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haletostilinski1's review
5.0
Ohhh man, why did I take so long to read this???!!! I'm kicking myself right now!
Probably because I read Bell's other book first and while I did really really like it, some things bothered me and also this book seemed dark, with what the blurb said - and it was, but it wasn't a disturbing kind of dark, imo - so I guess I was hesitant to read this.
But I shouldn't have been, because THIS. WAS. AMAZING.
I feel like it is usually the opposite of how it has gone for me with this author - usually, I feel we read this new to us author and we LOVE that first book, but then the next one, and maybe more, don't quite hold up to the one book that made you fall in love with the author in the first place. But here, for me, I liked this author after the author book I read, but this made me LOVE her.
Everything about this book, I loved it. I mean of course the bad guy that Embry is forcing himself to bed in order to get close to take down him and others for what happened tragically in his past is not fun to read, at all. And things do happen that made me uncomfortable, like. But that scene never detracted from the book, didn't make it worse, imo. Hard to read, yes, but not worse.
The first part of this book is told from Brogan's POV, and I loved Brogan, but I was itching for Embry's POV well into the first part because not only was Embry fascinating, he was also so closed off most of the time that it was hard to tell what he was thinking. But we eventually get to his POV and it was so interesting.
Embry is 23 years old in this book, but he went through such a horrific and devastating tragedy that it changed him forever. He rarely spoke before the tragedy because of his extreme shyness and anxiety, and after it isn't so much anxiety or shyness that keeps him so closed lipped, but his anger and grief and need not to let anyone in.
But then Brogan comes along, and he messes everything up - in the best way of course ;) - and we get to see more and more glimpses of Embry from before and it twists Embry up inside because Brogan got past his walls and settled in them without Embry realizing it and he doesn't know how to deal with that.
And Brogan is 29 years old, ex-military turned security/bodyguard, and the company he works for is hired to protect Joel something or other, the bad guy that Embry is letting bed him all the time - for purposes you find out as you read along. Embry is the assistant to the guy at a ~supposedly legal selling of guns type company - and you can all guess how some sales are not so legal from that.
But Brogan is paid to protect the piece-of-shit Joel, but begins to really want to protect the man he's falling for, Embry.
And as they fall deeper in love, the harder it is for Embry to go forward with his plan, because Brogan reaches him in a way he never thought he'd be reached again.
It hurt me as much as Brogan those times when Embry would force himself to shut off his emotions and all his wants and needs and treat Brogan almost robotically, but I loved when Embry couldn't hold that mask for long around Brogan.
I loved this story, I was riveted from the very first page and couldn't put it down - only much needed sleep forced me to put it down and RL obligations.
This story was well written, it was intriguing, Embry and Brogan had amazing chemistry - and let me tell you, the sex? THE SEX! holyyyy shitttt, soooo hot. Like *fansself*. Especially their first penetrative sex scene together...that was one of the best sex scenes I've read probably since the sex scenes written in Hailey Turner's metahuman series (mostly with Jamie and Kyle).
Also the connection these two shared, seeming them slowly fall in love, the author giving them scenes where they were getting to know each other, getting scenes where they talked...it was beautiful.
One of my favorites, for sure. HIGHLY recommend if you haven't read this yet :D
Probably because I read Bell's other book first and while I did really really like it, some things bothered me and also this book seemed dark, with what the blurb said - and it was, but it wasn't a disturbing kind of dark, imo - so I guess I was hesitant to read this.
But I shouldn't have been, because THIS. WAS. AMAZING.
I feel like it is usually the opposite of how it has gone for me with this author - usually, I feel we read this new to us author and we LOVE that first book, but then the next one, and maybe more, don't quite hold up to the one book that made you fall in love with the author in the first place. But here, for me, I liked this author after the author book I read, but this made me LOVE her.
Everything about this book, I loved it. I mean of course the bad guy that Embry is forcing himself to bed in order to get close to take down him and others for what happened tragically in his past is not fun to read, at all. And things do happen that made me uncomfortable, like
Spoiler
Embry is almost raped by the bad guy late in the book. It's horrible to read and I was SO scared it would be a full on rape scene. But Embry fights his way out of it and unleashed his badassness. Although the event still damaged a damaged Embry even further.The first part of this book is told from Brogan's POV, and I loved Brogan, but I was itching for Embry's POV well into the first part because not only was Embry fascinating, he was also so closed off most of the time that it was hard to tell what he was thinking. But we eventually get to his POV and it was so interesting.
Embry is 23 years old in this book, but he went through such a horrific and devastating tragedy that it changed him forever. He rarely spoke before the tragedy because of his extreme shyness and anxiety, and after it isn't so much anxiety or shyness that keeps him so closed lipped, but his anger and grief and need not to let anyone in.
But then Brogan comes along, and he messes everything up - in the best way of course ;) - and we get to see more and more glimpses of Embry from before and it twists Embry up inside because Brogan got past his walls and settled in them without Embry realizing it and he doesn't know how to deal with that.
And Brogan is 29 years old, ex-military turned security/bodyguard, and the company he works for is hired to protect Joel something or other, the bad guy that Embry is letting bed him all the time - for purposes you find out as you read along. Embry is the assistant to the guy at a ~supposedly legal selling of guns type company - and you can all guess how some sales are not so legal from that.
But Brogan is paid to protect the piece-of-shit Joel, but begins to really want to protect the man he's falling for, Embry.
And as they fall deeper in love, the harder it is for Embry to go forward with his plan, because Brogan reaches him in a way he never thought he'd be reached again.
It hurt me as much as Brogan those times when Embry would force himself to shut off his emotions and all his wants and needs and treat Brogan almost robotically, but I loved when Embry couldn't hold that mask for long around Brogan.
I loved this story, I was riveted from the very first page and couldn't put it down - only much needed sleep forced me to put it down and RL obligations.
This story was well written, it was intriguing, Embry and Brogan had amazing chemistry - and let me tell you, the sex? THE SEX! holyyyy shitttt, soooo hot. Like *fansself*. Especially their first penetrative sex scene together...that was one of the best sex scenes I've read probably since the sex scenes written in Hailey Turner's metahuman series (mostly with Jamie and Kyle).
Also the connection these two shared, seeming them slowly fall in love, the author giving them scenes where they were getting to know each other, getting scenes where they talked...it was beautiful.
One of my favorites, for sure. HIGHLY recommend if you haven't read this yet :D
missawn's review
2.0
I disliked this book intensely. As the plot unfolded I could not help getting increasingly uncomfortable with the MC's actions and motivations ... and how they tried to justify some pretty terrible things in terrible ways.
First, this book gives a whole new meaning to inappropriate workplace relationships (so if that is not your thing, best stay far, far away from this one).
Then you have one deeply damaged MC in need of saving and in swoops in saintly, exceptionally good MC who gets rapidly and hopelessly smitten. The ILY comes really quickly and without a whole lot of chemistry. I just found the whole premise of this book to be deeply, deeply disturbing ...
There is murder, attempted rape, attempted murder, physical assault etc. It was dark, unpleasant and upsetting. Its too bad because the bones of this story were intriguingly interesting and the writing is strong. But I could not reconcile my intense distaste and dislike of the MCs (both with distractingly weird names BTW). Troubling, disturbing ... not a fun read ...
First, this book gives a whole new meaning to inappropriate workplace relationships (so if that is not your thing, best stay far, far away from this one).
Then you have one deeply damaged MC in need of saving and in swoops in saintly, exceptionally good MC who gets rapidly and hopelessly smitten. The ILY comes really quickly and without a whole lot of chemistry. I just found the whole premise of this book to be deeply, deeply disturbing ...
There is murder, attempted rape, attempted murder, physical assault etc. It was dark, unpleasant and upsetting. Its too bad because the bones of this story were intriguingly interesting and the writing is strong. But I could not reconcile my intense distaste and dislike of the MCs (both with distractingly weird names BTW). Troubling, disturbing ... not a fun read ...
thecorioliseffect's review against another edition
5.0
Reread April 2022: Hi. I still love this book. So much. More than anything. I mean, this could possibly be my favorite romance book of all time?? I just love this book so much. I love the flirting and the chemistry between Brogan and Embry. I love the mystery and intrigue of the plot. I love the banter in this book. Sometimes it's downright STUPID, but it's always so funny and endearing.
Mario and Brogan at the end? Fucking dumbass twins extraordinaire. I love them.
I love this book. I love how much Brogan and Embry love each other. I love how smart and clever my sweet, sweet Embry is. So many moments got me wanting to rip my heart directly out of my chest. This is one I definitely know I will reread time and time again.
~~~~~~~~~~
Reread January 2021: I knew I'd be reading this again. And guess what. STILL FUCKING LOVE THIS BOOK OH MY GOD.
So good. A little funny. A lot serious. Very romantic. Just really good. Still an all-time favorite.
~~~~~
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH MY GOOOOOOOOOOODDDDDDDD.
I wish I could put into words how much I loved this. Damn.
I wasn't crazy about Pucked, and after getting halfway through, I thought to myself, I needed to try something else. So I looked for a standalone. Idk why, but I was slightly hesitant to pick this up at first because I wasn't sure if it was what I wanted at the moment. But I did anyway, and DAMN AM I GLAD I DID.
This ended up being different than what I expected, but in a good way. As I was reading, the Damen and Laurent vibes were soooo real. Brogan was the big guy, tough, and could totally kill you, but also soft as hell. He has this almost perverse sense of justice, just like Damen, in that he'd probably save his worst enemy from being literally stabbed in the back because stabbing a defenseless person in the back is wrong. Then you have Embry: beautiful, well-dressed, wicked mouth, mysterious. If *that* isn't Laurent, idk what is.
Then the way they just fit together? Magic. The thing is, I was more invested into their relationship 20% into this book than I was into Maximoff and Farrow in three books of the Like Us series. Like, I totally bought their chemistry, and was so into it from the very beginning. It was serious and kind of dark at times, but it also had its funny moments. I read the last 60% of it in one day because I just couldn't put it down.
Definitely going to be checking out more from this author!
You know a book is great when you're already thinking about when you're going to reread it, and I know for sure I'm going to read this one again. And now, in retrospect, it kind of sucks that this is the book I chose to pick up after Pucked, because how am I supposed to go back to that dumpster fire after this?
Mario and Brogan at the end? Fucking dumbass twins extraordinaire. I love them.
I love this book. I love how much Brogan and Embry love each other. I love how smart and clever my sweet, sweet Embry is. So many moments got me wanting to rip my heart directly out of my chest. This is one I definitely know I will reread time and time again.
~~~~~~~~~~
Reread January 2021: I knew I'd be reading this again. And guess what. STILL FUCKING LOVE THIS BOOK OH MY GOD.
So good. A little funny. A lot serious. Very romantic. Just really good. Still an all-time favorite.
~~~~~
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH MY GOOOOOOOOOOODDDDDDDD.
I wish I could put into words how much I loved this. Damn.
I wasn't crazy about Pucked, and after getting halfway through, I thought to myself, I needed to try something else. So I looked for a standalone. Idk why, but I was slightly hesitant to pick this up at first because I wasn't sure if it was what I wanted at the moment. But I did anyway, and DAMN AM I GLAD I DID.
This ended up being different than what I expected, but in a good way. As I was reading, the Damen and Laurent vibes were soooo real. Brogan was the big guy, tough, and could totally kill you, but also soft as hell. He has this almost perverse sense of justice, just like Damen, in that he'd probably save his worst enemy from being literally stabbed in the back because stabbing a defenseless person in the back is wrong. Then you have Embry: beautiful, well-dressed, wicked mouth, mysterious. If *that* isn't Laurent, idk what is.
Then the way they just fit together? Magic. The thing is, I was more invested into their relationship 20% into this book than I was into Maximoff and Farrow in three books of the Like Us series. Like, I totally bought their chemistry, and was so into it from the very beginning. It was serious and kind of dark at times, but it also had its funny moments. I read the last 60% of it in one day because I just couldn't put it down.
Definitely going to be checking out more from this author!
You know a book is great when you're already thinking about when you're going to reread it, and I know for sure I'm going to read this one again. And now, in retrospect, it kind of sucks that this is the book I chose to pick up after Pucked, because how am I supposed to go back to that dumpster fire after this?
orangeandmilk's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
tragicgloom's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Infidelity, Trafficking, and Death of parent
Minor: Blood, Homophobia, Torture, and War
swimmingly's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
annaeli's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
mint_the_muffin's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
becka6131's review against another edition
5.0
Sidney Bell should just take me out back and shoot me next time
malex117's review against another edition
5.0
This was everything I needed in my life right now.
- The writing was great,
- the characters are real and layered,
- the romance part bittersweet
- the plot was action filled and interesting
- the sex scenes are freaking hot
- and a good epilogue & hea
This was a complex story and really hard to say anything about it without spoiler, and I don’t think it would be fair. So let’s say it’s a cheating trope, one of the MC1 is taken, but not because he wants to be with him. The other MC2 is the new bodyguard of the “boyfriend “. Sometimes it’s painful and looks hopeless, then the story focusing on something else and in the end it became a couldn’t put it down why is it ended book. I loved the romance, loved the investigation, loved the mystery about Embry and the big hart of Brogan. Mind the triggers ( violence, abuse, murder, etc) but in my category it’s not dark, more like a crime show on tv, but much more hotter
- The writing was great,
- the characters are real and layered,
- the romance part bittersweet
- the plot was action filled and interesting
- the sex scenes are freaking hot
- and a good epilogue & hea
This was a complex story and really hard to say anything about it without spoiler, and I don’t think it would be fair. So let’s say it’s a cheating trope, one of the MC1 is taken, but not because he wants to be with him. The other MC2 is the new bodyguard of the “boyfriend “. Sometimes it’s painful and looks hopeless, then the story focusing on something else and in the end it became a couldn’t put it down why is it ended book. I loved the romance, loved the investigation, loved the mystery about Embry and the big hart of Brogan. Mind the triggers ( violence, abuse, murder, etc) but in my category it’s not dark, more like a crime show on tv, but much more hotter