Thank you so, so much to NetGalley for the ARC of this beauty in exchange for an honest review!

You know, the enemies-to-lovers trope is wildly popular, but I’m not sure I’ve ever truly appreciated it until picking up this read by R.J. Piper. Both deeply affecting and wildly exhilarating, Nothing Good tells the story of two hitmen – Rainy and Adler – destined to probably kill each other one day, if they can manage to keep their hands off each other first.

It’s your typical story. Boy meets boy at the bar. Flirting, charming, leaving said bar. But when both boys are deadly assassins, things go south. What begins is a cat-and-cat game, both men desperately trying to deny some sort of animal magnetism long enough to kill each other. Rainy is messy and winging it at every turn. Adler is lethal, and all pent up frustration. What is murder between a pair as perfectly matched as this?

This one far exceeded expectations. Drenched in character introspection and buzzing anticipation, Nothing Good is really about two kicked puppies who both want to be taken care of but can’t stop biting the hand that feeds them. It’s well written, it’s funny, and it’s sexy, but most of all, it’s emotional. These are two characters both resigned to their place in the world, both lonely and disillusioned, in some ways given up on hoping for something better. Like any good game, neither of them ever quite win or lose, but they keep playing. In small moments, they give the audience and themselves something to root for, something less fleeting and breakable, and ultimately human. With a sequel already expected next year, it’s not only worth the read, but worth the risk. The best things are.

This book was amazing! Rainy and Adler had amazing chemistry and tension which made me not want to put the book down. I loved the writing style, the characters, and the humour was incredible.
My favourite thing was how both where hitmen but the polar opposite to each other, Rainy brought the humor whilst Adler was more serious - true opposite's attract trope, done in the best way with the enemies to lovers = perfect combination *chef's kiss*

WOW! All I can say is, "Wow." Nothing Good was great. I started reading the book and knew it would be five stars immediately, but I didn't want to rush through it. The more I read, the more I was convinced it was a five-star read, and it was.

Two assassins, tasked with eliminating each other, are entangled in a unique game of cat and mouse. As their deadly mission unfolds, they unexpectedly fall for one another.
This was a beautifully unique romantic book. I've never read anything like that.

As the story unfolds and you delve deeper, you can feel the inner conflict between Rainy and Adler's orders to kill each other and their burgeoning feelings. Rainy's character development at the end was stunning, and I love that Adler was this very mysterious badass. Then, slowly, we see him in different lights, a more intimate and personal side of him. This novel sent me on a roller coaster of emotions. I laughed, sobbed, and yelled. And some moments left me breathless!

R. J. Piper, your talent is truly exceptional, and this book has secured a place among my all-time favorites! I can't wait for Rainy and Adler's story to continue!

What an unexpected gem! I got to be honest, I requested the ARC simply because I saw two other bookstagramers give it 5* and I figured why not see what's the buzz about. And, oh boy, Nothing good turned out to be SO good!

The story follows Rainy, a hitman for one of the most influential families in Miami. And then Rainy meets Adler, another hitman, whose loyalty lies with another gang. And they fuck. Unfortunatelly, they also have to kill each other.

Nothing good was absolutely insane and I mean it in the best way. I laughed in basically every chapter, Rainy is absolutely hilarious. Adler, on the other hand... Strict, precise, put-together. Even though both of them are hitmans (and really good ones!), they are the polar opposites. Except they crave each other like crazy and being in dangerous situations make them even hornier.

The backstories of both men are hard, as a reader, you understand, how and why they got themselves into this type of work. Serious, calm chapters in the book were great to mix with action-filled or hilarious ones. It came as a shock, that it's a debut book!

I had doubts about the cover before reading the book, however, after reading it I feel like it illustrates the book perfectly!

Thank you for the ACR

Oh, wow!
At first I was hesitant to pick up this book. In the end I was mind blown, and couldn’t put it down.
This book a debut novel and R.J. Piper nailed it! I really, really, REALLY, liked the writing style. And the table of contents was a chef’s kiss. The ending left me smiling and giggling and swooning and I can't wait for the sequel!

Wow, I just read incredible book! From the very first sentence, I was completely hooked. The writing, the characters, and their banter were absolutely amazing. I couldn't believe just how good it was!

The story is about two serial assassins who are supposed to kill each other but instead end up having spicy moments together. It might sound like a typical premise, but let me tell you, this book takes everything to a whole new level.

Adler and Rainy have such incredible chemistry that you can't deny. There was a moment that literally took my breath away, and I found myself thinking, "No way, it can't end like this!" The balance of drama and comedy is just top-notch. I enjoyed every moment of reading this book.

A big round of applause for this debut! can't wait for the next book in the spring to dive back into the world with the boys.

Huge thanks to the publisher/NetGalley for the ARC.

I think this was a good debut, but it didn't quite blow me away like I had hoped. I was intrigued by Rainy and Adler, and the dynamic they had as contracted killers who were each others targets. I think it was a fun, quick read and I'm definitely interested in seeing where there relationship goes in book two! I enjoyed the grumpy x sunshine between the two of them and I hope we see more in the next book.

Thank you to Netgalley and RJ Piper for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I adored this book. Rainy and Adler had great chemistry between them and I couldn't put this book down. I was pretty much glued to my Kindle all day reading it. I loved their banter and the cat & mouse game they played with one another. The book had a lot of humor in it and their sarcastic bantering with one another was a true highlight of the book.

I really love Adler he was my favorite from the book, I love his wit and sarcasm as well as his vulnerable and emotional side that he keeps locked away, only showing to Rainy when they get close to one another.

The pacing is fast which keeps you engaged but I felt their relationship and the development of it had a lot of highs and lows which made for a complying read as one moment they were making out and the next they were trying to kill one another. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book, I'm a real fan of these two and anything to see more of Adler and Rainy on my Kindle is a win for me. This was added to my favorites shelf on GoodReads because of my love for it.

4.5⭐

I think romanticising killers is tacky, and no one will catch me tuning in to real-crime shows, but over-the-top assassin romances are one of my guilty pleasures. I didn't have very high expectations towards an unknown author, but this book turned out to be a very enjoyable assassin romance, and a surprisingly well-written one to boot. Another debut hit for this year!

This book is humorous, though not all wacky. It's also unapologetically violent, but not overly gratuitous. And it's a bit twisted, with two assassins that actually enjoy their work, but still nothing super edgy or taboo-breaking. Most of all, it's addictive and entertaining.

The leads don't go immediately all fluffy-heart-eyes to each other, they really try to kill each other in several occasions. But they have a good dynamic and this is definitely a romance first kind of story. The novel is slightly open-ended and there will be a sequel (that I'm rather eager to read), but 'Nothing Good' works as a stand-alone story too.

This was such a deeply unserious book. Two hitmen are trying to kill each other... while perhaps falling in love. Or, at the very least, getting off with each other.

As books go, this was rather memorable. It was a bit funny, a bit smutty and very chaotic.

I felt like for a romance, it was well written and tight, with a good sense of voice. Both of the characters seem well fleshed out and have their own complex backstories and motivations. The heat in the book was well-written, although if lust and violence intertwined isn't your thing, maybe give it a pass. I think this could stand up against a more traditional hetero mafia romance or other dark romance as well.

Let it be known that I rarely devour a book in less than five sittings. Nothing Good has officially been one of the only exceptions this year. 

I was approximately ten pages into this novel when I realized this is what I’ve been yearning for. It has that Cordelia Kingsbridge magic that drew me in instantaneously. Piper will enthrall you in a mouthwateringly hot dynamic that includes banter, southern charm, tragic backstories, and great sex. I’m pretty sure I squealed at one point. 

Rainy and Adler had the butterflies in full effect. Rainy was absolutely down bad for Adler. Adler was trying to be cool and collected, but honestly, just as obsessed. They are one of my favorite types of pairings and work well with the story from Rainy’s perspective. 

Behind Rainy and Adler, there was an actual plot. I enjoyed that the action wasn’t overly complicated, and each situation propelled their relationship forward.

I could not be more excited for book two!

Thank you to R.J. Piper and NetGalley for the ARC!

Nothing Good handles identity, rivalry, and unexpected romance within the gritty backdrop of Miami's criminal underworld. The protagonist, Rainy, once the city’s most feared hitman, faces an unprecedented challenge with the arrival of Adler—a stoic ex-military assassin whose demeanour starkly contrasts Rainy's flamboyant nature.
As their professional rivalry escalates into a complex relationship marked by attraction and shared trauma, the story delves into themes of vulnerability and emotional connection. Rainy's initial assignment to eliminate Adler becomes increasingly complicated as he grapples with his feelings for his adversary.

I had very minor issues with this book, most of them come from personal preference, such as how certain words/phrases were written. I did find that the author tended to repeat things a little. For example, when Rainy was on a ‘stake-out’ on the roof it was reiterated that he was bored when we had already been told this about a paragraph up. However, this is minor and did little to curb my enjoyment of this book. There were also a couple of grammatical errors, but I assume these will be fixed by publication.
The relationship between Rainy and Adler was refreshing, fun, and lovely to read. The quick-witted back-and-forth between the two was so entertaining and I loved seeing it develop as the book continued. The pacing of this book was perfect for the length it is, the development of these characters felt natural despite the setting/nature of the book, and I never felt confused as the reader as to how Rainy and Adler made certain decisions. It was not terribly detailed, but you do not expect a book of this length/genre to be so. I think it is extremely good for a debut and I enjoyed this greatly.

Thank you to NetGalley, R J Piper, and the publisher for allowing me access to this book! I will be reading the next instalment!

Pairing - MM
Genre- Dark Comedy, Romance
HEA/HFN - Yes

Have you ever watched the movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith and thought to yourself, "I want this to be a book, but GAY"?
Well, your wishes have been answered by R.J. Piper. In her debut novel, she has done just that.
"Nothing Good" is about two professional assassins, who have been hired to take each other out. Well, they do take each other out, just not the way their employers intended. (Sorry, couldn't resist)
This book is from the POV of Rainy, our charming freelance assassin, who in his own words is "supposed to be the irrelevant , flirty, young assassin" but instead has to deal with coworkers who try to turn him into a "middle-aged mom" and a dashing, impeccably dressed army-vet turned assassin, Adler, with a mysterious personality, who makes him confused with some kind of feelings that Rainy can't figure out.
The book is funny, witty, sexy and heartwarming (and heart-wrenching at times).
The best part about this book though, is the dedication and the chapter titles. With just that, the author has set the expectations on how ironic and funny this book is, and then delivers it.
There is a sequel coming in soon, and I for one cannot wait to uncover more of the character's shenanigans.

Loved this book! This felt unique to me in the MM romance genre and I am now on a quest for more like it. Mr. and Mrs. Smith was one of my favorite films growing up and I loved all things spy and assassin related. This is the first time I have ever read a spy/assassin novel where the main characters are male and in a romance. This was such a refreshing read in a genre that is full of hockey players and cowboys.
The chemistry between the two leads felt incredibly real and I loved how the spice in this novel was presented. It just felt real and genuine. I also love Piper's writing style! The balance of drama and dark comedy was also handled incredibly well and balanced. This needs to be a full series.

Rainy and Adler’s dynamic in “Nothing Good” is pure fire. They’re both deadly, complex, and irresistibly drawn to each other in the most chaotic ways possible. The tension is palpable—one moment, they’re at each other’s throats, and the next, they’re caught in a dangerous dance that blurs the line between hate and desire. R.J. Piper balances sharp wit with intense action, making you laugh out loud and gasp in the same breath. The mix of dark humor, brutal honesty, and raw emotion makes this story impossible to put down.

I am in awe that this is the author's debut! This book was so good. It's a story about queer hitmen who are enemies and tasked with killing each other. But, that's not what happens at all. This was so hot, full of tension and action, and at times, beautiful and sweet. The book is written in third person POV, which normally I am not a fan of, but it really worked for this book. There is so much pain, it's bloody and violent, there's so much going on with so much action, but it's also steamy and hot with plenty of spice. I highly recommend this book!

I enjoyed this book quite a lot!

I though Rainy and Adler were very interesting characters with detailed and well though out backstories. Their relationship is equally as heartwarming as it is ridiculous and the pacing is pretty good. The spice is handled really well too, it's well placed and well written throughout.

The balance between comedy and drama is perfect. I love the way the reader can go through a whole spectrum of emotions on just one page!

“Why’d you blow me in a cellar if you were just planning on killing me?” Jesse shrugged. “I had a little extra time. Besides, it seems only polite, don’t you think?” Rainy felt a stupid grin spread across his face. It really was a shame that one of them was going to be dead at the end of this.

Are you kidding me? Why was this book so gooooood? The tension! The action! The spice! The angst! It's bloody, it's quirky, it's queer and funny and occasionally unbelievably sweet and that beautiful beautiful writing, how is it possible that it's an author's debut?!

The story is about two assassins who are tasked to kill each other, but somehow they end up... fucking each other's brain out. And the phrase "will they or won't they" here takes on a wholly new meaning. And the ending! No, have no fear, it doesn't end with a cliffy, still I need to know, what's next, like, yesterday.

The only and very slight issue I've found with this story is that it is told solely from Rainy's POV, and I really would have liked a tiny glimpse in Adler's head or heart, that's it. Now, may I get the next installment, pretty please?

This story is so much fun and I can't wait to read the sequel. Rainy and Adler have amazing chemistry, and I love good hitm(e)n!

Thank you to NetGalley, publisher, and author. All comments are my own.

So many things about this book were excellent that I'm overlooking the blips that bugged me and going with five stars. The story grabbed me from page one; it kept the tension/excitement going throughout; it included several truly spectacular descriptions that 1000% fit the context (for example, a Miami club with "blue and green light fixtures that gave the whole place the air of an aquarium, complete with shark-nosed men in gray suits and glittering, scaly-sequined slips of girls"—wow, just wow). The brutality and... well, EVIL of the protagonists' lives wasn't papered over (much), yet their humanity was (almost) always at the forefront. I will eagerly read more by this author.

There were some minor errors that should have been picked up in the copyediting/proofing stages, but that's true of pretty much every book I read these days. The acknowledgments indicate the author did all the editing herself, and kudos to her (though I will always think authors are better off getting outside input, preferably of the professional variety).

Bring on book two!

My thanks to the publisher/NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.