Review: Filthy and the Beast (Love Unexpectedly Book 4) by R. Cayden

Rating: 4🌈

Filthy and the Beast was read out of sequence in R. Cayden’s Love Unexpectedly series and I honestly don’t think it matters. Some of the other couples make appearances but who they are is explained or further depth of detail isn’t necessary.

For a quick, sweet contemporary romance, Filthy and the Beast is lovely. It’s got a age gap, nerd/jock, and what is described as sunny/grumpy dynamics happening. Oh and a bi-awakening too.

There’s some terrific elements here that I thought were underdeveloped which is likely due to the shorter length of the novel. Shame because greater attention to such character growth and aspects of their relationship/lives would have enhanced the storylines.

Damien here is a young man who does many things well but hasn’t found what he’s passionate about. Cayden is able to make Damien engaging and very connectable.

Enzo the former boxer is lovely and there’s parts to him I wish had been enlarged. His past is a bit lacking, when we get the major dramatic points filled in , it’s fleeting and not with the dimension it requires. But one of the biggest elements is his rescue and love of pit bulls. It becomes a major story thread. Yet it’s seriously shallow for such a popular and emotional theme.

Their relationship is quick and pretty seamless but with a few minor stumbling blocks.

So it’s a good romance but the promise for a even better one will hang over it all the way to the end.

Love Unexpectedly series:

◦ Filthy Sweet #1

◦ Filthy Bromance #2

◦ Filthy Rock Stars #3

✓ Filthy and the Beast #4

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com › showFilthy and the Beast (Love Unexpected, #4) by R. Cayden

Description:

There’s no way in hell I’m falling for a man called the Sledgehammer.

Enzo is a lot of things.
A big grump of a jock.
Twenty years my senior.
My employer.
Straight.
I’m living with the retired boxer while he recovers from an injury, just here to earn a good paycheck after my life fell apart.
Getting emotionally involved with the man isn’t my job, but my gaze keeps lingering on his thick muscles and the storm clouds in his eyes.
For a million reasons, my geeky heart shouldn’t flutter when Enzo walks in the room.
But then he grunts my name, our eyes lock, and the world turns upside down.

Filthy and the Beast is a steamy standalone M/M romance featuring an older, grumpy jock and the bubbly geek who lands in his mansion and upends his life. It’s got a secret sweetheart, surprise temptation, and a touch of angst. The fourth book in Love Unexpected, Filthy and the Beast can be enjoyed alone or as part of the series.

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Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.