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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
3.25⭐
I've read previous series by Parker and while some I enjoyed, some I did not.
This one started off interesting although about half way through it seemed to unravel a bit for me. There was a lot of information thrown in there that I felt was was too detailed that was unnecessary but then important things that should be explained in depth, fell flat.
There were a bit of inconsistencies for me to fully enjoy it the biggest one was right in the beginning, Gage was beat up for trying to save a girl from being taken, but then the girl was left behind in the same hole with him... Why? If she was being taken, why did they leave her and not take her??
Wyatt and Gage were endgame but had a lot of bumps and hiccups to get to their HEA.
I've read previous series by Parker and while some I enjoyed, some I did not.
This one started off interesting although about half way through it seemed to unravel a bit for me. There was a lot of information thrown in there that I felt was was too detailed that was unnecessary but then important things that should be explained in depth, fell flat.
There were a bit of inconsistencies for me to fully enjoy it the biggest one was right in the beginning, Gage was beat up for trying to save a girl from being taken, but then the girl was left behind in the same hole with him... Why? If she was being taken, why did they leave her and not take her??
Wyatt and Gage were endgame but had a lot of bumps and hiccups to get to their HEA.
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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
**4.5**
I am a big fan of Parker's Down Home and Cabrini Law series, and I think this is heading in the same direction. Slightly darker with crime and dirty cops taking over the small town that Gage returns to, there's a good balance fighting for what is right, even if it's going about it in the wrong ways.
Wyatt hurt Gage five years ago, leading to Gage leaving town but now he's back, after his adoptive father passed away, though he doesn't really know why. His foster home is still being used to foster children but now run by his brothers, Gideon and Dominic, two seemingly vastly different men, but first impressions can be deceiving. Then there is Mason, a lawyer fighting to keep them all on the right side of the law but also get his twin brother, Ben, out of prison.
Wyatt and Gage can't seem to stay away from each other, whether good or bad and it's not long before their intense chemistry ignites. It makes for a d*mn hot read, again and again, but there is so much for the two men to work through if there is the chance of them making something of being together. The town is a seedy crime hotspot and as one of its police officers, Wyatt is doing his best to stem the flow but it seems to be a constant losing battle. Gage has other ideas on how to beat them, and that's generally with his fists, often leading to not so successful resolutions. If you get squeamish about fights and blood scenes, maybe skip those pages as the story as a whole is still so worth reading!
The town series plot is covered across all of the books and so I'm very interested to see how that plays out. Gage and Wyatt's story is definitely not without its downs, more downs and ups, but the outcome is what both men deserve with what they have been through.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
I am a big fan of Parker's Down Home and Cabrini Law series, and I think this is heading in the same direction. Slightly darker with crime and dirty cops taking over the small town that Gage returns to, there's a good balance fighting for what is right, even if it's going about it in the wrong ways.
Wyatt hurt Gage five years ago, leading to Gage leaving town but now he's back, after his adoptive father passed away, though he doesn't really know why. His foster home is still being used to foster children but now run by his brothers, Gideon and Dominic, two seemingly vastly different men, but first impressions can be deceiving. Then there is Mason, a lawyer fighting to keep them all on the right side of the law but also get his twin brother, Ben, out of prison.
Wyatt and Gage can't seem to stay away from each other, whether good or bad and it's not long before their intense chemistry ignites. It makes for a d*mn hot read, again and again, but there is so much for the two men to work through if there is the chance of them making something of being together. The town is a seedy crime hotspot and as one of its police officers, Wyatt is doing his best to stem the flow but it seems to be a constant losing battle. Gage has other ideas on how to beat them, and that's generally with his fists, often leading to not so successful resolutions. If you get squeamish about fights and blood scenes, maybe skip those pages as the story as a whole is still so worth reading!
The town series plot is covered across all of the books and so I'm very interested to see how that plays out. Gage and Wyatt's story is definitely not without its downs, more downs and ups, but the outcome is what both men deserve with what they have been through.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Trafficking, Kidnapping, Medical trauma
dark
emotional
medium-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:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-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:
No
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Good start to the series. Very interested in all the brothers books.
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars, rounded up for Goodreads.
This book was a little grittier than other books I've read from Parker St. John. Set in the Bayou, Gage returns home after the death of the man who was essentially his father. Devil's Garden doesn't have great memories for Gage and he has amends to make with his brothers for the way he left. But his brothers aren't the only ones he left behind. Now he comes face to face with the reasons that he left.
I thought Gage was an interesting character. His backstory is really sad and he has struggled to move forward from the abuse he endured as a child and then another traumatic event as a young adult. I think Parker St. John handled these issues well. I also liked Wyatt as a character. As a law enforcement officer in a rough area rife with corruption, he's trying to make a difference in the lives of the people around him. I wish the romance felt a little more fluid as at times it felt forced. I was interested in the story around Gage's brothers and I'm interested to read the next book.
If you like gritty romance with a law enforcement/criminal element then this book is for you!
I received an eARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews. This is my honest opinion.
This book was a little grittier than other books I've read from Parker St. John. Set in the Bayou, Gage returns home after the death of the man who was essentially his father. Devil's Garden doesn't have great memories for Gage and he has amends to make with his brothers for the way he left. But his brothers aren't the only ones he left behind. Now he comes face to face with the reasons that he left.
I thought Gage was an interesting character. His backstory is really sad and he has struggled to move forward from the abuse he endured as a child and then another traumatic event as a young adult. I think Parker St. John handled these issues well. I also liked Wyatt as a character. As a law enforcement officer in a rough area rife with corruption, he's trying to make a difference in the lives of the people around him. I wish the romance felt a little more fluid as at times it felt forced. I was interested in the story around Gage's brothers and I'm interested to read the next book.
If you like gritty romance with a law enforcement/criminal element then this book is for you!
I received an eARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews. This is my honest opinion.
The book didn't manage to captivate me.
It feels too much like standard pap.
My rule is that I give books 50 pages to decide if I want to spend my time with them.
I didn't like the plot or the characters enough to keep reading it.
It feels too much like standard pap.
My rule is that I give books 50 pages to decide if I want to spend my time with them.
I didn't like the plot or the characters enough to keep reading it.