Review: Frat House Troopers by Xavier Mayne

Frat House Troopers by Xavier Mayne
Dreamspinner Press
Novel: 260pgs
3.75 Pants Off

Blurb:
State trooper Brandt’s new assignment to infiltrate a sex-cam operation puts him in a very uncomfortable position, especially since he’ll have to perform naked on camera for his audition. Fortunately his partner and best friend, Donnelly, has his back—whether that means helping Brandt shop gay boutiques for sexy underwear or offering Jäger and encouragement while he researches porn.

Despite his mortification, Brandt gives the audition his best “shot”—and becomes an overnight sensation. But to meet the man behind the operation, he'll have to give a repeat performance, this time live on webcam opposite the highest bidder. Donnelly makes sure to win that auction for his partner’s sake, but their plan has a flaw: faking it is not an option.

In the aftermath, Brandt is a humiliated mess trying desperately to come to terms with what he’s had to do for the job and his own mixed feelings. But Donnelly has been on a journey of discovery of his own. Suddenly everything the two men thought they knew about themselves and each other gets turned inside out. Meanwhile, they still have a case to solve… but it may not be the case they thought it was

Review:
I was really excited to read this one, and went into with a clear expectation. Let’s just say, that it’s completely different from what I was expecting, very goofy, a little bit sexy, and overall pointless (and I don't mean that in a bad way).

Brandt has to go undercover and he was picked for the job because of his assets. He's a pretty boy, and that will come in handy when he will have to pose as college student to bust a webcam porn ring for tax evasion. Brandt isn't confident he can do the job when he finds out he's gotta get naked on camera, and masturbate. This is just so way out of his comfort, and to make matters worse he's got to do this humiliating undercover thing with the help of his partner Donnelly. Brandt knows he will never live this UC job down.

So in order to land his fratty boy job, Brandt needs to look the part and Donnelly knows just to the place to take him. They end up a little boutique with the windstorm store clerk that is Bryce, who dresses Brandt in the gear that he needs to get notice. The plan is to go in as a construction worker, move through the house their remodeling and then move in gathering intel in his sexy new attire. Brandt gets lucky and becomes a guaranteed shoe in with the help of Nick a veteran Frat House jerk off pro. In no time Brandt is taking his clothes off for the camera, and finding out that he's natural when it comes to showing off his assets.

As I said, I really was expecting something different story. I am talking about gun fights, underage sex cartel, abuse of the frat boys (my mind got away from me) but it’s very uncomplicated plot. The only thing that was semi angsty was Brandt struggling with his feelings when it came to other men. The story mostly is very funny and over the top, but there were moments when it switched from goofy to get all serious with some type of lyrical prose that just didn't work. If the book is gonna be goofy, keep it goofy with moments of seriousness.

I got whiplash from all the names (like a serious amount of names), and some very unnecessary povs. Like so completely pointless, I'm still trying to figure out the purpose of them. Maybe they do have purpose but just wasn't presented right, instead of a big ole jump, should have given me a little nudge. Some of the secondary characters in this book is so awesome (ahem Bryce & Nestor) they provided great comic relief and so gay that I just love them.

The ending of the story was a letdown, and I feel very dissatisfied. Seriously, they should have just given me one shoot out (I don't even know if Brandt carried a gun) I'm guessing yes cus he's a State Trooper but it’s all up in the sky for me.

Overall, I enjoyed it but am still very disappointed. I think there are great themes in the story, but none are explored properly. Like the focus of sexuality, I understand it a bit, but not everyone will be a fan. GFY and best friend to lovers are always a fave trope of mine to read, but in this case not enough time was given for Brandt and Donnelly to really make their attraction believable. It felt like boom, one week of jacking off to your sex video so now let’s move in together. The idea behind the story was fun, but it just did not come together well.

Should You Read It? Honestly the story is a lot fun, but this one will likely be hit or miss for most readers. Upside, I will read another book by Xavier Mayne (maybe Bryce's book>.<) HINT!