Hard Earned Cash

DNF @57%<br /><br />Besides the fact that this whole thing is terribly cringe-worthy, there is an unsolvable problem I have with this series: I hate Jimmy. And I hate Cold. <i>I hate them <b>both</b>.</i><br /><br />Their relationship itself is also very unhealthy. Neither man is right for the other, and they can’t accept their differences since they instead choose to ignore it all by pretending these differences don’t exist.<br /><br /><b> <blockquote>“You love the man that I am, but the monster... you can’t.”</blockquote> </b><br /><br />They lie. They fight. They don’t communicate. All they do is have sex, while Cold constantly barks orders which Jimmy follows blindly... <br />Sometimes Jimmy stands up for himself in every-day life, but then he quickly falls right into Cold’s arms and they have sex once more. And then they do it all over again. <i>*eye roll*</i><br /><br />They do have a few swoon-worthy love declarations, but those are always followed up with annoying statements or actions that show how bad they are for each other.<br /><br /><b> <blockquote>“I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anything. When I thought you actually wanted to leave me, it felt like dying. I meant it when I told you that you were the love of my life. You are the most valuable thing in the world to me.<br />You need to understand that I will never be the kind of man that deserves you. I hurt people, I kill them, and yes, I lie. Anything more than that I will never tell you because if I did, I know with absolute certainty that you would leave me and never look back.”</blockquote> </b><br /><br />And seriously, I need more than what we got. It’s not enough. Their relationship simply means nothing to me. <br />I can see why some people enjoyed this, though. But I just wasn’t feeling it.<br /><br /><br /><b> <u>'Cold Hard Cash' series:</u> </b><br />1. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4700586068?book_show_action=false&amp;from_review_page=1" rel="nofollow noopener">Cold Hard Cash</a> - 3.0 stars<br /><b>2. Hard Earned Cash - dnf</b>

In this continuation we find out what happens after dangerous gangster finds love and what measures he will take to keep it. It's steadily paced, suspenseful, kinky and full of intrigue. We get a closer look at the Gentlemen surrounding Boss Cold and the situation that tests their mettle because it's not everyday that a person walks free even after committing the crime. Roderick Legrand is cold, lethal and dangerous when it comes to keeping what is his safe, but he has one weakness and that is Jimmy Poe, the only man who sees beyond the Mafia Boss facade to the man underneath - generous, loyal and at times vulnerable. <br /><br />The murder and the puzzle of subsequent events are so well constructed, so well paced that as the book progresses we can see the full extent of Boss Cold's reach and power. His manipulations have no bounds, his determination leaves no one standing and in the end it all culminates in the best possible outcome - walking a free man. He hasn't changed, hasn't redeemed himself and become an honest man. He is still the same and Jimmy loves him anyway. I really felt Jimmy's struggle with his moral compass and honesty, his struggle between upholding the law and his fierce love for the man who constantly breaks it. <br /><br />Ms Hiers went all out when she showed both men loving each other from gentle gestures to their bedroom sexcapades - very imaginative, never repetitive and so passionate. Who knew they could be so naughty! I enjoyed every moment both s*exy and incredibly sweet, for Boss Cold finally allowed himself to be open with Jimmy and tell him how much he loved him. Awwww! I really liked how the author finished things and left everyone - all loose ends tied up and everyone as they wanted to be - still criminals but keeping their hard won happiness nevertheless. Copy received for my honest and unbiased review

<blockquote> <i>“Marry me, Jimmy,” Cold whispered urgently. “Marry me because I need you to. Because I need you every day of my life. I need to wake up next to you every morning, I need to hear your laughter and see your smile. I need you to marry me because I cannot live without you. I am yours, Jimmy Poe. Every part of me, broken and scarred, every part that you’re willing to take, is yours. I cannot promise that I’m going to be a good man, but I swear I will never wrong you, and I will always love you. Please... James David Poe, will you marry me?”</i> </blockquote><br /><br /><b> <u>4.5 stars </u> </b> ⭐?⭐<br /><br />I wasn't totally in love with the start of this book mainly because there was a lot of friction and conflict and Jimmy Poe lacking trust in my king was absolutely unacceptable. <br /><br />But damn, chapter by chapter and watching Cash just magnificently unravel and be an absolute bunny for Jimmy's affection made me weak. There was not a whisper of doubt that that man didn't love Jimmy Poe with his whole heart. He didn't have to say it, he didn't have to whisper it, but he had emphasized it with his every touch, his light in his eyes spoke of his love and the beat of his heart echoed Jimmy Poe. <br /><br />Roderick Legrand is my definition of<b> <u> I don't need a damn hero, I want a fucking Villain. </u> </b> <br /><br /><blockquote> <i>“Through you. With you. The things you make me feel... oh, Jimmy. It’s priceless.”</i> </blockquote><br /><br />And despite my frustrations with Mr Poe, I'm so happy for both of their ending. These two fucking deserved it. Continuing to spend the rest of their lives, dangerous but happy, together. <br /><br /><blockquote> <i>“Your light reminds me that darkness... is not always the answer.”</i> </blockquote><br /><br />I'm leaving half a star because damn, I know Jimmy Poe is an innocent bystander but him not completely embracing Cash's darkness makes me wanna shove him and kneel at Cash's feet instead ? <br /><br /><blockquote> <b> <i>“Je t’aime aussi,” Jimmy replied carefully, smiling wide as he managed to sound respectably French. “Je t’aime aussi, like, forever.”<br />“Mmm,” Cold hummed, kissing Jimmy’s lips with a tender sigh. “Toujours, mon amour.”</i> </b> </blockquote><br /><br />I'm nervous about starting book 3 because a birdie said it wasn't as good and y'all... Pray for me.

This sequel didn't captivate me as much as the first book. I actually finished 2 other books while reading this. Cold was arrested here and Jimmy was kept in the dark of his devious plan. Not that I blame Cold, but Jimmy's constantly throwing an hissy fit about Cold not trusting him is getting old. I just don't enjoy their dynamic here as much as I used to.

<i>A <a href="http:joyfullyjay.com" rel="nofollow noopener">Joyfully Jay</a> review. <br /><br /><b>4.5 stars</b></i><br /><br />Hard Earned Cash is the sequel to Cold Hard Cash and, like the first book, it has a heavy emphasis on sex. It’s graphic, involving rough — but never violent — sessions, toys, spankings, temperature pain, bondage, and edging. These scenes almost always involve Cold asking Jimmy for his safe word and, when all is said and done, giving aftercare and affection. This is very much a consensual relationship, but it’s an intense one.<br /><br />Jimmy is cheerful, optimistic, and a brat. But Cold loves him for it. Having witnessed his mother’s murder at a young age, Jimmy’s sensitive to violence, often turning to Cold for emotional comfort. He knows Cold’s life is violent, and that his lover is a crime boss, he knows that Cold lies, and that Cold has killed, and will do again, and as long as it’s not something he has to face, he’s … well, he’s not okay with it. But he loves Cold no matter what the other man has to do to protect himself and those he — and they — love. It’s that strength and that confidence that Jimmy needs, the stability and the care and the knowledge that Cold will make the world go away when it all gets to be too much. Cold is his world.<br /><br /><b>Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety <a href="https://joyfullyjay.com/2020/07/review-hard-earned-cash-a-dark-mafia-romance-by-k-l-hiers/" rel="nofollow noopener">here</a>.</b><br /><br /><br /><br />

I was so excited for the continuation of Cold and Jimmy's story! I really enjoy the way the author brings all of the pieces of the story together at the end. That speaks of an intelligent and creative mind.<br /><br />This was a total love-fest even with Jimmy being frustrated through a great deal of it. It was nice to see Cold's vulnerability and that it was only with Jimmy and Rowena. His core character never changed and I liked that but he did make some concessions for Jimmy because he loved and trusted him but also understood that Jimmy could only handle so much of the truth of his character.<br /><br />The plot was well played out in my opinion but everything was not completely smooth which gave it some realism. Cold was a very calculating, intelligent person who could basically see most contingencies of his plan but once again, he wasn't perfect and found that there were factors even beyond his control.<br /><br />Jimmy was as passionate and stubborn as always but could submit when need be. He loved fiercely and deeply and was very protective of those he cared about.<br /><br />There were a LOT of sex scenes which I definitely appreciated. The author kept them different and interesting not to mention very hot. It fit with the story because it really seemed to ground Jimmy when necessary.<br /><br />The only thing that I wish is that we could find out more about the gentlemen and their stories but that would have muddied this book too much to put more than brief snippets of their personal life.<br /><br />Overall, I was really happy to see more of Cold, Jimmy and the gang and I can say that this series has been very entertaining. I can't wait for more from this author!

<strong>Too much of a good thing</strong><br /><br />NGL, I’m 35% in and I’m not liking this second book as much as the first. There are so many annoying characters and situations. The fact that Jimmy’s Dad still calls him slugger. Ugh. He calls him that like a million times. Enough already! Charlie the annoying as f wedding planner/ something else don’t know yet as I’m only 35% in. <br /><br />The sex is even repetitive ??. The wedding tangent was cringy. The proposal even cringier. Yikes. <br /><br />I’m going to need to skim…I’ve come to the realization that I shouldn’t have read these books back to back. There is such a thing as way too much of a good thing. <br /><br />Finished and why I love their love, it was way too long and I’ll need to pause before reading the next installment. <br />The real wedding was sweet though and I loved the end but getting there was a bit much. <br />Side note ? I still hate Charlie ??

I'm just gonna dnf this I have no desire in picking up where I left off?

A fun second installment to this story. <br /><br />This opens with one of the longest prologues I've ever seen, but we get to see David, Jimmy's father released and how Jimmy and David adapt to him being out of prison. Then we move forward almost a year since Jimmy and Cold met, and things are going well. They've mostly settled into their life together.<br /><br />Except...a murder from almost 20 years ago resurfaces when a body is found, and evidence is linked to Cold, who is arrested. But, Cold's got a plan to get off Scott Free. He just hasn't told Jimmy *any* of this and that is a problem. <br /><br />He even proposes but does it horribly, not romantically at all, and Jimmy is *not* a happy camper, that's for sure. <br /><br />Cold may be Boss Cold in his mob and in the bedroom, but Jimmy deserves more than being completely in the dark on everything mob related, especially when Cold is arrested for murder. <br /><br />But after a good fight or two, eventually these two get to a place of compromise, and Cold lets go of his need to keep basically everything important from Jimmy. Which, he says it's to protect him, which is part of it, but part of it is also fear of what Jimmy would think of him if he knew it all. But these are able to find common ground and work it out. <br /><br />But the Luchesi family isn't quite going away, even if it seems Cold dealt with them the year before, so Cold has to deal with that and so does Jimmy. But of course, Cold can handle that too. <br /><br />Why I gave this 4 stars instead of 5 is that, while it was fun and enjoyable and good overall, it was a little too long, and I think a big part of that was all the sex scenes, which I think others might agree with. I think if several had been fade to black, that would have been better, and cut this down from over 400 pages. If it gets to the point where I'm "oh no this chapter didn't end with fade to black, there's pages more of this sex scene" that's...not the best sign. <br /><br />Because the sex scenes were always sooo involved, so long, it was never just straight up sex, it had to be their bdsm play and making Jimmy wait to come and putting butt plugs and dildos up his ass and him getting "punished" by Cold and so on and after so many scenes that gets tiring to read, especially when we've read similar sex scenes before plenty of times. In fact, one of my favorite sexual moments between these two was near the end, when Cold gets rid of the toys and the D/s thing for a few moments and it's just them, making love. That was my favorite sex thing of this book. Like, the bdsm can be fun at times and certainly enjoyable...but maybe if we had gotten a mix of that and just some normal, non-bdsm sex every once in awhile, that would have been good. Or maybe that mix *and* fade to black on some of them too.<br /><br />It was just too much. It made this go on much longer than it needed to be, in my opinion.<br /><br />But in the end, this is a fun read, and it's nice to get a more solid HEA for these two, for them work through a few problems they had and become stronger for it. The ending was especially good and sweet. <br /><br />So overall, a good second installment, but could have been shorter with less sex. Still a good read! :D

<b>***3.75***</b><br />Due to time issues (not having any) I waited too long to write a proper review, but the <b>short story</b> is that I liked this. It's a lighthearted romp that doesn't take itself too seriously and was what I needed as a palate cleanser. Also anyone who enjoyed Cold &amp; Jimmy from <a href="https://goodreads.com/book/show/51977245.Cold_Hard_Cash__Cold_Hard_Cash__1_" title="Cold Hard Cash (Cold Hard Cash #1) by K.L. Hiers" rel="noopener">Cold Hard Cash</a> will definitely want to see how their relationship is progressing.<br /><br />My one comment/complaint would be that Jimmy's character seems to have leaned a bit harder towards the stereotypical annoying female in m/f romance: a bit hysterical, putting himself unnecessarily in danger, expecting Cold to be someone or act as someone other than who he is, wanting to change grown a$$ gangster into some moral man. No. Stop it. Otherwise you can check your brain out and enjoy this for the sexy times between Cold &amp; Mr. Poe and the general optimistic streak that runs through the story. We all need that right now. <br /><br />Cheers ?<br /><br /> <br /><br />