I Was an M/M Virgin Until I Met Ty & Zane

If someone had suggested an m/m romance to me, I would have politely declined. Not because of the m/m, but because I'm just not that into romances. Too predictable.

Okay, fine. Reality check, m/m never really appealed to me, either. The idea of two men getting it on didn't do anything for me. Not my kink.

But the Saucy Wenches are a bad influence, I tell you! They kept sharing quote after sexy quote after steamy quote from these Cut & Run books until my curiosity got the better of me.

“Is this what you want?” Zane ground out. “Hard and messy in a goddamn hotel bathroom?” He pressed him harder into the sink counter. Ty looked up to meet Zane's eyes in the reflection of the mirror, and he grinned slowly. --Cut & Run (loc 2372)

“Shut up,” Ty hissed in response as his entire body turned over into tackle mode and drove all other thoughts from his mind. He ducked his head to lick a trail of water running down Zane's collarbone and then bit him lightly. --Cut & Run (loc 2396)

Something about hearing Ty breathe, so calm and close, was reassuring in ways Zane didn't examine too closely. --Sticks & Stones (loc 1185)

Zane didn't usually restrain himself when Ty was fucking him. It was a very vocal, very arousing experience, one that Ty rarely turned down the opportunity to enjoy. --Sticks & Stones (loc 1262)

His lips just barely brushed Zane's, tempting him, enticing him to dive down for the contact. Zane's tongue slid along Ty's lower lip as he chased those full, wet lips, and he nipped at Ty's tongue when Ty's hand closed over his erection.

“Fuck,” Zane hissed. “You're driving me insane.”

Ty smiled against his cheek. “You're the one in the driver's seat. Do something about it.” --Fish & Chips (loc 398)

He slid his hands out to the sides, flexing his fingers against the sheets, silently inviting Zane to hold him down. --Fish & Chips (loc 435)

Now, in all honesty, if I were to describe the Cut & Run series to someone, I'd tell them it's about these two FBI agents, Ty & Zane, who get assigned to each other. One is a Force Recon Marine. The other is pretty damn handy with his collection of concealed knives. They've both worked some pretty intense undercover assignments. And they both bring an awful lot of attitude to their partnership. They work on cases involving serial killers, bombers, bank robbers, and backwoods marijuana growers. The character development is amazing, and with each new book you get to know them better and fall in love with them even more than you thought possible from the last book.

Oh. And. It's a love story. But it's not a lurve story (not that there's anything wrong with that). Ty & Zane don't have patience for that shit. Also, the fact that the two people falling in love are both men is incidental. It's part of the story but it's not THE story. Kind of how your sexuality is part of who you are but isn't the entirety of who you are. (I see what they did there).

The sex is pretty hot, but as a standalone I have to say I was surprised by it. The sex isn't gratuitous but instead reflects where Ty & Zane are in their relationship at any given moment. You could breeze through these books without much thought and enjoy them well enough. But if you actually PAY ATTENTION as you read, you'll discover just how the author(s)* have woven so much into this tale of how Ty & Zane's relationship develops over time. And that is what makes this a love story vs a lurve story.

As he gasped for a breath between kisses, Zane decided he'd have to try this again—slow and steady—because it sure as hell felt just as incredible as their usual hard but satisfying fucks. --Fish & Chips (loc 442)

The other hand groped its way down Ty's body, a languorous, intimate exploration of the space between them. --Armed & Dangerous (loc 558)

 By the way, the series isn't entirely without a bit of lurve for Ty.

Ty let out a relieved breath. He'd grown attached to Barnum. Something about the way the tiger looked at him with those golden eyes, one ear flopped to the side. He'd felt an instant connection to the animal. <snip> 

“You lurve the tiger,” Zane crooned. 

“Shut up, Zane.” 

“Oh come on, admit it. You're a big bad tough guy who fell in love with an itty bitty kitty.” 

Ty barked a laugh, then tried to glare at Zane and failed. “Are you done?” 

“Not nearly,” Zane practically giggled. “You just like things that can maul and maim you.” 

“Explains my affinity for you, Hoss.” --Stars & Strips (loc 3178)

As for the m/m part? I am drawn to books with a strong female protagonist. Throw in an alpha male worthy of that protagonist and I'm in heaven (see: Bones, Barrons). Well, what can be sexier than a book with two, hot, alpha males who give each other a run for their money? FBI agents. Come on.

If you've never read m/m before, you should give the Cut & Run series a try. There's a lot going on in this series. Ty & Zane have a lot of hot sex, sure, but they also have a lot of tender moments, and a lot of everyday relationship-building moments. They also find themselves in the middle of crime mysteries and more than a few life-threatening situations. Ty & Zane will knock the socks off any preconceived notions you may have about the m/m genre.

Are you an m/m virgin looking to experiment? A Ty & Zane slut? An all around m/m connoisseur with other recommendations? Tell us about it below.

*The Books:

Cut & Run by Madeleine Urban and Abigail Roux
Sticks & Stones by Madeleine Urban and Abigail Roux

Fish & Chips by Madeleine Urban and Abigail Roux

Divide & Conquer by Madeleine Urban and Abigail Roux

Armed & Dangerous by Abigail Roux

Stars & Stripes by Abigail Roux