushes Nicky away, causing a rift between them. Nicky feels rejected and turns to the one person who will give him what he needs, Jasper. This is a mistake on so many levels, and he knows this, but he just feels extremely lonely nd vulnerable. There is so much tension between the brothers. After a few days of Nicky distancing himself, Kade knows that he needs to mend the rift and get Nicky back in his bed where he belongs.
Kade can no longer fight this temptation, for just one night he doesn’t want to fight it anymore. Kade gives in , promising Nicky one night of what he’s sure will be sweet pleasure. He knows Nicky is innocent , but when he sees how much Nicky craves him, he can’t go slow. Nicky’s moans fuels the lascivious monster that has been pushing him for years. He gives them what they both need, for only one night, but he soon realizes that this hunger that he has for Nicky can never be appeased. There beautiful night comes to an end when daylight filters through and they are almost caught in a compromising position by their father.
It soon becomes clear, that one night will never be enough. One night turns into two and even though Kade is sometimes hesitant and tries to pull back, Nicky pleads for more. They get a bit reckless and their passion ignites constantly, especially when Kade notices that Nicky likes a bit of pain with his pleasure. When Kade chokes him, Nicky purrs for more.
It is not long before the inevitable happens and they are found out. It’s Jasper who let’s the cat out of the bag to hurt Nicky and also to punish Kade for the altercation that they got into before. Jasper outs Nicky to the whole school and a few of the boys beat Nicky within an inch of his life and leaves him for dead. Kade is tortured at seeing his brother’s lifeless body. When Nicky finally opens his eyes, he is surprised to see his usually strong brother crying. Kade is overwhelmed with gratitude that his brother is still alive. When their dad shows up at the Hospital and says that Nicky got what he deserved, Kade is furious.
Kade knows exactly what he needs to do. He will do anything to protect Nicky and nobody will ever get the chance to hurt him again. He carries out the most elaborate revenge plot ever, taking out everyone who was involved, all while impersonating his cop father. Their father finally got the prison sentence that he should have gotten for killing their mother. The boys who hurt Nicky are all dead. Kade and Nicky are able to go to California and start their new life as boyfriends. Kade’s love for Nicky is definitely obsessive, but that’s exactly what Nicky needs. This book was a little bit dark and certainly somewhat taboo, but thats the thrill of it. It’s not for everyone, however I truly enjoyed it. I give this my ratings of 5- bring out the vibrators.
Gay Romance-opposites attract 