All In By Alexa Land

I completely forgot that Alexa Land only writes ridiculously happy M/M romance that always bring a really HEA and every other cliche it can drag along to the end. Therefore, 'All In' is a replica of 'Way Off Plan' with Charlie in the role of Jamie, with a little more tolerance for the bad and Dante as Dmitri but with a whole lot more balls!

I like Dante, especially when he doesn't sound like an Al Pacino in 'The Godfather' rip off. He had the potential to be a really good Sicilian mob boss, if not for meeting Charlie but I still like them as a couple, even if Dante's decisions in the end leave much to be desired. What can I say, I like 'em bad!

Charlie is a nice character and was actually much more jovial than I expected. He did well in narrating the story and I loved his honesty, as well as, his vulnerable moments. However, it was his relationship with Christopher Robin (yes, like Winnie the Pooh) that stole it for me. At one point, I thought he'd do away with Dante or they'd become a threesome. Call me crazy but they make a great family.

I am assuming this novel was suppose to take on the BDSM role in this series but all I see is an angry Sicilian whose smirks make me wish he bat for my team! I'll give it the ropes and even the play room but there was nothing passionate or heated about the sex or the BDSM "scenes" in this novel.

I loved the playful banter between all the characters and I really wish Callie and Charlie had that lunch. I am glad that even characters that weren't necessary was written in to give us an update and help to keep us reminded of the members in this circle.

Peaches stole the show on the home front and Nana is just hilarious! I like that in between the romance of it all we found the time to be introduced to Christopher Robin (Yes, that's his first name) and to seamlessly welcome him into the circle, as well as, to get some of his back story and a few insights into the next character in the series.

It's safe to say that this story won't be winning any majors awards soon and I am sure there are people out there who down right hate it but someway, somehow at the end of reading the novels in this series, I always find myself willing, even if it's not right away, to read the next.

The story line is weak, the serious aspects are taken with too much levity and I don't fear not one of these characters so it would be nice if the other characters in the book didn't fear them either because they are really terrible at crime and intimidation.

It was cheesy, way too unrealistic and lacks the passion that should be present between Dante's need for control and Charlie's coming out. In other words, it's so bad it's funny but it's funny enough for me to want to read the next.

- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17372623-all-in

Way Off Plan By Alexa Land

This was an extremely unrealistic, naive and nerdtastic adaptation of a gay mafia romance. It also seems that being openly gay and in the Mafia, whatever ethnicity, is fine in this world that Alexa has created. I highly doubt the possibility but let's just add that to the list of unrealistic elements in this novel.

This story is also the epitome of insta-love. I don't think a month pass between meeting and HEA. Somehow it works for them though because I occasionally forget the time frame until a reminder is given, as I actually like these group of characters, especially Dmitri and Jamie. They are the perfect couple, sexual orientation aside. They don't have that heated sexual chemistry but have a more comfortable, camaraderie that transforms into the perfect relationship. Even their one and only fight was cute and more sweet than it was angry or sad. I just love them!

Jamie is hilarious and does a great job of narrating this story though his moral compass spun a lot throughout this novel and annoyed me at times. I loved when he was just the laid back unfashionable, nerdy, surfer guy than when he was trying to decipher Dmitri to rationalize their relationship. I think the ultimate sacrifice would have been to love him through his predilections but that's just me! In the end, the one who was presented as the feminine counterpart did the most masculine sacrifice. Then again, I guess he can be a stay at home dad now :)

Dmitri is the one I assumed would be the bad apple that walks in with the sexy smirks and have a group of guys that whimper when he gets mad but he was the complete opposite. Behind close doors he was extremely vulnerable and insecure. He had his vices that we had to learn from the lovely hurricane that is Catherine but finding out the real Dmitri through it all was enlightening because I find that I loved all facets of his personality. Too bad he's gay. I'd totally hit that! :)

The sex was ... this might sound bad to others but it was friendly. It's like they knew each other for years and were so comfortable that it came off almost practiced. It didn't have that raging passion and intensity of desperate, lustful lovers but then those aren't the emotions their relationship exudes.

I am no authority on criminal networks but this interpretation was too soft and nonchalant. I understand that these characters might not have been as inducted as others but them being on the edge was much lighter than expected. I keep thinking that they are gonna get themselves killed and I am actually surprised that none of them got shot or ended up in the hospital.

This is not your hardcore macho gay novel as these guys are openly gay, laid back and impatient in their love for each other. Everything is instant with them and they waste no time getting down to the core to get to their HEA. It's a really short time frame packed with some sex, guns, surf and a good time with friends and family.

It might not be the most convincing body of work but I think the characters won me over, I don't mind reading the next installment and despite it's faults I enjoyed this one.

- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17163922-way-off-plan