Discussion for original M/M works, both professionally published and free online.
Love for the Cold-Blooded by Alex Gabriel
Love for the Cold-Blooded, Or: The Part-Time Evil Minion’s Guide to Accidentally Dating a Superhero by Alex Gabriel
Description:
Being related to a supervillain isn’t a big deal to Pat West. So what if his mom occasionally tries to take over the world? All Pat wants is to finish university and become an urban designer. That he moonlights as an evil minion sometimes – that’s just a family tradition.
Then Pat accidentally sleeps with superhero Silver Paladin, otherwise known as reclusive billionaire Nick Andersen. It’s a simple misunderstanding. Pat never means to impersonate a prostitute, honest. But soon Pat is in way over his head, and threatening to fall for the worst possible guy.
When Pat’s mother returns to bring the world to its knees, Silver Paladin races to stop her… and all of Pat’s secrets threaten to blow up in his face. How can Pat reconcile being a minion with wanting a hero? Will Nick’s feelings for Pat overcome what keeps them apart? Or will they both lose everything?
Content notes: ...Pat is Very Bro. (It's been a couple months since I've read this, so please let me know if I've forgotten any and I'll edit them in!)




Thoughts/Review: Sign me right the heck up for a world of superheroes and supervillains trying to get on with their mundane lives amidst all the evil plots and saving of civilians. I admittedly trend towards the historical/regency or fantasy genres most of the time, so this was a really fun and refreshing world to visit. High tech doodads and of course the fantastical powers that come with being a hero or villain are par for the course.
I will admit the protagonist, Pat, was slightly too bro-y for my personal tastes, but overall he was likeable and had more depth than simply the bro attitude. (It does dominate his narrative voice, but you might get fond of it. It grows on you, like a fungus.) His relationships with his family -- sisters, father, mother -- were probably the highlight of the book for me, as enjoyable as the main m/m relationship was. It was also nice to see Pat bond with and relate to the other "evil minions", and even the super villains, because he knows what it's like and sometimes the heroes have a big blind spot in their self-righteousness.
It takes the reader a little while to warm up to Nick, I think, but we do so along with Pat. Candidly, in the two months since I've read this I mostly remember his being dark, handsome, and in some ways helplessly naive. (His pizzas, my god.) But Pat helps with that! It's a little harder to get a read on his character as we see him solely from Pat's POV, so he never feels as fully fleshed out as a character as Pat.
Honestly, this was really just a fun, enjoyable romp that reads quickly and takes you along a frankly ridiculous ride. But one you are enjoying! Overall a very tongue-in-cheek and self-aware poke at the superhero genre but with added m/m sex and a lot of affection. Plus, there are unexpectedly sweet moments that gives the story a sense of sincerity.
I'd love to see more of this world, honestly. Sequel?
Absolutely agreed on that point. Especially since there were hints of Pat being maybe more than he appeared, but nothing ever became of it. Hopefully the good reception this book has received will entice the author to write more...
(Thank you so much for posting! <3 )
I think the author said on his site that he doesn't have concrete plans for it but the popularity is definitely making him consider writing more in the universe, so I will cross my fingers.
(It has been literally years since I've actively engaged with fandom so while part me is flailing around like "What am I doing?", I'm trying! But Imzy is making me excited to do so.)
I really enjoyed this book! I remember the bonding between the evil minions being one of my favorite parts, as well as the story of Pat taking over as head evil minion for his dad, who is passing the torch because he isn't as young and pretty anymore. There was a very loving family dynamic among the silliness.
Yes, I loved that! It is important for morale and also public image that the oiled up evil minions lounging around attractively are appropriately young and pretty, and Pat's dad just isn't cutting it anymore despite all his other sterling qualities.
I am in ~38 percent through this book at the moment (based on the rec from this community in an earlier thread) and utterly delighted. The world building is great, the characters are fun. I love the dynamic of Pats and his sisters. I really like the take on the worlds villains so far, and that all the characters are decent people. I'm certainly excited to see what's happening and will for-sure keep reading, and if it stays this good I'll definitely be recommending this to others!