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verityw's review against another edition
4.0
*****Copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review****
I really enjoyed this - even if it did end on a cliff hanger - again! I think you probably need to have read the first book to get the best out of this - it doesn't spend much time setting up Henry and Mac's relationship - which suited me fine - but I can imagine it would cause problems for readers who happened on this by chance.
That said, I thought this almost was better than the first one - more action, more depth - and Henry became more rounded and understandable. It is almost verging on needing a bit of a trigger warning though - I can't quite decide if Henry's backstory adds up to being a trigger for people who've suffered sexual violence. I don't think it does, but there's definitely a hint of that. But then there are some fairly seedy characters in this all around, and there's a lot of dodgy stuff going on.
I'm looking out for the next one already!
I really enjoyed this - even if it did end on a cliff hanger - again! I think you probably need to have read the first book to get the best out of this - it doesn't spend much time setting up Henry and Mac's relationship - which suited me fine - but I can imagine it would cause problems for readers who happened on this by chance.
That said, I thought this almost was better than the first one - more action, more depth - and Henry became more rounded and understandable. It is almost verging on needing a bit of a trigger warning though - I can't quite decide if Henry's backstory adds up to being a trigger for people who've suffered sexual violence. I don't think it does, but there's definitely a hint of that. But then there are some fairly seedy characters in this all around, and there's a lot of dodgy stuff going on.
I'm looking out for the next one already!
alisonalisonalison's review against another edition
3.0
I started this ages ago and wasn't in the right mood for it, so I paused and only finished it just recently. Perhaps the less-than-ideal start set me up for not being that excited about this book. I loved the first one, but I just never got into this installment for some reason. I finished it, but half-heartedly. Oh well.
kaje_harper's review against another edition
5.0
Okay, that's quite a mix of shelves that one went on. Let me also add - cliffhangers are EVIL, although these are plot-related cliffies, not will-he-live-or-die, so not quite as awful. And I'll forgive Lisa Henry and JA Rock, because a lot of things happen in this book, the story moves forward, and they promised the next one soon. Right?! So we have mercurial, damaged, care-nothing Henry, and intense, career-focused serious Mac, off on another adventure of both crime and the heart...*Spoilers for the first book ahead.*
This is the second book in the saga of Mac the cop (I have a little trouble writing that) and Henry Page the con man turned reluctant witness. It picks up nicely from where the cliffhanger ending of the last one left us. Henry ditched Mac when they were almost getting together (did I say evil?) because his sister always has and always will come first in his life. Between love, shared history, and guilt, he is totally invested in keeping her happy and safe. It turns out that the high-end care home he placed her in has had some changes, and she's scared. Before he can be sure she's safe there, Henry has to investigate.
Mac is being dumped on by life right now. It's not just his tangled emotions for an untrustworthy con-man who keeps ditching him. Someone has been reporting him for unethical conduct and he is being professionally investigated. His name is tied to a questionable death, and he's accused of using excessive violence against civilians. Mac's precious career is on the line, so of course, this is when Henry decides to pull another harebrained scheme...
I enjoyed this one even more than the first. There is humor and an action plot, but there is also more feeling, more depth, and more heat with a little kink. The plot's a bit slapstick, but not beyond what I can enjoy. And the pain of the backstory lingers like a cold mist under the lighthearted surface, promising more to come. I can't wait, (Literally, dear authors...) for the next installment.
This is the second book in the saga of Mac the cop (I have a little trouble writing that) and Henry Page the con man turned reluctant witness. It picks up nicely from where the cliffhanger ending of the last one left us. Henry ditched Mac when they were almost getting together (did I say evil?) because his sister always has and always will come first in his life. Between love, shared history, and guilt, he is totally invested in keeping her happy and safe. It turns out that the high-end care home he placed her in has had some changes, and she's scared. Before he can be sure she's safe there, Henry has to investigate.
Mac is being dumped on by life right now. It's not just his tangled emotions for an untrustworthy con-man who keeps ditching him. Someone has been reporting him for unethical conduct and he is being professionally investigated. His name is tied to a questionable death, and he's accused of using excessive violence against civilians. Mac's precious career is on the line, so of course, this is when Henry decides to pull another harebrained scheme...
I enjoyed this one even more than the first. There is humor and an action plot, but there is also more feeling, more depth, and more heat with a little kink. The plot's a bit slapstick, but not beyond what I can enjoy. And the pain of the backstory lingers like a cold mist under the lighthearted surface, promising more to come. I can't wait, (Literally, dear authors...) for the next installment.
annen's review against another edition
5.0
I have never been a fan of series that have the same characters book after book, I like to meet new characters in every book, this series though has left me wishing that there is more Henry and Mac for me to enjoy.
The first awesome thing about this book was it's narrator, Nick J. Russo gave such animation to it such that you felt all the moments, the sad (you could hear tears in his voice), the happy, the scary, the heartbreaking, the humorous, the nostalgic, it was all so well done. I loved that he sang so well. He gave Mac and Henry completely distinct and well fitting voices, the was no doubt who was speaking when.
The story was amazingly well written with a great balance of romance and suspense. All three books had good side characters that made the stories richer and more fulfilling.
There were some really depressing and sad moments in parts of these stories but they were balanced by real humour and lightness that was mostly brought out by Henry. For someone who had such a hard life, he had very little bitterness or even hardness to him. He really complemented grouchy Mac.
I was surprised by how little sex there was in this book, it was very explicit in language but many of the sex scenes faded to black and the first book had no sex at all. What was on paper was good thought and I didn't miss the sex much.
All in all, great books, I wish there was more of these guys.
The first awesome thing about this book was it's narrator, Nick J. Russo gave such animation to it such that you felt all the moments, the sad (you could hear tears in his voice), the happy, the scary, the heartbreaking, the humorous, the nostalgic, it was all so well done. I loved that he sang so well. He gave Mac and Henry completely distinct and well fitting voices, the was no doubt who was speaking when.
The story was amazingly well written with a great balance of romance and suspense. All three books had good side characters that made the stories richer and more fulfilling.
There were some really depressing and sad moments in parts of these stories but they were balanced by real humour and lightness that was mostly brought out by Henry. For someone who had such a hard life, he had very little bitterness or even hardness to him. He really complemented grouchy Mac.
I was surprised by how little sex there was in this book, it was very explicit in language but many of the sex scenes faded to black and the first book had no sex at all. What was on paper was good thought and I didn't miss the sex much.
All in all, great books, I wish there was more of these guys.
fleurette's review against another edition
3.0
I loved the first book so much that I read this one just after the previous one and stayed late at night to finish it.
We finally meet Viola. She runs away from her care centre, scared after the suspicious death of her friend. Henry decides to investigate this case and, being who he is, he believes the best way to do it is to dress up like Viola and investigate the case from the inside. In the same time Mac is in serious troubles involving OPR investigation.
I really enjoyed this story but I wish we see more Mac and Henry together, they interaction is one of the best things in the book.
We finally meet Viola. She runs away from her care centre, scared after the suspicious death of her friend. Henry decides to investigate this case and, being who he is, he believes the best way to do it is to dress up like Viola and investigate the case from the inside. In the same time Mac is in serious troubles involving OPR investigation.
I really enjoyed this story but I wish we see more Mac and Henry together, they interaction is one of the best things in the book.
nishabell's review against another edition
4.0
Another funny read in this series with Henry posing as his female twin to uncover secrets at her home (which is a care facility). Mac and Henry continue to struggle with their relationship. This book does end on a cliffhanger, which I HATE, so I'm glad book 3 was already published for me to dive into right away.
ktomp17's review against another edition
5.0
Aaaarrrrggghhhh!!!!! Oh my god!!! This is killing me. I really hate having to wait another month for the next book. I loved the first book, but this one topped it. I loved watching Henry start to stop and think about how he could be with Mac. Henry's love for his sister put a new spin on who we thought Henry was and we are peeling more layers from the onion that is Sebastian/Henry. And the mystery?!?! I want to know what is happening now! Awesome story. Can't wait.
astoryuntold's review against another edition
3.0
I hate to say this about a Lisa Henry book, but I got a little bored with this one. Blasphemy, I know, but it's true.
I didn't really get Henry's impersonation thing, I thought it was kinda silly and it took away from the seriousness of the whole situation. Also, Mac following Henry around like a lost puppy (which he kinda is, let's be honest) and doing whatever he wants, doesn't really go with his character at all. At least, with the way he was introduced in the beginning. Henry and Rock are amazing in developing their characters and progressing them and changing into a final form in the most natural and believable way. With Mac, I didn't really get that progression. He went from A to B very quickly for my liking and for no reason.
Henry showing up on Mac's doorstep dressed in drag-now that was fun!
I didn't really get Henry's impersonation thing, I thought it was kinda silly and it took away from the seriousness of the whole situation. Also, Mac following Henry around like a lost puppy (which he kinda is, let's be honest) and doing whatever he wants, doesn't really go with his character at all. At least, with the way he was introduced in the beginning. Henry and Rock are amazing in developing their characters and progressing them and changing into a final form in the most natural and believable way. With Mac, I didn't really get that progression. He went from A to B very quickly for my liking and for no reason.
Henry showing up on Mac's doorstep dressed in drag-now that was fun!