Review: Down and Dirty by Rhys Ford

Author: Rhys Ford

Pages/Word Count: 200 Pages

At a Glance: I cannot recommend this book highly enough

Blurb: From the moment former LAPD detective Bobby Dawson spots Ichiro Tokugawa, he knows the man is trouble. And not just because the much younger Japanese inker is hot, complicated, and pushes every one of Bobby’s buttons. No, Ichi is trouble because he’s Cole McGinnis’s younger brother and off-limits in every possible way. And Bobby knows that even before Cole threatens to kill him for looking Ichi’s way. But despite his gut telling him Ichi is bad news, Bobby can’t stop looking… or wanting.

Ichi was never one to play by the rules. Growing up in Japan as his father’s heir, he’d been bound by every rule imaginable until he had enough and walked away from everything to become his own man. Los Angeles was supposed to be a brief pitstop before he moved on, but after connecting with his American half-brothers, it looks like a good city to call home for a while—if it weren’t for Bobby Dawson.

Bobby is definitely a love-them-and-leave-them type, a philosophy Ichi whole-heartedly agrees with. Family was as much of a relationship as Ichi was looking for, but something about the gruff and handsome Bobby Dawson that makes Ichi want more.

Much, much more.

Review: So, I have to admit that this was the very first Rhys Ford book I have ever read. I know, I know I should have read her before this one, but somehow I was a dork and totally didn’t dive into her books. Well, let me tell you, this book cured me of that, and I binge read this series and then her Sinners series right after I read this book. That brings me to the next point; while I didn’t have an issue with having missed the first books in the series, I don’t recommend diving into Down and Dirty like I did. The stories are all interconnected, and this falls in line after Dirty Laundry (book #3) and during Dirty Deeds (book #4), so read the magic that is Cole and Jae-Min first. Once finished with them, you can come over and roll in the sexiness that is Bobby and Ichi.

Bobby is an ex-cop and also Cole McGinnis’s best friend. He’s been there for Cole since Cole left the police force, and helps Cole with his investigations. He tends to get in as much trouble as Cole, usually right alongside of Cole. He’s also newly ‘out of the closet’ and tends to be a bit of a manwhore. Bobby is totally okay with that description and even is unabashedly open about loving sex and not wanting a relationship. Then Bobby spies with his wandering eye, Cole’s little brother Ichiro, and all bets are off. He’s hit with that BOOM of instant attraction for his best friend’s brother.

Then there is Ichiro, who breaks the model for sexy as hell. While he may be Cole’s younger brother, he’s definitely his own person. He grew up in a very strict Japanese home, but is covered in tattoos and is opening his own tattoo studio. He’s such a sweet yet mischievous man, with a wicked grin but also not used to the life his brothers’ lead. Cole’s antics, in particular, about kill Ichiro every time Cole gets hurt or in trouble. Jae-Min has definitely found his BFF in Ichi, though. Then Ichi meets Bobby, and he’s hit just as hard as Bobby is with attraction.

Down and Dirty is different than the other books in the series, as it’s not as action oriented. It does still focus on events in Dirty Deeds, but they’re mostly offstage instead of the primary story. The focus is on Bobby and Ichiro’s developing relationship, and their relationships with Cole and Jae-Min as things get deeper.

What drew me into this story are the characters. Rhys Ford has major skills developing her characters and the right story to fit them. I can’t tell you how she does it; I just know that her characters rock, the story flows perfectly, and the end result is a book that I wanted to re-read the moment I finish it.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough because for me, all the elements worked perfectly. If you like the Cole McGinnis series, you must read this book because it’s Bobby and Ichi, after all. Otherwise, grab this entire series because you’ll be missing out on a fantastic group of characters and one hell of a storyline.