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3.44 AVERAGE
3.44 AVERAGE
Animal was hurt and it was to hard for me.
Sometimes you're in the mood for an angsty, dark MM romance and this book was just the kind I was looking for. Shane's spent the last 10 years in prison, the entirety of his 20s. The worst part? He's innocent of the crime he's been convicted of. At a time when most guys his age would be discovering themselves, sleeping around, and figuring out what to do with their lives; Shane was doing hard time for something he didn't even do. To say he's a bit pissed off about those stolen years is an understatement. Less than 3 weeks released and Shane has already put part of his revenge plan into motion. He may not be able to attack the wealthy politician who framed him directly, but that man has a son named Rosen who's in college and he will have no problem getting to him. Unfortunately, blinded by his need for revenge, Shane doesn't see what he truly has with Rosen before it may be too late.
Rosen. Sweet, trusting Rosen. I adored him. All he he wanted to do was be able to be himself and focus on his art. Instead, he has to hide who he really is away in order to avoid the wrath of his conservative politician father. It's never fair when the people who are supposed to love you unconditionally make their conditions known. There comes a point in time when you have to decide if their love is worth the sacrifice or if it can really be called love at all if there are strings attached. Rosen had given up on the idea of finding someone in college. His plan was for that to happen once he finished his degree. Falling for a guy, never mind a criminal like Shane, was never part of his careful plan for the future. It may turn out to be his biggest mistake...or his best one.
I really enjoyed the side characters who were a part of Shane's family. Frank the father figure, Dex the slutty one, and of course Jag the feral one. Jag is the one who intrigued me the most. He really does act like he was raised by a pack of wolves and I am dying to know more about his past and how he came to live with the others. Fortunately, my wish has been granted because the author has informed me the next book in the series, Primal, will be his. I can't even imagine the type of person who is going to fall for a guy like Jag, and even more odd Jag falling for him. Then again, he sure captured my heart when reading this one. It's going to be an interesting story for sure.
4.5 stars
Rosen. Sweet, trusting Rosen. I adored him. All he he wanted to do was be able to be himself and focus on his art. Instead, he has to hide who he really is away in order to avoid the wrath of his conservative politician father. It's never fair when the people who are supposed to love you unconditionally make their conditions known. There comes a point in time when you have to decide if their love is worth the sacrifice or if it can really be called love at all if there are strings attached. Rosen had given up on the idea of finding someone in college. His plan was for that to happen once he finished his degree. Falling for a guy, never mind a criminal like Shane, was never part of his careful plan for the future. It may turn out to be his biggest mistake...or his best one.
I really enjoyed the side characters who were a part of Shane's family. Frank the father figure, Dex the slutty one, and of course Jag the feral one. Jag is the one who intrigued me the most. He really does act like he was raised by a pack of wolves and I am dying to know more about his past and how he came to live with the others. Fortunately, my wish has been granted because the author has informed me the next book in the series, Primal, will be his. I can't even imagine the type of person who is going to fall for a guy like Jag, and even more odd Jag falling for him. Then again, he sure captured my heart when reading this one. It's going to be an interesting story for sure.
4.5 stars
Unfortunately, I can't rate it higher mostly for two reasons: first, Shane's anger at Ros' denial of knowing him in front of his father didn't make much sense to me at all. He knew he wasn't out and why, and he'd seemed prepared for what that meant before, especially when it came to Ros' father. Secondly, and on a more personal note, after what Shane did and during his attempts to apologise, it veered a little too close into 'bad relationship memories' territory for me, which put me off a lot. Fortunately, I got back into it a little by the end.
Details: Alternating POVs, third-person, past tense
Favourite character: Ros
Happy ending?: Yes
Favourite quotes:
Details: Alternating POVs, third-person, past tense
Favourite character: Ros
Happy ending?: Yes
Favourite quotes:
“Not afraid to lie to the IRS?” Ros teased but wasn’t sure if he was excited or a little bit scared.
“I’m not afraid of anything, honey,” Shane said and rose from his chair, ready to go.
The air was oddly sweet, as if Ros’s personality had melded with their surroundings, making everything feel brighter and tastier.
“What’s your body count then?” Ros asked with a laugh, and it took Shane a while to understand that he didn’t mean how many corpses Shane had dealt with.
He wasn’t sure if it was because Ros was physically weaker than him, or because they’d just had sex and he was on a hormone high, but he was ready to fight that fucking bear over him.
“Is this the one you should look in the eye, or shouldn’t?” Ros asked in a high-pitched voice.
“I don’t fucking care about its feelings. If it comes any closer, I’ll fuck it up.”
He pulled him closer, and it seemed Ros had been waiting for that gesture because he melted against Shane with a soft sigh.
Brad rubbed his head, breathing in shallow gasps. “Seriously? Why don’t you just fuck on Pete’s bo—”
“It’s… fine. There’s nothing you can do. But it’s nice to be around you. Like I haven’t lost a decade of my life.”
And despite being a wreck himself after tonight’s events, Ros still flashed Shane a little smile and winked. “If it helps, I was eleven ten years ago, so we wouldn’t have been a match.”
The noise became even more pervasive, and it was only when Shane pulled away that Ros noticed a crouching form perched on the roof of an old truck on the other side of the road.
Ros’s eyes went wide. “Is that—?”
Shane pulled away with a scowl. “Are you fucking kidding me? Get a TV if you want porn!”
“We could call him Cerberus, and he’d be guarding your lair.”
Since when was it their dog?
Heat shot to Shane’s head, rendering him speechless for several seconds. “My lair?”
“You know, at the junkyard. Cerberus belonged to the god of the underworld, Hades, and after tonight, I’m pretty sure we’re both going to Hell. We’ll need all the help we can get.”
Screw it.
He’d find a different way to get back at Ed Beck, but he would let Rosen cherish him and give the same back.
And he’d get the goddamn dog.
Cerberus whined and pawed at Shane’s hand so he wouldn’t slap himself again, but Jag let out a howl similar to Shane’s own and sat closer. It should have annoyed Shane, made him want to scold the crazy fucker, but he couldn’t sense a false note in Jag’s behavior, nor a hint of mockery. This moment felt like a primal connection that didn’t require words. Jag was just there, ready to feel this pain alongside Shane.
Rosen met his gaze, eager to soak in every word, like the cutest little sponge.
“But if you do, I’ll do everything I can to prove that I can be worth something too.”
Shane would bury another body with his bare hands for the little smile it got him.
The black beast stood on its hind legs, resting the front paws on the mesh fence surrounding its home. But once the pen opened, Cerberus spilled out like a wiggly croissant.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual content
dark
emotional
fast-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:
Yes
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
This was such a good book. Shane has alpha confidence and is morally gray (though he's never unalived anyone) while Rosen is so naive with the darker side of the world, even though he's a drug-dealer for his frat house. His innocence makes Shane's true purpose for starting up a relationship even more depraved, but there is redemption. Rosen's father is just a dick and I'm glad he got what he deserved. Jag is just crazy! No, seriously, I think he has a few screws loose and I have to read the next book in this series to get his story, because it's only mentioned that he was rescued from a cult.
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Couldn’t get into it. May come back to it later
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
What a thrilling dark romance!! Just the book I needed, a wonderful escape, great character development and just the best mix of vengeance and romance with a twisted cherry on top. I loved Shane! He is the kind of character that stays with you. He’s very much a down-on-his-luck guy who looks to revenge as a way to deal with his pain and the betrayal he suffered. He is such an intriguing, conflicted character, both a dangerous predator and a man craving love, needing to belong with someone. The way he struggles with his own vulnerability and with his rapidly changing feelings for Rosen was incredible. Brilliant writing. He skirts the edges of the “acceptable,” only barely stopping himself from doing the unforgivable. He is so conflicted. In comparison, Rosen is almost deceptively innocent. I love how hard he falls for Shane. He rolls with the punches and adapts quickly. The worldbuilding is gritty, different, and so very promising. I really liked Shane’s “found” family, dysfunctional and shady as they are. Very much looking forward to the next story in this new series.
Scum is a dark romance between an ex-con and the son of a wealthy politician. Make sure to check content warnings, as Shane's revenge plot takes a twisted turn.
Shane and Rosen's romance was explosive, they couldn't get enough of each other. While it turns toxic and at points even made me question if they could end up together, the author did a great job of keeping me invested and rooting for them.
I loved Shane's found family. Frank who took him in after he got out of prison. Jag who protects the junkyard and their family. And even Dex who's like the annoying little brother. I can't wait to read their books.
__
Shane spent 10 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. Now he's out of prison and ready to get revenge on the man put him there, Ed Beck the actual man who killed the woman and framed Shane. A republican politician who used his power to keep his own hands clean.
Rosen is the son of said politician. His father has forced him to stay in the closet, with the threat of not paying for his art college, as he doesn't want his gay son to negatively affect his popularity with his voters.
Shane wants to ruin Beck without risking prison time, and Rosen presents the perfect opportunity. Shane is going to use Rosen to ruin his father's political career and finally get his revenge.
However, Shane doesn't take falling in love with Rosen into account.
Shane and Rosen's romance was explosive, they couldn't get enough of each other. While it turns toxic and at points even made me question if they could end up together, the author did a great job of keeping me invested and rooting for them.
I loved Shane's found family. Frank who took him in after he got out of prison. Jag who protects the junkyard and their family. And even Dex who's like the annoying little brother. I can't wait to read their books.
__
Shane spent 10 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. Now he's out of prison and ready to get revenge on the man put him there, Ed Beck the actual man who killed the woman and framed Shane. A republican politician who used his power to keep his own hands clean.
Rosen is the son of said politician. His father has forced him to stay in the closet, with the threat of not paying for his art college, as he doesn't want his gay son to negatively affect his popularity with his voters.
Shane wants to ruin Beck without risking prison time, and Rosen presents the perfect opportunity. Shane is going to use Rosen to ruin his father's political career and finally get his revenge.
However, Shane doesn't take falling in love with Rosen into account.