Tied to Trouble by Megan Erickson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
TIED TO TROUBLE by Megan Erickson is an erotic M/M romantic comedy that made me cry sappily whenever the main characters hurt each other with their miscommunications and misunderstandings. I laughed along with the funny parts, shamelessly devoured the naughty scenes, and wholeheartedly approve of the couple’s public and semi-public sex kink. Not to mention bow tie-wrapped erections kink and topping from the bottom kink and angry hate-you sex kink.
Chad is the guy who tops from the bottom, and Owen is the guy who wears nerdy bow ties, usually around his neck. Opposites who attract, Chad and Owen both have self-esteem issues, and hate-lust each other at first sight. Owen works for Chad’s sister as the lead copy editor at Gamers Magazine. Owen wants to move up in the company, but has anxiety about being in the spotlight. He is a private, cautious person, while Chad is happy-go-lucky, incorrigible, and gregarious. Chad drives a motorcycle on one speed-fast-while Owen drives what Chad dubs a Turtle Toyota. But for some irrational reason, Chad revs Owen’s engine like no other. Chad brings out a sexually aggressive and dominant side of Owen that Owen never knew existed and excites the hell out of them. It’s hilarious and hot how they fight over who’s in charge. It’s adorable when their satiated lust is followed by tender affection. It’s fun when they joke around and sweet when they cuddle. And it tugs at the heartstrings when they’re vulnerable and feeling all broken up, while tentatively declaring their feelings for each other.
However, they both have reservations about exploring a relationship. Though they’ve been recruited by Chad’s sister’s fiancé to plan his marriage proposal, they don’t tell anyone that they’re seeing each other. The sex is great but they hardly get along and apparently don’t have many things in common. Chad sees himself as a 27-year-old drifter; he has never settled down and committed to a job or lover. Lately, though, Chad has been feeling unhappy, as if something were missing from his life. A self-taught graphic artist, he has been thinking of going back to college and getting a respectable job, but he’s daunted by the challenge. Owen on the other hand is a relationship kind of guy, but for the first time in his life, he’s taking risks and having hot, dirty sex with a guy he doesn’t think he likes. They don’t think they’re compatible. Yet, they keep going back to each other and almost too late discover they’ve fallen in love.
TIED TO TROUBLE is a well-rounded, sexy, funny, and breezy read. It’s low on angst, plenty emotional, and full of heart. It’s my favorite book in the Gamers series. Because dragons. Because M/M. And because crushing on hot, geeky blonds is so my not guilty, guilty pleasure.
*ARC received from NetGalley
View all my reviews
