The Hitman's Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love

This is the first book I read by this author, and I will definitely be going back for more.Lonely hitman Leland becomes transfixed by equally lonely PI Jackson after watching him nearly skewer himself while trying to jump a fence. Torn between Leland's overtures and staying within the letter of the law, Jackson reluctantly allows Leland to keep his freedom as they both try to bring down the bad guy.There's a lot of action, a lot of hilarity (couldn't help but laugh out loud at times), as well as a lot of feels in this story. The banter between Leland and Jackson is fast-paced and funny, drawing the reader in to see just what type of inanity will fly out of Leland's mouth next. While he may be a hitman, there remains something a bit innocent and good in Leland's character. Despite the humor, you also get a glimpse into his traumatized mind. While he gets just a bit too excited about shooting things and things blowing up, Leland actually has a pretty strong moral compass. The relationship between Leland and Jackson develops nicely, moving from wariness to acceptance to something more, with Jackson often acting as a steadying force for Leland.No spoilers here, but this book was a really fun time, with enough heart to keep you coming back for more.Five stars.

Summary: Leland is a hitman. Jackson is a PI with close ties to the police chief. When they cross paths while staking out the same house, Leland decides to mess with Jackson. But what starts out as a bit of fun for Leland, and something worrying to Jackson, soon becomes more complex as they start to actually like each other. When Leland ends up injured on Jackson’s front lawn, Jackson can’t help but protect him rather than turn him in.‘“We didn’t make up because I haven’t forgiven you yet.” The look on Leland’s face tells me that he thinks otherwise.“I have been forgiven. The moment you saw my face, you forgave me.”I might have. “No, I didn’t.”“Just admit it. Your heart beats just for me.”’‘“Is he always like this?” Henry asks.“Unless he has a gun in his hand, his brain doesn’t work right.”’Review: If you love mm romance books that make you laugh you must read this book. It is hilarious. I not only laughed out loud throughout, I also made my family listen to passages that made laugh especially hard. So good!Leland’s mind goes a hundred miles an hour and he can’t sit still unless focused on a job. He’s got a warped sense of humor and almost zero filter unless he thinks it’s truly important to have one. And Jackson loves it—even if he pretends not to. They are the perfect comedian and straight man duo—the ying to the other’s yang. Leland makes Jackson smile and laugh every time they are together, and that is something Jackson needs in his life. As an ex-military guy who hid his sexuality until he was in his 30s, he hasn’t been able to just be happy or had much reason to be. Until Leland. And as a man with a rough upbringing through the foster care system that ended with him running away and ultimately in the care of a hitman looking for a protégé, he hasn’t had much experience with friendship or love. Being with Jackson, having someone who cares about him is everything. Honestly, when these two finally get together, they are almost sickeningly adorable—thank goodness for all of the snarky, inappropriate humor! Definitely saves the book from being sappy, and turns it into something that is pure delight.And then there’s the mystery they’ve been trying to solve. Nice twist I was not expecting. Well done!

4.5*I don't even know where to start...If you've read the In Darkness series by Alice Winters you know she can write some fun and crazy characters. Well, Leland is Felix, but to the nth degree. Was he over the top? Uh, yeah. Did I want him to rein himself in at certain points? No doubt. Did I wonder how Jackson managed not to do bodily harm to him? For sure. He really is quite ridiculous.But OMG, Leland was just so fun and sweet and endearing, and my heart hurt for him a little, that I couldn't help falling in love with him, craziness and all. He's such a contradiction- this calm, collected hitman on one hand, this wacky and outlandish guy on the other. Leland's definitely one of those characters you'll either love or hate, and I'm firmly in the love camp. I want more.The Hitman's Guide was such an engaging story. I don't think there was a minute that I wasn't completely entertained. Except maybe the few scenes with Jackson's mother- yeah, I was more irritated than entertained during those moments. But other than that, this story kept me turning the pages.And seriously, Jackson deserves to be sainted for the way he handled and put up with Leland and all his antics. But I loved how he cared about Leland, and how much Leland wanted to belong. Even with all the silliness and absurd goings-on, you could just tell these two were meant to be.This will definitely be on reread rotation, and I really can't wait to hear it in audio!

A crazy fun surprisingly deep wild ride of a romance!Jackson is a PI and he finds himself noticed by an assassin. This would normally be bad, and seems so at first since this assassin is credited with killing the police chief's partner. But said assassin Leland is far more interested in Jackson himself and has no contract out, leading to the two intersecting at work. When things go a bit wild it pushes the two even further together and a relationship unexpectedly develops.Leland is just an absolutely crazy and adorable character. He has a slightly funky moral compass from a really poor upbringing (assassin after all) and sees the world in a bit of a different way. At the same time he is bright, bubbly, energetic, loyal, and quite a lot of fun. Picturing him as an assassin is just a bit wonky while at the same time seeming so right. When he starts poking into Jackson's world it makes even more sense.Jackson is a PI so he isn't perfectly straight laced. No stranger to doing things slightly adjacent to the law to get things done, he still has a very strong moral compass and does not agree with killing. When he meets Leland everything gets thrown into the air as he finds he cannot bring himself to want to turn in this unusual assassin. It is a decision that truly changes his life.There is lots of fun and action in this book but there was also some really deep and emotional times. Learning about Leland's past wasn't cool or cute, but a show of the manipulation it would take to create the man he is. Seeing how Leland got away from that was difficult, but seeing how it made him as an adult was even harder. The decisions that Jackson and Leland make for each other go into the gray at times but are meant to bring about the best possible result. It was a wild ride and promises more of the same in the future!

This is not your typical romance book. But honestly, I loved it. I particularly fell in love with Leland because who wouldn't?! His shenanigans are to die for 🤭❤️. A wonderful character!!! And the relationship with Jackson is awesome too.

My stomach cramped laughing while reading this book. Leland is the most dramatic and adorable hitmen I've ever read. And pair him up with someone like Jackson and it's utter chaos!This book really was the gold standard for action/comedy/romance MM.It is highly recommended.

Topissime ! Une très belle surprise.

I enjoyed reading Jacksons and Lelands story quite a bit. Jeez, Leland is batsh#t crazy! But that's what makes the developing relationship between the PI and the Hitman interesting. Both discover that there is not only more to each other but also to their future. Although the book is quite long there are enough good scenes to enjoy the unusual quirks of the Hitman.