“The hurt and sense of betrayal that Matteo had felt burrowed into his heart and refused to loosen its grip. As time passed, he grew to resent Ares more and more.” – Matthew Dante, The Chameleon
I’VE been eagerly anticipating the full story of Matteo, proprietor of La Maison de Man, and Ares, the European arms dealer, since first encountering them in The Collector, Book 1 of the “Book of Sin” series. Canadian author Matthew Dante does not disappoint with his latest installment, The Chameleon, which dives deeply into the tumultuous conflict and chemistry between these two mature men.
Here, we learn about Matteo and Ares’ past; it was a satisfying and exhilarating experience to uncover the origins of their story, yet equally heartbreaking to see the breakdown of their relationship/friendship. Their shared history is complex, marred by emotional scar tissue formed from the pain and guilt that has shaped their strained ongoing association.
Throughout the novel, readers will be swept away in a sea of emotions—each chapter brimming with vibrant gay/queer eroticism, violence, and playful banter interlaced with heartwarming humour that brings levity to even the darkest scenes. As tension escalates, the stakes reach unprecedented heights, suspense intertwines with excitement, and a palpable sense of danger lurks ominously around every corner of Paris.
Dante artfully unravels pivotal chapters from the intertwined lives of Matteo and Ares, skillfully weaving in
evocative flashbacks that lay bare the rich tapestry of their past—revealing cherished memories, tender bonds, and the haunting echo of their profound losses. This intricate narrative kept me on the edge of my seat, I kid you not, eagerly unravelling the layers of truth hidden within the complexities of their dynamic relationship.
I was engaged with this novel in a far more poignant way than the previous two. Perhaps it was due to the age of these two main protagonists, close to my own, and their breadth of life experience with love, loss, and pain.
Matteo is a sexy, powerful, intelligent man who never lets his ego cloud his judgment. His primary focus and responsibilities are to his business, La Maison de M, and the young men who work there as erotic commodities, though empowered with choice and body autonomy. Matteo always wants his boys to have the best, as their lives have been saddled with past trouble. Matteo found his own way through life, relinquishing any desire for deep intimacy and refusing the possible burdens of emotional commitment. He has lost too much in his past personal life already.
And who exactly is the hunky, stoic, and dangerous Ares? He’s an international criminal involved in a multitude of illegal schemes and activities, including money laundering, gunrunning, smuggling, and killing if high stakes demand it. But he’s also brave and loyal to the nth degree with those he trusts—and those are few.
The Chameleon is a dark M/M romance intertwined with the suspense of a gripping thriller set against a backdrop of complex, often illegal (or skirting the lines of legality) businesses and chosen family dynamics and secrets. The characters navigate their tangled relationships as the action-rich plot thickens, leading to an unexpected climax.
Ultimately, the narrative culminates in a breathtaking act of love and forgiveness—an unforeseen twist that deeply moved me. A whirlwind of chaos erupts as the past resurfaces, with old foes emerging from the shadows, intent on dismantling Ares by targeting what he holds most dear. In this pivotal moment, allies come together, united in purpose, transforming the battle for Ares’ life and love into a dramatic clash of loyalties and emotions.
In The Broker, Book 2 of the Book of Sin series, there was a tantalizing hint of Matteo and Ares’ past. As I previously stated, the narrative delves deep into these men’s fiery and contentious relationship, capturing the essence of their love/hate “thing.” Their story brims with erotic, cerebral, and situational intensity, unravelling the intricate layers of their past and present connections. Readers are invited to explore the history that binds these two characters, providing a profound understanding of their struggles and triumphs together.
As seen in earlier installments of this series, Matteo and Ares’ journey showcases the unique dynamics of their relationship. It emphasizes that love can manifest in ways that defy conventional definitions, offering a perspective that is entirely their own, finding a way to thrive amidst the chaos and complexity of the novel’s plot.
In a gripping revelation (that I won’t spoil), we delve into Matteo’s animosity towards Ares, uncovering the deeply
rooted reasons behind his hostility. Despite the turmoil in Matteo’s mind, where resentment festers, his heart remains irrevocably linked to Ares, a bond that transcends hatred. No, maybe hatred is too strong a word. Intense misunderstanding? Internalized bitterness? Focused grievance? There is so much complexity surrounding Matteo’s established emotional state concerning Ares that it’s almost impossible to narrow it down to one emotional blanket statement, such as “He hates/hated him.”
One of the things I love about Dante’s writing is his mastery of the “love/hate” paradigm, the trope of enemies to lovers—or even friends to enemies to lovers. Dante’s skill with progressive and explorative turbulent relationships between his (male) lovers is truly compelling. I first experienced this to great effect in the author’s “Fractured” series, and he continues improving in sophistication with every subsequent series.
Let me be blunt—this novel IS NOT a “Hallmark-style” gay romance. There are sexual situations and relationship dynamics within this M/M narrative and the series as a whole that veer far more into queer kink, non-traditional pairings, and homo-erotic thriller territory. That said, Dante’s skillful and imaginative writing makes the lurid and the dangerous agreeably palatable for a broad audience—something I, as a writer of queer thrillers, hold in high regard.
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