In Victim of Love by Darien Cox a slightly nerdy science geek falls for a drunken stranger. But how much does he really know about this mystery man?  This post contains affiliate links.

Victim of Love by Darien Cox

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Title:       Victim of Love
Series:       N/A
Author:     Darien Cox
Publisher: Dusk Notes (July 11, 2015)
ASIN:          B011H1CPKI
Format/Length:   414 KB/211 pages
Genre:        M/M, Contemporary
Heat Rating:     3
Star Rating:     5

About the Author:  To learn more about the author you can check out his website or follow along on Facebook or Twitter.

Book Blurb:

Young lab scientist Olsen Westergard has worked long and hard to create order and stability in his life, and believes he’s finally content. But when he goes on a summer holiday trip with his friends, they try to rouse him from his customary caution, urging him to remedy his extended sexual dry spell. Their fumbled efforts to hook him up validate Olsen’s guess that he likely won’t meet the type of guy he’s looking for on this trip. Or rather, the type of guy he thinks he’s looking for.

But when a solo late night beach walk leads to a heated encounter with a drunken stranger, Olsen unexpectedly finds himself overwhelmed with turbulent desires—made worse when he later discovers the stranger’s surprising identity, and that ready or not, they’re about to get to know each other a whole lot better.

My Review:

I have read just about all of the books I can find by Darien Cox and have never been disappointed.  However, I am pretty sure that Victim of Love has become my all time favorite book by this author.

In Victim of Love, Olsen and his lab buddies are going on vacation on the Cape.  They have extended a work trip for a few days and are staying in the lap of luxury at a beautiful resort.  On his first night of freedom, Olsen heads down to the beach for a walk and stumbles upon a man.  This particular man is incredibly sexy but also incredibly drunk.  After a few drunken ramblings, a game of chase, and a fabulous kiss, Olsen escapes back to his room rather incredulous that something so exciting happened to him.  Imagine his surprise when his drunken stranger turns up at breakfast the next day.

Beck goes on vacation with his sister and her friends to try and spend some quality time with her.  He hasn’t been the most available brother lately (physically or emotionally) and he is attempting to make amends.  He never expects Olsen.  As hard as he tries to keep him at arm’s length, there is something tempting about his sweet and geeky new friend.  Unfortunately, he has hidden his true self behind a mask for so long he isn’t sure he can deal with something as real as Olsen.

Olsen and Beck struggle over the coming months.  There are secrets that need to be told and rules that need to be bent.  Each man changes throughout the course of their relationship and eventually you will get your happily ever after.

Okay, a few of my own thoughts about Victim of Love:

I hated Beck at first.  Then, I decided he was merely misunderstood.  Then I decided…nope.  I was wrong. I really dislike this character.  I went back and forth several times but in the end I think Beck was an amazing man.  Traumatized, confused, and secretive but also sweet and tender and incredibly misunderstood. I didn’t like how Beck played with Olsen’s feelings but I loved all the facets of this guy!

Olsen was awesome.  As a science geek myself I can tell you that Darien Cox got this guy just about perfect!  From his slightly anal retentive housekeeping habits to his social awkwardness and rather geeky personality.  Star Trek and cleaning schedules….it was nice to see Olsen lose a bit of his neat and orderly life to Beck’s chaos!  You can tell Beck loves hassling him about his little neuroses and it is just adorable to read.

The chemistry between these two characters is amazing.  They are hot and passionate and sexy but also sweet and tender when the moment calls for it.  There is actual conversation and even a little humor interspersed amongst the sex and it made it both real and enjoyable.

The secondary characters were awesome as well.  I loved Kamal (Olsen’s gay Yoda!) and Laurie was an awesome sister.  Concerned about her brother but knowing not to hover too close or he might just run.

Honestly, I just had to keep turning the pages of Victim of Love because you are only given Beck’s story in bits and pieces.  A crumb here…a snipit there.  Just a few little clues to keep you wondering who he is and what happened in his past that rocked his boat so strongly.  You finally find out near the very end and I was so happy to finally have all the answers!

I highly recommend reading Victim of Love by Darien Cox.  It is definitely one that is going in my ‘read again and again’ pile!