I think I'm done with this series. I really enjoyed the first 2 books. But the 3rd and now this, the 4th book felt flat to me. I had a really hard time connecting with, or even rooting for, Alec & Gaige. I just wasn't interested in the characters or where the story was going.

Still a fan of the author, but am finding the series losing steam.

Not only was this a HOT read it had me so engrossed in the suspenseful story line that I didn't want to put it down...unfortunately sleep finally did take over but I picked it up as soon as I woke and dove back in.

I was intrigued with Alec when we met him in Guarding Mr. Fine and I was thrilled when I saw that he was going to get his own HEA. The chemistry between Alec and Gaige was great, it was simmering in the background until it came to a full boil and couldn't be ignored any longer.

The Dirty Series is a loose spin-off of The Tough Love Series you do not have to read the Tough Love Series in order to read this one which looks like it will revolve around the Drummond brothers since Finn's story is up next in Dirty Games.

Received in exchange for a honest review.

I enjoyed reading Gaige and Alec’s story. I can’t wait to read Alec’s brothers stories. Gaige and Alec will irritate you at times but they do keep you in the moment. Both have had so much taken from them and trust issues but learn with the help of each other to move on. They are softies underneath the gruff exterior and do capture you.

I felt for Trent man. Poor guy he didn’t catch a break in this story.Hope things go his way soon. Seth I didn’t enjoy seeing what a jerk he could be. He was manipulative and conniving. I understand why but doesn’t mean it was liked.

Gaige had had so much taken from him. Now he didn’t trust easily and guarded himself more. His past has him reeling in the now and wary of the future. So when he is pulled into a battle of seeds and intrigue it wasn’t willingly. Alec got intrigued by him the instant he saw him. Gaige was smart, sexy, mysterious and capable. He didn’t hold back what he was thinking and Alec found him to be fascinating and a breath of fresh air. He put him in his place something very few did. As the danger ratchets and Gaige shows his capability Alec trusts him more and lets him in. These two are on a fight for love, trust, respect and their life. Each lives are threatened in different ways.

The story has some very intimate scenes where both let each other in. Sexy scenes where we see them act on their insane attraction and twists and turns. As the danger is brought higher Alec and Gaige only have each other to figure out what is going on and why. Their trust becomes essential and we see it at the end where Alec will have you melt.
A fast paced story with twists and turns, mystery suspense and intrigue. A love story that starts out as just a way to work off the energy and attraction and becomes more. It becomes trust,respect, being equals and love. A nice beginning to a new series that is sure to give us lots of sexy moments and intrigue.

Dirty Deeds is the first book in a new series, but is also a spin-off from the Tough Love series. Dirty Deeds can totally be read as a stand-alone story, but some of the information at the beginning of the book does come from the Tough Love series. Ms. Dimon did a great job catching readers up, so the dynamics can be understood.

I really enjoyed Dirty Deeds. I felt like it moved a little slowly in the first part, but the second half of the story really picked up. I found myself pretty much falling in love with Gaige and his sarcastic banter from the moment he appeared on the page. I really loved sexy billionaire Alec as well. I honestly felt a pretty instant connection between Gaige and Alec, and loved the sexy banter between them. I had to laugh that Alec really wanted to shoot Gaige when he caught him in his server room after he broke into his business on Seth's orders. I still have totally mixed emotions when it comes to Seth. One minute I want to shoot him and the next he steps up and does something amazing and I want to hug him.

I have to say I adored Gaige and Alec together. They had some of the most amazing chemistry from the moment they met. I definitely won't call it an instant love type of thing, but will say originally there was totally instant lust. OMG the hotness factor of this story was wonderful! Two extremely sexy men being together and having a really hard time keeping their hands off each other. Seriously loved them as a couple.

The suspense portion of the story was really great. I have to say I wasn't surprised at all at who was behind everything. I honestly suspected this person of something from the moment they appeared not he page. Something just didn't add up about this person for me. I have to say I was really glad to see it not be one of the other people I suspected, so I really liked the outcome of the bad guy.

Dirty Deeds was a super sexy and fun read for me. Loved the suspenseful portion of the story right along with the romance between Gaige and Alec. Again, I felt like the first 30% of the book moved a little slow, but once it picked up, the story moved along quickly. I recommend Dirty Deeds to readers who enjoy a super sexy M/M story with a great suspense storyline as well.

Rating: 4 Stars (B+)

I have to admit … I have a major soft spot for office romances – even if said romance takes place pretty much everywhere but the office (except for about two scenes) like this book. I thoroughly enjoyed the banter  Alec and Gaige displayed and the originality in plot. If I explain the mystery-plot that happens into this book … it will make absolutely no sense. I know nothing about seed banks. But somehow, HelenKay managed to create a riveting and original mystery-esque story, with a uber confusing subject, and have it all work out and make sense.
I generally tend to enjoy overused tropes – like the Geek and the Billionaire Romances – so it might not mean much when I say that I loved how Alec and Gaige broke the mold on their cliché. They were not flat, ready-made characters rolled onto the pages from the cliché assembly line. They were as dynamic as dynamic can be … and I loved it. Characters who feel and sound and act real are surprisingly hard to come by in some light romance stories, and I’m thankful that I can now add HelenKay onto the list of approved non-flat character-writing authors. And the heat! The book was practically steaming in my hands when it came to the smutty and dirty parts … and I loved it

I am beyond obsessed with this book. You really couldn’t ask for anything more from a romantic suspense story. The drama, intrigue, mystery, romance, and sheer goodness of this story combine to form an extraordinary read. You will not want to put this one down, and you’ll long for more when it ends. There are so many twists and turns in this remarkable novel. It keeps you on your toes and keeps you guessing to the very end. It’s also sweet and sexy and hopeful, and it renews your faith in the healing power of true love. This book was simply everything, and it made me feel all the feels. It was impassioned and inspiring, provocative and romantic, intriguing and insightful, exciting and enthralling, and surprisingly witty. I highly recommend this book and this author to anyone looking for a compelling and sexy read.

Solid romance novel. Sort of reminded me of a Julie Garwood book, but if she wrote LGBQT+ romance instead of general fiction.

Dirty Deeds is the start of what appears to be a spin off of the Tough Love series. Seth Lang, from the Tough Love series (Guarding Mr. Fine) has kinda sorta blackmailed computer hacker and techie extraordinaire, Gaige, into helping him with an off the books mission to get into Alec Drummond's company, all to get his attention since Alec hasn't been answering Seth's calls for awhile now, and Seth needs to tell him something, well more like, use him and his company for his mission.

The mission turns out to be a bit confusing, something about a Doomsday Vault in Svalbard, Norway. It's here where tons of seeds are stored in case of "doomsday". Someone has apparently been using Alec's company to mess with the vault, and Seth wants to know more about it. What Seth doesn't count on is Gaige developing feelings for Alec and turning his loyalty to him, rather than to Seth. But considering that Seth constantly uses Gaige for his own purposes, it's pretty understandable that Gaige is looking for a way out. And that way out turns out to be Alec.

From the very first meeting, Gaige and Alec are intensely attracted to each other. But, Gaige is only around Alec to do a job, working for Seth, and Alec doesn't let anyone but a select few into his life, into his bed sure, but not his life and his heart. But, Gaige is different, as Alec soon comes to realize. In a few short days it becomes apparent to Alec that not only is Gaige a sexy beast in bed, but something about him allows Alec to open up to him and become vulnerable without Gaige taking advantage of him. It's a bit of insta-love (or lust actually) and I would have preferred if their relationship were to have developed over more time, but their chemistry is entertaining and hot so the insta-love is kind of understandable.

I like Dirty Deeds. It's sexy and it's got some suspense and intrigue. About the only thing I didn't like was Seth Lang's character. He's a serious douche here. I preferred him in the Tough Love series, where he was much sweeter and likable. I really liked Gaige and Alec, though, especially Gaige. They make an interesting, sexy couple with hot chemistry and a deepening bond that I suspect will only become stronger as the series goes on. I'm really looking forward to Alec's brother, Finn's, story next (Dirty Games).

Dirty Deeds starts off the Dirty series by author HelenKay Dimon. I loved this fast-paced romantic thrill ride. Spies, romance, and action all come together to make this an unforgettable read.
Gaige is a burglar and CIA agent of sort. He bites off more than he can chew on this latest job.
Alec is a genius. Running a company for years and doing extremely well. Plays by his own rules and can be mysterious and lethal if he has to be.
I loved the slow burn build up for Gaige and Alec. They really have chemistry that is off the charts. I also liked how well they worked as a team to solve problems. They balance each other out really well.
Over all a great paced action packed read that I am so glad I picked up I want more agents and those they love.




Five Shooting Stars

Cultivating a reputation for having an unflinching ruthlessness towards his competitors, family, and lovers alike has served Alec Drummond well over the years. Forgoing intimacy in favor of sacrificing himself to the recovery and increasing prosperity of his family’s business has likewise suited him fine. Yet, when a problem from his past resurfaces, dragging an annoyingly capable and sexy complication with it, his hard-won empire isn’t the only thing that’s rattled.

Gaige Owens has had his fill of paying for the sins of another. Yet, here he is—again—up to his neck in lies and manipulation. Although he desperately wants his freedom, chasing that particular carrot across a tightrope strung by a covert government agency is wearing more than a little thin. Still, locking horns with the notorious eldest Drummond brother has appeal on several levels, especially in the bedroom.

Dirty Deeds is the first story I’ve read by HelenKay Dimon, and, overall, I enjoyed it. As it’s a spinoff of another series I missed, I think that my reading experience might have benefitted from a little more knowledge of the characters’ backgrounds, as well as the author’s writing style, but it stands on its own just fine. I was definitely intrigued by such a unique premise, and I felt that the “whodunit” aspect of the story evolved very nicely. About midway through, Dirty Deeds really picks up its pace, and the remainder of the narrative kept me engaged until the end.

Having said that, there were a couple of things that kept me from fully sinking into the story. Although the big, bad government agency blackmailing Alec and Gaige into helping easily dictated where my allegiance lay, I was never comfortable with their (Alec’s, especially) acceptance of the situation. Both are so adamant about their independence and abilities, that I wanted them to break the reins a bit sooner. Additionally, the rapidity of their trust in one another, as well as the three-week relationship incubation mandate at the end of the story, also felt a little off to me, though neither was a deal breaker.

While both characters had their strong points, it was Gaige who truly stood out to me. He’s funny, intelligent, extremely capable, and his reasons for essentially recreating himself won me over without much of a fight on my part. That his participation in the events of Dirty Deeds was solely the result of coercion made me want better for him, as well as imbuing me with a snarling hatred of the agency controlling him. Alec had plenty going for him, too, but I was rooting for Gaige the whole way.

As an introduction to both a new author and series, I enjoyed Dirty Deeds a good deal. There’s enough suspense, romance, and downright orneriness that I’d like to revisit Gaige and Alec again sometime in the future. In addition to the two heroes of the story, there was an interesting assortment of secondary characters, some loathsome, some likable, which I’d like to see in upcoming stories, as well. One of my favorites was Alec’s brother, Finn, and I’m hoping that what I saw about his story being next is true. If so, I’ll be especially glad to read it.

First in a new series by Helenkay Dimon, Dirty Deeds is the first book. Alec Drummond is the oldest of three brothers and the head of his families company. A company with extremely tight security. The best, until Gaige Owens breaks in. Forced to work for together for Seth, a CIA agent, they slowly but steadily form a bond. Someone it seems is trying to kill Alec or Gaige or maybe both, while they try to find out if someone has tampered with the Global Seed Vault. From what i understand this series is a spin off from another series. I have not read that series so I'm not sure if that was a hindrance to reading this book or not. I loved the plot and most of the characters. Gaige and Alec were awesome together. Somehow with everything i did like I had a hard time getting through the book. It took way longer than it should to read. I honestly can't nail down why i had so much trouble. The relationship between the characters worked for me but the techy stuff i guess fell flat. It was like OK OK now get back to the good stuff. In the end overall i felt indifferent about the book. I could take it or leave it. Leaves me wondering if i want to continue reading this series or not.

Find out more about HelenKay Dimon and this series here www.helenkaydimon.com

I really enjoyed this start to a new series! Sexy and suspenseful - I loved the relationship between Alec and Gaige. This is the perfect book for anyone who loves suspense and M/M romance.

Although this is the first story of a new spin-off series, I had not read the previous series before starting this one, and I didn't feel lost or that I was missing anything.

This was a great blend of romance, (I LOVE the whole enemies to lovers trope), and some mystery and action mixed together. I LOVED Alec and Gaige, their chemistry was just off the charts HOT. They are forced to work together and the tension and animosity between the two at the start is just sizzling, and when they come together? YUM. They moved pretty quick, but it kinda worked for me, to be honest. They also had some sweet moments together, as well, and I ADORED their last chapter together.

The mystery of the Doomsday Vault, the seed storage and all, was pretty well written as well. It took me longer to get into the groove with that what with all the characters being introduced and everything going on, but I didn't guess who the culprit was and I am usually pretty good with that. The second half of the book is more exciting than the first.

I'd most likely read the next book in this series, I'm assuming they future books are going to be about Alec's brothers?

I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve been curious about HelenKay Dimon’s m/m books for a while, but I hadn’t picked them up. When this was recommended, I knew I should jump on it. But this is a spin off series and I was worried I would feel like I should’ve read the original. Rest assured that is not the case. I was able to jump in and read this as a standalone without missing a beat.

That being said, there were things about this story that I enjoyed and others that fell a bit flat for me. Overall, it wasn’t a bad read. It’s definitely fast and pretty sexy. I liked the techy/geeky elements as this is all about cyber security and the CIA, and it brought something new to the table in terms of what it was all about. I’m a sucker for these plots.

Other things fell in the cliche category. This is a billionaire romance with a enemies to lovers trope and the main plot is all about food espionage (that last part being the not-cliche part). The food espionage was incredibly interesting to me and I think the author probably had to do some serious research about this. That part felt cohesive and it made sense to me. The trope-y stuff about the relationship, I wasn’t so sure about.

What I struggled more with was the fact that one of the MCs is planted into the others’ company to try and uncover what’s going on. There’s a lot of distrust from both ends. But because of all that distrust they are living under the same roof (keep your enemy closer and all that) and things move along pretty quickly to the lusty physical and then “feelings” part. What I struggled with was believing that one could go from distrust to jumping in bed with someone so fast. Especially when you’re dealing with that level of responsibility in business.

DIRTY DEEDS was pretty steamy, though. While I never really connected 100% with either character or their relationship development, I still found the rest of the plot interesting enough to keep me turning the pages. And the hot sex was definitely an added bonus. But I’m not sure if this was all enough to make me rush to pick up the next one.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/M Mystery/Romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

This is not your typical mystery. It's surrounded with espionage, sabotage, and more secrets than anyone should have.

Alec is competent, successful, and ruthless. However, he also seems a bit lonely. When faced with a situation where he needs to overcome his extreme isolation (self-imposed) at his own house by inviting an unknown spook into his house, he's skeptical and wary. Alec and Seth have a hate-hate relationship, but when Seth, the CIA operative, comes to Alec, there isn't much choice – Alec has to help him.

Seth was kind of a smarmy character for me. He was hard to know and even less likeable. He was a very flat character.

Gaige is the more complex of the three, for me. He was smart, witty, strong, and seemed like a good guy who was trying to do the right thing. While he does have a slight chip on his shoulder, he is the better problem solver and knows how to get things done.

Gaige and Alec develop a relationship, but both are wary of them. So, while they have some chemistry, I thought this was more about the mystery and not so much about the romance. I think that helped the story be more successful. There is betrayal and sneakiness, a lot of confusion and overall, the story rounded out well.

I can't wait to see what happens next.


Angie – ☆☆☆
UGH... I just couldn't like this book for any reason. I tried, I just couldn't. There was so much inner dialogue or monologue that I was bored. I couldn't connect with any of the characters and the storyline just wasn't clicking with me. Even the sex wasn't doing it for me and THAT is saying a lot. I found myself skimming and TRYING to get into it, but it wasn't happening. Alec and Gaige's story just wasn't working for me, but I am sure it will be enjoyable for others.


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
The first in a Tough Love spinoff series, this is an exciting secret agent suspense story. Gaige is a hacker sent by the CIA to infiltrate billionaire Alex’s corporation after the world’s seed bank is threatened. With the usual secret agent threats from moles and double agents, Gaige and Alex don’t know who to trust as their investigation becomes increasingly dangerous.

I found this story much harder to get into and much more difficult to follow than the Tough Love books. I have to admit that I still don’t completely understand what Alex’s company actually does and I only kinda understand the function and the importance of the world seed bank. I didn’t guess the bad guys and I’m not sure there are enough clues in place for readers to follow and solve the investigation on their own.

I enjoyed the interaction between Alex and Gaige. These two characters have great chemistry and they provide great banter. As partners, they balance each other well. The initial lack of trust between them adds suspense to a story where I ended up suspecting all the characters at one point.

I felt like the ending kinda spiraled out of control, the final action scenes exploding with all the subtlety and realism of a Bond film. At times, this feels like it would work better as a film and it is definitely a story written for fans of blockbuster action movies. It is exciting, tense, and dramatic, but it isn’t terribly plausible and there isn’t a whole lot of depth to the character development.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆
This is the first in a new series – although it is connected to the Tough love series, which I read and enjoyed. I think having read the original series helped with the background and the espionage elements. This got even more complicated and... well, wait till you get to the ending!

Relationship-wise, I have to confess that I am not a big fan of inner monologues, and they feature here too much for me. There are times where they are invaluable, but others when they frustrate. I recognise that the trust issue has to be in their heads, but sometimes it has to be expressed. Maybe the plot was much more thriller than romance, and that wasn't quite what I was expecting.

I enjoyed the story overall, and think Ms. Dimon has a wonderful imagination of all things espionage, so will look out with interest for the next installment.

Dimon has a trilogy called the Tough Love series (links to my reviews – Mr. and Mr. Smith, The Talented Mr. Rivers, and Guarding Mr. Fine) and while you don’t need to read those before starting Dirty Deeds, Alec Drummond is a character that appears. If you have read the Tough Love series, then you definitely need to continue with this one. This book (including the previous series) is full of suspense, mystery, weapons, and possible injury. Alec is the head of a billion dollar company, and he doesn’t get along with most people, his brothers the main exceptions. He helps the CIA when it suits him, but he’s not happy when CIA agent Seth has Gaige Owens enter his work and hack into his system. Now Gaige is being forced to work for Seth, and Alec doesn’t trust either of them, so he’s keeping a close eye on Gaige…so close, Gaige is staying at his place.
Alec and Gaige are different in ways, but oh so wonderful for each other. The chemistry is intense and it doesn’t take long for their “work” relationship to turn physical. Neither of them expect to truly trust each other though, but as the book continues, it becomes clear that they might be the only people either of them can truly trust. After all, neither of them appreciate being told what to do by the CIA.
Dimon is a great author, and I will happily keep reading her work. You’re to fly through these pages! It’s a perfect mix of plot/mystery and romance/passion. Give me the sequel already!

While I did enjoy Gaige and Alec together, and I did enjoy the action of the book, for some reason just didn't really get into it. It was just ok for me and not really earth shattering or anything. I didn't have any major feelings one way or the other. I did like the ending, but I personalloy am curious about this Seth person lol. He seems more my kinda character.

What a hot, sexy spy story.
Gaige is forced to work with the CIA along with Alec. I loved watching their relationship unfold as they desperately worked to solve the case.

This is a must read book. I can't wait to read more from Helenkay Dimon!

B-/3.5 stars

<strong>Dirty Deeds</strong> is a fast-paced, action-packed story that begins when billionaire businessman and all-round hardass Alec Drummond catches Gaige Owens breaking into his company's vault.  It transpires that Gaige has been 'employed' (or rather, had his arm twisted) by the enigmatic, equally hardass Seth Lang (<strong>Guarding Mr. Fine</strong>) to deliberately trigger Drummond Enterprises security systems  and thereby force Alec to sit up and take notice of Seth’s requests for a meeting.

Alec’s company is one of the world’s leading food/food-hybrid manufacture/bio-research companies that also dabbles in research into alternate fuel sources – and Seth thinks that someone is setting it up for a fall, most likely terrorists or regimes who want to be able to control people by means of controlling the food supply.  It’s all very cloak-and-dagger, and Seth is reluctant to say any more than he has to.  It’s clear that he and Alec have locked horns before and the testosterone flies liberally as they face-off against each other while a puzzled and not too pleased Gaige looks on.

While all this is happening, Gaige and Alec are sizing each other up in a different way and very much liking what they see.  It’s an odd moment, perhaps, for insta-lust to strike, but strike it does, with a very large <em>‘clang!!’  </em>Seth wants Gaige to pose as an external security expert at Drummond to see if he can trace who is setting them up – but Alec isn’t happy; he doesn’t want a total stranger poking his nose into his company.  Still, he also needs to find out who’s trying to sabotage him and agrees to Seth’s plan, intending to keep Gaige on a firm leash and keep an eye on him 24/7.

Alec installs Gaige in his Munich home and pretty soon the intense attraction the two men feel for each other is impossible to resist.  Alec is a workaholic, Gaige – a hot nerd with a wry sense of humour - was badly burned by his previous lover, so neither is looking for anything long-term.  They agree to keep it to casual, no-strings-sex, but it’s not long before they find it impossible to remain detached, and start to share confidences.

The insta-lust from practically the first page is a bit much although the author does it well, and keeps it running into the sex scenes, which are frequent and nicely steamy.  I liked how she showed Alec and Gaige gradually lowering their defences, although given the story takes place over about a week, this is perhaps somewhat unbelievable, especially for Alec, who doesn’t trust easily and whose privacy is intensely important to him.

I’m not sure I completely bought into the plot and the characterisation isn’t especially deep, but <strong>Dirty Deeds </strong>is an enjoyable, undemanding read that kept me entertained for the couple of hours or so it took me to read it.  If hot nerds and hard-ass billionaires wrapped up in industrial espionage and each other are your thing, I imagine you could do worse than pick this one up!