Book Review: Down and Dirty by Rhys Ford

Reviewed by Nikyta

Title: Down and Dirty
Author: Rhys Ford
Series: Cole McGinnis #5
Heroes: Ichi & Bobby
Genre: M/M Contemporary/Mystery
Length: 200 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: January 2, 2015
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: From the moment former LAPD detective Bobby Dawson spots Ichiro Tokugawa, he knows the man is trouble. And not just because the much younger Japanese inker is hot, complicated, and pushes every one of Bobby’s buttons. No, Ichi is trouble because he’s Cole McGinnis’s younger brother and off-limits in every possible way. And Bobby knows that even before Cole threatens to kill him for looking Ichi’s way. But despite his gut telling him Ichi is bad news, Bobby can’t stop looking… or wanting.

Ichi was never one to play by the rules. Growing up in Japan as his father’s heir, he’d been bound by every rule imaginable until he had enough and walked away from everything to become his own man. Los Angeles was supposed to be a brief pitstop before he moved on, but after connecting with his American half-brothers, it looks like a good city to call home for a while—if it weren’t for Bobby Dawson.

Bobby is definitely a love-them-and-leave-them type, a philosophy Ichi whole-heartedly agrees with. Family was as much of a relationship as Ichi was looking for, but something about the gruff and handsome Bobby Dawson makes Ichi want more.

Much, much more.

Review:

Ichi left Japan when he refused to adhere to his father’s whims and came to the States to get to know his brothers and start his own life. When Bobby meets Ichi, he’s immediately attracted to the tattoo-laden man but being Cole’s brother, Bobby knows he’s off limits. As Ichi gets deeper in Cole’s life, he gets closer and closer to Bobby and before they know it, their off-limits status turns into something more. But before long, Bobby has to make a decision: finally come out completely to dating Ichi or give him up forever.

I’ve wanted Bobby’s story since I started the Cole McGinnis series and I’ve wanted Ichi AND Bobby since Ichi made his appearance so when I saw they were FINALLY getting their story, I was so excited! I couldn’t wait to see how and when they got together and, I must say, I wasn’t disappointed!

I loved, loved, loved Ichi and even more so how much he got under Bobby’s skin. And who would have thought that Bobby had such a hidden depth to him?? I mean, I never would have expected him to be against relationships because of the possibility of rejection. But I really liked that someone like Bobby was so fragile underneath and I loved that Ichi was just as vulnerable but very take charge about it and willing to go after what he wanted.

While I really loved the story, I did have a few issues. My biggest issue was the time jumps throughout the book. I understood WHY it was like that but there’s been so many books in this series so far that it was hard for me to remember the situations that they were in so I was confused a time or two on what was happening. Beyond that, I wanted to see more of Bobby and Ichi outside of all the conflicts, to see them getting to know each other, semi moving in together and doing other things while they were developing their relationship but that stuff is sort of glossed over, which made me a little sad 😦

In the end, though, once again I was drawn immediately into the story and couldn’t put it down. I absolutely adored Ichi and Bobby together with their dueling personalities with such intensity between them. And I loved seeing more of Jae and Cole. I really hope there’s more of Bobby and Ichi’s story to come because I know I haven’t gotten enough of them yet!

Overall Impression: I really liked it!

*I received a copy of this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review.*