Someone’s waiting for Eli. Somebody’s watching his every move…
Eli is used to looking after himself. Single for longer than he’d care to admit, he doesn’t need a man for more than a hookup, not when he’s got his loyal dog, Zeus, by his side.
But one night changes the course of his life. He meets Dominic, an actual copper and not the stripper he thought his best friend had hired for his … his best friend had hired for his birthday. A copper that has relationship written all over him and Eli set in his sights.
After his night out celebrating, another gift awaits him at home—but not a pleasant one. His birthday may be over, but the threats keep coming. Keep escalating. Keep hurting those close to him. Just how far will the monster behind them go? And how much will Eli lose before he can stop them?
If you love a fast-paced, suspenseful read featuring a sweet romance, then you’ll love Obsession from author Beth Laycock.
Story Contains M/M sexual content and is intended for a mature audience. Please check the trigger warning in the front matter. 2nd edition June 2020 includes new title and cover—no new content added.
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Original narration style, interesting points of view and soulful characters. I really liked reading this book and am looking forward to reading more from this author.
Oh, and +0,5 Star for the dog 😀
4.5 stars
Heat Level: 3.5
Fast-paced, riveting and sweet! A gripping romantic suspense story!!
I loved Eli and found his sass and quirkiness matched perfectly in the hot, ‘boy-next-door’ style of, cop-not-stripper, Domanic. After a somewhat embarrassing first meeting and slightly mistaken identity, Eli and Domonic connect and sparks fly. They start a tentative friendship that is entwined with a dangerous stalker who has their sights set on Eli.
The suspenseful stalker elements of this story are done so well! A few of the chapters are written from the stalker’s point of view and this just adds to the creepiness. As the stalker escalates; Eli and all who surround him are in more danger than ever. Eli volunteers at a dog rescue center called Muddy Paws and the poor dogs get caught up in the stalkers plan to get Eli’s attention.
So much happens in this story and it’s so well written and fast-paced I couldn’t put it down. With the danger and suspense balanced perfectly with heart and love, this story is sure to keep you riveted until the end. I loved Eli and Dom and look forward to more of them and their made-family, hopefully in the next story about Kierran 😉
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Mad About the Boy by Beth Laycock is a standalone contemporary mm romance with a good dose of mystery and suspense. It is well written and captivating… arittenmostly in the POV of main character Eli but with brief glimpses into the mind of his stalker. I love that we get a taste of those thoughts as things unfold in the story -very interesting and definitely kept my attention.
Dominic is the protective and sexy cop that comes into Eli’s life and offers support and sexytimes. I liked Dominic and Eli together. Eli isnt sure they fit…but he has some things to overcome in order to see what we see. They are fun characters.
The story has some humor and a good dose of suspense and drama. There are scenes of violence and destruction, and a sense of danger lurking. And there is also the steamy and sweet romance aspects. Overall, this book was really enjoyable and kept me reading even when I should have been sleeping… once I started I didnt want to stop until the end.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
This is my first time reading this author, and I liked her writing style. Major part of the book was dedicated to domestic animals, namely dogs, and despite me not being much of a dog person, Ms Laycock’s light-hearted manner of speaking made me like and love each and every one of Muddy Paws rescue shelter inhabitants and all those who cared for them. This is a well-paced, mildly steamy romance full of doggy kisses, one prickly dog person and a copper whose smile is hard to resist.
Eli is a young man who does not want attachments or complications in his life. No on ever stays or wants him for long, not even his own father, so he is always the one to leave. All he wants is to learn a degree in business and one day operate his own dog rescue home. With his best friend Zeus, who is unsurprisingly a dog, because Eli seems to relate better to them since they don’t judge him, he quietly lives his life. With a couple of friends his family is complete. But a chance assumption starts a friendship that will grow into something more if he lets it. Eli is a bit antisocial and skeptic but when he is with dogs at Muddy Paws shelter, he is so gentle and personable. He has such a kind heart that he hides behind slight surliness and blue streaked hair. All he needed was to see that the right person will stay and be there for him. And Dominic fits the bill.
Dominic comes from a large happy family. He as his father before him became a cop. He is truly genuine person willing to go out of his way to help others. When he is mistaken for a stripper, he takes it light-heartedly and strikes up a conversation with Eli. It would have ended with a night together if not for strange things happening around Eli. Protectiveness and attraction to Eli make Dominic stick close. And while good looks help, that is not what makes Eli love him – his kindness to others is what breaks the ice around Eli’s heart and makes him believe that love is possible for him.
The mystery itself was not as prominent as I expected and had a slightly slower pace. Since the story is told from Eli’s POV, most of police work is done out of sight of the narrative. I wished a little more of it and a tad less of dogs. The villain’s angle was fine but it would have made the mystery better for me without it. The book ended very nicely with everyone achieving what they wanted. There were tragedies that made me so sad but author managed to finish on a happy note. I recommend it. Copy received for my honest and unbiased review