An enjoyable urban fantasy. It felt a little shallow in the world-building. This may be because it was the second in a series, and I had not read the first :/ There was enough recap that the story made sense.

Even when I really love a book or series, I rarely read the subsequent books back to back, whether they’re standalones or sequels. However, Murder Once Seen- the first book of The Oddities series- hooked me so well that I immediately decided to skip other books on my queue and delve back into the colorful and suspenseful urban fantasy world Miss Hall created. Fraud Twice Felt includes enough background and recapping that it can be read as a standalone. However, as it involves the same couple and continues a previous story arc, I think this is definitely one that is best read in order.

Fraud Twice Felt picks up just three weeks after the conclusion of the first book. Elliot and Derwin are happy and adjusting to their new life together. In Murder Once Seen, both characters grapple with their feelings over life changes and the potential of a new relationship. The second book changes things up a bit, concentrating more on Elliot gaining confidence in himself and trusting in the stability of his and Derwin’s love. Although initially I missed the balance between characters, I did quite like seeing Elliot taking charge of his life and refusing to be someone Derwin needs to constantly rescue. There was a definite shift in the relationship as the book progressed, and I really liked the way things were left between Derwin and Elliot at the end.

Although there isn’t a lot of detailed world building in this urban fantasy series, that certainly doesn’t mean it lacks for action or suspense. Once again, the couple finds themselves plunged into a dangerous investigation following the disappearance of a coworker’s son. Unlike the first book, it took a bit more time for the suspense to really build in Fraud Twice Felt and it didn’t immediately hook me. I think part of this was because there were so many unknowns surrounding this investigation, and the other part was I was more fixated on the couple’s relationship rather than the mystery. However, the action scenes towards the end of the book were phenomenal and made it impossible to put down. I also liked that there were a bit more twists in the second book which left me constantly reevaluating my assumptions at how things would end. This series definitely offers a little something extra for fans of romantic suspense. I’m not sure if there will be more from this duo or even The Oddities series, but I certainly wouldn’t be sad to see more stories from the City of Nis.

Derwin and Elliot are starting their relationship on strong ground. The feelings between them are mutual and they are both more than willing to work to keep it. Unfortunately, the rest of Nis isn't as interested. A friend's child has gone missing, bringing Elliot to the attention of a gang leader that wants him back. For both Derwin and Elliot to survive, their relationship has to come to an end, and that's not a solution either are willing to live with.

All of the world building and characterizations for this series was already accomplished in the first book, so at this point there isn't anything new to add. That was a mistake in my opinion. The truly great series are always evolving as the characters learn more about the world and about themselves. The only growth in the entire book was Elliot beginning to grow up, which was unfortunately not well fleshed out. I needed to learn more about Derwin and about the strange and very interesting world they live in for this story to have needed depth.

What I did enjoy was the plot. It kept me hooked from the first page and each twist and turn was interesting to read. It was also predictable, but I didn't mind being able to guess what was happening beforehand because it was still a well-written story. I particularly liked learning about Elliot's magic, which he has begun to learn more about in his quest to join Derwin as a private investigator.

3.5 stars - This story is the follow up to Murder Once Seen, which should really be read first to get the bigger picture of what’s what in this world. A few weeks after that story ended, we find Derwin and Elliot still together trying to make things work mostly for Elliot as he tries to make a life outside of prostitution and the streets.

Things are going pretty well for the guys, though Elliot still has some doubts here and there about Derwin and his feelings. But, a new case brings them together in new ways as they find themselves in the middle of a gang way. Gang Leader, Roy, whose clutches Elliot had barely escaped, now has a hold again and becomes an important player in this installment. But Derwin and Elliot agree to work together with Roy so that everyone gets what they want.

It was really nice to see Elliot making progress with his confidence and self-worth. Though I wish we had seen more relationship-wise, he and Derwin are definitely making forward progress. They have a yin/yang sense about them which carries over from the first book. Elliot likes things a little on the edgier/kinkier side, and Derwin requires Elliot’s resulting pain to feed and recharge his Oddity. I especially liked how they switched roles a bit this time around while still getting what each of them needed.

This didn’t grab me quite as much as the previous book, and I found the first half to be rather slow. It isn’t until things really heat up with the gangs that much starts happening. We are introduced to some new characters, and there are some new elements at play as well. I’m definitely enjoying this series so far though and really like Elliot and Derwin as characters. I am looking forward to seeing how they make out on the next case!

3.75 Stars

This second entry to The Oddities series packed more actions and interesting character developments on Derwin and Elliot. Picking up closely from where Murder Once Seen left off, Elliot was now also working at Bob's Bail Bonds doing the filing and partnering with Derwin on their friend's missing son case. Elliot also moved in with Derwin and the dynamic between them was way more from what I've seen from previous book.

It's really interesting to see two loner characters came together and complement one another, trusting and depending on each other. As the story's told from both MC's POV alternately, readers could learn their insight. It's difficult to choose which from the two characters I like more. Derwin was still having superhero complex that he felt responsible for everyone's problems, yet he's learning to ask for and getting help from others. Elliot seemed to flourish and becoming quite a bold, shrewd and feisty young man; proving he's more than just a side-kick.

Worry not, with Derwin's type of Oddity, there's plenty steamy scenes to enjoy on pages, a tamer D/S scene compared to those on previous book (which relief me no end). I might not be a fan of too many graphic scenes, but I thought those scenes correlated to the plot, rather than transpired for the sake of having sex scenes.

Mystery-wise, the case in Fraud Twice Felt was quite by the book. The fast pace of the story - while virtually exhausting for me - felt genuine and natural. That said, I was hoping the author would reveal more on the villain's Oddity and what's those beach battle was all about. On the other hand, I suspect with time (on upcoming installments, perhaps?) more riddles would be revealed, especially those that shadowed Derwin since book one.


Advanced copy of this book is kindly provided by the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Fraud Twice Felt, J.T. Hall

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre:  Romance, LGBTQIA

 I hadn't read book one. Occasionally I have to restrict myself and catch up on the TBR list and must have missed it that way because its a series that's got so much I love.
Still, looking at sample and reviews it was pretty easy to catch up. 

Derwin and Elliot are finding a new life together. It seems strange to think they've only been together three weeks but I guess its been very intense so that's why they feel as though they've known each other longer. They really are Jack Spratt and his wife with Derwin needing pain to feed, and Elliot getting enjoyment from being hurt. Makes them perfect for each other. 

Now Elliott's given up the rent boy gig and moved in with Derwin, he's also working at Bob's Bail Bonds. Just filing currently but hoping to learn more and be a bounty hunter himself. For now though he's enjoying having some autonomy over his life, its not been that way for a very long while.
He's still in danger though from the head of one of the local gangs who sees Elliot as his special plaything, his to hurt, his to keep. Derwin is determined not to let that happen and with most people his strength would do it, but Roy seems to have some abilities of his own, plus of course backing of a gang...

As well as the relationship issues, and the gangs there's a supernatural bent to this series too with some people like Derwin and Elliot having extra abilities. That's good - and not good. It helps keep them alive and in work but if the government gets to hear about it they'll be whipped off to some science lab, no doubts there.
So they need to fly under the radar carefully. The last book put them in the eye of some of the local cops, so caution is needed.
Life isn't like that though, and long time friend and colleague Connie's son is missing. That leads them into an adventure that brings in more people, the cops, the underclass of homeless and prostitutes Elliot knows so well, Roy and his gang, along with another local gang, and of all things a sea serpent, a huge sea dwelling dragon...

Its a breathtaking adventure with a bit of everything thrown in, romance and esp m/m romance, the issues of homophobia, the police/government and the bias against Oddities, the danger from the local gangs, who of course don't work together so cause issues everywhere, the bounty hunters, the sea dragon and in that mix they need to find and rescue Connie's son and his girlfriend without getting caught in any of the competing dangers. 
Well, there's so much going on, so much action, planning, thinking on the fly when plans go wrong that its a solid read, and yet its not five stars for me as I expected.
I'm not sure why but maybe its just that there's a bit too much of everything happening. That kind of diluted some of the effects, and the constant crisis to crisis action didn't really leave much time for thinking, for seeing how the relationship between Elliot and Derwin was developing.
Its romance, but really more an action read than romance read IMO. 

Its a good read, I enjoyed it but its not (yet) a series I'm in love with. time will tell I guess, there;s the potential from far more from this setting. 

Stars: Four, an action packed read. 

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

On the whole I enjoyed reading this book but...and that is a big BUT for me, I wasn't expecting BDSM here. Despite those scenes being caring and sweet and the fact that you can feel that the heroes care for each other, are very much in love, actually, and the fact that the need to practice BDSM has reasons that are logical and understandable, it is just not my cup of tea. I don't have a problem with explicit sex scenes but BDSM is different. As I said, the scenes themselves are well written and you get that they are not just sadistic idiots but, well.

Apart from that, the book was great. It is well written, has amazing and well developed characters and it is really great to see how the interaction between the heroes changes when Elliot becomes more confident and Derwin learns to trust him more. They are very different from each other but both are very vulnerable and very strong at the same time. Reading the book you can see how Elliot matures and learns to stand up for himself and to pull his weight. The feelings between the two are palpable, you can feel how much they care for each other, how important the other one is for each of them and how far they are willing to go to protect the other one.

Take this remarkable and really sweet couple, add an interesting and well written story, a couple of gangs and other foes threatening our heroes, a damsel (and her boyfriend) in distress and spice it with some fantastic elements. Sounds good? It is worth reading, at least if you don't mind all this BDSM-stuff. I enjoyed reading this book despite those scenes but, well, no warm, fuzzy feelings for me there, right?