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After Midnight
Two decades after war ravaged the nation, one of the last remaining metropolises thrives on a currency of sex, drugs, and lies.
Gordon Frost is a survivor. He outlived all of his friends after bombs decimated the hardscrabble neighborhood he grew up in, and he made it through the orphanages and crime-ridden slums that followed. With few prospects for the future, Gordon carved out a niche for himself in the expanding drug trade of Lexington, PA. It’s not pretty, but it's his, and it beats the skin trade he was involved with before. But a classic case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time results in a brush with death, going by the name of Adam. Afterward, the life that once seemed good enough isn't quite the same.
Adam Blake is an assassin on the brink of being terminated by the very organization that controls him. He completed his mission, but not without being seen. With his secrets in danger of being exposed by Gordon, Adam knows he should kill the smart-mouthed redhead, but finds himself intrigued by the troublesome civilian instead.
When Gordon’s knack for finding trouble combines with the dangerous consequences of Adam’s indecision, their worlds intertwine in an explosive way.
Trigger warnings: Graphic sex, violence, and drug use.
word count: 85,000
Gordon Frost is a survivor. He outlived all of his friends after bombs decimated the hardscrabble neighborhood he grew up in, and he made it through the orphanages and crime-ridden slums that followed. With few prospects for the future, Gordon carved out a niche for himself in the expanding drug trade of Lexington, PA. It’s not pretty, but it's his, and it beats the skin trade he was involved with before. But a classic case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time results in a brush with death, going by the name of Adam. Afterward, the life that once seemed good enough isn't quite the same.
Adam Blake is an assassin on the brink of being terminated by the very organization that controls him. He completed his mission, but not without being seen. With his secrets in danger of being exposed by Gordon, Adam knows he should kill the smart-mouthed redhead, but finds himself intrigued by the troublesome civilian instead.
When Gordon’s knack for finding trouble combines with the dangerous consequences of Adam’s indecision, their worlds intertwine in an explosive way.
Trigger warnings: Graphic sex, violence, and drug use.
word count: 85,000
244 pages, ebook
First published June 1, 2011
62 people are currently reading
1849 people want to read
About the author
Santino Hassell
36 books2,837 followersSantino Hassell was raised by a conservative family but grew up to be a smart-mouthed, school cutting grunge kid, a transient twenty-something, and eventually transformed into a grumpy introvert and unlikely romance author with an affinity for baseball caps. His novels are heavily influenced by the gritty, urban landscape of New York City, and his desire to write relationships fueled by intensity and passion.
He’s been a finalist in both the Bisexual Book Awards and the EPIC Awards, and was nominated for a prestigious RITA award in 2017. His work has been featured in BuzzFeed, Huffington Post, Washington Post, RT Magazine, and Cosmopolitan Magazine.
Santino@santinohassell.com
www.santinohassell.com
http://santinohassell.com/newsletter/
amazon.com/author/santinohassell
https://www.facebook.com/groups/getha...
https://twitter.com/SantinoHassell
https://www.instagram.com/santinohass...
https://www.patreon.com/santinohassell
He’s been a finalist in both the Bisexual Book Awards and the EPIC Awards, and was nominated for a prestigious RITA award in 2017. His work has been featured in BuzzFeed, Huffington Post, Washington Post, RT Magazine, and Cosmopolitan Magazine.
Santino@santinohassell.com
www.santinohassell.com
http://santinohassell.com/newsletter/
amazon.com/author/santinohassell
https://www.facebook.com/groups/getha...
https://twitter.com/SantinoHassell
https://www.instagram.com/santinohass...
https://www.patreon.com/santinohassell
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 293 reviews
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March 4, 2018REVIEW REMOVED
How is it that we GR'ers will get up in arms and add to our AUTHORS BEHAVING BADLY shelves so easily (like when an author comes into our review space?), BUT, when an author TRULY is behaving badly, possibly illegally, but definitely unethically, we dismiss it and scream "Drama! I want nothing to do with drama!"?
I've been on GR a long time, and I get the aversion to drama, trust me. But this is SO. MUCH. WORSE.
March 6, 2018
**Review removed due to personal reasons. Rating downgraded to one star**
March 7, 2018
March 7, 2018
Read
March 6, 2018RATING REMOVED
February 2, 2014
Slam-dunk.
Waiting for this revised edition was torture—but so, so worth it.
After Midnight is a gritty post-apoc dystopian with compelling characters, terrific action, and mind-warping UST like a car crash caught in slow-mo by a Russian dash-cam.
The idea of being slammed up against a wall was never so sexy as this.
Pass me a smoke, bitchez: I'm officially #TeamFrost.
Recommended.
Waiting for this revised edition was torture—but so, so worth it.
After Midnight is a gritty post-apoc dystopian with compelling characters, terrific action, and mind-warping UST like a car crash caught in slow-mo by a Russian dash-cam.
The idea of being slammed up against a wall was never so sexy as this.
Pass me a smoke, bitchez: I'm officially #TeamFrost.
Recommended.
Read
March 9, 2018I am pulling reviews and ratings of the books by this author, due to well-documented evidence of catfishing and abusive behavior toward members of the M/M community - I refer you to Riptide Publishing's statement - http://riptidepublishing.com/a-statem...
April 9, 2018
Review removed
Read
March 10, 2018 ** RATING IS REMOVED, BECAUSE REASONS.
http://riptidepublishing.com/a-statem...
https://twitter.com/dreamspinners/sta...
Original Review stays under spoiler tag because Goodreads is first and foremost *my* record of reading activities, and the fiasco doesn't change the fact that I've read this book **
http://riptidepublishing.com/a-statem...
https://twitter.com/dreamspinners/sta...
Original Review stays under spoiler tag because Goodreads is first and foremost *my* record of reading activities, and the fiasco doesn't change the fact that I've read this book **
September 17, 2013
Sex, Drugs, Assassins and a War Torn Underworld…
I could roll around in it forever; but it gets even better when you throw in a drug war for violence; a sexy blonde porn star for spite; and an erratic anti-hero with a crap-ton of issues for every other feel there is. ALL this and I’m ecstatic! Santino Hassell is tripping solo after his brilliant collaboration with Ais on the “In the Company of Shadows” series and I really didn’t want him to cock it up! With a recipe like this how could he?
I admit I was all flappy-hands-panicked when the writing felt a bit jerky at first, but as soon as the author kicked it up a gear with full body slams and the UST it just flooowed. Perhaps I got lost in Gordon Frost and the shit storm that surrounds him and forgot to notice. It’s so easy to lose yourself when Hassell flaunts his greatest gift for vivid characterisation and world building. He evokes my fiercest protective instincts for his heroes and Gordon is no exception. I would gladly scoop out my heart with a medicine spoon and say: Here, yours is broken so have mine.
Oh Gordon my little orphan … he’s so full of shit: so bad, so sexy, so vulnerable and so very exasperating. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to kick him in the kidney, punch him in the throat or smother him in cuddles! The dude is such a fucking victim when he allows his promiscuity and addiction to Pandora to define him as insignificant. And men like Marquis (sexy bastard & sometime lover) and Chance (his boss) are all too happy to take advantage of the metaphorical “shit here” tattooed across his forehead. He drove me NUTS! But still, I would kill for him.
Bottom line is: Nobody needs rescuing like Gordon does.
Enter Adam Blake – dark secret assassin and sexy-sexy-sexy … like a Greek god, he’s the perfectwhite dark knight.
This is not a conventional romance. Ha! There’s nothing conventional about this book full stop. The focus is all on Gordon, his connections with the Underground drug wars and his fuck-ups. The pace is fast and the atmosphere is electric but you’ll probably feel cheated by the lack of Adam and Gordon page time, but by the end you won’t even care. It’s that good.
The absolute worst thing about this book is watching the progress bar creep toward the 100% mark and if you are a greedy reader like me, you’ll want a more comprehensive conclusion – but I’m okay with it. I just hope Hassell decides to give us more.
If you’ve never read ICoS then this is a great introduction to this dystopian world. It echoes the type of gritty suspense, and unique characterisation that’s omnipresent in ICoS but sadly there’s not enough page time for it to be quite as magnificent. I still loved it. It’s now a favourite with Gordon and Adam earning a coveted *snorts* place in my m/m harem. So read it!
4.5 Stars For Boys in our Books.
For giveaways and lots of fun stuff click here
End Note:
If you’ve never read ICoS (I’m sorry for your loss): After Midnight is a spin-off and NO, you do not need to read that magnificent series first. After Midnight is set in the same Universe, that’s all.
For those who have read ICoS. I KNOW you will be reading this book, but you need to read the author’s note at the back which explains the timeline and the reworking of Gordon’s character in Fade.
Enjoy!
I could roll around in it forever; but it gets even better when you throw in a drug war for violence; a sexy blonde porn star for spite; and an erratic anti-hero with a crap-ton of issues for every other feel there is. ALL this and I’m ecstatic! Santino Hassell is tripping solo after his brilliant collaboration with Ais on the “In the Company of Shadows” series and I really didn’t want him to cock it up! With a recipe like this how could he?
I admit I was all flappy-hands-panicked when the writing felt a bit jerky at first, but as soon as the author kicked it up a gear with full body slams and the UST it just flooowed. Perhaps I got lost in Gordon Frost and the shit storm that surrounds him and forgot to notice. It’s so easy to lose yourself when Hassell flaunts his greatest gift for vivid characterisation and world building. He evokes my fiercest protective instincts for his heroes and Gordon is no exception. I would gladly scoop out my heart with a medicine spoon and say: Here, yours is broken so have mine.
Oh Gordon my little orphan … he’s so full of shit: so bad, so sexy, so vulnerable and so very exasperating. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to kick him in the kidney, punch him in the throat or smother him in cuddles! The dude is such a fucking victim when he allows his promiscuity and addiction to Pandora to define him as insignificant. And men like Marquis (sexy bastard & sometime lover) and Chance (his boss) are all too happy to take advantage of the metaphorical “shit here” tattooed across his forehead. He drove me NUTS! But still, I would kill for him.
Bottom line is: Nobody needs rescuing like Gordon does.
Enter Adam Blake – dark secret assassin and sexy-sexy-sexy … like a Greek god, he’s the perfect
“It’s not your job to save me,”… “I don’t need a hero.”
“You sure about that? You’re the most careless person I’ve ever met. It’s almost impressive.”
This is not a conventional romance. Ha! There’s nothing conventional about this book full stop. The focus is all on Gordon, his connections with the Underground drug wars and his fuck-ups. The pace is fast and the atmosphere is electric but you’ll probably feel cheated by the lack of Adam and Gordon page time, but by the end you won’t even care. It’s that good.
The absolute worst thing about this book is watching the progress bar creep toward the 100% mark and if you are a greedy reader like me, you’ll want a more comprehensive conclusion – but I’m okay with it. I just hope Hassell decides to give us more.
If you’ve never read ICoS then this is a great introduction to this dystopian world. It echoes the type of gritty suspense, and unique characterisation that’s omnipresent in ICoS but sadly there’s not enough page time for it to be quite as magnificent. I still loved it. It’s now a favourite with Gordon and Adam earning a coveted *snorts* place in my m/m harem. So read it!
4.5 Stars For Boys in our Books.
For giveaways and lots of fun stuff click here
End Note:
If you’ve never read ICoS (I’m sorry for your loss): After Midnight is a spin-off and NO, you do not need to read that magnificent series first. After Midnight is set in the same Universe, that’s all.
For those who have read ICoS. I KNOW you will be reading this book, but you need to read the author’s note at the back which explains the timeline and the reworking of Gordon’s character in Fade.
Enjoy!
Read
March 12, 2018Review and rating removed.
March 11, 2018
Well....
I.AM.SORRY.
The book was a pure disappointment for me. I WANTED to like it. I HOPED to like it. I DID everything to like it. I DIDN'T .
SEX...
DRUGS...
and...AGENCY
It was me at the beginning.
It was me at the middle of the book.
And it is me as I've finished it.
The plot.
Too much Agencyfor my taste. I couldn't really dive into.
Sex scenes.
Sorry. My phantom dick stayed mostly unimpressed. In spite of some really good scenes toward the ending. it was too late. I was thinking reading the last one, at the VERY end of the book, what I'd cook tonight for dinner...
The best in the book for me was Adam.
But even he couldn't save it for me.
Gordon...
I have no visuals of him, somewhere in the middle of the book I stopped searching for it. I just didn't care anymore.
It's nice that the both of them cleared all misunderstandings between each other at the end of the story and solved all their problems.
I.AM.SORRY.
The book was a pure disappointment for me. I WANTED to like it. I HOPED to like it. I DID everything to like it. I DIDN'T .
SEX...
DRUGS...
and...AGENCY
It was me at the beginning.
It was me at the middle of the book.
And it is me as I've finished it.
The plot.
Too much Agencyfor my taste. I couldn't really dive into.
Sex scenes.
Sorry. My phantom dick stayed mostly unimpressed. In spite of some really good scenes toward the ending. it was too late. I was thinking reading the last one, at the VERY end of the book, what I'd cook tonight for dinner...
The best in the book for me was Adam.
But even he couldn't save it for me.
Gordon...
I have no visuals of him, somewhere in the middle of the book I stopped searching for it. I just didn't care anymore.
It's nice that the both of them cleared all misunderstandings between each other at the end of the story and solved all their problems.
Adam to Gordon:
"I mean, is this just gratitude? Because I need more than that. I need you in my life in every way. Not just because of the Agency."
Read
March 4, 2018REVIEW REMOVED
How is it that we GR'ers will get up in arms and add to our AUTHORS BEHAVING BADLY shelves so easily (like when an author comes into our review space?), BUT, when an author TRULY is behaving badly, possibly illegally, but definitely unethically, we dismiss it and scream "Drama! I want nothing to do with drama!"?
I've been on GR a long time, and I get the aversion to drama. But this is SO. MUCH. WORSE.
June 13, 2016
5 stars for this great story
I must admit I didn't know what to expect, and after reading In the Company of Shadows there is no book that can fill the emptiness you feel...
Well ICoS was written by Santino and AIS and somehow I was afraid that I will not enjoy this book written only by Santino as much as I loved the series, but I was wrong.
Of course there is no book that can measure ICoS, but this one was really good. And I was SO HAPPY to read again about ICoS world and Carhart too!
At the end of this book, in the Author's note, it is said the action in this book happens in the same time with Afterimage.
It was great reading about Gordon and Adam. Adam was beautiful like a Greek God while Gordon was kind of sweet. I loved the way he talked to Adam. He just couldn't keep his mouth shut.
The sexual tension was huge, sex scenes were so HOT and I really enjoyed their story. It surprised me a lot! Somehow I didn't expect so much action, and a very vulnerable Adam at the end.
I must admit I didn't know what to expect, and after reading In the Company of Shadows there is no book that can fill the emptiness you feel...
Well ICoS was written by Santino and AIS and somehow I was afraid that I will not enjoy this book written only by Santino as much as I loved the series, but I was wrong.
Of course there is no book that can measure ICoS, but this one was really good. And I was SO HAPPY to read again about ICoS world and Carhart too!
At the end of this book, in the Author's note, it is said the action in this book happens in the same time with Afterimage.
It was great reading about Gordon and Adam. Adam was beautiful like a Greek God while Gordon was kind of sweet. I loved the way he talked to Adam. He just couldn't keep his mouth shut.
The sexual tension was huge, sex scenes were so HOT and I really enjoyed their story. It surprised me a lot! Somehow I didn't expect so much action, and a very vulnerable Adam at the end.
March 8, 2018
This sucks.
September 22, 2013
4 Intense Twisted Stars!! Slow build leads to a gripping, wild ride to the end!! Gordon and Adam…KABOOM!!
Gordon Frost lives in a harsh brutal world, where you either succumb to the powers that be, or join forces with them, he chooses to join them. He left the life on the streets for what he felt was his only option to a better life, working for a ruthless drug dealer and producer of porn, Damian ‘Chance’ Perry. Gordon abuses himself with drugs and alcohol, and he’s out of control. If his substance abuse doesn’t kill him, his stupidity in allowing people to use him will. At times he annoyed the ever-living crap out of me, and at the same time I wanted to coddle him, and give him the love he so desperately needs. Enter Adam Blake, ‘Mr. Greek’! For some reason Adam is taken with Gordon, has this overwhelming need to protect him and when it would have been in his best interest to kill him, he lets him live. So begins the relationship…if you can call it that… between this crazy duo!!
"Why?" Adam thudded his head back against the wall. He closed his eyes, keeping his head tilted back, and exposed his throat. Gordon stood, moving closer, and stopped just in front of Adam. "I asked why, damn it."
Adam opened his eyes and put his hands on Gordon's shoulders. "Because even though I was trained to clean up my trail and kill witnesses, even though you know way too much, and even though, at this point, I'm buying myself a one-way ticket to a bullet in the head when they find out how far I've taken this, I can't stop myself from trying to make you fit into my fucked up life."
I don’t know who’s more screwed up, Gordon or Adam, but nonetheless, they are a match made in heaven…or hell…depending on how you look at it! Polar opposites, although they had more in common than I initially thought, especially the overwhelming desire to be needed.
I don’t know what I was expecting from this read, but it wasn’t this…this was better than I imagined! I love a bad-ass book, and After Midnight fit the bill in leaps and bounds. I loved the grit, the raw, the slam-bangin’, and even the violence…it’s a read with an edge…a vicious brutal edge, and it hit all my buttons!
Gordon is insulting and mocking whenever he’s with Adam, he holds nothing back. He just can’t seem to keep his mouth shut and his mouth always manages to get him in trouble, not that he cares, he’s burned way too many brain cells.
"I take it you've been here before." Adam eyeballed him as they settled in a booth.
"Couple of times," Gordon replied, picking up one of the menus that were already sitting on the table.
"Enough to apparently have . . . dated the bartender?"
"I let him rail me a couple of times."
"Lovely."
"Oh, it was." Gordon smirked, hoping he was making Adam uncomfortable.
"Do you have sex with anyone who glances in your direction?"
"Do you stalk every random civilian who gets in your crosshairs?"
"And there you go again with that mouth. I could think of better uses for it."
The dialogue is excellent, it fit the characters; witty, dirty, harsh, sarcastic, and it flows seamlessly. This is where Santino Hassell’s writing really shines, along with the animalistic, down and dirty sex scenes. I’m not one for characters randomly screwing everything that isn’t nailed down, but it fits the read, especially when Gordon is in one of his drug induced hazes. Makes you see what a mess he’s made of his life.
My one issue was with Gordon’s ‘Debbie-Downer’ routine. It began to play on my nerves and I wanted him to stand up for himself, eventually he does, but I really wanted him to give people sh*t right back!! I don’t understand why he allowed everyone to use him as their sounding board and smack him down verbally. I got to the point where I was yelling at him to pull his big boy pants up…I literally mean pull them up… and stop letting everyone pull them down and f*ck him senseless, use him and abuse him. Wake up Gordon!!! The first real good thing to come in your life in a long time is staring you in the face…granted he’s resisting your mouthy charm, and undeniable sex appeal…but work on him; he’ll come to his senses!
I liked Carla a lot, she is one of the good things that remains in Gordon’s life from his past. She takes care of him the best that she can, but she can only do so much, and if he wants to change…that’s on him! Chance…he needs a bullet to the head…do hear me Adam? And while you’re at it, string Marquis up by the balls…what a nasty arrogant piece of garbage, Gordon’s biggest user and abuser. Gosh this book made me feel more than I thought it did; now I want to kick some ass!! I think I need anger management classes!
I found myself itching to get back to this book when real life interfered with my reading time! I’m hoping that I haven’t seen the last of these two unique and interesting characters; their story is far from over and I can’t wait to get back to this dog eat dog world!
*A copy of the book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
Review posted at Swept Away By Romance
April 28, 2021
Gordon Frost is a small time drug dealer, who's had years and years of practice in evading the law. Orphaned as a small kid, fallen in with a truly dubious crowd, with only a single friend to speak of, he had long since resigned himself to dying young. Nevertheless, stumbling into Adam Blake's criminal arms doesn't make Gordon all that eager to meet his maker.
Adam an agent for a super secret anti-terrorist organization, has botched up his current mission, and needs a place to lay low for a while. Gordon's apartment just so happens to be a good choice for a temporary haven. Although used to cleaning up after nosy civilians, Adam finds himself reluctant to dispose of Gordon. Instead, he decides to creepily stalk him... and very predictably ends up falling head over heels in lust with the guy. Not that you'd suspect, with the way he treats poor Gordon.
I may keep telling myself that I'm finally over my "In the Company of Shadows" (a.k.a. iCoS) obsession, especially given the amount of Captive Prince fanfiction I've consumed lately... yet I still find myself rereading my favorite chapters from the books every so often. In other words: was anyone actually expecting me to pass on a book set in the same universe?
Even so, I tried to resist buying the book, due to the controversy surrounding Santino Hassel. I even went the extra mile and watched this totally creepy video about his(their?) misdeeds, in order to try and put my mind off this novel... and I almost succeeded. But then someone had to try and shame me for *gasp* DARING to recommend the series to someone asking for m/m recs, which pissed me off enough to actually pay for this book.
I'm not quite sure what point I was trying to prove, but clicking the buy button on Amazon totally made me feel vindicated.
Ahem... so about After Midnight: as a side story set in the ICoS universe, I would definitely recommend it to fans. It shows a different side of agent life, that of people outside the elite, unlike Sin or Boyd. And of course there's also the interesting aspect of how a civilian views the mysterious comings and goings of The Agency.
My personal favorite bit was this little quote:
Don't get me wrong, Wanda is a real bitch otherwise, but that assessment there is made of so much win. *squeals*
Are you tired of my fangirling yet? If so, I'm sorry to say that there's not much left for you in here. Except for a lot of sex, gore, and some arguably needless cruelty, peppered with a slim dose of backstory.
Score: 3/5 stars
Do I regret buying this?
Hell no!
Would I recommend this for fans of ICoS?
Sure.
Would I recommend it for fans of the genre?
Only if they're into lots of gratuitous sex and violence.
Adam an agent for a super secret anti-terrorist organization, has botched up his current mission, and needs a place to lay low for a while. Gordon's apartment just so happens to be a good choice for a temporary haven. Although used to cleaning up after nosy civilians, Adam finds himself reluctant to dispose of Gordon. Instead, he decides to creepily stalk him... and very predictably ends up falling head over heels in lust with the guy. Not that you'd suspect, with the way he treats poor Gordon.
I may keep telling myself that I'm finally over my "In the Company of Shadows" (a.k.a. iCoS) obsession, especially given the amount of Captive Prince fanfiction I've consumed lately... yet I still find myself rereading my favorite chapters from the books every so often. In other words: was anyone actually expecting me to pass on a book set in the same universe?
Even so, I tried to resist buying the book, due to the controversy surrounding Santino Hassel. I even went the extra mile and watched this totally creepy video about his(their?) misdeeds, in order to try and put my mind off this novel... and I almost succeeded. But then someone had to try and shame me for *gasp* DARING to recommend the series to someone asking for m/m recs, which pissed me off enough to actually pay for this book.
I'm not quite sure what point I was trying to prove, but clicking the buy button on Amazon totally made me feel vindicated.
Ahem... so about After Midnight: as a side story set in the ICoS universe, I would definitely recommend it to fans. It shows a different side of agent life, that of people outside the elite, unlike Sin or Boyd. And of course there's also the interesting aspect of how a civilian views the mysterious comings and goings of The Agency.
My personal favorite bit was this little quote:
"I hope you're not intending to shower with me," [Adam] said, not making a move to cover himself.
"Ha. Not on your life asshole. I don't care how cut your abs are, there's only three men I'd fuck in this shithole and they are Agents Beaulieu, Vega or Trovosky, hopefully at the same time."
Don't get me wrong, Wanda is a real bitch otherwise, but that assessment there is made of so much win. *squeals*
Are you tired of my fangirling yet? If so, I'm sorry to say that there's not much left for you in here. Except for a lot of sex, gore, and some arguably needless cruelty, peppered with a slim dose of backstory.
Score: 3/5 stars
Do I regret buying this?
Hell no!
Would I recommend this for fans of ICoS?
Sure.
Would I recommend it for fans of the genre?
Only if they're into lots of gratuitous sex and violence.
Read
March 7, 2018Rating Removed:
***************************************
Duh.
So, here I was thinking throughout this story that boy does it sound eerily similar to ICOS, (Evenfall et al.) in setting and plot and BAM! A spinoff of two characters that I completely forgot about between the ICOS drama and intervening years since I read it. The anti-ginger rhetoric set me off for being glib and done with authorial voice.
REVIEW edited 2018.03.07
***************************************
Duh.
So, here I was thinking throughout this story that boy does it sound eerily similar to ICOS, (Evenfall et al.) in setting and plot and BAM! A spinoff of two characters that I completely forgot about between the ICOS drama and intervening years since I read it. The anti-ginger rhetoric set me off for being glib and done with authorial voice.
REVIEW edited 2018.03.07
Read
March 10, 2018**The following review reflects how I felt about the book at the time of reading. I do not believe in erasure, therefore I am letting my review stand.
However, due to too much supporting evidence of abuse, lies, fraud and slander, I can no longer recommend this work.
See: https://www.goodreads.com/user_status...
**
~ ~ ~
4 Strong Stars!!!!
Prepare to:
-Fall hard for Gordon!
---Be teased to near death!
------Get completely sucked into this raw world!
-----------NEED MORE!!!!!
In a nutshell this is a dark, raw romance that has intriguing chemistry between the two main characters. This world is uncomfortably similar to our own, but just edgy enough to keep you off center. I loved the relationship development, ensuing mysteries behind every character and the intense action scenes.
Confession: I haven’t finished reading the ICoS series. And I don’t think it mattered one bit! I am familiar with the post-war world that Mr. Hassell and Ais created, having read Evenfall and part of Afterimage, but I’m not an authority. After Midnight can easily be read completely apart from the ICoS series.
THE CHARACTERS
Gordon Frost - He seems to fall somewhere between anxious class clown and unaware genius. Okay, genius is way too strong, but he does have potential to not fuck up everything. If only he could keep his mouth shut. He also has this “woe is me” thing going on, but it’s genuine, not winey. It just made me want to hold him.
Adam Blake - Typical agent. Gorgeous, deadly, dry, and so fucking sexy he crinkled the pages of my kindle. At the same time there’s this mysteriousness about him and it’s hard to know what makes him tick. For all that Adam was a badass, he seemed so straight edge it was painful.
The relationship between Gordon and Adam is delightful. For a long time it goes something like this:
Honestly, I really do love the chemistry between Gordon and Adam. At one point there’s this kiss that stops a bout of hysterics that is so vivid and intense my heart cracked. That’s when I realized just how much I was in Gordon’s head.
Side characters:
Rachel -The best friend and sexy badass.
Chance - I want his story, there’s so much more to know.
Marquis - I don’t even know what to think of him. He’s a…conundrum.
The Twins – Scary, sexy, scary.
THE STORY
It’s 2021 and more than ten years ago the world suffered nuclear attacks that killed untold numbers, decimating major cities and creating marked changes to the world as we know it. Survivors have found ways to endure, cope, and some, even to thrive.
Drug use is a popular coping mechanism, and luckily for Gordon he deals in the most popular drug of choice. Pandora. He partakes himself, frequently, and seems to change in front of your eyes. From self-doubting and insecure to mouthy, aware and horny, he goes through his days surviving. After a particularly bad day Gordon goes home only to be abducted.
Mr. Greek, or Adam, as we come to know him, is an assassin for “The Agency “and always has to do what he’s told. Except he’s got a goddamned conscience. The mess he finds himself in, all because of his attraction to Gordon, is a train wreck waiting to happen.
From here on out there are people in the shadows, clear cut threats, jealousy, conspiracy theories and Gordon running for his life. Until he is caught…again.
THE WRITING
For me, the subtle feeling of gloom in this world comes not only from the eerie similarity to our present world, but also from a less-is-more approach. Mr. Hassell has certainly tightened up his word count and made it count! Bravo.
The pacing, the controlled imagery and the character connections are very well done. Although there was a little sluggishness in the middle, and there were a few awkward passages, the ending makes up for this with blazing action and drama.
Ultimately it’s very readable and engrossing. You’ll find a clever combination of humor mixed with tension, heartache, and even subtle human messages that give poignancy and a deeper connection to the story.
~ ~ ~
I would like to thank Santino Hassell and Susan Lee for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
~ ~ ~
Take a look at my Male/Male Romance Book Blog:
http://www.attentionisarbitrary.blogspot.com
However, due to too much supporting evidence of abuse, lies, fraud and slander, I can no longer recommend this work.
See: https://www.goodreads.com/user_status...
**
~ ~ ~
4 Strong Stars!!!!
Prepare to:
-Fall hard for Gordon!
---Be teased to near death!
------Get completely sucked into this raw world!
-----------NEED MORE!!!!!
In a nutshell this is a dark, raw romance that has intriguing chemistry between the two main characters. This world is uncomfortably similar to our own, but just edgy enough to keep you off center. I loved the relationship development, ensuing mysteries behind every character and the intense action scenes.
Confession: I haven’t finished reading the ICoS series. And I don’t think it mattered one bit! I am familiar with the post-war world that Mr. Hassell and Ais created, having read Evenfall and part of Afterimage, but I’m not an authority. After Midnight can easily be read completely apart from the ICoS series.
THE CHARACTERS
…he was an axious wreck most of the time; constantly frightened that his life would return to the old days. He knew Pandora just relaxed him enough to think clearly, but it still felt like magic. Rainbows and star shine and the will to keep going.
Gordon Frost - He seems to fall somewhere between anxious class clown and unaware genius. Okay, genius is way too strong, but he does have potential to not fuck up everything. If only he could keep his mouth shut. He also has this “woe is me” thing going on, but it’s genuine, not winey. It just made me want to hold him.
“You are the most batshit covert criminal…whatever guy, that I’ve ever met. You just tried to choke me and now you’re commenting that I have a fever.”
“I was making an observation,” Adam said with a defensive edge in his voice.
“Whatever, man. Just whatever.”
Adam Blake - Typical agent. Gorgeous, deadly, dry, and so fucking sexy he crinkled the pages of my kindle. At the same time there’s this mysteriousness about him and it’s hard to know what makes him tick. For all that Adam was a badass, he seemed so straight edge it was painful.
The relationship between Gordon and Adam is delightful. For a long time it goes something like this:
“Keep talking and I’ll gag you.”
“Blow me.”
Honestly, I really do love the chemistry between Gordon and Adam. At one point there’s this kiss that stops a bout of hysterics that is so vivid and intense my heart cracked. That’s when I realized just how much I was in Gordon’s head.
Side characters:
Rachel -The best friend and sexy badass.
Chance - I want his story, there’s so much more to know.
Marquis - I don’t even know what to think of him. He’s a…conundrum.
The Twins – Scary, sexy, scary.
THE STORY
It’s 2021 and more than ten years ago the world suffered nuclear attacks that killed untold numbers, decimating major cities and creating marked changes to the world as we know it. Survivors have found ways to endure, cope, and some, even to thrive.
He imagined it swirling into his system and entering his bloodstream while he anticipated the next few minutes, when the effects of Pandora would kick in. Every time he popped a cap he knew what true love felt like, and every time was like the first time.
Drug use is a popular coping mechanism, and luckily for Gordon he deals in the most popular drug of choice. Pandora. He partakes himself, frequently, and seems to change in front of your eyes. From self-doubting and insecure to mouthy, aware and horny, he goes through his days surviving. After a particularly bad day Gordon goes home only to be abducted.
Sadly, the first thing to cross Gordon’s mind was: Wow, he’s pretty fucking hot.
Mr. Greek, or Adam, as we come to know him, is an assassin for “The Agency “and always has to do what he’s told. Except he’s got a goddamned conscience. The mess he finds himself in, all because of his attraction to Gordon, is a train wreck waiting to happen.
From here on out there are people in the shadows, clear cut threats, jealousy, conspiracy theories and Gordon running for his life. Until he is caught…again.
In the two days it took Gordon to become mobile, his paranoia had reached astronomical heights.
THE WRITING
For me, the subtle feeling of gloom in this world comes not only from the eerie similarity to our present world, but also from a less-is-more approach. Mr. Hassell has certainly tightened up his word count and made it count! Bravo.
The pacing, the controlled imagery and the character connections are very well done. Although there was a little sluggishness in the middle, and there were a few awkward passages, the ending makes up for this with blazing action and drama.
Ultimately it’s very readable and engrossing. You’ll find a clever combination of humor mixed with tension, heartache, and even subtle human messages that give poignancy and a deeper connection to the story.
There was something special about coming so close to death and managing to escape.
~ ~ ~
I would like to thank Santino Hassell and Susan Lee for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
~ ~ ~
Take a look at my Male/Male Romance Book Blog:
http://www.attentionisarbitrary.blogspot.com
Read
March 9, 2018Review + rating removed.
March 10, 2018
Review deleted because the author may have have misrepresented themselves as ownvoices and accepted cash gifts from fans under potentially false pretenses.”
And on an unrelated note, this cover is flipping terrible. They should have stayed with the original one.
And on an unrelated note, this cover is flipping terrible. They should have stayed with the original one.
Read
March 11, 2018Rating removed. I am keeping my review under a spoiler tag for my personal record.
Read
October 1, 2013As always, I preface certain reviews with this information: This author is my friend. And, like most of my author-friends, I became friends with Santino because I loved the stories he had to tell. That's my disclaimer. now my few words about this novel: It's a testament to this story that I was too engrossed to status update after my last one. One of the best things about Santino's characters is their growth is done so realistically. The other best thing is that there's a good story. Not just a romance, but A Story--capital 'S'. Those elements collide perfectly in AM.
Want to read
December 8, 2015Price drop to $0.99 at Amazon US, 12/8/15!
November 2, 2015
I haven't read the In the Company of Shadows series yet, though I'm hoping to get to it one of these days. Maybe once the authors finish compiling the director's cuts, because I don't do well with books over 500 pages. However, I've been meaning to read 'After Midnight' pronto for over a year now. I finally got around to it, and it was brilliant.
'After Midnight' works perfectly fine as a standalone. There were a few references that I didn't entirely understand, and I'm sure the ICoS series gives a more in-depth look at this post-WWIII world, but overall I was able to follow along without any hiccups.
I think it would be very easy to dislike Gordon. He's lazy, let's himself be a doormat, has no respect for his body, is always looking to blame someone else, and is just a pretty miserable person. However the author was able to make me empathize with Gordon, and so I could overlook his obvious flaws. I could read about Gordon's bad attitude, pill-popping, booze-guzzling, promiscuous ways and actually like him.
And then there was Adam Blake. An assassin with slightly skewed morals. Really, it's not a surprise that I wanted to say hello and bend over as soon as Adam came on to the page. See, I've got a thing for bad boys, and Adam hit every single one of my buttons. And we share names, so that basically means we're soulmates. Basically.
Honestly, I'm not sure how much of this book was "romance". There was manipulation, power play, and even some hate fucking. But it worked, and it made sense for these two. Neither Gordon or Adam would be happy with sunshine and roses, they need a dysfunctional relationship where they spend as much time seething at each other as they do cuddling after some make-up sex. I was all on board for that.
The mystery/thriller angle was likewise entertaining, and kept me interested. However, I think things were rushed at the end and were packed up a bit too nicely. I wanted to see from Adam's POV what he did at the end, especially . I don't think that a situation involving multiple drug cartels, terrorists, and a secret government agency could have been so easily handled. I'm going to assume that the ICoS series probably holds the answers to a lot of my questions.
I really enjoyed 'After Midnight'. It's been a while since I've read something this gritty. I really liked the plot, and I loved Gordon and Adam's messed-up relationship. Now I know that I really need to read the ICoS series!
'After Midnight' works perfectly fine as a standalone. There were a few references that I didn't entirely understand, and I'm sure the ICoS series gives a more in-depth look at this post-WWIII world, but overall I was able to follow along without any hiccups.
I think it would be very easy to dislike Gordon. He's lazy, let's himself be a doormat, has no respect for his body, is always looking to blame someone else, and is just a pretty miserable person. However the author was able to make me empathize with Gordon, and so I could overlook his obvious flaws. I could read about Gordon's bad attitude, pill-popping, booze-guzzling, promiscuous ways and actually like him.
And then there was Adam Blake. An assassin with slightly skewed morals. Really, it's not a surprise that I wanted to say hello and bend over as soon as Adam came on to the page. See, I've got a thing for bad boys, and Adam hit every single one of my buttons. And we share names, so that basically means we're soulmates. Basically.
Honestly, I'm not sure how much of this book was "romance". There was manipulation, power play, and even some hate fucking. But it worked, and it made sense for these two. Neither Gordon or Adam would be happy with sunshine and roses, they need a dysfunctional relationship where they spend as much time seething at each other as they do cuddling after some make-up sex. I was all on board for that.
The mystery/thriller angle was likewise entertaining, and kept me interested. However, I think things were rushed at the end and were packed up a bit too nicely. I wanted to see from Adam's POV what he did at the end, especially . I don't think that a situation involving multiple drug cartels, terrorists, and a secret government agency could have been so easily handled. I'm going to assume that the ICoS series probably holds the answers to a lot of my questions.
I really enjoyed 'After Midnight'. It's been a while since I've read something this gritty. I really liked the plot, and I loved Gordon and Adam's messed-up relationship. Now I know that I really need to read the ICoS series!
Read
March 13, 2018Rating removed!
Imagine flipping through a photo album full of memories... You remember situations that made you laugh or cry. You remember people you love and some you... don't.
This was what reading After Midnight was to me.
Having just finished the whole In the Company of Shadows Series, I wasn't ready to say goodbye to this world and that's the reason why I continued right away with After Midnight since it's a spin-off of this series.
I loved the main characters in this book! (Well, not quite as much as I love Sin and Boyd, but these two are a league of their own, so it didn't surprise me! ,-))
Adam ~ Agent in The Agency, an officially non existing super-secret organization working for the government (you could call him an assassin) and a colleague of Sin and Boyd
Well, let's just say I'm a sucker for the 'tall, dark and dangerous' type of guy... ;-)
Gordon ~ Drug dealer and scumbag (his words, not mine!) working for Chance, Sin's half-brother
I loved his smart mouth...
Speaking of people you don't like... For me this would be Chance! I didn't like him. At all. As much as I love Emilio and Sin, his father and his half-brother, Chance is an power hungry asshole and I couln't stand him. Maybe he takes more after his mother, I don't know... ;-)
As different as Adam and Gordon and the world they are living in are, each of them hides their vulnerability behind their attitude and that's what made me grow fond of them.
They were thrown in a situation where Gordon collides with Adam's mission and Adam is not able to do his job by eliminating a witness (namely Gordon), but instead he keeps an eye on him in order to protect him. Their situation isn't really solved in the end, what might suggest that there will be a sequel someday.
To bring it back to the beginning of my review: what I loved most about this book was the memories... After Midnight takes place in the same time frame of The Interludes and Fade and I had a big grin on my face every time I remembered a situation or met a character from the ICoS universe again, as minor as he might have been.
You CAN read After Midnight before you've read ICoS or even as a standalone, but I recommend to read it after Fade or the 1/27 Anthology, because then you are able to enjoy it to the fullest and might savor the memories as much as I did.
Imagine flipping through a photo album full of memories... You remember situations that made you laugh or cry. You remember people you love and some you... don't.
This was what reading After Midnight was to me.
Having just finished the whole In the Company of Shadows Series, I wasn't ready to say goodbye to this world and that's the reason why I continued right away with After Midnight since it's a spin-off of this series.
I loved the main characters in this book! (Well, not quite as much as I love Sin and Boyd, but these two are a league of their own, so it didn't surprise me! ,-))
Adam ~ Agent in The Agency, an officially non existing super-secret organization working for the government (you could call him an assassin) and a colleague of Sin and Boyd
Well, let's just say I'm a sucker for the 'tall, dark and dangerous' type of guy... ;-)
Gordon ~ Drug dealer and scumbag (his words, not mine!) working for Chance, Sin's half-brother
I loved his smart mouth...
Speaking of people you don't like... For me this would be Chance! I didn't like him. At all. As much as I love Emilio and Sin, his father and his half-brother, Chance is an power hungry asshole and I couln't stand him. Maybe he takes more after his mother, I don't know... ;-)
As different as Adam and Gordon and the world they are living in are, each of them hides their vulnerability behind their attitude and that's what made me grow fond of them.
They were thrown in a situation where Gordon collides with Adam's mission and Adam is not able to do his job by eliminating a witness (namely Gordon), but instead he keeps an eye on him in order to protect him. Their situation isn't really solved in the end, what might suggest that there will be a sequel someday.
To bring it back to the beginning of my review: what I loved most about this book was the memories... After Midnight takes place in the same time frame of The Interludes and Fade and I had a big grin on my face every time I remembered a situation or met a character from the ICoS universe again, as minor as he might have been.
You CAN read After Midnight before you've read ICoS or even as a standalone, but I recommend to read it after Fade or the 1/27 Anthology, because then you are able to enjoy it to the fullest and might savor the memories as much as I did.
September 7, 2016
4 stars
Gordon, lives life with no care in the world, fucks or is fucked anything with a dick and a user of his own product. Nothing can bring him down, even meeting the one man who gives him a second shot at life doesn’t stop Gordon’s from being oblivious to everything around him, leaving his best friend, Carla to watch his back.
Adam has no clue why he let Gordon live, even if he is a threat to the Agency and if his superiors ever find out they both are done for. He has no choice but to keep tabs on this red-headed man with no regard for his own life. Everything about Gordon calls on every single protective instinct Adam has, as each day passes Gordon finds his way getting deeper and deeper Adam’s skin.
In a post World War III era where drugs, sex and money rule, Adam must protect Gordon from all the people that want to harm him, even if it means putting his own life on the line. Gordon was so lost in himself he couldn’t see how much the Adam and Carla cared for him and his safety, always down for the quick fuck & release, quick fixes just to forget all the shit around him. Adam, seriously didn’t know what he was signing up for when he chose to let Gordon live and it was funny to see his frustration with Gordon, who you wanted to smack and hug all at the same time.
I really enjoyed this read, it was highly entertaining, that I couldn’t put down.
Thanks to Rosa for sharing this book with me :)
*Reviewed on 12/01/2013*
"keep in mind that if you fuck me over, I’ll fuck you harder in return."
Gordon, lives life with no care in the world, fucks or is fucked anything with a dick and a user of his own product. Nothing can bring him down, even meeting the one man who gives him a second shot at life doesn’t stop Gordon’s from being oblivious to everything around him, leaving his best friend, Carla to watch his back.
“Well, I guess I’m just your average PD-influenced skeevy horndog. But the morality ship sailed a couple of decades ago, bro. Excuse me if I’m not exactly weeping over the loss of my chastity.”
Adam has no clue why he let Gordon live, even if he is a threat to the Agency and if his superiors ever find out they both are done for. He has no choice but to keep tabs on this red-headed man with no regard for his own life. Everything about Gordon calls on every single protective instinct Adam has, as each day passes Gordon finds his way getting deeper and deeper Adam’s skin.
“I definitely submit. It just depends on who I’m bending over for. Takes a real specific type.”
“The psychotic type?”
“I do like a good bad boy fantasy.” Neither of them dropped the other’s eyes. “I give amazing head, too.”
In a post World War III era where drugs, sex and money rule, Adam must protect Gordon from all the people that want to harm him, even if it means putting his own life on the line. Gordon was so lost in himself he couldn’t see how much the Adam and Carla cared for him and his safety, always down for the quick fuck & release, quick fixes just to forget all the shit around him. Adam, seriously didn’t know what he was signing up for when he chose to let Gordon live and it was funny to see his frustration with Gordon, who you wanted to smack and hug all at the same time.
I really enjoyed this read, it was highly entertaining, that I couldn’t put down.
Thanks to Rosa for sharing this book with me :)
*Reviewed on 12/01/2013*
December 18, 2014
“Sooo, what do you want to drink?” “I don’t even know. Anything. Absinthe with a goddamn injection of moonshine and some benzos.”
Yes, Yes and YESSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!
GORDON....I absolutely LOVE your smartA$$ mouth!!!!!!!!!
You made this book......you ARE THE REASON I TURNED THE PAGES!!!!!
“Don’t you have training to prevent eye gouging?” “Actually, I wasn’t trained to defend against flailing idiots.”
“Obviously you have a giant fucking blind spot in your defenses then.”
Having read ICoS and being slightly/ALOT obsessed with the characters I thought Adam would take the spotlight in this book.......thankfully I was WRONG because Gordon "owned" this book!!!
The only thing I would have changed was more interaction between Gordon and Adam.....there were areas that kind of waned and made you want more but the last 25% made up for it ALL:)):))
I love all the characters in this freaking series but this one quote.....made me want to reread ICoS!!!!!!!!! I'm a Hsin slut I can't help myself!!!! Sorry but it's TRUE!!
“the office door burst open and out walked Agent Vega, eyes blazing and lean frame reeking of danger—Wanda’s wet dream even though he was more likely to crush her soul than bang her. “The man was a walking menace, but for whatever reason, he drew people in like moths to a flame.”
Great book...great characters....fab standalone from this series....Hsin has my heart and Gordon is my BFF...MWAH!!!
Yes, Yes and YESSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!
GORDON....I absolutely LOVE your smartA$$ mouth!!!!!!!!!
You made this book......you ARE THE REASON I TURNED THE PAGES!!!!!
“Don’t you have training to prevent eye gouging?” “Actually, I wasn’t trained to defend against flailing idiots.”
“Obviously you have a giant fucking blind spot in your defenses then.”
Having read ICoS and being slightly/ALOT obsessed with the characters I thought Adam would take the spotlight in this book.......thankfully I was WRONG because Gordon "owned" this book!!!
The only thing I would have changed was more interaction between Gordon and Adam.....there were areas that kind of waned and made you want more but the last 25% made up for it ALL:)):))
I love all the characters in this freaking series but this one quote.....made me want to reread ICoS!!!!!!!!! I'm a Hsin slut I can't help myself!!!! Sorry but it's TRUE!!
“the office door burst open and out walked Agent Vega, eyes blazing and lean frame reeking of danger—Wanda’s wet dream even though he was more likely to crush her soul than bang her. “The man was a walking menace, but for whatever reason, he drew people in like moths to a flame.”
Great book...great characters....fab standalone from this series....Hsin has my heart and Gordon is my BFF...MWAH!!!
September 24, 2013
After having spent the last few months recovering from 'In the Company of Shadows' I find myself wanting more, yet again. After Midnight was everything I wanted it to be and much much more. It was packed full of exquisite male hotness and a hell of a lot of angst and I loved it!
I don't really remember much of Gordon from the ICoS series, however I adored him in this book. He's cocky and streetwise and arrogant on the surface but underneath it all is vulnerable and just didn't want to admit to himself how much he needed Adam and wanted to be loved.
It was great to see Adam's character fleshed out. Gordon became his number one priority and even when faced with termination from The Agency he still went out of his way to protect and care for Gordon, ignoring his own safety.
Of course, my heart did a tiny flutter when Carhart popped up briefly and it was also great to get a mention of Sin again, if only for a moment.
I would definitely recommend After Midnight and believe it would also work well for anyone who hasn't read the ICoS series.
I don't really remember much of Gordon from the ICoS series, however I adored him in this book. He's cocky and streetwise and arrogant on the surface but underneath it all is vulnerable and just didn't want to admit to himself how much he needed Adam and wanted to be loved.
It was great to see Adam's character fleshed out. Gordon became his number one priority and even when faced with termination from The Agency he still went out of his way to protect and care for Gordon, ignoring his own safety.
Of course, my heart did a tiny flutter when Carhart popped up briefly and it was also great to get a mention of Sin again, if only for a moment.
I would definitely recommend After Midnight and believe it would also work well for anyone who hasn't read the ICoS series.
September 27, 2013
This is:
1. a don't read on the train you will miss your stop and be late for work book.
2. a contains every ugly thing I never read -- drugs, alcohol abuse, graceless porn, graphic violence, extremely casual sex, dystopian setting -- and yet I loved this story book.
3. a god dammit, those characters, this narrative, this tension...wow book.
This is an oasis book. In a sea of samey stuff this provides captivating relief.
Loved. It was just so damn good.
Will leave my minor critiques for later.
1. a don't read on the train you will miss your stop and be late for work book.
2. a contains every ugly thing I never read -- drugs, alcohol abuse, graceless porn, graphic violence, extremely casual sex, dystopian setting -- and yet I loved this story book.
3. a god dammit, those characters, this narrative, this tension...wow book.
This is an oasis book. In a sea of samey stuff this provides captivating relief.
Loved. It was just so damn good.
Will leave my minor critiques for later.
Read
March 5, 2018(review removed)
"May I have your attention please?
May I have your attention please?
Will the real Slim Shady please stand up?
I repeat will the real Slim Shady please stand up?
We're going to have a problem here"
"May I have your attention please?
May I have your attention please?
Will the real Slim Shady please stand up?
I repeat will the real Slim Shady please stand up?
We're going to have a problem here"
September 11, 2013
Review written for Hearts on Fire Reviews - 4.5 stars
This story is a spinoff story from the ICoS series which was re-written to fit with the events taking place here. Given that I have not read any of ICoS, though it has been on my TBR forever, I was able to read this with a clear mind about the characters involved.
I’m not a huge fan of futuristic type stories, but I was quickly sucked into this world where the people are trying to live after WWIII ravaged the country. I fell in love with Gordon right away. He is a survivor, and though he doesn’t always seem to make the best choices, it is hard not to feel for him. He has been through so much and does what he needs to get by, barely. The only one who seems to be on his side is his best friend, Carla, and even they have their problems. Carla got him a job dealing drugs through her connection with kingpin Chance, and Chance’s interest in keeping Carla by his side is the only reason he barely tolerates Gordon.
Adam is also doing what he has to in order to survive, though in a different manner. He is an operative/assassin/merc for a company that doesn’t exist and which there is no walking away from. So, he is in a bit of a spot, especially since he has been failing at his most recent missions. He really should have taken Gordon out at their initial meeting, but had a change of heart that set things in motion with him and Gordon that remain complicated to the end.
This is not the typical romance. It is edgy and a bit dark, and while Gordon and Adam are the main “couple” here, they never really get on the same page until the end. While they have numerous hot encounters throughout, Gordon spends most of his time talking about other conquests. He has been pretty free with his body up to this point, is somewhat of a drug addict himself, and really quite a mess. But he gets to Adam in a way no one has before, and even though a lot of things need to be ironed out between them, I found myself wanting them to make it happen in the worst way.
There is quite a bit going on here with Adam’s missions and with other groups wanting to start a drug war against Chance. They all tie together, but there are a lot of bad people involved, and sadly, Gordon gets caught in the middle. Everyone thinks he has information that he simply doesn’t have and things get a bit brutal at times because of it.
Gordon is mouthy, sexy and vulnerable and I wanted to protect him myself at times, while at others, I wanted to knock some sense into him. Adam is lethal, mysterious and also sexy. He struggles to do what’s right, even going against orders that could get himself killed. I loved the last conversation these guys had where they were finally truthful with each other. Unfortunately, that’s where this story ends. I was left wanting more and had many questions left unanswered. I would really love to read a follow up story to this tying up those loose ends.
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