Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
Me... swooning so hard for these two men
Also Me: A total simp for Ellery
Wants to put Jackson in bubble wrap
and protect him forever.
Me: Crying over how beautiful this relationship is
ALSO ME: Jackson you sensitive IDIOT he walked HOME.
Me: Crying with Ellery when Jakson is hurt and crying with Jackson when Ellery is in danger because HE GOT ATTACHED AND THIS ONE IS MINE.
And don't get me started about Lucy Satan and Billi Bob.
AND THE STEAM GOOD LORDT.
Also Me: A total simp for Ellery
Wants to put Jackson in bubble wrap
and protect him forever.
Me: Crying over how beautiful this relationship is
ALSO ME: Jackson you sensitive IDIOT he walked HOME.
Me: Crying with Ellery when Jakson is hurt and crying with Jackson when Ellery is in danger because HE GOT ATTACHED AND THIS ONE IS MINE.
And don't get me started about Lucy Satan and Billi Bob.
AND THE STEAM GOOD LORDT.
4.5 Stars
Upon reread I upped my rating from 4 to 4.5. The reason for it is that I kept thinking about this book and these characters. It is typical Amy Lane with angst, humour, family, and pain.
While I loved Ellery and Jackson as well as the rest of the characters, I found some of their actions implausible. Jackson reminded me of Jory from A Matter Of Time by Mary Calmes in that he kept getting himself into trouble by being tstl. However I did admire that he generally got himself out of trouble by himself.
The climax came but my kindle said I still had two hours to go. One hour was wrapping up loose ends and the other was a collection of shorts that filled in some gaps between book 1 and book 2.
Upon reread I upped my rating from 4 to 4.5. The reason for it is that I kept thinking about this book and these characters. It is typical Amy Lane with angst, humour, family, and pain.
While I loved Ellery and Jackson as well as the rest of the characters, I found some of their actions implausible. Jackson reminded me of Jory from A Matter Of Time by Mary Calmes in that he kept getting himself into trouble by being tstl. However I did admire that he generally got himself out of trouble by himself.
The climax came but my kindle said I still had two hours to go. One hour was wrapping up loose ends and the other was a collection of shorts that filled in some gaps between book 1 and book 2.
Man, I am starting to love Amy Lane more and more. I'm so happy I gave this author a chance. All I'd heard before reading her books was that she wrote a LOT of angst, like that was her thing. And while that's true, she does it soooo well.
Ellery rubbed Jackson’s pouty bottom lip with his thumb. “I am insecure because you are….” He laughed, embarrassed. “Really hot.”
Jackson ducked his head. “So are you!”
~*~
“Tough. I love you. I’ve never loved another man like I love you. This thing that just happened to you, it feels like the end of the world. But the man in my arms?” Ellery squeezed him tighter, knowing that even if it hurt, Jackson could take it. “He’s still strong. Still good inside. It hasn’t stopped how I feel about him. It doesn’t change how I feel about you.”
Jackson goes through the grinder in this. I seriously had to wonder how he keeps surviving, because like holy shit? It's one thing after another in this. Some, he gets into himself because he's a stubborn ass who thinks he has to go it alone, and some is just thrust upon him by this shitty world.
But now Jackson has Ellery, who is just as big a stubborn ass, because he doesn't give up on Jackson, not once. He almost dares Jackson to leave him like Jackson is trying to get Ellery to leave him, but Jackson never does, for all his fear and insecurities and walls build up around him.
Ellery smashes through all those walls in this, eventually. And when they're down, and it's them together, it's beautiful. It's real and honest.
In this follow up to the first lovely novel, we find Jackson and Ellery still trying to track down Owens, and every few weeks a body shows up that they know Owens killed. But the police won't do shit because they don't want to have to uncover even more possible corruption done by Owens when he was a cop. Ugh. It's unfortunately realistic.
But these two don't give up, and in their pursuit of a seriously disturbed serial killer, horrible shit happens. To them - Jackson especially - and around them. The fear I felt throughout wondering if Owens was going to pop up out of nowhere and get them, that they'd find him and it'd all go wrong. It's wonderful writing, even if I hated seeing Jackson in so much goddamn pain and Ellery in pain because of his pain.
But also, Jackson is such a stubborn ass. He has to be pushed to the breaking point to easily and readily accept help. He does so grudgingly every other time. It gets soooo frustrating every time he says "I'm fine" while his shoulder is mangled to shit and he gets stabbed a little bit more and has bruises everywhere and also.
It's like Jackson was put under a pile of shit under a pile of bigger shit in this book. But the good thing was that he had Ellery there to pull him out of it, every step of the way. Their love is special and amazing and passionate.
Also, I love Jade and Mike too. They are awesome secondary characters and they continue to be amazing in this.
Jackson and Ellery eventually.
The ending is defffinntely telling us there is going to a third book. Given that there's another possible psychopath still at large, I got the feeling the ending was not the very end, and we're getting another one. We gotta get another book haha. The ending was fairly open ended, so I didn't get a feel that this was it.
And I'm excited for that book, because I'd love to read more Jackson and Ellery. These two together are electric and passionate and sweet and adorable.
Loved this!
Ellery rubbed Jackson’s pouty bottom lip with his thumb. “I am insecure because you are….” He laughed, embarrassed. “Really hot.”
Jackson ducked his head. “So are you!”
~*~
“Tough. I love you. I’ve never loved another man like I love you. This thing that just happened to you, it feels like the end of the world. But the man in my arms?” Ellery squeezed him tighter, knowing that even if it hurt, Jackson could take it. “He’s still strong. Still good inside. It hasn’t stopped how I feel about him. It doesn’t change how I feel about you.”
Jackson goes through the grinder in this. I seriously had to wonder how he keeps surviving, because like holy shit? It's one thing after another in this. Some, he gets into himself because he's a stubborn ass who thinks he has to go it alone, and some is just thrust upon him by this shitty world.
But now Jackson has Ellery, who is just as big a stubborn ass, because he doesn't give up on Jackson, not once. He almost dares Jackson to leave him like Jackson is trying to get Ellery to leave him, but Jackson never does, for all his fear and insecurities and walls build up around him.
Ellery smashes through all those walls in this, eventually. And when they're down, and it's them together, it's beautiful. It's real and honest.
In this follow up to the first lovely novel, we find Jackson and Ellery still trying to track down Owens, and every few weeks a body shows up that they know Owens killed. But the police won't do shit because they don't want to have to uncover even more possible corruption done by Owens when he was a cop. Ugh. It's unfortunately realistic.
But these two don't give up, and in their pursuit of a seriously disturbed serial killer, horrible shit happens. To them - Jackson especially - and around them. The fear I felt throughout wondering if Owens was going to pop up out of nowhere and get them, that they'd find him and it'd all go wrong. It's wonderful writing, even if I hated seeing Jackson in so much goddamn pain and Ellery in pain because of his pain.
But also, Jackson is such a stubborn ass. He has to be pushed to the breaking point to easily and readily accept help. He does so grudgingly every other time. It gets soooo frustrating every time he says "I'm fine" while his shoulder is mangled to shit and he gets stabbed a little bit more and has bruises everywhere and also
Spoiler
gets fucking pneumonia??? jfcIt's like Jackson was put under a pile of shit under a pile of bigger shit in this book. But the good thing was that he had Ellery there to pull him out of it, every step of the way. Their love is special and amazing and passionate.
Also, I love Jade and Mike too. They are awesome secondary characters and they continue to be amazing in this.
Jackson and Ellery eventually
Spoiler
take down Owens, cause duh! But there is also that whole "bad guy holds knife to your lovers neck and threatens to kill them while you stand there pleading with them not to kill your love" trope in this and i LOVED it. The truths Jackson finally admitted in that scene...damn. I mean, it sucked majorly, but I'm also a sucker for that trope, soooo ;)The ending is defffinntely telling us there is going to a third book. Given that there's another possible psychopath still at large, I got the feeling the ending was not the very end, and we're getting another one. We gotta get another book haha. The ending was fairly open ended, so I didn't get a feel that this was it.
And I'm excited for that book, because I'd love to read more Jackson and Ellery. These two together are electric and passionate and sweet and adorable.
Loved this!
Man, I am starting to love Amy Lane more and more. I'm so happy I gave this author a chance. All I'd heard before reading her books was that she wrote a LOT of angst, like that was her thing. And while that's true, she does it soooo well.
Ellery rubbed Jackson’s pouty bottom lip with his thumb. “I am insecure because you are….” He laughed, embarrassed. “Really hot.”
Jackson ducked his head. “So are you!”
~*~
“Tough. I love you. I’ve never loved another man like I love you. This thing that just happened to you, it feels like the end of the world. But the man in my arms?” Ellery squeezed him tighter, knowing that even if it hurt, Jackson could take it. “He’s still strong. Still good inside. It hasn’t stopped how I feel about him. It doesn’t change how I feel about you.”
Jackson goes through the grinder in this. I seriously had to wonder how he keeps surviving, because like holy shit? It's one thing after another in this. Some, he gets into himself because he's a stubborn ass who thinks he has to go it alone, and some is just thrust upon him by this shitty world.
But now Jackson has Ellery, who is just as big a stubborn ass, because he doesn't give up on Jackson, not once. He almost dares Jackson to leave him like Jackson is trying to get Ellery to leave him, but Jackson never does, for all his fear and insecurities and walls build up around him.
Ellery smashes through all those walls in this, eventually. And when they're down, and it's them together, it's beautiful. It's real and honest.
In this follow up to the first lovely novel, we find Jackson and Ellery still trying to track down Owens, and every few weeks a body shows up that they know Owens killed. But the police won't do shit because they don't want to have to uncover even more possible corruption done by Owens when he was a cop. Ugh. It's unfortunately realistic.
But these two don't give up, and in their pursuit of a seriously disturbed serial killer, horrible shit happens. To them - Jackson especially - and around them. The fear I felt throughout wondering if Owens was going to pop up out of nowhere and get them, that they'd find him and it'd all go wrong. It's wonderful writing, even if I hated seeing Jackson in so much goddamn pain and Ellery in pain because of his pain.
But also, Jackson is such a stubborn ass. He has to be pushed to the breaking point to easily and readily accept help. He does so grudgingly every other time. It gets soooo frustrating every time he says "I'm fine" while his shoulder is mangled to shit and he gets stabbed a little bit more and has bruises everywhere and also.
It's like Jackson was put under a pile of shit under a pile of bigger shit in this book. But the good thing was that he had Ellery there to pull him out of it, every step of the way. Their love is special and amazing and passionate.
Also, I love Jade and Mike too. They are awesome secondary characters and they continue to be amazing in this.
Jackson and Ellery eventually.
The ending is defffinntely telling us there is going to a third book. Given that there's another possible psychopath still at large, I got the feeling the ending was not the very end, and we're getting another one. We gotta get another book haha. The ending was fairly open ended, so I didn't get a feel that this was it.
And I'm excited for that book, because I'd love to read more Jackson and Ellery. These two together are electric and passionate and sweet and adorable.
Loved this!
Ellery rubbed Jackson’s pouty bottom lip with his thumb. “I am insecure because you are….” He laughed, embarrassed. “Really hot.”
Jackson ducked his head. “So are you!”
~*~
“Tough. I love you. I’ve never loved another man like I love you. This thing that just happened to you, it feels like the end of the world. But the man in my arms?” Ellery squeezed him tighter, knowing that even if it hurt, Jackson could take it. “He’s still strong. Still good inside. It hasn’t stopped how I feel about him. It doesn’t change how I feel about you.”
Jackson goes through the grinder in this. I seriously had to wonder how he keeps surviving, because like holy shit? It's one thing after another in this. Some, he gets into himself because he's a stubborn ass who thinks he has to go it alone, and some is just thrust upon him by this shitty world.
But now Jackson has Ellery, who is just as big a stubborn ass, because he doesn't give up on Jackson, not once. He almost dares Jackson to leave him like Jackson is trying to get Ellery to leave him, but Jackson never does, for all his fear and insecurities and walls build up around him.
Ellery smashes through all those walls in this, eventually. And when they're down, and it's them together, it's beautiful. It's real and honest.
In this follow up to the first lovely novel, we find Jackson and Ellery still trying to track down Owens, and every few weeks a body shows up that they know Owens killed. But the police won't do shit because they don't want to have to uncover even more possible corruption done by Owens when he was a cop. Ugh. It's unfortunately realistic.
But these two don't give up, and in their pursuit of a seriously disturbed serial killer, horrible shit happens. To them - Jackson especially - and around them. The fear I felt throughout wondering if Owens was going to pop up out of nowhere and get them, that they'd find him and it'd all go wrong. It's wonderful writing, even if I hated seeing Jackson in so much goddamn pain and Ellery in pain because of his pain.
But also, Jackson is such a stubborn ass. He has to be pushed to the breaking point to easily and readily accept help. He does so grudgingly every other time. It gets soooo frustrating every time he says "I'm fine" while his shoulder is mangled to shit and he gets stabbed a little bit more and has bruises everywhere and also
Spoiler
gets fucking pneumonia??? jfcIt's like Jackson was put under a pile of shit under a pile of bigger shit in this book. But the good thing was that he had Ellery there to pull him out of it, every step of the way. Their love is special and amazing and passionate.
Also, I love Jade and Mike too. They are awesome secondary characters and they continue to be amazing in this.
Jackson and Ellery eventually
Spoiler
take down Owens, cause duh! But there is also that whole "bad guy holds knife to your lovers neck and threatens to kill them while you stand there pleading with them not to kill your love" trope in this and i LOVED it. The truths Jackson finally admitted in that scene...damn. I mean, it sucked majorly, but I'm also a sucker for that trope, soooo ;)The ending is defffinntely telling us there is going to a third book. Given that there's another possible psychopath still at large, I got the feeling the ending was not the very end, and we're getting another one. We gotta get another book haha. The ending was fairly open ended, so I didn't get a feel that this was it.
And I'm excited for that book, because I'd love to read more Jackson and Ellery. These two together are electric and passionate and sweet and adorable.
Loved this!
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
I needed a nice heart-wrenching read right now, and boy did this book serve up for me. I cried, and I worried, and finally I got to see Jackson and Ellery grow closer than before. Of course, now I desperately need to read [b:Racing for the Sun|17700033|Racing for the Sun|Amy Lane|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1364528086s/17700033.jpg|24744064], because Ace and Sonny's story is one that I need to know.
Me... swooning so hard for these two men
Also Me: A total simp for Ellery
Wants to put Jackson in bubble wrap
and protect him forever.
Me: Crying over how beautiful this relationship is
ALSO ME: Jackson you sensitive IDIOT he walked HOME.
Me: Crying with Ellery when Jakson is hurt and crying with Jackson when Ellery is in danger because HE GOT ATTACHED AND THIS ONE IS MINE.
And don't get me started about Lucy Satan and Billi Bob.
AND THE STEAM GOOD LORDT.
Also Me: A total simp for Ellery
Wants to put Jackson in bubble wrap
and protect him forever.
Me: Crying over how beautiful this relationship is
ALSO ME: Jackson you sensitive IDIOT he walked HOME.
Me: Crying with Ellery when Jakson is hurt and crying with Jackson when Ellery is in danger because HE GOT ATTACHED AND THIS ONE IS MINE.
And don't get me started about Lucy Satan and Billi Bob.
AND THE STEAM GOOD LORDT.
*4.5*
Why is this series so good?!! Thriller/mystery, MM, PI/lawyer romance, lots of police action, lots of steam, and the dialogue and snark is on point.
Jackson continues to throw himself into the line of fire, you can feel his self-destructive nature. He's constantly wondering why Ellery cares so deeply for him. Watching Ellery's love slowly disintegrate Jackson's personal walls was written to perfection.
Ellery made a mental note to buy Mike something really expensive and manly for Christmas. Like a tractor or truck nuts or a tool system made of adamantium.Truck nuts lol!!! Are these only in America? At least once a week I see these monstrosities swinging from the back end of a pickup truck. OK I seriously got off track with this book review back to the actual story...
Why is this series so good?!! Thriller/mystery, MM, PI/lawyer romance, lots of police action, lots of steam, and the dialogue and snark is on point.
Jackson continues to throw himself into the line of fire, you can feel his self-destructive nature. He's constantly wondering why Ellery cares so deeply for him. Watching Ellery's love slowly disintegrate Jackson's personal walls was written to perfection.
Ellery stopped and ran tender fingertips over Jackson’s cheekbones, his forehead, his eyelids. “I deserve you,” he whispered. “The good and the bad. Don’t take that away from me.”Love these two!
Good story.
This book as as good as I expected from Amy Lane. And that is not a backhanded compliment. I expect great things from her stories, and I have always had those expectations met.
This book as as good as I expected from Amy Lane. And that is not a backhanded compliment. I expect great things from her stories, and I have always had those expectations met.