I adored this book and the entire series! The writing is flawless. The characters are well developed and easy to connect to as a reader. A unique and fun series with serious undertones. The chemistry between MC is smokin’ hot!!

Another great story from this series. I really like Elizabeth Varlet. She has a great voice and a wonderful imagination to come up with these characters and their stories.

I'm throwing in the towel. It didn't capture my attention from the get-go, and BDSM doesn't work for me most of the time, and in this case, it only further turned me off.

I still enjoy the author's writing and will look forward to future projects.

DNF

**Since I didn't finish I didn't rate the book on GoodReads. NetGalley requires a rating in order to submit the review.

***5 ‘He Walks In Chaos’ Stars***

Well, now, I wasn’t expecting that.

And that isn’t a bad thing at all.

I just wasn’t prepared for all that was to Hop and Rafe’s journey, so it took me a little by surprise, but it was absolutely titillating, fascinating and addictive. Add in the sass and heart of the rest of the Sassy Boyz and I was a done.

I loved and adored Hop. He’s gone through a lot in his short life, but he owns all of it and has pulled himself up by his stilettos and is finally living his life on his own terms. What I loved about him was how honest he was about his needs. He may not overshare, but he knows what he needs and wants to feel whole and isn’t afraid to go after it.

Rafe, I loved. Ambitious, driven and dominant. When he sets his sights on what he wants, there is nothing and no one allowed to stop him. I loved how alpha AF Rafe was, it was seriously hot, but what made him hotter was how that same dominant intensity could be channeled into something...tender.

So, when I said the whole ‘I wasn’t expecting that’ thing it was all about Rafe and Hop’s relationship. The D/s, in and of itself, wasn’t surprising because it fits them both to a T, but the intensity of it was pretty huge (and HAWT). They had some kinks to work out, but they found a flow with it pretty quickly and it helped them both deal with their past issues while showing each other who they had evolved into in the years since they last saw each other. I really enjoyed the two of them together, their bantering was fun and they just fit together in such a way that I was definitely rooting for them to trust, not only in each other, but themselves that what they had was worth fighting for.

This was another great addition to the series. I love the world that this is set in and I’m really enjoying where things are going for the Sassy Boyz as a whole. And of course I loved catching up with and hanging out with the Boyz. Their snark, sass and love for each other is always fun to witness. But now there are two left on the chopping block, Jae and Lirim (who I know is in jail, but he’s still a Sassy Boy and I am keeping my toes crossed that will he get his own HEA one day), and I cannot wait to see what’s in store for them!

~ Copy provided via the publisher & voluntarily reviewed ~

This was kinky AF, and I liked it. However, I wasn’t a big fan of the enemies-to-lovers trope. The animosity felt manufactured. I get that Rafe was under a lot of stress because Hop’s father basically owned him, and I get that Hop felt that Rafe had abandoned him. But I didn’t feel that the animosity between them when they saw each other again was completely justified. It just didn’t seem in character since Rafe had spent most of Hop’s teen years protecting him, and it seemed like it was more in Rafe’s nature to protect the people he cared about. I felt that the animosity was over the top and could have been toned down, and Hop’s anger toward Rafe could have been expressed as a more tempered resentment.

The sex and D/s scenes and romance worked really well, despite the soap operatic family drama. I liked how Rafe took care of Hop, how Hop perceived his submission to Rafe as a gift, which Rafe seemed to treasure and understand, and how Hop accepted his true nature in the end. It made their D/s relationship seem special and unique to them. I also liked how Rafe and Hop sealed their bond in the end and the symbolism of their union so to speak. Rafe was one sexy Dom. I liked the tenderness and sweet affection between them as much as the kinky sex, and I thought that Rafe’s grand gesture in the end was quite romantic.

Though the novel was a bit too angsty and dramatic for my tastes, it was a quick, easy, entertaining read.

*'¨✫)
¸.•'¸.•*'¨)✯ ¸.•*¨)
✮ (¸.•'✶ (¸.•`My first review was deleted, and I cannot say I remember the words, but they came from the heart. So, I will try again to get it right.

"He knew he was the worst member of the group," , but Sassy Boyz dancer Hop was determined to make it right for his team. Even when it meant confronting the one person who had made his life a misery.

Years earlier, Hop had seen Rafe take his place in his father's life. The father who did not see fit to acknowledge him. What Hop did not know was the underlying resolution Rafe was determined to resolve by getting out of the old man's grip.

But Rafe was not only Hop's boss, he owned the club that the Boyz worked in. And he had the means to destroy them due to his relationship with Hop. But first he had to do what he set out to do and continue to protect both himself and Hop.

This book was indeed Mad & Marvelous and I did enjoy it.

ARC received via Netgalley

Great book. I loved the complicated past history between Hop and Rafe. Hop's family's is seriously messed up and interesting. Rafe being so intertwined with Hop's father added a real complication and angst. I love revisiting this series and seeing all the Sassy Boyz again. (I've accidentally skipped a book but it doesn't take away anything from M&M.) Hop has to really dig deep and forgive Rafe, and Rafe has to forgive and prove himself to Hop. Their push and pull dynamic extends to the bedroom and I enjoyed how the dynamic lent itself to BDSM for them. It was believable and very well done. It felt true to character.

Full disclosure:  I LOVE the Sassy Boyz with their originality, androgynous glamour and charisma.  Since the very first story, I've been hooked.  Male dancers in heels,  more than GoGo dancers, the Boyz put on a stimulating SHOW in the style of @YanisMarshall and @BrianFriedman !  The characters are realistic although not like anyone I know.  Larger than life!  They are a family, a chosen family with a variety of troubled, complicated backstories and painful relationships.  The author used a recipe for this latest creation that included surprises, suspense, a bit of D's, submission, and plenty of passion for a delicious, flavorful experience.

Hop is the newest member of the Sassy Boys and even though they are inclusive, Hop doesn't feel as talented, as good as the others so he has to work twice as hard just to be "OK", at least in his mind.  He cares about his dance partners yet stays apart, private.

With troubled history as the illegitimate son of a wealthy businessman, Hop has been angry and sad and felt abandoned nearly his entire life.  His father's right-hand man, Rafe has bailed him out of more trouble than he can remember but that seems long ago and when Hop needed him the most, Rafe wasn't there.  Hop has been abandoned by everyone.  His mother is gone.  Rafe is long gone and there is no relationship, no contact from Hop's father.   Hop has complicated feelings about Rafe because Rafe has the close relationship with Hop's father that he wishes that he had.   

Rafe has his own problems, most significantly, the debt that he owes Hop's father.  He is focused and determined to pay him off and get out of his clutches.  

The story is woven around feelings, miscommunication, and misunderstandings as well as desire, need for closeness, caring and to trust.  

The biggest problem with this story is that I'm left with wanting more, wanting the next Sassy Boyz Story!

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the fourth book in the series, and whilst I would recommend that you read them in order, you could still enjoy this as a first entry into the world of these talented dancers.

Hop is a fairly new member of the team and doesn't think he is as good as the rest, so works extra hard at being good enough. We soon learn that he has a mixed up past (which is fairly normal for these guys!) and that his past and his present are colliding in a way which affects him more than he would like.

Rafe used to be Hop's minder, until he chose to stop the cycle which was destroying them both. Sadly, so much misunderstanding exists between them that the crushing chemistry is confusing. However, the exhilaration cannot be denied – Rafe's dominance is just what Hop didn't know he needed.

Tied up in Rafe's business Switch, and the Sassy Boyz’ contract to perform, Hop and Rafe have a difficult line to follow. It is a fascinating one for us as readers though, and I really enjoyed their growing closeness and how revelations about the past made the present and the future so much brighter!

Another excellent addition to the series. Thank you, Ms. Varlet.


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
I love this series! The fourth Sassy Boyz story returns us to a world of glamour and angst. Hop’s story adds family drama and a little bit of kink as the Sassy Boyz become even more successful.

As always, I loved the dance, the costumes, and the beautiful boyz. The relationships between the boys are wonderful and I enjoyed seeing their careers progress. Hop’s past is full of secrets that threaten his dancing and his future. Rafe isn’t quite what he first seems but it took me much of the story to warm to him.

The heat between Rafe and Hop is fabulous and the D/s kink they enjoy together is very sexy.

For me, at times there was a little bit too much drama. The first scenes between Hop and Rafe feel like something out of a teen soap and the secrecy and poor communication doesn’t always work for me. The plot was complicated and I’m still not sure I understand all of Rafe and Hop’s pasts. Ultimately, this is a fun, sexy read full of angst and passion.

4 Stars!

Mad & Marvelous is book 4 in the Sassy Boyz series and while each book features a different couple, I think you'll get more enjoyment out of reading it all. This particular installment has some light D/s themes, so if that isn't your thing, you're warned, but I didn't think it was that bad.

Hop is one of the Sassy Boyz newest members. He was a wild teenager, but has settled down and is concentrating on dancing and working. He's aware that the new club the Sassy Boyz are dancing in is owned by Rafe Marson, Hop's billionaire father protégé, but he never figured that Rafe would recognize him after 7 years and changing so much or so he thought.

The last thing Rafe imagined (or wanted) was to find Hop at his club, especially when he's so close to finally getting out of Hop's father's clutches, and he reacts badly to it, firing Hop on the spot, which means the Sassy Boyz quit as well, just when Rafe needs them the most. After apologizing to Hop and getting him to agree to intercede for the SB to come back, Rafe and Hop start getting closer and exploring the dynamics of a D/s relationship. But, what will happen when Hop's father finds out what's been happening between them?

Okay, so frankly, Rafe was a jerk and Hop was too good for him. I know he was dealing with a very stressful situation, but he behaved very badly with Hop, especially considering he was supposed to be the Dom. He was so out of control and I hated how he hurt Hop, and yet, Hop gave him chance after chance. Yes, he made the grand gesture in the end, but for me, it was too little, too late.

I adored Hop, though, and even if I wanted something more for him, I guess Rafe gave him what he wanted and craved in the end, so there's that. They had great chemistry and they were undeniably hot together, when Rafe wasn't being a twatwaffle, that is.

I loved catching up with the rest of the Sassy Boyz. It was delightful seeing them rally to help out their friend and see them doing so well. I can't wait to find out whose story we'll get next. I also liked Hop's mom, although maybe things might have worked differently for Hop had she been more sincere with him about his father when he was a teenager. And while Hop's father was an awful human being, at least he made up a bit for it in the end.

All in all, this was an enjoyable read, Rafe notwithstanding (eh, maybe he wasn't too bad, and some might like, even love him, I'm just picky). I adore the SB world Elizabeth Varlet has given us, so even if this wasn't my favorite book in the series, it was still a very good addition to the series. Recommendable!

*** Copy provided via NetGalley by Carina Press for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***

Hop is a pretty awesome character, but he wasn’t one of my favorite Sassy Boyz, and I think that may have been because he was not an original and we get his story before I really got to know him. But, I know him now and, wow, who could have seen that coming? Hop and Rafe should not have run into each other again, they should not have a connection that involves Hop’s “father”, and they should not work as a couple. But they do, and they did. Hop is angered to see the man he crushed on, and then felt betrayed by, in the club where the Sassy Boyz are looking to get back on track. Seriously, how much can one guy expect to take?

Rafe cannot believe his attraction to a guy with cotton candy colored hair, and it’s ten thousand times worse when he realizes it’s the same kid he tried to protect from his “father”. Father is quoted many times here because that man is not a father, and though the storyline between Hop’s parents takes a strange turn, it did nothing to redeem the man for making Hop feel like a leper entire life. Rafe, who was indebted to the man, does everything he can to protect Hop, unbeknownst to Hop, including disappearing from his life under the guise of saving him. That fails spectacularly and from there we get to the meat and potatoes of this story and how a sworn enemy becomes a beloved lover.

I truly love this series and I totally enjoyed this story, but it was probably my least favorite of the series. But giving it four stars shows that it might not be the best (to me) but it is still really good. I can’t recommend this series enough, so go out and start reading it. You’ll love it, too.

5 BIG stars

This is my favorite book in the series. It was extremely HOT!

I should start by saying I'm not a fan of BDSM in books. Dom and sub relations aren't something I usually enjoy reading about. Well until now. Because here we get a great back story and some pretty intriguing characters.

The Sassy Boys are stronger than ever. Hop is one of the two new guys and he works hard to fit into the group. He practices a lot, but his mind is consumed about meeting Rafe. After all these years, Rafe is still a sore subject to him. He was there for Hop when he needed him during Hop's rebellious years, but he abandoned him many years ago.

Rafe is the owner of the club Switch. He's so sure of himself, a true force. And he's determined to pay all his debts to Hop's father. But to do it, he needs Hop's help.

I was hooked by this story from the start. I was so curious to discover why Hop hated Rafe so much. The hate seemed mutual, but everything changed when they came face to face. And when they got alone in the same room sparks begun to fly.

This story is extremely HOT! It actually took me by surprise. I thought I knew what to expect but Elizabeth Varlet exceeded my expectation with this story. It felt so real! Hop and Rafe were so lonely and vulnerable. But they learned to make peace with the past and they fit together perfectly!

The best thing about this book is the chemistry between the characters. We get so many hot scenes and some unexpected turns. I've read it in one sitting and I adored the ending!

ARC kindly provided to me by Carina Press, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

These sassy boyz books get better and better. Hop's story, while still traumatic, is also the hottest, and the kinkiest.

I love these boys' backstory, and the fact that even though they've known each other for years, there's still so much more to learn. I love Rafe for his intensity and determination to break free. I love Hop for his tenacity and his desperate desire to belong to someone.

Their complementing kinks allow them to explore their relationship, and man o man, there sure is some filthy talk and kinky happenings. We spent a lot of time with just the two of them, working out their past as well as their connection. Every time Rafe recognises how brave Hop is, to trust Rafe, to risk vulnerability, I wanted to cheer. Here is a person who puts his partner first. It was very lovely to witness.

There is a lot about the other sassy boyz too, but it's Rafe's attempts to dig himself out of a terrible business situation that forms much of the drama, and the resolution was very satisfying. I loved Rafe's grand romantic gesture--Hop certainly deserves to be acknowledged and publicly appreciated.

I wonder if we'll ever get Lirim's story. I accept that his problems take time to fix, and am pleased that he hasn't been rushed back for the convenience of having his book out. But yeah, I want to see his happy. But if I have to wait and read Jae's story first, well, that's ok too.

Mad & Marvelous comes out on May 7. Thanks publisher and netgalley for advanced copy.

Mad & Marvelous by Elizabeth Varlet
Sassy Boyz #4

I read and loved the first book in this series and seem to have missed the second and third. This book can easily be read without reading any others in the series.

The Sassy Boyz is a troupe of male dancers that are sometimes mistaken for women. They are unique, entertaining, edgy and intriguing whether on stage or off. As Hop Lovette dances he loses himself in the music. He is a creative soul but in some ways tormented. He is waiting for his boss, Rafe Marson, to recognize who he is as they do have a past. In the past he has taken chances and lived for the adrenaline rush but has grown into himself for the most part. There is still one aspect of his life and being that he has not really embraced and Rafe helps him with this…eventually.

Rafe runs and co-owns the nightclub Switch. He is working hard to get enough money to purchase the club outright and get out from under the thumb of a man he dislikes but cannot seem to get away from. His family and business is important to him – so important he doesn’t really have time for a life outside of work.

This is definitely not your vanilla love story with Rafe as the Dom but it is also a story of caring and sharing and learning with both men having needs that are met by the other. It may be hard for some to relate to but as not all loves are the same there is a need to have love stories that vary, too.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Will I read other books by this author? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin-Carina Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

HOLY HANNAH. I've been thinking about adding some sort of heat level rating to my romance reviews, like sweet, simmering, steamy, holy Hannah. I think I'd need to add an extra level to it for this one - surface of the sun. DANG this book is hot, in all its BDSM kinky glory.

The best part is it's not "just" smut. I don't really go in for pure erotica; I like my romances to have a plot, fully fleshed character who go through some sort of character development, and a Happily Ever After (or at least a Happy For Now). Mad & Marvelous totally delivers in all areas.

Hop is glorious; a graceful tornado with cotton candy hair. I love how vulnerable and damaged he is, but at the same time so strong, determined, and vibrant. I love all of the Sassy Boyz (but what a stupid name for their dance group...) and their friendship with each other was so wonderful to read. Plus the descriptions of their looks and outfits and dances are HOT. I love the androgyny and freedom of the group, and how they play up their sexuality however the hell they want to.

Rafe is also amazing, with a complex history that makes him the man he is and makes him struggle so hard. I do wish we'd gotten a little more of his sister in this book, because she seemed like she would probably be pretty dang awesome.

There is a high level of kink in this book, and I love that it depicts a BDSM relationship in such a positive and healthy way, where the Dom cares for and is attentive to the needs and desires of his Sub. There are too many relationships or sexual encounters that are downright just abusive that are presented under the label "BDSM" that give the whole (genre? category? class?) a bad name, so I'm always glad to see healthy BDSM relationships depicted in media. I also really appreciate that Hop is so confused about the way he feels, about his needs and desires, and learns more about himself and coming to terms with who he is throughout this book. Lots and lots of pretty graphic, highly kinky sex scenes - don't say I didn't warn you. ;)

This is the fourth book in the Sassy Boyz series, but can be read as a stand alone with very minor spoilers for the earlier books. Now I need to go read the others in the series right now, starting with Sassy Boyz #1, Fierce & Fabulous .

I am sorry I tried for 4 days to get into this book and for some reason just cannot. And now that they are actually connecting, it is turning more in Dom/Sub relationship and it made me lose even more interest. So I will not be reviewing this title. I have liked the rest of the series and have promoted this author with special posts on the other books. The subject matter of this one, just is not for me. Sorry. for any inconvenience.

I tried to hard to finish this book I just couldn't do it. I don't know why I had such a hard time with this story, maybe I just didn't connect to any of the characters, but for whatever reason I did not finish this book. Sorry...maybe I will go back at some point in the future and give it another go.

This is my favorite so far in this series. Hop & Rafe are both dealing with their past; Hop being the bastard son of New York royalty and Rafe, Hop's "keeper" when he was a teen. These two have such chemistry & are so hawt together, I though my reader was going to start smoking. Rafe is indebted to Hop's father & he is trying to get out from under his thumb. At first these two fight their attraction & it did take awhile for them to finally give in & when they did, it was perfect. There is a misunderstanding at one point but it did not last too long. Somethings come out that neither knew about Hop's dad, though it did not make up for him being such a nasty human being. But in the end, things do work out and these two get what they deserve, each other. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

The Sassy Boyz series is one of my favorites due to the diversity of the characters and stories. Mad & Marvelous was no exception. Although the story did drag in some parts, ultimately the characters and plot made this a really wonderful read. Hops spunky tenacity and gender-bending fluidity made him my favorite Sassy Boy.

5 Pet Stars!

My favorite so far of the series.

I thought for sure we were going to get Lirim's book next with Hop and Jae still being a bit new to the group. Totally not disappointed getting Hop's story considering I enjoyed this one more than the previous books. All of them have been a satisfying read, but this one just pulled me in and kept me like none of the others have.
Hopkins Lovett is the risk taker of the group. He's also the brightest with his cotton candy hair and his pastel clothing. I like to think of him as a unicorn with all his lovely colors. Plus he has a unicorn bag. How adorbs. Anyways, Hop's past isn't as horrible as the boys' have been in the previous books, but his past has left scars nonetheless. He has his demons and you can usually find him working them out on strangers on the dance floor or having meaningless one-nighters with them. The majority of scars of his past have come from his own doing by the risks he would take. All of them for the attention of a wealthy father that left him and his mother to struggle on their own. His father gave Hop a keeper named Rafe. Hop became dependent on Rafe. He knew whatever mess he got himself into as a young teen that Rafe would show up and save him. Then one night Rafe never showed up when Hop needed him the most. That one night changed everything for Hop.
Now Hop's past is running into his present and future with one single name, Rafe. He just happens to be the owner of the night club him and his boy's have signed on to dance at.

Rafe is drowning in debt to a man he desperately wants to cut ties with. All he needs is this one deal to go through and he will finally be able to release himself from the clutches of Hop's father. But a blast from his past that's wrapped up in cotton candy yumminess might just ruin it all for him. Hop.
When he first see's the pastel cotton candy 'woman' dancing on his stage the attraction is instant. That is until he realizes it's a man and a man he knows. He can't believe his eyes when he see's the man from his past shaking his ass on his stage made up in makeup and heels. His attraction he was feeling swiftly turns into outrage and things get heated. He fires the boys on the spot. But he was to quick to the draw because the new deal he is trying so desperately to close wants the Sassy Boyz for the opening act. Oops! Now Rafe has no choice but to get the boyz back if he wants to seal his deal. It's not so easy getting these boyz back because their loyalty to their family, to their group, is fierce and untouchable. Hop is the only one who can get the boyz back for him to rescue him from Hop's fathers clutches.
While trying to work together both men are fighting their attraction to each other. Of course they give in. This book was more kinky with a bit of BDSM in my opinion. Both men fulfill a need in the other. Rafe needs control and dominance and he needs Hop to submit to him. He has never craved or needed anyone like he has Hop. Hop has always been afraid of being alone. Afraid of having no one to depend on. So submitting to Rafe is a relief and a fight at the same time. He struggles with the difference of him being strong to feeling weak in giving in to someone else's demands. But he can't deny the high and the freedom he feels when he lets go and lets Rafe take control.
They were fantastic together. Off the charts chemistry. They struggle privately and together. Rafe with his control and Hop with trusting. But when Rafe lets go of some of that control and gives into his feelings for Hop and Hop drops all his walls and trusts that Rafe will catch all his pieces and put him back together, it's a beautiful thing. I absolutely loved them together and are my favorite couple thus far.

I can't wait for the next one!

Happy reading dolls! xx