Book 1,017: Bad Deal (A-List Security #3) – Annabeth Albert

This was an unexpected entry in this series. I’m not really sure why, as it makes sense, but for me it stands out as slightly different than the others. Some of it may be that she brought more humor to this one that she did in the earlier two, or maybe it was the fake-boyfriend trope that I’ll always love, or maybe it was the characters ¯_(ツ)_/¯

With Bad Deal we have Harley, Duncan’s (from Hard Job) partner in running A-List Security who has taken on security lead for a TV series, and Ambrose, the writer/director of said series, and his dog Hercules (I think he’s a Chinese Crested, but it’s been too long to recall 100% accurately).

Where this one really shone for me was Albert’s use of humor and fun. This one didn’t have as much seriousness as the previous two, or the follow up, Rocky Start. Some of this comes from the lack of PTSD (again similar to Hard Job), but the rest of it just comes from the joyous nature between Ambrose and Harley. There were DEFINITELY a few cheesy OMG moments,

I loved how familiar he felt, like a piece of my soul recognized him from some other timeline. (Loc. 1,960)

Which I of course live for. But it was Albert’s introduction of yet another pansexual character. The way she explains pansexual characters is just so wonderful and lovely, especially when they’re the big butch macho guys that she tends to include in her works:

Like maybe you’re seventy percent a strawberry person, but then you also dig some rocky road and pistachio at other times. Or maybe you love chocolate in all its forms and vanilla, too, but only in a waffle cone. When Bishop explained that there are endless valid ways to be queer, it was like . . . oh. (Loc. 994)

‘It was me who had the hang-ups all along, me who thought I couldn’t be anything other than straight. But I was, and I could have been open a long time before now. A lot of missed years.’
‘Yes, but you’re here now, and the past is all part of your journey.’ We were still the only car around, so I stopped for a moment to make eye contact and quickly rub his neck.
‘All your experiences went into making you uniquely you.’ (Loc. 2,466)

We also got to revisit Harley’s cabin where he and Ambrose spent a beautiful few days and I just really enjoyed those scenes. Oh, and when Ambrose met Harley’s family randomly because they were in the area as part of the fake-boyfriend wedding storyline.

Recommendation: Another great story from Albert. This and Tough Luck are probably my two favorite from the series. The juxtaposition between big bad muscley Harley and soft, but still incredibly strong, Ambrose just worked so well. And I’m still baffled after dozens of Albert’s novels at how well she writes MM sex scenes, but best not spend too much time wondering about that 😀

Opening Line: “‘You’re not the boss of me,’ I said firmly as I maneuvered my sporty little beamer into a parking spot, loving how well this new electric model handled the tricky angle and tight fit.”

Closing Line: “Husband. Me. And not a fake one. A real one. A real spouse in real love, no pretending allowed.” (Whited out to  avoid spoilers, highlight to read.)

Additional Quotes from Bad Deal
“And someday, I’ll learn how to pick them, but until then, if I want to ogle hot, ripped security guards with no intention of acting on it, I will, and I don’t need you teasing me like we’re teens. I can appreciate Harley’s masculine beauty without needing to jump the guy.” (Loc. 136)

“‘A hospital is no place to sleep, but last time I landed in one, I woke up like my throat was one of those hats my sister-in-law is always knitting.’
‘Exactly. Scratchy wool.’ I smiled gratefully up at him, insides warming when he smiled back. He really did have the best grin, one that could almost make me forget where we were.” (Loc. 353)

“‘Thanks. I have a therapist. I scheduled extra sessions.’ We were in LA, where even pets had shrinks, but it was still nice to be able to mention therapy with someone nonjudgmental. Rather than Cressida’s suffocating hovering, his concern felt nice, like my favorite sweatshirt. Comforting rather than itchy.” (Loc. 683)

“God, Harley was sweeter than the strawberry sauce on my French toast. All that big, gruff, and growly was really a cover for a core so sweet and pure it might kill me before the weekend was over. Forget him guarding me. I wanted to protect his softer side from the world. Maybe even from myself.” (Loc. 1,057)

“Was it possible to trick someone into dating for real? I was willing to try. And maybe if I tried hard enough, it just might work.” (Loc. 1,201)