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a_reader_obsessed's review
4.0
4 Stars
Sadly, it’s been way too long since I last read [b:Bargaining with the Devil|40602970|Bargaining with the Devil (Death and the Devil, #1.4)|L.J. Hayward|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529582599l/40602970._SY75_.jpg|63061928], and I was under the vague recollection that Jack and Ethan were a lot closer than what this next installment portrays.
Ethan asks Jack to accompany him at a high stakes charity car race and though it should be a fun getaway, Jack is hit with revelation after revelation that stirs up all sorts of uncomfortable feelings. Seeing glimpses of the real Ethan puts him in a tailspin, alternating between wanting more of the mysterious assassin and balking at the idea of further intimacy.
Again, Jack and Ethan are far from being official, but the cracks in their resolve (mainly Jack’s) are getting bigger and bigger. Regardless, I still felt this was quite romantic despite very little relationship progression. This had some small wins with a nice dose of action, and I’m glad I'm back on track and hope to finish this series this year!
Sadly, it’s been way too long since I last read [b:Bargaining with the Devil|40602970|Bargaining with the Devil (Death and the Devil, #1.4)|L.J. Hayward|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529582599l/40602970._SY75_.jpg|63061928], and I was under the vague recollection that Jack and Ethan were a lot closer than what this next installment portrays.
Ethan asks Jack to accompany him at a high stakes charity car race and though it should be a fun getaway, Jack is hit with revelation after revelation that stirs up all sorts of uncomfortable feelings. Seeing glimpses of the real Ethan puts him in a tailspin, alternating between wanting more of the mysterious assassin and balking at the idea of further intimacy.
Again, Jack and Ethan are far from being official, but the cracks in their resolve (mainly Jack’s) are getting bigger and bigger. Regardless, I still felt this was quite romantic despite very little relationship progression. This had some small wins with a nice dose of action, and I’m glad I'm back on track and hope to finish this series this year!
divapitbull's review against another edition
5.0
When the Devil Drives is a Death and The Devil novella. It isn’t so much about story and what’s happening as it is about character development and the development of the ongoing relationship between Jack, government sanctioned spy and Ethan, freelance assassin. The guys have chemistry together and they both were on board with a friends with benefits arrangement. Neither have been involved in any sort of actual romantic entanglement in forever – and Ethan IF ever; so what could possibly go wrong?
Feelings. Feelings go wrong. They rear their ugly little heads and neither man knows what to do with them. Surprisingly Jack seems even less equipped to deal with them than Ethan – which given that Ethan is the “Asperger-y, socially inept, “abnormal” one – THAT says something! Both guys are slowly concluding that they like each other for more than sex, both are feeling the impact of the occasional insecurity and brush with jealousy and both are realizing that words like Mine and Monogamy would not be offensive. Also, of course both have no idea what to do with any of this. Both men still have little quirks to maintain distance – Jack won’t kiss on the mouth, Ethan won’t give oral sex…and the reader can’t help but hope that it’s all just a matter of time.
The novella takes place over the course of 2 months and 2 encounters. The first involves an attempted holiday weekend – which never goes well when spy and assassin are involved. The second involves Ethan again caring for Jack in illness. Nothing like the delirium of a fever to loosen lips and of course again neither man know what to do with some of the truths that slip out. End result – their “relationship type thing” is nowhere near settled but neither can continue to deny that it isn’t more than casual sex.
Looking forward to their next adventure!
Feelings. Feelings go wrong. They rear their ugly little heads and neither man knows what to do with them. Surprisingly Jack seems even less equipped to deal with them than Ethan – which given that Ethan is the “Asperger-y, socially inept, “abnormal” one – THAT says something! Both guys are slowly concluding that they like each other for more than sex, both are feeling the impact of the occasional insecurity and brush with jealousy and both are realizing that words like Mine and Monogamy would not be offensive. Also, of course both have no idea what to do with any of this. Both men still have little quirks to maintain distance – Jack won’t kiss on the mouth, Ethan won’t give oral sex…and the reader can’t help but hope that it’s all just a matter of time.
The novella takes place over the course of 2 months and 2 encounters. The first involves an attempted holiday weekend – which never goes well when spy and assassin are involved. The second involves Ethan again caring for Jack in illness. Nothing like the delirium of a fever to loosen lips and of course again neither man know what to do with some of the truths that slip out. End result – their “relationship type thing” is nowhere near settled but neither can continue to deny that it isn’t more than casual sex.
Looking forward to their next adventure!
layla87's review against another edition
4.0
These men are STILL STUPID!
GAH... Just please COMMUNICATE.
The ending was so frustrating. I just wanted Jack to SPEAK. Poor Ethan
GAH... Just please COMMUNICATE.
The ending was so frustrating. I just wanted Jack to SPEAK. Poor Ethan
nevclue's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the first one but I'm not a huge novella fan and these are required reading for book 2. I still got them and read them, but I'm not so sure I would have bought all of them, if I hadn't purchased book 2 and realized I couldn't read that without reading these.
haletostilinski1's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars!
So happy to get more Jack and Ethan and for the most part, this didn't disappoint. The second story was just lacking a little compared to the first short story, because Jack was sick the whole time and we weren't sure until the end that Ethan was even there and that any of it was actually happening. I would have been super disappointed if he hadn't been.
But we did get a little more insight into Jack's character and I did love that Ethan took care of Jack through his illness. Ending was abrupt though - something this author seems to do, frustratingly!
I loved the first short story more, I loved seeing Jack and Ethan deepen their relationship even more and get close to something - as Jack things to himself, a relationship thing. I had fun with the jealously on both sides and the sexytimes ;)
It also did a good job of showing how there is still so much more for Jack and Ethan to learn about each other. Can't wait for me, especially the second full novel because I sooo want more (and that first kiss! Please!)
So happy to get more Jack and Ethan and for the most part, this didn't disappoint. The second story was just lacking a little compared to the first short story, because Jack was sick the whole time and we weren't sure until the end that Ethan was even there and that any of it was actually happening. I would have been super disappointed if he hadn't been.
But we did get a little more insight into Jack's character and I did love that Ethan took care of Jack through his illness. Ending was abrupt though - something this author seems to do, frustratingly!
I loved the first short story more, I loved seeing Jack and Ethan deepen their relationship even more and get close to something - as Jack things to himself, a relationship thing. I had fun with the jealously on both sides and the sexytimes ;)
It also did a good job of showing how there is still so much more for Jack and Ethan to learn about each other. Can't wait for me, especially the second full novel because I sooo want more (and that first kiss! Please!)
bookish_notes's review against another edition
5.0
omg what is that ending??? I just want Jack and Ethan to be happy. INSTEAD, THIS IS ANGST. I love angst but I also want them to be together and have cuddles.
Nobody told me one of my all-time favorite tropes is in this book?! I loooooove when one character gets sick and says the most ridiculous stuff and the love interest has to take care of them. That’s the second part of this book.
The first part got a little action at the end, but these stories are a little more quieter? And I liked that too because we get to see more of how Jack and Ethan are like around each other and around other people when there’s no guns firing around them.
I loved this set of stories and can’t wait for whatever’s next for Jack and Ethan!
Nobody told me one of my all-time favorite tropes is in this book?! I loooooove when one character gets sick and says the most ridiculous stuff and the love interest has to take care of them. That’s the second part of this book.
The first part got a little action at the end, but these stories are a little more quieter? And I liked that too because we get to see more of how Jack and Ethan are like around each other and around other people when there’s no guns firing around them.
I loved this set of stories and can’t wait for whatever’s next for Jack and Ethan!
jacqueleenthereadingqueen's review
5.0
Its begun my friends... the feels *squeee*
Jealousy is also riding shotgun in this novella for both Jack and Ethan.
These tastes are never enough. I need more! And I need Jack to open his big fat mouth and actually tell Ethan what he's feeling.
None of them were the one he wanted. They weren’t Ethan, his beautiful, damaged, deadly man who kept leaving him all alone . . .
Jealousy is also riding shotgun in this novella for both Jack and Ethan.
These tastes are never enough. I need more! And I need Jack to open his big fat mouth and actually tell Ethan what he's feeling.
None of them were the one he wanted. They weren’t Ethan, his beautiful, damaged, deadly man who kept leaving him all alone . . .
downtown_kb's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
tetiana's review
3.0
I love these novellas: they accomplish a lot of character development in little increments and don’t demand a lot of commitment. Nothing I love more than a quick satisfying read.
novacaine3's review
5.0
favourite novella so far
loved all the car content, it was heaven at its finest.
“All around them, the other drivers were powering up their vehicles, The distinctive, throaty whine of the Ferrari, the hoarse growl of the Lambo, the grumble of the Porsche, the deep, smooth purr of the Vanquish."
i adored katie and vicky right from the start and the accident was quite unfair to them. there were times when i felt like i could strangle jack because he often spoke without thinking first, yes, (actually i'm starting to think there'll never be times when i won't) but he ALWAYS makes up for it. and once he determines himself i cannot help but be overly infatuated with him and utterly appreciate the mere ground he walks on.
they even shared a 'maybe i dreamt you' kinda moment. #4 and i live for those.
i wish to see ethan growing into their relationship and never again settling with thinking he's anything but the most important to jack.
“God. Another vision Jack wouldn't forget any time soon. Not quite as sublime as Ethan driving at top speed, but close. He wasn't relieved Jack had stopped driving, but because this was Ethan's Zen place. And he'd brought Jack here to be with him.
With a muffled thump, that grenade in Jack's chest went off again."
??
loved all the car content, it was heaven at its finest.
“All around them, the other drivers were powering up their vehicles, The distinctive, throaty whine of the Ferrari, the hoarse growl of the Lambo, the grumble of the Porsche, the deep, smooth purr of the Vanquish."
i adored katie and vicky right from the start and the accident was quite unfair to them. there were times when i felt like i could strangle jack because he often spoke without thinking first, yes, (actually i'm starting to think there'll never be times when i won't) but he ALWAYS makes up for it. and once he determines himself i cannot help but be overly infatuated with him and utterly appreciate the mere ground he walks on.
they even shared a 'maybe i dreamt you' kinda moment. #4 and i live for those.
i wish to see ethan growing into their relationship and never again settling with thinking he's anything but the most important to jack.
“God. Another vision Jack wouldn't forget any time soon. Not quite as sublime as Ethan driving at top speed, but close. He wasn't relieved Jack had stopped driving, but because this was Ethan's Zen place. And he'd brought Jack here to be with him.
With a muffled thump, that grenade in Jack's chest went off again."
??