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loishojmark's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
This was definitely the best book in the series. It was both lovely and heartbreaking to read Ghost's story.
This was definitely the best book in the series. It was both lovely and heartbreaking to read Ghost's story.
brokenrecord's review against another edition
3.0
I definitely liked this more than the second one, but I think the second book soured me a bit on this series because I had a harder time getting into this one than the first one, which I still adore and is still my favorite. I think the second one also made me a little impatient with Ghost as a character, which wasn't helped in this one for basically the entire first half. It's the kind of thing where I totally get why he is the way he is, so it's not that it doesn't make sense, but it just wore on me a bit, and I ended up taking like a month or two break in the middle of this before finally finishing it.
When I did get back into it, I found myself liking how Duncan and Ghost's relationship developed, and how they grew to get to know one another and trust one another and fall for each other. I also really liked And it helped that this book didn't focus on BDSM like the second one did, which had put me off that book. In general, it didn't feel like this book revolved around sex as much which was good (I'm perfectly fine with a couple sex scenes, but beyond that I usually start getting bored).
I do think I still liked this one quite a bit less than the first one, in part because of what I already mentioned about being a little tired of Ghost, but also because this one, like the second, felt much more focused on the criminal element with the romance secondary, whereas that balance was reversed in the first book. I often do enjoy stories where the romance takes a background to the main plot, but I think the shift of the romance focus with the criminal subplot in the first book reversing in the second and third books threw me off a bit, and I also just didn't find the criminal plot particularly interesting. So yeah, I'm not sorry to have finished this series, but the first book was truly the highlight for me, and I would've been fine not continuing further.
When I did get back into it, I found myself liking how Duncan and Ghost's relationship developed, and how they grew to get to know one another and trust one another and fall for each other. I also really liked
Spoiler
Ghost ~ghosting (sorry, it's an unavoidable pun) Duncan for 6 months while he started therapy to work through his issues. I loved his therapist, and it's very nice to see that while what he had found with Duncan made him want to get better or be the kind of person that could be with Duncan, it didn't "fix" him in and of itself, and he needed therapy first before he could try for a real relationship. Very much the opposite of the true love fixing trauma/mental health issues/etc. trope, which I appreciated.I do think I still liked this one quite a bit less than the first one, in part because of what I already mentioned about being a little tired of Ghost, but also because this one, like the second, felt much more focused on the criminal element with the romance secondary, whereas that balance was reversed in the first book. I often do enjoy stories where the romance takes a background to the main plot, but I think the shift of the romance focus with the criminal subplot in the first book reversing in the second and third books threw me off a bit, and I also just didn't find the criminal plot particularly interesting. So yeah, I'm not sorry to have finished this series, but the first book was truly the highlight for me, and I would've been fine not continuing further.
marmy's review against another edition
4.0
I honestly really liked this one. Didn't meet my full expectations, but it was perfect nonetheless.
jrv45's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
reedkaye's review against another edition
5.0
Could not set it down
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I now have her on my watch list. I really enjoyed this somewhat heartbreaking story. Ghost is a guy who just can’t get a break. He sees himself so differently than everyone else sees him. He has had awful things happen to him and yet is seems to carry on. I really enjoyed his quick personality. I was impressed the way the author brought out the background of Ghost and yet kept him a decent guy. As his path crosses with Duncan the two form a unusual relationship. Mostly a love hate interactions. Duncan’s personality is so literal that I had to laugh at these two together.
I really think the secondary characters added so much to the story and helped make Ghost human.
I am surprised the way the author took the story to the ending. It was so smooth and yet kept me hooked on the story. I have not read other stories in this series but will do so now. I want to thank NetGalley for bringing this author to my attention and providing me with a copy of this book. I just hope my review does it a little justice.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I now have her on my watch list. I really enjoyed this somewhat heartbreaking story. Ghost is a guy who just can’t get a break. He sees himself so differently than everyone else sees him. He has had awful things happen to him and yet is seems to carry on. I really enjoyed his quick personality. I was impressed the way the author brought out the background of Ghost and yet kept him a decent guy. As his path crosses with Duncan the two form a unusual relationship. Mostly a love hate interactions. Duncan’s personality is so literal that I had to laugh at these two together.
I really think the secondary characters added so much to the story and helped make Ghost human.
I am surprised the way the author took the story to the ending. It was so smooth and yet kept me hooked on the story. I have not read other stories in this series but will do so now. I want to thank NetGalley for bringing this author to my attention and providing me with a copy of this book. I just hope my review does it a little justice.
jennyoli96's review against another edition
4.0
*ARC received through A Novel Take PR*
I would have given this book 5 stars if it had come with trigger warnings. As it is, some readers may find themselves unknowingly walking into a minefield.
I should also mention I read this as a stand alone, without apparent issue.
Now that I've said my piece, on we go.
To describe Ghost in just one word would be terribly wrong of me, it can't be done. Ghost needs help. He got in trouble with the wrong people, and now they're after him. But Ghost is also a victim of abuse, and so the help he needs extends way beyond that. A layered character, sometimes difficult to understand (which is natural for those of us who have not been though the same things), but always endearing and captivating, Ghost is definitely the one who carries the bulk of the story.
Duncan is a big man, an ex cop, and a goody two-shoes. Perhaps do-gooder is a better expression. He is the man who sets out to help Ghost, and finds out just how difficult a task that is along the way. Can these two moral opposites make it work?
Personally, I found Duncan a forgettable character - direct opposite to the impact, the interest, the fascination that Ghost leaves in his wake. But that might have been on purpose. This story needs no knight in shining armor.
Overall, it was a very good book. Again, I must stress that it has sensitive content and trigger warnings are advised. If you have had experiences with trauma and abuse in the past, and those are two of your triggers, you may want to steer clear of this book.
But if you haven't, and if they aren't, I do recommend it.
I would have given this book 5 stars if it had come with trigger warnings. As it is, some readers may find themselves unknowingly walking into a minefield.
I should also mention I read this as a stand alone, without apparent issue.
Now that I've said my piece, on we go.
To describe Ghost in just one word would be terribly wrong of me, it can't be done. Ghost needs help. He got in trouble with the wrong people, and now they're after him. But Ghost is also a victim of abuse, and so the help he needs extends way beyond that. A layered character, sometimes difficult to understand (which is natural for those of us who have not been though the same things), but always endearing and captivating, Ghost is definitely the one who carries the bulk of the story.
Duncan is a big man, an ex cop, and a goody two-shoes. Perhaps do-gooder is a better expression. He is the man who sets out to help Ghost, and finds out just how difficult a task that is along the way. Can these two moral opposites make it work?
Personally, I found Duncan a forgettable character - direct opposite to the impact, the interest, the fascination that Ghost leaves in his wake. But that might have been on purpose. This story needs no knight in shining armor.
Overall, it was a very good book. Again, I must stress that it has sensitive content and trigger warnings are advised. If you have had experiences with trauma and abuse in the past, and those are two of your triggers, you may want to steer clear of this book.
But if you haven't, and if they aren't, I do recommend it.
maustin18's review against another edition
2.0
This title is quite suspenseful, but with the initial introduction to the character and the plot, I was very confused with what was happening. The storyline is a little harder to understand in the beginning.
*Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.
*Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.
jefener's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 STARS!
SPOILERS
This is not the typical trashy romance I usually like. I like something quick and non committal where the angst is there and then its gone and I don't have to stress about it. This one had so much going on. Prostitution. Sexual abuse issues. Corrupt Cops. A car chase. There was a shit ton happening and usually I'm like no. I just want the romance. But something kept me reading and I finished it in 2 days. It was so good and I wanted it to just keep going!
I loved both Ghost and Duncan so much! Especially as a pair. And I loved they didn't even really have sex at all in the book (they did some shenanigans at the very end but nothing deep). Alot of times when its a romance you know there's gonna be sex. With sexual assault victims and people who put themselves into prostitution you KNOW there is going to be issues brought up when they choose to have sex with someone they want to. This handled it better than most I read. Duncan never tried anything. Never put his hands on Ghost, even to hold his hand, unless Ghost said it was ok first. Ghost went to therapy for months before they actually had a healthy sexual encounter together and it was nice to see all that progress that was made from a kid on the run from all these bad people, who had been abused as a small kid, who had been violated and has their stuff on the internet from when they were small and couldn't fight back, who used sex as a means for money or a means to an end, and have him find his person who truly just wanted to be near him. Simple as that. Not to have sex. Not to even kiss and hold (even though Duncan wanted to). But simply to be there occupying the same space and knowing im here for YOU and im not going anywhere. No matter what.
Anyway, not 5 stars cuz I could still have dealt without all the action and car chases lolol
SPOILERS
This is not the typical trashy romance I usually like. I like something quick and non committal where the angst is there and then its gone and I don't have to stress about it. This one had so much going on. Prostitution. Sexual abuse issues. Corrupt Cops. A car chase. There was a shit ton happening and usually I'm like no. I just want the romance. But something kept me reading and I finished it in 2 days. It was so good and I wanted it to just keep going!
I loved both Ghost and Duncan so much! Especially as a pair. And I loved they didn't even really have sex at all in the book (they did some shenanigans at the very end but nothing deep). Alot of times when its a romance you know there's gonna be sex. With sexual assault victims and people who put themselves into prostitution you KNOW there is going to be issues brought up when they choose to have sex with someone they want to. This handled it better than most I read. Duncan never tried anything. Never put his hands on Ghost, even to hold his hand, unless Ghost said it was ok first. Ghost went to therapy for months before they actually had a healthy sexual encounter together and it was nice to see all that progress that was made from a kid on the run from all these bad people, who had been abused as a small kid, who had been violated and has their stuff on the internet from when they were small and couldn't fight back, who used sex as a means for money or a means to an end, and have him find his person who truly just wanted to be near him. Simple as that. Not to have sex. Not to even kiss and hold (even though Duncan wanted to). But simply to be there occupying the same space and knowing im here for YOU and im not going anywhere. No matter what.
Anyway, not 5 stars cuz I could still have dealt without all the action and car chases lolol