Book Review: Private Dicks by Katie Allen

Title: Private Dicks
Series: Private Dicks, Book 1
Author: Katie Allen
Genre: Contemporary Romance, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: review copy provided by publisher
Published: April 2009 by Ellora’s Cave

Ex-cop Isaac Rhodes is a tough and intimidating private investigator with a talent for kicking in doors and knocking bail jumpers' heads together. His only soft spot is for his partner, Nate Washington—though Wash makes him anything but soft. He's silently lusted after Wash for a year, until his desire drives him to finally come out to his partner.

This confession leads to Wash admitting a few secrets of his own, unleashing needs that result in hot, sweaty, sexy, man-on-man intimacy. Rhodes is elated...until Wash admits he's unsure if he's willing to endure the often prejudice-filled life of an outed gay man. Crushed, Rhodes backs off. But one missing child—and a gun to Wash's head—convinces Rhodes to do whatever it takes to get his man.

Reviewed By: J9

In a Nutshell: Fun, erotic romp of an adventure with a surprisingly emotional romance that I really enjoyed.

The Set Up: Rhodes is former cop now working with his private investigator partner, Wash. Rhodes has slowly fallen for Wash in the year that they’ve been working together and he finally comes out to Wash. Wash isn’t sure he’s ready to live as an out gay man but their case of a missing boy will bring the two partners closer together than ever.

Why I Read this Book: I’m on a friends-to-lovers binge lately so this fit perfectly.

What I Liked: I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this romance. Rhodes and Wash were best friends and I could see this. For instance, the men know what the other eats at IHOP, Wash picks up Rhodes when he runs too far and Rhodes finds humor in Wash’s smart aleck attitude about life. The friendship between these two is the foundation for the romance and I believed it. These two rugged men don’t suddenly turn sappy when they start having super intense sex but instead bring their joking and picking from their friendship into the bedroom. I love the scene where Rhodes wants to cuddle post-coital and Wash laughs about it but loves it too. This was a super fun, erotic romance with heart and humor and I really enjoyed it.

I even liked the secondary characters here. Rhodes has a connection with a cop still on the force and she was great. The missing boy’s brother who hires Rhodes and Wash, Carlos, is a heartwarming character and I loved how the two boys are included in the conclusion.

Mixed Results: The plot involves Wash and Rhodes searching for a missing boy. This takes the men into a gay club which is just a place for the men to explore their sexual attraction. Usually a missing child plot would be dark but this novel manages to skirt that and just let the short novel be a light adventure. I think this plot was utterly implausible and frankly a bit contrived but I didn’t care since the book was just such a fun, humorous and erotic read.

IMO: I really enjoyed this book and will read book two in the series, though am a little bummed it doesn’t follow Wash and Rhodes. Here’s hoping they’ll have cameo appearances in book two!

J9’s Rating: