Series: Pros & Cons
Volume: 3/?Publisher: Self-Published
Genre/s: Contemporary romantic suspense/comedy
Length: 65 000
Read in: English
Review copy format: epub
Rate:✮✮✮✮✮✰
In exchange for destroying the evidence that could cause him a lot of trouble, Ridge Pfeiffer, a clever, talented and almost elusive thief, is given a task of solving mystery of a love triangle and tragic death that happened many years ago. Unfortunately, one of the richest families living in the area is involved in the whole matter, so Ridge is not happy that he and his friends would have to work so close to their home. The risk of being recognized and thus of failing the mission increases significantly. However, it turns out that even if you try to predict the worst scenarios, the fate still has a few surprises in the sleeve.
"Pros & Cons of Desire" is the third volume of an addictive "Pros & Cons" series by A.E. Wasp. I have no doubt that one of the greatest advantages of this part is the plot, as it has this "something" that makes it unique and amazing. In my case, the said "something" is the general vibe of the story, as it reminds me of my beloved urban fantasy novels, in which the ghosts of the past allow to uncover the mystery from years ago that affects one's "here and now". However, while in the case of the novels I've mentioned the ghosts should be taken literally, the paranormal world has nothing to do with "Pros & Cons of Desire". Despite all this, the plot of this volume is very strongly linked to the past and unresolved crime from years ago, and some events and revelations were presented in such a way that we can really think about the topic of destiny and fate. This climate of this novel is irresistible.
Another advantage of "Pros & Cons of Desire" is the love story presented in this volume. Having a background full of mysteries and crime, A.E. Wasp paints a love story that looks almost like a fairy-tale. We can find here a secret lover, small and large lies, a huge difference in social status, family pressing a character to settle down, "a ball", time limit. In a word, everything that we usually see in fairy tales. However, the author presented everything in an original, unique, really thrilling and what's more, often very funny way. Believe me, when we read this novel, we fall in love in the blink of an eye with the love story presented here, which is simply fantastic and in many ways perfect. For a long time, I haven't read a book in which the fairy-tale vibe dominates a story in such a natural way. You just immediately want to read "Pros & Cons of Desire" once again.
As it usually happens in "Pros & Cons" series, the characters are also a big plus of this volume. Let's start with the fact that the author allows us to continue to get to know our "Merry Men" from the best possible side, because they basically have good hearts and that's the most important thing in this case. Assuming that people are not only black or white (good or bad), but they have many shades of gray, we can say that in "Pros & Cons of Desire" our criminals are becoming more and more "whiter". What's more, A.E. Wasp still shows some of the characters as amazing superheroes, which is sometimes annoying, but is also quite characteristic for this series. However, the most important is the fact that the author introduces to this novel a somewhat new character who quickly wins us over and instantly becomes an inseparable element of "Pros & Cons" for us. Thus, after reading this part, we simply can't imagine this series without him.
In summary, "Pros & Cons of Desire" is a really great novel. Were it not for the fact that it is very different from the previous two volumes of the series, I would be tempted to say that it is the best novel of these released so far. It is, to some extent, magical, extremely interesting, funny and unique. In a word, this book is simply brilliant.
Headcanon: When Davis tries to propose to Ridge again, the thief is doing his best to ignore the question in every possible way. But Davis doesn't give up and comes up with newer and newer ways to pop the question.
Fanfiction idea: Davis prepares a special evening for Ridge with excellent dinner, relaxing massage and lots of cuddles that turn out erotic, although at first they were not meant to be.
AU idea: Fairy Tale!AU, Ridge sneaks into the palace for the ball and that's where he meets Prince Davis. It turns out that Ridge met the prince a month earlier, but Davis claimed to be an ordinary palace employee.
MOODBOARD IN PROGRESS
Here's some more about:
Book Title: Pros & Cons of Desire (Pros & Cons 3)
Author: A.E. Wasp
Cover Artist: Angsty G
Trope/s: Law officer/thief. A gay cross of Charlie’s Angels and Leverage
Heat Rating: 3 flames
Release Date: February 20, 2020
Five Men. Five changes for redemption. One things for sure, these guys are no angels.
Blurb
Two jobs down, three to go, and job #3 is mine. My name is Ridge Pfeiffer. I’m a dirt poor jewel thief from the wrong side of the tracks, and I don't play well with others.
Theoretically, the deal works like this. I do the job Charlie planned for me and Miranda erases my past, makes my biggest problems go away. Too bad my biggest problem is the one thing I don’t want to go away: Diplomatic Security Agent Davis Ethan.
When Davis caught me breaking into a safe during job #2, I should have ended up in jail. instead, I ended up in his bed. Rich, gorgeous, and privileged, the only thing we have in common is a love of beautiful lingerie and beautiful men. He’s everything I hate, everything I want, and he could destroy me with a word.
There are a hundred red flags surrounding this job, I should walk away and take my chances, but I’m going to do it anyway. Anything to buy me one more night with Davis.
One more job, one more night, and then I’ll leave for good.
Theoretically, the deal works like this. I do the job Charlie planned for me and Miranda erases my past, makes my biggest problems go away. Too bad my biggest problem is the one thing I don’t want to go away: Diplomatic Security Agent Davis Ethan.
When Davis caught me breaking into a safe during job #2, I should have ended up in jail. instead, I ended up in his bed. Rich, gorgeous, and privileged, the only thing we have in common is a love of beautiful lingerie and beautiful men. He’s everything I hate, everything I want, and he could destroy me with a word.
There are a hundred red flags surrounding this job, I should walk away and take my chances, but I’m going to do it anyway. Anything to buy me one more night with Davis.
One more job, one more night, and then I’ll leave for good.
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Excerpt
“You know we don't have to meet in places like this. I'm willing to spring for some better accommodations.” I said, stripping the nylon bedspread off and tossing it to the floor. I grimaced at the feel of it between my fingers.
“I like this,” Ridge said. “It's perfect.”
“Perfect for what?”
“Perfect for cheap, meaningless sex. And that's all this is.”
I wanted to argue with him, but I also wanted to get laid, and I knew pointing out that we both knew this was more would only chase him away. “Can’t we have expensive meaningless sex? I’ve done it in five-star resorts. All I’m asking for is a place with nice sheets and room service. And a mattress that may have been cleaned sometime in the last twenty years.”
Ridge pushed me against the wall. “We could, Rich Boy, but this is my world and if you want me, you get my world with it.”
“Maybe we could chip in and meet in the middle.”
“Maybe I like seeing the pretty rich boy begging for someone like me in this run down pay-by-the-hour motel.”
“Do you like it here?”
“No, I don't like it. But this is where we are.”
We didn’t normally do this during the day. Dust motes danced in the light rimming the curtains. The room was dark and smelled of things I’d rather not think about.
Except for him. He smelled amazing. Whatever soap or shampoo or cologne he wore carried the scent of oranges and tk.
“Wait, how did you...why did you call me a rich boy?” How did he know?
“Really? I could smell it on you. Literally smell it on you. Your fucking Ambre Topkapi cologne, which sounds like a Pokemon for chrissake. You have perfect teeth, perfect haircut. Manicure, pedicure. You’ve never missed a meal in your life. You don’t live anywhere in the real world. Do you even know any normal people?”
“Everybody I work with.”
“And are you friends with them?”
I wasn’t. Not really. I tried but there was this barrier between us. Really, what could I say about kids and wives and bills?
He slid his hand down the back of my trousers and grabbed my ass. His grip turned into a caress as his fingers brushed across the silky lace and he lost his train of thought. “Are these the same ones?”
“Yes.” I said leaning my shoulders back against the wall and grinning at it. “The purple and black lace La Perla.” He loved those. They might not be the most expensive pair I owned, but they were certainly the most effective at getting him to fuck me through the mattress the way I loved. I had another surprised for him as well, but I’d let him discover that on his own time.
“Anyway. Stop distracting me.” His long fingers wrapped around my wrists, pinning them to the wall. His thumb caressed my pulse point, his thigh pressed between my legs and I couldn’t stop myself from grinding down against it.
“I’m distracting you?”
“Mmm hmmm,” he said mouthing along my neck. I tilted my chin up to give him better access. “You never talk about normal thing. You never complain about car repairs, the cost of anything.” His thumb pressed into the palm of my hand. “This watch?” he pulled away from me far enough to dangle my own watch in front of my eye. I hadn’t even felt him taking it off me.
“Clever boy,” I said, kissing him in reward.
His fox-like grin short-circuited my brain. In my defense, anyone would find thinking impossible with an angel rubbing up against them. I was surprised I could still breathe. “Gotta keep you on your toes.”
“Asshole,” I said, grinning back at him. I snatched it out of his hand, Knowing I was able to only because he let me was incredible arousing. I’d talk to my therapist about that another day.
“You’re the asshole, wearing a thirty-thousand dollar watch in a neighborhood like this.”
“Yeah, but—”
“But who would know? Everyone. We know how much everything costs in a way you never will.”
“We?”
“Poor people, Davey. We know the price of everything down to the penny because we have to.”
“Oh really?”
Really.
I jerked my chin at the shopping bag I had dropped at the doorway. “Then how about a quiz?” My brain came back on line as he backed away from me.
“What kind of a test?”
“I got you a present.”
“Why?”
“Because I wanted to.”
Laughing at his suspicious look, I handed him the bag.
He took it gingerly, holding it between two fingers much in the same way I had held the bedspread. “What is it?”
“It’s a present.”
“What is it?”
“Open it and see. That’s usually how presents work.”
About the Author
A dreamer and an idealist, Amy writes about people finding connection in a world that can seem lonely and magic in a world that can seem all too mundane. She invites readers into her characters’ lives and worlds when they are their most vulnerable, their most human, living with the same hopes and fears we all have. An avid traveler who has lived in big cities and small towns in four different continents, Amy has found that time and distance are no barriers to love. She invites her readers to reach out and share how her characters have touched their lives or how the found families they have gathered around them have shaped their worlds.
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