Title: Reckless Seduction
Author: Amanda Young
Publisher: Loose Id
Genre: Contemporary M/M erotic romance
Length: Novella
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
A Guest Review by Jenre
THE BLURB
When nineteen year old Cody Bradbury gets his hands on an invitation to the hottest party of the year at The Casbah, an exclusive gay men’s club owned by his uncle, he doesn’t plan to let anything stand in his way of attending. With a stolen invitation, fake identification, and a hastily thrown together costume, Cody sneaks into the club during its annual Halloween bash with the intention of checking out the action and possibly losing his long-despised cherry.
He can’t believe his luck when Dante Santiago comes on to him. He’s had a hard-on for his uncle’s friend and employee, Dante, ever since he realized what his dick was good for. He’s so enamored of the older man that he doesn’t think twice when Dante starts referring to him as ‘pretty boy’, instead of by his given name.
Between his fears for his job and his stubborn certainty Cody can’t possibly be the bottom he wants, Dante’s giving him the cold shoulder. He knows Dante wants his body, but Cody wants his heart. Is there any chance the older man might want more than an orgasm? There’s only one way to find out, and Cody plans to make it a night neither of them will ever forget.
THE REVIEW
Having reviewed the sequel to this book, Reckless Behavior, last week I decided that perhaps I ought to read the first book in the series and see whether it answered any of the questions that I had after reading the second book. I have to say that actually it didn’t, but it was an enjoyable read nonetheless.
In this novella we are introduced to nineteen year old Cody who has had the hots for his uncle’s friend Dante ever since he hit puberty. Dante has basically ignored him, thinking him a spoiled brat. However, Cody has a plan. By a stroke of good fortune he manages to get hold of a pass to a Halloween event taking place at the club which is run by his uncle and Dante. It is here that he makes his first move on Dante. Once Dante realises who Cody is, he rejects him, not wanting to take advantage of Cody or ruin the friendship he has with Cody’s uncle. Cody doesn’t give up that easily and, later that week, whilst Dante is staying with Cody’s uncle, he sneaks into Dante’s room and attempts to seduce him.
I liked the enterprising young Cody in this book. He wanted to lose his virginity, but was determined that he wasn’t going to do it with someone his own age. He recognised that Dante was a good choice for his first lover and then set about making it happen. He had a charming youthful enthusiasm which made me warm to him as a character. He was also remarkably self-aware for a young man of nineteen, perhaps a little too self-aware and I did occasionally wonder whether young men actually do think and speak in such a mature fashion. Cody seems so self-assured, even when being rejected by Dante, that I felt he seemed mature beyond his years. Mind you, perhaps we needed to see that in Cody to make the age difference between them more palatable. We find out very little about Dante in the story except that he’s a bit of a man-slut which was then at odds with the sudden feelings he has for Cody – enough to make him want to have a relationship with him when he’s never had the urge to commit before.
I said in my review of Reckless Behavior that I’d wished to know more about Cody’s uncle. Well here I was equally disappointed as he is only used as a barrier between Cody and Dante. What a shame as I still found him to be an interesting character and wished to know more about this seemingly conservative gay man, who gave up part of his life to raise Cody. Perhaps the author might be persuaded to base another novella around him?!
On the whole I enjoyed this book more than the sequel. It was well paced, with nearly all the interaction focused on the main protagonists. The sex scenes were hot but also, because they were from Cody’s point if view, they had a rather jubilant feel as he experienced sex, and good sex at that, for the first time. The attraction that Cody feels for Dante was believable and I was satisfied with the HFN at the end of the book, especially knowing how that relationship pans out in the sequel. All in all I would recommend that you read this book, especially if you are in the mood for a short, sexy read.
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Actually, I think she already has written the story of Cody’s uncle.
She’s also going to be writing a fourth story in this series.
Cody’s uncle story hasn’t been accepted though, as far as I know, because it’s still under coming soon – works in progress on her website.
Jen
I’m really glad that you enjoyed Reckless Seduction and, from the sounds of it, more than the sequel!
Hi Tina: Thanks for the info about a possible sequel for Cody’s uncle. I would be very interested in that. Perhaps the fourth book revolves around Dante’s brother.
Wave: I did like this more than the second book. I felt Cody came across much better here – although Dante came across better in the sequel.
I read this one on JenB’s recommendation I think. Seems to me she loved it. I’m not sure I loved it. I enjoyed it but I think I just didn’t connect with the characters and really see them as a legit couple. Maybe if I read the second one that would work for me. I certainly didn’t dislike it but I was sort of “meh”. I much preferred her story Pyromancer. THAT one I loved.
Glad you enjoyed it even if it didn’t answer all your questions. Maybe the others in the works will help round things out.
Reckless Passion is Beau’s story, and the manuscript is completed. Reckless Determination is Milo’s story, and it’s in outlining stages.
That’s what stands on Amanda Young’s website
So yes, both Cody’s uncle and Dante’s brother’s stories will be told 
Great review Jen!!
I’ve got this one on my TBR list and the second one on my TBB. I like Amanda’s writing style and sometimes a short and sexy read is exactly what I’m looking for
Lily
I really enjoyed this book. It is somewhat incomplete as a stand-alone, but the sequel rounds out the story very nicely. (I don’t think it was ever intended as a stand-alone anyway. I think it was pretty much always going to be a two-part story.)
The dedication page is my favorite part of the story.
I liked Pyromancer too, Tam. I think that was my first Amanda Young book. The bad guy in that one made me laugh, but the story as a whole was fantastic. I wish she’d write about more firestarters. HEY AMANDA, WRITE MORE FIRESTARTERS!
My favorite of her stories is Sins of the Past. That one’s really sweet and sexy. Then Man Candy.
Hi Jen
I’m with you on Pyromancer – I love that one probably more than all of her books that I have read.
Haven’t read Sins of the Past – maybe I should catch that one next.
Tam: I’m looking forward to reading Beau’s story. He was definitely the most interesting character out of the pair of books.
Lily: Thanks. I recommend you pull this out of the tbr pile soon.
JenB: Amanda Young is going on my to be glommed pile.
Jen, I am glad this story solved some of your issues for you.
Man candy is delicious
I remember reading the excerpt for this one before. Cody was a bit young for my taste, but the story sounded interesting enough that I put it on my wish list. I have several other books by this author I have already bought and need to read before thinking of buying anything else, though
D
Hi Jenre. Thanks for taking the time to read my work and share your thoughts. Good or bad, I always like hearing readers thoughts on my work. It helps me put things in perspective. ;D
Was there a review of Reckless Behavior? I seemed to have missed that one. Anyone want to clue me in?
Tina – Thank you for pointing out the series information. You beat me to it. I am still waiting on an acceptance for the Beau’s story, but I hope to hear back something one way or the other soon. *crosses fingers*
JenB – More pyro stories? Really? I’ll have to give that some thought. ;D
Lilly, Mary, Ingrid, and Wave – Thank you all for the sweet comments. You wouldn’t believe how much those keep my fingers moving on the keyboard. Now if only there were a few more hours in the day…
Hi Amanda: I reviewed Reckless Behavior last week. You can find it here: http://reviewsbyjessewave.blogspot.com/2009/04/reckless-behavior.html
[...] series. Reckless Passion is the third book and follows on from Reckless Seduction (reviewed HERE) and Reckless Behavior (reviewed HERE). In my reviews of the previous books I said that although [...]