Review: The Flesh Cartel #5: Wins and Losses

The Flesh Cartel #5: Wins and Losses by Rachel Haimowitz

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars



Another winner! This is a 3.5 star book. The mind-fucking is heating up as sadistic Nikolai tortures both Dougie and Mat mentally. Nikolai is quite gentle in this installment. He doesn't beat either one of them, but he does force them to unwillingly submit to his conditioning. I love how Nikolai messes with the two brothers.

Mat is learning how to keep fighting even though he needs to be broken. The way Nikolai forces them is pretty hawt. His lessons are interesting because if Mat was just a little bit brighter, he'd realize Nikolai gave him the key to beat Nikolai.

There was one part of this story which caught my attention. I'm surprised Dougie didn't. Then again, Dougie is being edged for days so his mind isn't fully functioning. There is a fable where the old woman saves a deadly snake only to have the snake behave as expected in the end. Dougie's take is Nikolai is the snake. What Dougie should have done, is laugh in Nikolai face and say, "So what you are telling me is that I'm the viper you healed. I'll be waiting." Once again, Nikolai gave the keys to playing him to his victim. I'm starting to think Nikolai isn't as bright as he think he is.

Ms. Haimowitz and Ms. Belleau pulls the readers into this dark depraved world. With each installment, the reader becomes more invested in these poor brothers. While we can admire Nikolai's deviance, it does make one want to beat him repeatedly with a skillet. Or as my good friend Vivian threatens - she's pretty handy with a machete. Nikolai, if you see an angry red headed woman with a machete in her hand...run.

This is so far the gentlest installment in this series. Recommended for non-con kinky readers who enjoy a good D/s mind fuck.



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