Rating: 4.75 stars
Buy Links:Â Â Amazon | All Romance
Length: Novel
In this third book of Rhys Ford’s fabulous Cole McGinnis series, we once again open to our hero in the midst of a crazy case. This time he is fleeing a dog fighter who is shooting at him while Cole runs through the alleyways with a rescued poodle in a baby carrier strapped to his chest.  Sadly this is all too familiar to Cole who seems to always end up on jobs that start out straightforward and end up being a huge mess.  To top things off, he is still mentally and physically recovering from his last case, one that left him seriously injured and his beloved office manager, Claudia, still at home recuperating.
After dealing with the dognappers, Cole finds himself with another case that seems simple but turns out to be anything but. Â He is hired by a Korean fortune teller who is convinced that those around her are being killed. Â Cole doesn’t think there is much to the case or to tie the victims together, but he feels for the woman and her fears and agrees to take the case. Â But the more he digs, the more he finds connections between Madame Sun and the victims, as well as a rival fortune teller who seems to be up to no good. Â Not to mention more victims pile up and soon an even more tangled web of connections emerges. Â In this close Korean community, everyone seems to know or be related to everyone else and the case becomes more and more complicated with no real leads.
At the same time that Cole is dealing with his case, he and his boyfriend Jae are also encountering challenges. Â Jae still struggles with the same fears and issues that have plagued him all along — how to deal with being gay with a family that will certainly abandon him if they find out. Â It is clear that Jae is becoming more and more committed to Cole (and Cole has been all in for a long time now), but it is still heartbreaking to watch him struggle. Â He loves his family and has been raised in a culture where family is everything. Â The idea of disappointing them is crushing to Jae. Â But at the same time, he is coming to love Cole and realize how much he needs him as part of his life.
I loved the relationship development we get here in Dirty Laundry. Â For those of us who have been following the series, we have seen the progress that Jae has made in opening himself up to a relationship to Cole, and we have also seen just how hard that is for him. Â In this book, we really see great strides for Jae, even as he faces some of his biggest challenges. Â I feel like these guys have really reached a turning point. Â Where in the past there has always seemed a fine line between whether or not things can work for them in the long term, I finished this book really feeling like things are solid. Â And boy do I love Jae and Cole together. Â First off, Ford can write the heck out of a sex scene. Â OMG are these guys crazy hot together! And I love their connection, their cultural clash, different personalities, and different outlooks on life. Â But at the same time they just fit together so well and are such an amazing couple. Love them.
Once again Ford combines a great romance with a fabulous mystery. Â In the last book one of my issues was that I found the mystery plot a bit confusing, with all names and various players. Â This time Ford helps us out with not only a Korean glossary, but also a cast of characters. Â There are still a lot of folks to keep track of here, and I will admit my anglo-centric brain had some trouble occasionally remembering who was who, but overall it was a big improvement and a great help. Â As usual the mystery crackles with energy and a bit of crazy, while being full of lots of twists and turns that kept me guessing throughout the story, both as to the identity of the killer and just what would happen next.
I also want to mention my total love for Bobby, Cole’s best friend. Â I have noticed that in series with recurring MCs, it is even more critical to have great side characters to break things up when reading about the same two guys over and over. Â In this series, we have Bobby (along with Claudia, though she plays a smaller role in this book). Â Bobby is gruff and strong and a total hard ass. Â He doesn’t take any crap from Cole and doesn’t pull his punches. Â But at the same time, he is so gentle and loving and caring for Cole when he needs that emotional support. Â I love that contrast and think he is such a fabulous character. Â And I can not wait for his promised story.
So I just loved Dirty Laundry and thought it was excellent. Definitely my favorite book so far in this really fabulous series. Â I think you could probably squeak by and read this as a standalone, though you would miss a lot of the deeper issues in Jae and Cole’s relationship. Â But honestly, you want to read all of these books. They are just so good and definitely worth your time and money. Â So another wonderful installment and very highly recommended.
Cover Review: Yum, I love this one! Â This is exactly how I picture both Cole and Jae and they are just gorgeous here. Those are totally Jae lips. Â So nicely done.
Giveaway
Rhys has generously offered up a copy of any book from her backlist, including Dirty Laundry.  Just leave a comment below to enter.  The contest ends Monday, April 23rd at 11:59 pm EST. Â
- By entering the contest, you’re confirming that you are at least 18 years old.
- Winners will be selected by random number.
- If you win, you must respond to my email within 48 hours or another winner will be chosen. Please make sure that your spam filter allows email from Joyfully Jay.
This sounds great! I really enjoy the mix of m/m and mystery and this serves that up in spades!
Susan
I like this series very much so please count me in. Thanks
I’d really like to try this one. Count me in!
Please count me in, thanks!
I love the Cole Mcginnis series. I didn’t realize another one was out. Yay!
Count me in please!
My copy is downloaded and on my calendar for this weekend. Can’t wait to read it- I love Cole and Jae.
Please count me in. Thanks.
I’m glad you reviewed this one. It’s good to know when a series you’re behind on is still strong. Please enter me in the contest, too, so I can catch up…. ~_^
love, lore
I loved 1 and 2 and I can’t wait to read this one!!
Loved the blurb! Please count me in. Thanks!!!
gisu29(at)gmail(dot)com
Hurray for diversity in the characters! I would love to read this series, so I’m wishing myself a bit of luck.
Urb
brendurbanist at gmail dot com
I love this series – it’s excellent! Â Definitely count me in for the giveaway.
smaccall AT comcast.net
Sounds very promising!!
Kassandra
sionedkla@gmail.com
Sounds like another great book in this series!
I really liked the first book. I would love to get the second.Â
Count me in please
Count me in. I haven’t read any of this series.
I love Rhys Ford’s books. Please, count me in 😉
Count me in please 🙂
penumbrareads(at)gmail(dot)com
Lore, yes definitely still strong and I think only getting better. Such great relationship development with Jae and Cole.
Urb, I agree. Inlove books with diverse characters and this isn’t just window dressing. Jae’s culture is both a huge part of who he is as well as a major component of all the stories.
I’d like to be entered in the giveaway!
If it’s not too late, please enter me in the giveaway. I need to catch up with Rhys’ books!!
I love this series! sign me up, thanks.
Thank you for the giveaway. I’d have to start with book 1 of the series.
Z.
Please include me too! Thanks for the contest!
This one is highly recommended by a friend. Can’t wait to read.
Please count me in.
I haven’t read this series yet, but I read and loved Sinner’s Gin this month. I added these books to my buy list after that, and it’s great to learn it’s a worthwhile add. Thanks for the giveaway!
Definitely worthwhile. If you enjoyed her style in Sinner’s Gin I really think you will like these as well. Rhys is a great writer!
Please count me in as well. Would love to read this.
Love this series! Now impatiently waiting for Dirty Deeds! I know I’ll be rereading this series while I wait.
I haven’t heard of this series before, but I’ll have to check it out!