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A review by cozycritiques
Illuminate the Night by Jay Leigh
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
”Caleb had promised to burn the world down for Elias. Never one to settle for mediocrity, he took it one step further—he blew it right up.”
- Illuminate the Night
Tropes: Romantic Suspense, Political Suspense, Workplace Romance, Boss/Employee, Age Gap, Single Father, Silver Fox, Size Difference, Aggressive Twink, Found Family, Multiple POV
Representation: LGBTQ+ (Gay and Bisexual), Jewish
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶 (”Good Boy”, Mild D/s Dynamic)
CW: Violence, Kidnapping, Death, Gun Use, Nazi and Neo-Nazi Symbolism/Paraphenalia, Right-Wing Extremist Rhetoric, Terrorism, Misogyny, Government coverups, Financial Insecurity, Parental Abuse, Former Domestic Abuse
A direct sequel to Whisper into the Night, Illuminate the Night focuses on the relationship of Elias and Caleb as everyone recovers from the trauma they experienced at the end of book one. This will be a six-book long series, so the overarching plot is built slowly. However, that doesn’t prevent this book from being a fast-paced, tension-filled ride. Leigh takes the political intrigue from book one and ramps it up as it becomes clear that the breach of the Secret Service was just the tip of the iceberg that is the right-wing extremist’s plans. I was on the edge of my seat as the gang tried to unravel the new threats that kept coming out of the woodwork.
The multiple POV format is quickly becoming one of my favorite things. Reading the story from so many different angles brings it a new life and allows for a deeper connection to all of the characters. While the main focus was on Elias and Caleb’s love story, I loved seeing the hints of relationships developing on the side, especially Taz’s, which will be the focus of the next book. Actually, I just loved getting to know Taz in general. Although I wasn’t his biggest fan in Whisper into the Night, he quickly grew on me, and I learned to love his prickly exterior. I was also glad to see first-hand how Connor and Theo were processing the aftermath of Theo’s kidnapping. Although it’s sad that Connor’s sunshine demeanor has been hardened by the events of the last book, I am kind of living for the new “no fucks given” version of him. I couldn’t help but do a little cheer every time he told off Theo’s mother.
However, the star of the show is, of course, Elias and Caleb. I fell in love with their flirty banter in book one, so seeing that banter turn into something more was absolutely wonderful. Although Elias is technically Caleb’s boss (Caleb frequently calls him “bossman,” and it kills me every time), there weren’t any uncomfortable power dynamics between them. In fact, there was a bit of role reversal, which was fresh and unexpected. Leigh is truly a master at flipping typical tropes and relationship dynamics on their heads. But beyond that, you can tell just how much they trust each other, both at work and later in their personal lives. They took care of and were vulnerable with each other, which made it almost impossible for me to put this book down. Also, the way the relationship between Caleb and Parker develops throughout the book is too sweet.
I thought I already loved the Rainbow Brigade, but reading Illuminate the Night made me fall in love with them all over again. Leigh’s writing is a perfect combination of political schemes, plot twists, swoony romance, and witty banter, and I can’t wait to see what is next in store.
- Illuminate the Night
Tropes: Romantic Suspense, Political Suspense, Workplace Romance, Boss/Employee, Age Gap, Single Father, Silver Fox, Size Difference, Aggressive Twink, Found Family, Multiple POV
Representation: LGBTQ+ (Gay and Bisexual), Jewish
Spice Scale: 🌶🌶🌶🌶 (”Good Boy”, Mild D/s Dynamic)
CW: Violence, Kidnapping, Death, Gun Use, Nazi and Neo-Nazi Symbolism/Paraphenalia, Right-Wing Extremist Rhetoric, Terrorism, Misogyny, Government coverups, Financial Insecurity, Parental Abuse, Former Domestic Abuse
A direct sequel to Whisper into the Night, Illuminate the Night focuses on the relationship of Elias and Caleb as everyone recovers from the trauma they experienced at the end of book one. This will be a six-book long series, so the overarching plot is built slowly. However, that doesn’t prevent this book from being a fast-paced, tension-filled ride. Leigh takes the political intrigue from book one and ramps it up as it becomes clear that the breach of the Secret Service was just the tip of the iceberg that is the right-wing extremist’s plans. I was on the edge of my seat as the gang tried to unravel the new threats that kept coming out of the woodwork.
The multiple POV format is quickly becoming one of my favorite things. Reading the story from so many different angles brings it a new life and allows for a deeper connection to all of the characters. While the main focus was on Elias and Caleb’s love story, I loved seeing the hints of relationships developing on the side, especially Taz’s, which will be the focus of the next book. Actually, I just loved getting to know Taz in general. Although I wasn’t his biggest fan in Whisper into the Night, he quickly grew on me, and I learned to love his prickly exterior. I was also glad to see first-hand how Connor and Theo were processing the aftermath of Theo’s kidnapping. Although it’s sad that Connor’s sunshine demeanor has been hardened by the events of the last book, I am kind of living for the new “no fucks given” version of him. I couldn’t help but do a little cheer every time he told off Theo’s mother.
However, the star of the show is, of course, Elias and Caleb. I fell in love with their flirty banter in book one, so seeing that banter turn into something more was absolutely wonderful. Although Elias is technically Caleb’s boss (Caleb frequently calls him “bossman,” and it kills me every time), there weren’t any uncomfortable power dynamics between them. In fact, there was a bit of role reversal, which was fresh and unexpected. Leigh is truly a master at flipping typical tropes and relationship dynamics on their heads. But beyond that, you can tell just how much they trust each other, both at work and later in their personal lives. They took care of and were vulnerable with each other, which made it almost impossible for me to put this book down. Also, the way the relationship between Caleb and Parker develops throughout the book is too sweet.
I thought I already loved the Rainbow Brigade, but reading Illuminate the Night made me fall in love with them all over again. Leigh’s writing is a perfect combination of political schemes, plot twists, swoony romance, and witty banter, and I can’t wait to see what is next in store.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Physical abuse
Minor: Domestic abuse
Violence, Kidnapping, Death, Gun Use, Nazi and Neo-Nazi Symbolism/Paraphenalia, Right-Wing Extremist Rhetoric, Terrorism, Misogyny, Government coverups, Financial Insecurity, Parental Abuse, Former Domestic Abuse