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innae's review against another edition
4.0
It’s been a while since I read the first two in the series, but I was still able to follow the characters. I enjoyed the twists and turns this one took..I shall keep on with the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death and Child death
lifeinthebooklane's review against another edition
4.0
Holy heck that was one twisty, full of deception and action packed read
Having read and enjoyed the first two Masters and Mercenaries books I now need to know the stories for Liam, Alex and Ian. This is Liam's story and, my word, what a full of intrigue story it was. There were some huge revelations and several very unexpected twists in the tale that, along with the steamy romance, added up to one hot and captivating read. I thoroughly enjoyed this from start to finish.
Despite an impoverished and challenging childhood, Liam had joined the army and pulled himself up by his bootstraps until he was involved in special ops. Sadly his last op in Britain resulted in a gaping hole in his memory and the death of his brother, Rory. Since then he's been drifting along, caring for no-one, not even himself.
Avery is a survivor. She survived the accident that robbed her of her husband and baby. She survived the injuries that robbed her of mobility, painfully learning to walk again. She survived losing her remaining family and friends, but will she survive Liam, his lies and the troubles he brings to her door?
There were times when my heart bled for Avery. She is such a sweet and innocent woman, unknowingly manipulated by a person she believes she can trust and lied to by so many others. Avery thinks she is starting to make friends and build a new life, but they are all Ian Taggart's men, investigating her to make sure she isn't part of a gun dealing ring. I could so easily have hated Liam and what he was doing to Avery, but very clever writing made me love him instead. The more time he spent with Avery, the clearer it became that he would do anything to protect her.
There is a lot of world building in this and the suspense part was much more the focus of the plot,. We still get to see a wonderful and believable relationship, albeit one built on part truths and some downright lies, develop. I spent so much of this book waiting for the other shoe to drop and wondering how on earth Avery could ever forgive Liam. When it did fall, it was in the most unexpected way and with consequences that I never even guessed at. The plot was simply amazing and really well executed too.
Submission and BDSM hadn't even tickled the edges of Avery's thoughts. Liam had only ever been a half-hearted player in the scene. Yet together they forge what felt like a very believable dynamic. I loved that the big alpha totally handed his man-card over to Avery, he might have been the one giving the orders but she held all the power. The author certainly knows how to portray different kink dynamics, and it made for some wonderfully steamy reading!
Whilst the story can be read as a stand alone, reading the series in order certainly gives extra depth and meaning to it. There is cursing and if scenes of power exchange (domination and submission) leave you cold then this might not be for you. For those that love a well written kink romance with an excellent story then I highly recommend this book.
Having read and enjoyed the first two Masters and Mercenaries books I now need to know the stories for Liam, Alex and Ian. This is Liam's story and, my word, what a full of intrigue story it was. There were some huge revelations and several very unexpected twists in the tale that, along with the steamy romance, added up to one hot and captivating read. I thoroughly enjoyed this from start to finish.
Despite an impoverished and challenging childhood, Liam had joined the army and pulled himself up by his bootstraps until he was involved in special ops. Sadly his last op in Britain resulted in a gaping hole in his memory and the death of his brother, Rory. Since then he's been drifting along, caring for no-one, not even himself.
Avery is a survivor. She survived the accident that robbed her of her husband and baby. She survived the injuries that robbed her of mobility, painfully learning to walk again. She survived losing her remaining family and friends, but will she survive Liam, his lies and the troubles he brings to her door?
There were times when my heart bled for Avery. She is such a sweet and innocent woman, unknowingly manipulated by a person she believes she can trust and lied to by so many others. Avery thinks she is starting to make friends and build a new life, but they are all Ian Taggart's men, investigating her to make sure she isn't part of a gun dealing ring. I could so easily have hated Liam and what he was doing to Avery, but very clever writing made me love him instead. The more time he spent with Avery, the clearer it became that he would do anything to protect her.
There is a lot of world building in this and the suspense part was much more the focus of the plot,. We still get to see a wonderful and believable relationship, albeit one built on part truths and some downright lies, develop. I spent so much of this book waiting for the other shoe to drop and wondering how on earth Avery could ever forgive Liam. When it did fall, it was in the most unexpected way and with consequences that I never even guessed at. The plot was simply amazing and really well executed too.
Submission and BDSM hadn't even tickled the edges of Avery's thoughts. Liam had only ever been a half-hearted player in the scene. Yet together they forge what felt like a very believable dynamic. I loved that the big alpha totally handed his man-card over to Avery, he might have been the one giving the orders but she held all the power. The author certainly knows how to portray different kink dynamics, and it made for some wonderfully steamy reading!
Whilst the story can be read as a stand alone, reading the series in order certainly gives extra depth and meaning to it. There is cursing and if scenes of power exchange (domination and submission) leave you cold then this might not be for you. For those that love a well written kink romance with an excellent story then I highly recommend this book.
cronkie12's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
- absolutely love Liam. Avery was annoying at times with the self deprecation. Spicy scenes were really good. The actual plot of this one was probably my fav of the series so far.
mylastromancenovel's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
My Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️.25
General Thoughts: This series was recommended to me by a booksta friend. I liked but didn't love the first two. In those ones, it just felt like something was missing, and there was a plot point that didn't click for me--the same plot point in both books. But this book finally had it all click, and it got rid of the plot point I didn't like in the first two!
I loved the characters, the humor, the romance, and the suspense. This book is where it came together for me and where I could see why my friend loves this series so much. If you're looking for "Bond, James Bond but make it romance," this book has you covered. It is an interconnected standalone, so you don't need to read the ones before, but characters make repeat appearances.
Liam and Avery were great together and separately. The plot was predictable at points, but I think perhaps intentionally so. Great book. Hope the author leans more into this in books in the series moving forward.
Steam Meter: ❤️🔥❤️🔥 ❤️🔥 It was definitely steamy. Not the most graphic or prolific, but definitely there and often and B.D SMy/k1nky.
Romantic Tropes
-romantic suspense
-hidden identity
-spy/undercover romance
-Disability rep
-wounded heroine/hero
-BDSM
You can also find me on Insta @mylastromancenovel.
General Thoughts: This series was recommended to me by a booksta friend. I liked but didn't love the first two. In those ones, it just felt like something was missing, and there was a plot point that didn't click for me--the same plot point in both books. But this book finally had it all click, and it got rid of the plot point I didn't like in the first two!
I loved the characters, the humor, the romance, and the suspense. This book is where it came together for me and where I could see why my friend loves this series so much. If you're looking for "Bond, James Bond but make it romance," this book has you covered. It is an interconnected standalone, so you don't need to read the ones before, but characters make repeat appearances.
Liam and Avery were great together and separately. The plot was predictable at points, but I think perhaps intentionally so. Great book. Hope the author leans more into this in books in the series moving forward.
Steam Meter: ❤️🔥❤️🔥 ❤️🔥 It was definitely steamy. Not the most graphic or prolific, but definitely there and often and B.D SMy/k1nky.
Romantic Tropes
-romantic suspense
-hidden identity
-spy/undercover romance
-Disability rep
-wounded heroine/hero
-BDSM
You can also find me on Insta @mylastromancenovel.
jigsawgirl's review
4.0
I know I could have read this book much quicker, but I did enjoy listening to it, and Ryan West's Irish brogue. Not being Irish, I can't attest to the authenticity, but it sounded good to me. The audio version is approx. 15.35 hrs of listening.
Remembering Liam from Adam, Serena, and Jake's book, I was not sure what to expect. The elusive Mr. Black was the target. Finding out about both Avery and Liam's tormented pasts, I knew it was going to be an interesting ride seeing how the author was going to get them together.
This book has so much intrigue, action, suspense, and mystery working together, much more than the previous book. There were so many pieces to the puzzle, that every time I thought it was almost the last, it wasnt!
Liam and Avery had great chemistry. I thought it was interesting that Avery was so willing to accept him as her Dom. They also had several funny moments that often occurred as they were ratcheting up the sexual tension. The book involved many steamy scenes.
As the Taggert team navigates the streets of London trying to bring down Mr. Black, and avoiding spotlighting Liam's past, Avery and Liam move steadily toward their HEA. You won't be disappointed by the twists, turns, and surprises throughout the book.
Remembering Liam from Adam, Serena, and Jake's book, I was not sure what to expect. The elusive Mr. Black was the target. Finding out about both Avery and Liam's tormented pasts, I knew it was going to be an interesting ride seeing how the author was going to get them together.
This book has so much intrigue, action, suspense, and mystery working together, much more than the previous book. There were so many pieces to the puzzle, that every time I thought it was almost the last, it wasnt!
Liam and Avery had great chemistry. I thought it was interesting that Avery was so willing to accept him as her Dom. They also had several funny moments that often occurred as they were ratcheting up the sexual tension. The book involved many steamy scenes.
As the Taggert team navigates the streets of London trying to bring down Mr. Black, and avoiding spotlighting Liam's past, Avery and Liam move steadily toward their HEA. You won't be disappointed by the twists, turns, and surprises throughout the book.
sjb86's review
5.0
OMG. I loved this book. Just see Liam in a totally different light when he meets Avary. Not only does Liam learn and grow into a great character all members of the team do. Every character grown up with love family babies in their future. Awesome story and suspense. Great twist with bad guys. 5stars.
kate_and_books's review
4.0
“The best secrets are the most twisted”
Liam O’Donnell is stuck in the past. Originally from Ireland after a mission went fubar he escaped to America with the help of Ian Taggart. But there is a lot to the story of the past which reveals itself throughout the book.
The team is in London on the hunt for Mr. Black aka Eli Nelson, the rogue agent from the Agency. He has been tied to one Thomas Molina. Liam has been tasked with following Thomas’s assistant. It has been a quiet couple of days.
One ay she’s spent twenty minutes taking pictures of tulips in street boxes. It was maddening. Boring. Dull as dishwater. And he’d started to wonder if she was seeing a world he didn’t see.
Avery Charles works for United One Fund and they are currently working in London. What she doesn’t know is that her boss has some shady dealings going on. She is a do gooder. With all good reason as she has survived a lot of tragedy for someone so young. She has some self-esteem issues (usually a pet peeve of mine) but to a certain extent I understood and all the lovely alpha men from Taggart-McKay put her back on the straight and narrow but mainly Liam with spanking.
She lost her husband, her baby and the ability to walk. She hasn’t been living and she is mistrusting about everyone around her. Once she lets everyone slowly in. Best bit Avery thought Liam was a gigolo and then a hustler.
Since that fateful night of hell Liam has given up on soft, voluptuous women but Avery will change everything. He never lived a full life after that night but now we really see him for who he is. With Eve’s help and hypnosis Liam is trying to piece that night together. It starts to realize that some things are off. This book is full of secrets and lies.
Both characters are scarred inside and out but that is what makes them both so unique. I loved them as individuals and as a couple. Oh Liam you sexy, adorable, tortured, loveable soul. But the way Liam deals so loving with the situation.
“I got a body covered in scars, but then who doesn’t? If you don’t have a few scars, you haven’t really lived.”
What I liked is that Liam has 100 % faith that Avery is some secret spy and that she is out to get them all. And that he confessed everything even though he could lose everything that was important to him. Avery feels betrayed by all of them. She always got what she wanted which were friends and a new beginning.
I fell to my knees at this scene.
“Avery, my name is Liam O’Donnell, and I’ve been investigating your boss for arms dealing.” More beautiful words had never been said.
After that and lots of poetic words from the Irish men I was a puddle on the floor.
“Maybe my love ain’t worth much just yet, but I’m working on that. I’m going to be better. I’m going to be worthy. I’ll learn from you. I’ll change for you. I’ll be a good man. I’ll be a man you want for more than an orgasm. I’ll be a man you can trust.”
And then when he realized all the needed to know. I sighed and wished I could swap places with Avery.
But it didn’t matter because his heart was full. Even thinking the words made him want to vomit a little, but he figured he’d get over it. He was an idiot in love with a girl and that felt good. But he wasn’t going to admit it to any of the lads. Not a chance.
But wait….
And the best bit? He was mean to save her and gain some more time and after he’d said all those horrible things. She knew it wasn’t true. Thank bloody God cause if not that would have peed me right off.
Best book in the series so far, well for me anyway. Although I guessed one of the things but I think it is quite clear to the who and the what of the situation.
I’m excited about Alex & Eve’s book.
Liam O’Donnell is stuck in the past. Originally from Ireland after a mission went fubar he escaped to America with the help of Ian Taggart. But there is a lot to the story of the past which reveals itself throughout the book.
The team is in London on the hunt for Mr. Black aka Eli Nelson, the rogue agent from the Agency. He has been tied to one Thomas Molina. Liam has been tasked with following Thomas’s assistant. It has been a quiet couple of days.
One ay she’s spent twenty minutes taking pictures of tulips in street boxes. It was maddening. Boring. Dull as dishwater. And he’d started to wonder if she was seeing a world he didn’t see.
Avery Charles works for United One Fund and they are currently working in London. What she doesn’t know is that her boss has some shady dealings going on. She is a do gooder. With all good reason as she has survived a lot of tragedy for someone so young. She has some self-esteem issues (usually a pet peeve of mine) but to a certain extent I understood and all the lovely alpha men from Taggart-McKay put her back on the straight and narrow but mainly Liam with spanking.
She lost her husband, her baby and the ability to walk. She hasn’t been living and she is mistrusting about everyone around her. Once she lets everyone slowly in. Best bit Avery thought Liam was a gigolo and then a hustler.
Since that fateful night of hell Liam has given up on soft, voluptuous women but Avery will change everything. He never lived a full life after that night but now we really see him for who he is. With Eve’s help and hypnosis Liam is trying to piece that night together. It starts to realize that some things are off. This book is full of secrets and lies.
Both characters are scarred inside and out but that is what makes them both so unique. I loved them as individuals and as a couple. Oh Liam you sexy, adorable, tortured, loveable soul. But the way Liam deals so loving with the situation.
“I got a body covered in scars, but then who doesn’t? If you don’t have a few scars, you haven’t really lived.”
What I liked is that Liam has 100 % faith that Avery is some secret spy and that she is out to get them all. And that he confessed everything even though he could lose everything that was important to him. Avery feels betrayed by all of them. She always got what she wanted which were friends and a new beginning.
I fell to my knees at this scene.
“Avery, my name is Liam O’Donnell, and I’ve been investigating your boss for arms dealing.” More beautiful words had never been said.
After that and lots of poetic words from the Irish men I was a puddle on the floor.
“Maybe my love ain’t worth much just yet, but I’m working on that. I’m going to be better. I’m going to be worthy. I’ll learn from you. I’ll change for you. I’ll be a good man. I’ll be a man you want for more than an orgasm. I’ll be a man you can trust.”
And then when he realized all the needed to know. I sighed and wished I could swap places with Avery.
But it didn’t matter because his heart was full. Even thinking the words made him want to vomit a little, but he figured he’d get over it. He was an idiot in love with a girl and that felt good. But he wasn’t going to admit it to any of the lads. Not a chance.
But wait….
And the best bit? He was mean to save her and gain some more time and after he’d said all those horrible things. She knew it wasn’t true. Thank bloody God cause if not that would have peed me right off.
Best book in the series so far, well for me anyway. Although I guessed one of the things but I think it is quite clear to the who and the what of the situation.
I’m excited about Alex & Eve’s book.
jgilge's review against another edition
3.0
Meh. Good book, something about it felt weird. Like there was too much backstory to try and keep straight.
thatashgirl83's review
3.0
I was kinda Meh about this book. I found the random phonetic Irish accent cheesy. I like Liam though.
nicandbooks's review against another edition
5.0
This Irishman has some secrets....
Liam always struck me as someone who would have one hell of a story to tell and I wasn't wrong!! Taking us to London (and introducing us to some side characters who we will come to know and love), we meet Liam's eventual love Avery - a woman who has had one tough road to bring her to where she is today. As Liam works the op to plant himself into Avery's life, we discover that all is not what it seems... but with a good dose of BDSM, some thrilling scenes, some hot action and some massive secrets... the ending is worth waiting for!!
Liam always struck me as someone who would have one hell of a story to tell and I wasn't wrong!! Taking us to London (and introducing us to some side characters who we will come to know and love), we meet Liam's eventual love Avery - a woman who has had one tough road to bring her to where she is today. As Liam works the op to plant himself into Avery's life, we discover that all is not what it seems... but with a good dose of BDSM, some thrilling scenes, some hot action and some massive secrets... the ending is worth waiting for!!