I was a lot confused reading this book. I had the short-story prequel and really liked it. This is 15-ish years later. I'm not exactly sure what/who the female protagonist is - ex-soldier, document reviewer, alien, cyborg. The main bad guy (there are many) for this story wasn't really a surprise. Even though I'm confused, I still enjoyed the book. So I'm reading the rest of the series.

Disorderly Conduct - Tessa Bailey

Disorderly Conduct pits 2 independent, one night stand type people against each other in a battle of wills! Will either of them admit that maybe a long term relationship is exactly what they want from the other? (I'm not so sure...these two are pretty stubborn!)

Ever's mom, grandma, and great grandma all taught her the Mistress rules. Ever doesn't sleep with married men like the other women in her family, but she still follows the rest of the rules because she fears getting attached and the heartbreak that comes with it. Charlie is a new recruit to the police academy and can't believe he is able to score a no strings, sex only relationship with Ever. Then, suddenly, she calls it off. He isn't okay with this and decides he isn't going to take it! Game on.

Honestly, I didn't really like either character. Ever's ridiculous mistress rules were degrading and offensive. Charlie is your classic, trite manwhore character that, frankly, I am over at this point. So, the book didn't start off so well in my opinion. Then her mother visits and, in Ever's words, gives her a glimpse of the 'ghost of mistresses future' and begs her to give relationships a shot. So, knowing Charlie doesn't want a relationship, she ends it.

I understand why both Charlie and Ever are so anti-relationship. Their entire lives have been a lesson in why it is bad. They are both still young in the story (early 20's), so their blind allegiance to the teachings is understandable. Frustrating? Yes. But, I reminded myself they are young and a product of their environment. I was happy to see Charlie begin to change his mind a bit. His little visions of life in a relationship with Ever made me see he was capable of change. My fear was that he would sabotage her dates so he could get her back as a fuck buddy which would have been so messed up. But, he does grow and change so I could root for him (even when I wanted to knock their heads together for being so stubborn! A simple conversation could have ended this whole charade!).

If immature characters get under your skin, you might want to skip Disorderly Conduct. I liked that both of them experienced character growth, and as long as I kept reminding myself they are young, their behavior and actions were 'more' understandable (I won't stay I understood them totally because I'm old, but if I think back to 21 year old me, I probably would have done some of this stupid shit too). You have to take this book with the same level of levity as you would a college romance. The characters are not perfect; they are young and make some dumb decisions. Once I kind of beat that into my head, I was able to enjoy the story. Its kind of funny to watch Charlie come up with ways to sabotage Ever's dates!

 

• POV: dual 1st
• Tears: no
• Trope: manwhore,
• Triggers: none
• Series/Standalone: stand alone
• Cliffhanger: spoiler
• HEA: spoiler

How to Date a Douchebag by Sara Ney, Clam Jam by RC Boldt, ...then you will probably like Disorderly Conduct!

 
See full review on The Book Disciple

 

The player just got played by a novice to the game.  Tessa Bailey knows how to deliver sexy while keeping it sweet.  Disorderly Conduct takes every stereotype about relationships and bends the rules.  Ever as unique as her name.  She acts tough, but that's just a facade to keep the pain and loneliness at bay.  Charlie can be a jerk, but when he cares about anything or anyone, he's all in.  One night of sex leads to a casual no strings relationship.  Until emotions become involved?   Will "nothing serious" turn into happily ever after?   Something special has arrived.

Instant favorite. It's such a shame this run didn't last longer than it did, because I enjoyed absolutely every moment of it. It's almost mind-boggling to see Jen go through life as a professional, to see her humor and her friendships, most prominently with Patsy Walker aka Hellcat, without so much as a male regular in the series, let alone a love interest. Just putting that out there. I was pleased.

 

Oh, but Matt puts in another appearance, and Soule proved to me that he absolutely "got" the character, and his and Jen's interactions are priceless. Along with, mild spoilers, good ole Steve Rogers, who Matt and Jen find themselves on opposing sides of a civil suit against.

 

The conclusion of the blue file story was... okay, but the Cap story actually felt like the main event, and that was sort of anti-climactic afterwards, but it was well handled.

 

Quality stuff, and proof that superheroics and, ya know, punching stuff, doesn't have to be the main focus of a superhero comic to make it fun and interesting. Loved it!

I don't suppose I'd have read this book if I'd come across it in a book shop, the cover is not at all inspiring, however, I listened to this as an audiobook via Audible and that was a totally different experience. Jake Urry was the narrator and I loved his sultry drawl, which perfectly matched the characters.

 

The two authors have served many years in the police force, so when they write a police procedural about internal police corruption, it adds another dimension to a hidden vice, that we prefer to believe does not exist.

 

There are three aspects to DI Terry McGuire's inquiries - firstly a corruption case brought by some proven criminals who claimed that some of their offences had been planted on them by the police. Secondly, a dead body that had been dumped after spending five years in a freezer. And thirdly, a flasher who was stalking women in the local park.

 

As the investigation proceeds and evidence gradually reveals itself, I became more involved with Terry McGuire's character, though I didn't manage to keep all the villains in place in my brain. No matter, it was an excellent listen and I shall be searching out more from the narrator.