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Wayward Sons #2
Skin Deep
I’ll protect what’s mine, even if it tears this family apart.
My life is a mess, a nightmare for a man obsessed with cleanliness. As the eldest, it’s my job to protect my murderous brothers while maintaining appearances as a successful plastic surgeon.
Everyone thinks I’ve got my life together, but I’m secretly falling apart. I needed a purpose, something beyond killing to live for.
And then I meet Pax, another vigilante. I crave his pain, his praise, his touch like a drug. The chemistry between us is undeniable, but it can’t last. I’m too broken, and he deserves better.
Even if I can’t have him, I’ll protect him and his daughters from everyone—especially my own family. They know something about this killer Pax and I are hunting, but no one’s talking and the closer we get to the truth, the more familiar blood I have to shed. By the time I’ve closed this case, I might not have a family left to protect.
Skin Deep is a 98,000-word standalone dark romance in the Wayward Sons series, which follows the Laskin brothers as they battle their inner demons and find love.
My life is a mess, a nightmare for a man obsessed with cleanliness. As the eldest, it’s my job to protect my murderous brothers while maintaining appearances as a successful plastic surgeon.
Everyone thinks I’ve got my life together, but I’m secretly falling apart. I needed a purpose, something beyond killing to live for.
And then I meet Pax, another vigilante. I crave his pain, his praise, his touch like a drug. The chemistry between us is undeniable, but it can’t last. I’m too broken, and he deserves better.
Even if I can’t have him, I’ll protect him and his daughters from everyone—especially my own family. They know something about this killer Pax and I are hunting, but no one’s talking and the closer we get to the truth, the more familiar blood I have to shed. By the time I’ve closed this case, I might not have a family left to protect.
Skin Deep is a 98,000-word standalone dark romance in the Wayward Sons series, which follows the Laskin brothers as they battle their inner demons and find love.
346 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 28, 2024
257 people are currently reading
515 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
March 2, 2024
War and Pax meet when they’re on a job to kill the same bad guy.
They decide to clap their hands together and eliminate the Ripper.
They should never get involved, Pax isn’t for War, even War would want him. When War gets close to someone they become a target. Pax has two kids, nothing to get involved with. Ha! Think again! Pax wants War and is determined. War is concerned, he has a crazy family himself. Let’s not even begin with his notorious and vicious grandfather!
A six feet eight construction worker against an androgynous small delicate surgeon.
Pax isn’t your regular dad and War is not your regular surgeon. Both are killers.
“Let me take you out to dinner,” he demanded with my knife at his throat. -
War is a self-harming man with OCD, an eating disorder, and low self-esteem, Pax desperately wants to love him, he’s the one that stills War’s head. Watch the two killers and they’re ‘crazy’ complicated encounters!!
They are jealous and protective of each other, which comes with costs. There are a lot of enemies.
Their hunt for the target is exciting and entertaining.
We can follow the relationship between War and Pax, it’s so wonderful.
I hope you can handle excruciating pain and streaming blood, because dang that was something else!
The plot was intriguingly put together, the writing super captivating, all bloody enjoyable!!
They decide to clap their hands together and eliminate the Ripper.
They should never get involved, Pax isn’t for War, even War would want him. When War gets close to someone they become a target. Pax has two kids, nothing to get involved with. Ha! Think again! Pax wants War and is determined. War is concerned, he has a crazy family himself. Let’s not even begin with his notorious and vicious grandfather!
A six feet eight construction worker against an androgynous small delicate surgeon.
Pax isn’t your regular dad and War is not your regular surgeon. Both are killers.
“Let me take you out to dinner,” he demanded with my knife at his throat. -
War is a self-harming man with OCD, an eating disorder, and low self-esteem, Pax desperately wants to love him, he’s the one that stills War’s head. Watch the two killers and they’re ‘crazy’ complicated encounters!!
They are jealous and protective of each other, which comes with costs. There are a lot of enemies.
Their hunt for the target is exciting and entertaining.
We can follow the relationship between War and Pax, it’s so wonderful.
I hope you can handle excruciating pain and streaming blood, because dang that was something else!
The plot was intriguingly put together, the writing super captivating, all bloody enjoyable!!
March 3, 2024
A DARK MM romance which was unputdownable & kept me on toes! It is sweet with its feels, curious with its investigation & actions, giddy with bad-guy torture, so enjoyable in its entirety! I loved War & Pax so much, the girls & W's fam too. Devoured my #ARC within 9hrs! I'd been so excited for War's book & it was so worth it.
War is a plastic surgeon with OCD, anorexia & anxiety, doing vigilante family business on side. W is cold, ruthless yet with a soft heart & conscience. Feels guilty for what he does, W deserves all the love 🥺!
Pax is a big construction worker, who does vigilante justice. P's a single dad to 2 sassy & sweet girls. P's charming, caring yet badass in his own right.
Their lives collide due to their vigilante jobs, but the mutual sparks & the ripper villain keeps em tethered. W's cautious, insecurities yet Pax's persistence breaks his walls! They're so hot, W's such a masochist. He's such a bossy bottom?! 🤭 Omg blood/knife kink 😳🥵.
Their love is sweet, pretty mildish angst. Oh but there's A villain to be killed, & other unexpected but long brewing family drama, my oh my! W'll do it all to protect Pax & his family. Pax & War are adorable. War's family is a fun complicated mess lol! I'm excited for next book 😁.
I related with War's always thinking of worst case scenarios & wanting to prevent them 🥺.
Story Ratings:
POV: 1st person, Dual POV
1) Overall Enjoyment—> 5/5
2) The Characters: 5+/5
3) Top feels: ☺️😁😍👀🥺🥰😟😳🤣🤬🤭🥵😏😉😤😚
4) Steamy scenes: 5/5
5) Levels: Cute+Swoon: 4/5
Angst: 2.75/5
Dark: 3/5
6) Creativity + world: 4.7/5
7) Plot arc: (Revenge, Family drama, Sweet Love) 4.75/5
8) Writing style + pace: 4.5/5
War is a plastic surgeon with OCD, anorexia & anxiety, doing vigilante family business on side. W is cold, ruthless yet with a soft heart & conscience. Feels guilty for what he does, W deserves all the love 🥺!
Pax is a big construction worker, who does vigilante justice. P's a single dad to 2 sassy & sweet girls. P's charming, caring yet badass in his own right.
Their lives collide due to their vigilante jobs, but the mutual sparks & the ripper villain keeps em tethered. W's cautious, insecurities yet Pax's persistence breaks his walls! They're so hot, W's such a masochist. He's such a bossy bottom?! 🤭 Omg blood/knife kink 😳🥵.
Their love is sweet, pretty mildish angst. Oh but there's A villain to be killed, & other unexpected but long brewing family drama, my oh my! W'll do it all to protect Pax & his family. Pax & War are adorable. War's family is a fun complicated mess lol! I'm excited for next book 😁.
I related with War's always thinking of worst case scenarios & wanting to prevent them 🥺.
Story Ratings:
POV: 1st person, Dual POV
1) Overall Enjoyment—> 5/5
2) The Characters: 5+/5
3) Top feels: ☺️😁😍👀🥺🥰😟😳🤣🤬🤭🥵😏😉😤😚
4) Steamy scenes: 5/5
5) Levels: Cute+Swoon: 4/5
Angst: 2.75/5
Dark: 3/5
6) Creativity + world: 4.7/5
7) Plot arc: (Revenge, Family drama, Sweet Love) 4.75/5
8) Writing style + pace: 4.5/5
June 2, 2024
honestly I don't like Paxton for Warrick. I don't like Paxton at all for that matter.
something about how he's never going to put Warrick first is rubbing me the wrong way. Warrick deserves the world and I feel like Paxton is just not the guy for that. there's nothing wrong with putting your children first or still being in love with your dead wife but yk those characters who genuinely think they're not worth anything and you just want to make it all easier for them? Warrick's one of those. everyone deserves to be someone's everything, at least for a little while. Warrick is never ever going to get that because even his parents were pricks like that (this reminds me of the "but they're your parents" thing strangers say when they don't really get what you're going through but newsflash this is what happens when you believe them and forgive people who were meant to cherish you)
and Paxton talks the talk but he does stupid risky shit and blames it all on "avenging" his wife but that's not what a dad is supposed to do. that means he put his dead wife over his children and I can never forgive that.
something about how he's never going to put Warrick first is rubbing me the wrong way. Warrick deserves the world and I feel like Paxton is just not the guy for that. there's nothing wrong with putting your children first or still being in love with your dead wife but yk those characters who genuinely think they're not worth anything and you just want to make it all easier for them? Warrick's one of those. everyone deserves to be someone's everything, at least for a little while. Warrick is never ever going to get that because even his parents were pricks like that (this reminds me of the "but they're your parents" thing strangers say when they don't really get what you're going through but newsflash this is what happens when you believe them and forgive people who were meant to cherish you)
and Paxton talks the talk but he does stupid risky shit and blames it all on "avenging" his wife but that's not what a dad is supposed to do. that means he put his dead wife over his children and I can never forgive that.
Read
February 19, 2024"One man's madness is another man's ideal candidate"
"My bruises are gonna look so beautiful on you, he purred and bit the other side."
In Skin Deep, vigilantes Warrick and Paxton (War and Pax, I mean... their names are perfect!😍) team up to track down the Ripper, a serial attacker who disfigures women. The book has a really nice blend of romance and plot. At times I felt the book veered a little too far into the plot (the story is detailed and has some surprising twists and turns) but we always get a chance to reconnect to the characters. I loved the fierce bond between War and Pax, and how they were able to do what was right while also protecting Pax's precious little girls. Of course, take a look at the content warnings first but I think L Eveland did a fantastic job of developing a story that will appeal to both 'dark' and 'regular' romance readers.
As a mood reader, it's super exciting to pick up a book that fits exactly what I wanted to read. I really appreciated how L Eveland clearly did their research on the medical aspects of the book- it makes such a difference when authors get the details right. The editing and proofreading were also on point, and part of my 5 ⭐️ rating. Thank you for kicking me out of a book slump!
There were so many good moments in Skin Deep! I like books that can make you laugh out loud right in the middle of an intense chapter and I did that more than once while reading. I was anticipating Shep's (ok to be perfectly honest- Keras's) story next but now I'm dying to read Xion's.
Rating: 5
Angst: 3/5
Steam: 3.5/5
I received an advanced copy of this book from the author and this is my honest review.
"My bruises are gonna look so beautiful on you, he purred and bit the other side."
In Skin Deep, vigilantes Warrick and Paxton (War and Pax, I mean... their names are perfect!😍) team up to track down the Ripper, a serial attacker who disfigures women. The book has a really nice blend of romance and plot. At times I felt the book veered a little too far into the plot (the story is detailed and has some surprising twists and turns) but we always get a chance to reconnect to the characters. I loved the fierce bond between War and Pax, and how they were able to do what was right while also protecting Pax's precious little girls. Of course, take a look at the content warnings first but I think L Eveland did a fantastic job of developing a story that will appeal to both 'dark' and 'regular' romance readers.
As a mood reader, it's super exciting to pick up a book that fits exactly what I wanted to read. I really appreciated how L Eveland clearly did their research on the medical aspects of the book- it makes such a difference when authors get the details right. The editing and proofreading were also on point, and part of my 5 ⭐️ rating. Thank you for kicking me out of a book slump!
There were so many good moments in Skin Deep! I like books that can make you laugh out loud right in the middle of an intense chapter and I did that more than once while reading. I was anticipating Shep's (ok to be perfectly honest- Keras's) story next but now I'm dying to read Xion's.
Rating: 5
Angst: 3/5
Steam: 3.5/5
I received an advanced copy of this book from the author and this is my honest review.
March 5, 2024
3/5 stars
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July 3, 2024DNF at 14% because I didn’t realize this was a dead wife trope and when I searched the wife’s name she’s comes up in the entire book, even the epilogue. Ugh.
October 29, 2025
Tengo que admitir que esté libro me gustó mucho. Pax y principalmente War me encantaron muchísimo.
La relación entre manos protagonistas estuvo bien, su primer encuentro estuvo increíble pero s un segundo fue medio meh, pero su desarrollo estuvo muy bueno. Me hubiese gustado que haya más momentos como padres, pero el epílogo extra tuvo su parte.
Muero por seguir leyendo las historias que siguen, y Shepherd es quien me intriga más ahora. Xander y Xavier también.
PD: CÓMO QUE XION TIENE SU LIBRO PROPIO TAMBIÉN???? Y QUE ES EL SIGUIENTE???? Iré a leerlo, si me disculpan.
La relación entre manos protagonistas estuvo bien, su primer encuentro estuvo increíble pero s un segundo fue medio meh, pero su desarrollo estuvo muy bueno. Me hubiese gustado que haya más momentos como padres, pero el epílogo extra tuvo su parte.
Muero por seguir leyendo las historias que siguen, y Shepherd es quien me intriga más ahora. Xander y Xavier también.
PD: CÓMO QUE XION TIENE SU LIBRO PROPIO TAMBIÉN???? Y QUE ES EL SIGUIENTE???? Iré a leerlo, si me disculpan.
February 18, 2024
These two were made for each other. 5*
War quicky surpassed River in being the favorite Laskin brother. Though I think this will keep on changing as Eveland has a way of making morally gray (or black...?) characters so loveable and vulnerable yet fierce and badass.
There is relatively low angst between the two I would say. Yes, there is a situation but it is resolved very quickly. But there is so much happening outside the relationship. And I think this is the strength of the book. There is so much relationship focus and amazing smut, but also, there is the mystery that is worked on throughout. And we also have more of the mafia world. And I loved suspense plot in my MM romance. So yay!
If I could, I would cuddle War all the time and I'm happy that Pax accepts him just the way he is. Both characters have issues from the past that sometimes resurface even between the MCs but it is not there just for the sake of unnecessary drama. It always strengthens their relationship. And what I loved was that whenever War wanted to run away from a conversation, Pax was not having it and just got everything he needed from War.
There is also quite a lot of gore and detailed violence. And I lived for it! The bits of humour were well placed and helped keep other characters on page, mainly the twins.
The mutual obsession and devotion was everything.
Cannot wait for Xion's book. I hope the kink will deliver because in Skin Deep, the kink was absolutely scorching hot and well done.
Break up?:
I received an e-ARC (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. The opinions are my own. I never filter my opinions on books.
"Careful giving me that look," I said with a smirk. "I might have to get you dirty again."
He sat up on his knees, letting the blanket fall away. "Will you take care of me after?"
"Always," I promised and pushed him onto his back. "As long as you'll let me.
War quicky surpassed River in being the favorite Laskin brother. Though I think this will keep on changing as Eveland has a way of making morally gray (or black...?) characters so loveable and vulnerable yet fierce and badass.
There is relatively low angst between the two I would say. Yes, there is a situation but it is resolved very quickly. But there is so much happening outside the relationship. And I think this is the strength of the book. There is so much relationship focus and amazing smut, but also, there is the mystery that is worked on throughout. And we also have more of the mafia world. And I loved suspense plot in my MM romance. So yay!
If I could, I would cuddle War all the time and I'm happy that Pax accepts him just the way he is. Both characters have issues from the past that sometimes resurface even between the MCs but it is not there just for the sake of unnecessary drama. It always strengthens their relationship. And what I loved was that whenever War wanted to run away from a conversation, Pax was not having it and just got everything he needed from War.
There is also quite a lot of gore and detailed violence. And I lived for it! The bits of humour were well placed and helped keep other characters on page, mainly the twins.
The mutual obsession and devotion was everything.
Cannot wait for Xion's book. I hope the kink will deliver because in Skin Deep, the kink was absolutely scorching hot and well done.
Break up?:
I received an e-ARC (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. The opinions are my own. I never filter my opinions on books.
June 25, 2025
The Wayward Sons series continues to captivate with its second book, which is just as phenomenal as the first, featuring the same beloved characters and introducing some fresh faces, highlighting the transformative power of love and friendship. As War and Pax's relationship deepens, War realizes that his dreams are attainable, and Pax finds a new path to healing, vengeance, and family through their connection.
June 4, 2024
I do enjoy these novels that hit that transgressive grey area in our culture where the bad guys are sometimes better than the good guys -- or is that -- the good guy does bad things to protect those near and dear? That moral grey area that many wish really existed and just as many fear it does.
July 23, 2025
4.5 rounded up
i just love this fucked up murder mafia family lol
i just love this fucked up murder mafia family lol
September 21, 2025
Sadly, I doubt I’ll read any of the rest of the series, but I really enjoyed this one!
I’ll be honest, I do not enjoy BDSM fiction except for in the rarest circumstances, typically when no instruments are used at all and it’s mostly mental/verbal in a very specific way. This book was not that at all, so I didn’t read it for the sex so much as the intriguing set up and characters.
That being said, Pax and War were engaging to read about the whole time. I loved that they were different yet similar, and complementary yet had their own things they liked and had going on. You don’t read that much in romance and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Warrick is a cis white 36 year old gay man. He’s a plastic surgeon. He’s strong but very slight of build and is considered pretty. He’s got blue eyes and chin-length blonde hair. He has OCD. He has a high sex drive but doesn’t like sleeping with strangers, and also struggles with finding partners due to his line of work, so he’s often sexually frustrated. His ex was a serial cheater so he also has some trust issues and baggage about cheating because of it. His bio dad is a closeted bisexual man (for work reasons) who is moderately and mostly passively misogynistic and homophobic (this doesn’t make Nikita better, just characterizes him). War is the eldest of the brothers and the one in line to take over from their parents someday (his bio parents are Tatiana and Nikita who are married, but he was raised by Yuri and Annie who are married, but Nikita is in love with and sleeps with both Yuri and Tatiana, and I’m not sure if Yuri is gay and married a woman “because” or if he’s bi).
Pax is a cis Black 35 year old partially closeted pansexual man (he felt his attraction to women was public but his attraction to men wasn’t important unless he was dating a guy). In general he prefers women, and never previously considered seriously dating a man before War. (Can I just say I love that he not only knows but SAYS that he’s pansexual?). He’s 6’ 8” tall and really broad and muscular, with dark hair and “amber” eyes. He is a widow with two young daughters from his marriage to his wife. His wife Maya and he had a somewhat open relationship where they would add thirds or fourths or other group sex at times. Possibly Maya was also bi/pan, although usually even straight women are find adding a woman to the bedroom because it pleases the husband. Maya had been a beauty queen and model. Since she weird almost 15 months ago he hasn’t had any interest in sex or romance, until War. He works in construction and also as a general handyman on the side including plumbing and carpentry. He was in a gang growing up, got arrested as an adult for robbery/assault and was in prison for 8 years.
Truthfully, most of the sex scenes weren’t my thing at all, so I skimmed or skipped most of them. Almost none of those kinks are interesting for me to read, but that’s a personal preference. I thought it was handled well enough, though, from my very limited knowledge. It was the kind of sex to focus heavily on the BDSM and kink and less on sensation, which is common for BDSM scenes and one of the reasons I don’t enjoy them personally.
Pax and I were more like partners, each with an equal stake in everything. He was the fire to the ice in my veins, the antidote to my poison. Paxton was my inverse, and yet he was everything I needed to be complete.
This is mostly why I read this book. I wanted to read about two people who are equal yet not identical and complement each other.
I liked how absolutely protective War was of the kids and of Pax. He worried a lot about how to keep them safe and happy and provide for them. It was sweet to see.
I peered up at the stars obscured by leaves and branches. “How do you do it, River?”
“Do what?” he asked, fixing his intense stare on me.
“Theo. The weight of that responsibility, of knowing he could get hurt because of you. That he was brought into this family and exposed to all this. Doesn’t that bother you?”
He was quiet for a long moment, considering. “It does,” he said eventually.
I frowned at my brother. “How do you cope with it?”
River shrugged. “Mostly by threatening to kill anyone who means him harm, and then by doing it.”
War is also very protective of his brothers. He’s a caring, protective, in-charge guy in most aspects of his life. But also has anxiety and insecurities and was strong enough to share all of this with Paxton, who was a partner to him in all ways.
Contains:
—serial killer MC (only kills bad guys) x vigilante MC
—gay MC x pan MC
—MC with moderate to severe OCD
—Asexual side character who is into kink (Xavier) (he may also be biromantic?)
—femme bisexual side male character (Xander)
—size difference
—dead wife
—torture and murder on page, details can get kind of graphic
—reference to side character attempting suicide after being raped (Jamina)
—reference to Xander having been raped and abused as a child
—reference to Maya (Pax’s wife) committing suicide after being restrained and tortured while pregnant
—Instalove and instalust
—fated mates vibes but not actually fated mates
—protectiveness (War is extremely protective of Pax and his kids)
—cutting (War)
—disordered eating (War)
—rough sex, slapping, knife play, cutting, blood as lube, blood drinking, just general blood play, and verbal degradation (consensual and agreed upon)
—jealousy and possessiveness (War)
—highly protective MC (War)
—severe anxiety and negative self-talk (War)
—reference to past murder of teen boyfriend to “scare me straight” (War)
—“all homophobes are closeted queer people.” This is BS, btw. Most homophobes are straight. Some are queer.
—reference to torture, rape and murder of a lesbian minor character by a man
—“I had to hurt them because women have no right to be so beautiful or tell me ‘no’” villain
Other:
—first person dual POV
—cheating: no
—romantic rival: no
—breakup: yes, a bit over halfway through. War breaks up I with Pax to keep him and his kids safe. It’s very brief.
—kids: yes. Pax has two biological daughters with late wife. Scarlet (called Lettie) and Charlotte (called Charlie), who are 9 and 18 months respectively. War always wanted kids someday.
—sex: explicit sex scenes. They range from frantic missionary sex to consensual rough sex, slapping, knife play, cutting, blood as lube, blood drinking, just general blood play, and verbal degradation. Strict roles: War has no interest or enjoyment in topping and Pax is more than happy to accommodate.
—HEA: yes.
I hated that money decided so much of a patient’s care. She should have had the same treatment as a wealthy woman, and it wasn’t right that she hadn’t. Focus, War. Be mad at capitalism later.
“This isn’t some grand gesture to get in my pants, is it?” I asked coldly. “Because if it is…”
Paxton grinned. “Oh, I’m gonna get into those pants and into that tight ass of yours eventually. I think we both know that.”
I rolled my eyes. “You think highly of yourself, don’t you?”
I loved kids and wanted some of my own, but I had no illusions that Lettie and Charlie would accept me, especially after losing their mom. I didn’t want to have to fight tooth and nail to get any kid’s love and respect. Besides, they probably had no idea their dad was into men if he’d been married to a woman for years.
Fuck me, I thought and frowned. I might as well draw up the fucking prenup before I walk him into that pool of sharks. I’m never going to hear the end of this. Once they get their teeth in Pax and his kids, they’re not going to let him go.
[Pax] smirked as we reached the counter. “Aw, is somebody jealous?”
“No,” I said way too fast to be believable, and then I sighed. “Maybe. A little. It’s…a sore spot, I guess. My ex was a serial cheater.”
He used an ax handle to tip my chin up. “Let’s clear that up right away. If I’m with you, then I’m yours, and yours only. Understand me?”
“Words are cheap,” I said firmly.
“Then I’ll prove it every fucking day if you need me to.”
“I don’t want you or the girls to get hurt. Not for me. I’m not worth it.”
I never wanted [War] to stop, and I never wanted him making those sounds for anyone else again. Okay, so maybe he wasn’t the only one who had a jealous streak.
There was a small spark of irritation in the back of my mind at knowing I wasn’t filling him, marking [War] with my cum the way I’d marked him with his scalpel. I wanted to fill him, to have him begging me to, to make him absolutely filthy again and watch my cum leak out of him.
I frowned and put my phone face down on the table. “What’s so great about boobs anyway? I don’t get it.”
“One word,” [Xander] said, looping an arm around my shoulders and gesturing widely to the stage. “Motorboating.”
“You can’t push me away, War. I’ll always come for you. Wherever you are, that’s where I’m going.”
It was stupid for me to be jealous of a dead woman. I’d been trying so hard not to be, but sometimes it felt like he loved her more than me. I couldn’t blame him. She’d given him two perfect children, a decade of love through the hardest years of his life, given him her whole heart, which I couldn’t ever do. I was too selfish, too broken to ever love someone with all that I was. I would always be a burden, always need to be first in his life, even if I couldn’t do the same for him. It was unfair. He should love her more than me. No matter how much I gave to him, I’d never be able to match what she’d given. I couldn’t give him life. All I had to offer was death.
“You love the way I make you feel, the way I claim you. This is our game, isn’t it? I push, you pull. You run, I chase. You fall, I jump in after you. That’s how it is with us. We’re magnetic, you and me. Even if I tried, I couldn’t stay away from you.”
His teeth nipped at my earlobe and I almost gave in. “I was thinking about bending you over this bed and fucking you until you can’t move, and then a little more to make sure.”
I let out a dreamy sigh. “God, that sounds good. Unfortunately, I have to be able to sit through this meeting with Boone. This was my job, remember? That means I have to take the lead.”
“After?” Pax asked, kissing along my jaw. “You know how hot it makes me when you start telling people what to do.”
I smiled and wiggled away. “It only makes you horny because you want to put me in my place.”
“You like it.”
“That’s because when it comes to you, my place is face down on the mattress.”
Paxton smirked. “You know how hot and bothered I get watching you be all bossy. And you were bossy as shit at the table this afternoon, and suddenly all I can think about is how you need to be reminded who’s in charge.”
“You?” I snorted and gave him a shove. “Please, Mr. Cooper. You know you’re only in charge because I let you be.”
“Yeah, and it’s hot as fuck.”
“You know I love you and respect you, right, Warrick?”
“Yes,” I whispered.
“Good, because I’m about to fuck you in the most disrespectful way.”
“All right, all right,” he grumbled and slid his softening cock free.
I blushed furiously at the trickle that followed.
“Uh-uh,” Pax said and shifted his grip on my legs. I gasped as I felt a big finger push his cum back inside. “That belongs in there,” he added with a grin.
“You’re filthy,” I growled. “And so am I.”
He planted a quick kiss on my lips and smiled. God, I’d never get tired of seeing him smile. “We’re here for each other now and forever, Pax. We’re partners.”
“Partners in crime,” I said with a happy sigh. “And in everything else, too.”
Simeon cried out as I grabbed his chin, even though I barely used half my strength. “This isn’t about Nikita. It isn’t about your mafia, or anyone’s bravery or cowardice.” I released him and took a step back. “You terrorized me. Haunted my nightmares for years. Hunted me, tried to twist me into your puppet, and when you couldn’t do that, you let a monster replace me at your side. You ordered the death of the first man I ever loved, and you threatened to do the same to Paxton.”
It was done. Everyone who had tormented me or threatened the people I loved was gone. Pax and the girls were safe.
I’ll be honest, I do not enjoy BDSM fiction except for in the rarest circumstances, typically when no instruments are used at all and it’s mostly mental/verbal in a very specific way. This book was not that at all, so I didn’t read it for the sex so much as the intriguing set up and characters.
That being said, Pax and War were engaging to read about the whole time. I loved that they were different yet similar, and complementary yet had their own things they liked and had going on. You don’t read that much in romance and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Warrick is a cis white 36 year old gay man. He’s a plastic surgeon. He’s strong but very slight of build and is considered pretty. He’s got blue eyes and chin-length blonde hair. He has OCD. He has a high sex drive but doesn’t like sleeping with strangers, and also struggles with finding partners due to his line of work, so he’s often sexually frustrated. His ex was a serial cheater so he also has some trust issues and baggage about cheating because of it. His bio dad is a closeted bisexual man (for work reasons) who is moderately and mostly passively misogynistic and homophobic (this doesn’t make Nikita better, just characterizes him). War is the eldest of the brothers and the one in line to take over from their parents someday (his bio parents are Tatiana and Nikita who are married, but he was raised by Yuri and Annie who are married, but Nikita is in love with and sleeps with both Yuri and Tatiana, and I’m not sure if Yuri is gay and married a woman “because” or if he’s bi).
Pax is a cis Black 35 year old partially closeted pansexual man (he felt his attraction to women was public but his attraction to men wasn’t important unless he was dating a guy). In general he prefers women, and never previously considered seriously dating a man before War. (Can I just say I love that he not only knows but SAYS that he’s pansexual?). He’s 6’ 8” tall and really broad and muscular, with dark hair and “amber” eyes. He is a widow with two young daughters from his marriage to his wife. His wife Maya and he had a somewhat open relationship where they would add thirds or fourths or other group sex at times. Possibly Maya was also bi/pan, although usually even straight women are find adding a woman to the bedroom because it pleases the husband. Maya had been a beauty queen and model. Since she weird almost 15 months ago he hasn’t had any interest in sex or romance, until War. He works in construction and also as a general handyman on the side including plumbing and carpentry. He was in a gang growing up, got arrested as an adult for robbery/assault and was in prison for 8 years.
Truthfully, most of the sex scenes weren’t my thing at all, so I skimmed or skipped most of them. Almost none of those kinks are interesting for me to read, but that’s a personal preference. I thought it was handled well enough, though, from my very limited knowledge. It was the kind of sex to focus heavily on the BDSM and kink and less on sensation, which is common for BDSM scenes and one of the reasons I don’t enjoy them personally.
Pax and I were more like partners, each with an equal stake in everything. He was the fire to the ice in my veins, the antidote to my poison. Paxton was my inverse, and yet he was everything I needed to be complete.
This is mostly why I read this book. I wanted to read about two people who are equal yet not identical and complement each other.
I liked how absolutely protective War was of the kids and of Pax. He worried a lot about how to keep them safe and happy and provide for them. It was sweet to see.
I peered up at the stars obscured by leaves and branches. “How do you do it, River?”
“Do what?” he asked, fixing his intense stare on me.
“Theo. The weight of that responsibility, of knowing he could get hurt because of you. That he was brought into this family and exposed to all this. Doesn’t that bother you?”
He was quiet for a long moment, considering. “It does,” he said eventually.
I frowned at my brother. “How do you cope with it?”
River shrugged. “Mostly by threatening to kill anyone who means him harm, and then by doing it.”
War is also very protective of his brothers. He’s a caring, protective, in-charge guy in most aspects of his life. But also has anxiety and insecurities and was strong enough to share all of this with Paxton, who was a partner to him in all ways.
Contains:
—serial killer MC (only kills bad guys) x vigilante MC
—gay MC x pan MC
—MC with moderate to severe OCD
—Asexual side character who is into kink (Xavier) (he may also be biromantic?)
—femme bisexual side male character (Xander)
—size difference
—dead wife
—torture and murder on page, details can get kind of graphic
—reference to side character attempting suicide after being raped (Jamina)
—reference to Xander having been raped and abused as a child
—reference to Maya (Pax’s wife) committing suicide after being restrained and tortured while pregnant
—Instalove and instalust
—fated mates vibes but not actually fated mates
—protectiveness (War is extremely protective of Pax and his kids)
—cutting (War)
—disordered eating (War)
—rough sex, slapping, knife play, cutting, blood as lube, blood drinking, just general blood play, and verbal degradation (consensual and agreed upon)
—jealousy and possessiveness (War)
—highly protective MC (War)
—severe anxiety and negative self-talk (War)
—reference to past murder of teen boyfriend to “scare me straight” (War)
—“all homophobes are closeted queer people.” This is BS, btw. Most homophobes are straight. Some are queer.
—reference to torture, rape and murder of a lesbian minor character by a man
—“I had to hurt them because women have no right to be so beautiful or tell me ‘no’” villain
Other:
—first person dual POV
—cheating: no
—romantic rival: no
—breakup: yes, a bit over halfway through. War breaks up I with Pax to keep him and his kids safe. It’s very brief.
—kids: yes. Pax has two biological daughters with late wife. Scarlet (called Lettie) and Charlotte (called Charlie), who are 9 and 18 months respectively. War always wanted kids someday.
—sex: explicit sex scenes. They range from frantic missionary sex to consensual rough sex, slapping, knife play, cutting, blood as lube, blood drinking, just general blood play, and verbal degradation. Strict roles: War has no interest or enjoyment in topping and Pax is more than happy to accommodate.
—HEA: yes.
I hated that money decided so much of a patient’s care. She should have had the same treatment as a wealthy woman, and it wasn’t right that she hadn’t. Focus, War. Be mad at capitalism later.
“This isn’t some grand gesture to get in my pants, is it?” I asked coldly. “Because if it is…”
Paxton grinned. “Oh, I’m gonna get into those pants and into that tight ass of yours eventually. I think we both know that.”
I rolled my eyes. “You think highly of yourself, don’t you?”
I loved kids and wanted some of my own, but I had no illusions that Lettie and Charlie would accept me, especially after losing their mom. I didn’t want to have to fight tooth and nail to get any kid’s love and respect. Besides, they probably had no idea their dad was into men if he’d been married to a woman for years.
Fuck me, I thought and frowned. I might as well draw up the fucking prenup before I walk him into that pool of sharks. I’m never going to hear the end of this. Once they get their teeth in Pax and his kids, they’re not going to let him go.
[Pax] smirked as we reached the counter. “Aw, is somebody jealous?”
“No,” I said way too fast to be believable, and then I sighed. “Maybe. A little. It’s…a sore spot, I guess. My ex was a serial cheater.”
He used an ax handle to tip my chin up. “Let’s clear that up right away. If I’m with you, then I’m yours, and yours only. Understand me?”
“Words are cheap,” I said firmly.
“Then I’ll prove it every fucking day if you need me to.”
“I don’t want you or the girls to get hurt. Not for me. I’m not worth it.”
I never wanted [War] to stop, and I never wanted him making those sounds for anyone else again. Okay, so maybe he wasn’t the only one who had a jealous streak.
There was a small spark of irritation in the back of my mind at knowing I wasn’t filling him, marking [War] with my cum the way I’d marked him with his scalpel. I wanted to fill him, to have him begging me to, to make him absolutely filthy again and watch my cum leak out of him.
I frowned and put my phone face down on the table. “What’s so great about boobs anyway? I don’t get it.”
“One word,” [Xander] said, looping an arm around my shoulders and gesturing widely to the stage. “Motorboating.”
“You can’t push me away, War. I’ll always come for you. Wherever you are, that’s where I’m going.”
It was stupid for me to be jealous of a dead woman. I’d been trying so hard not to be, but sometimes it felt like he loved her more than me. I couldn’t blame him. She’d given him two perfect children, a decade of love through the hardest years of his life, given him her whole heart, which I couldn’t ever do. I was too selfish, too broken to ever love someone with all that I was. I would always be a burden, always need to be first in his life, even if I couldn’t do the same for him. It was unfair. He should love her more than me. No matter how much I gave to him, I’d never be able to match what she’d given. I couldn’t give him life. All I had to offer was death.
“You love the way I make you feel, the way I claim you. This is our game, isn’t it? I push, you pull. You run, I chase. You fall, I jump in after you. That’s how it is with us. We’re magnetic, you and me. Even if I tried, I couldn’t stay away from you.”
His teeth nipped at my earlobe and I almost gave in. “I was thinking about bending you over this bed and fucking you until you can’t move, and then a little more to make sure.”
I let out a dreamy sigh. “God, that sounds good. Unfortunately, I have to be able to sit through this meeting with Boone. This was my job, remember? That means I have to take the lead.”
“After?” Pax asked, kissing along my jaw. “You know how hot it makes me when you start telling people what to do.”
I smiled and wiggled away. “It only makes you horny because you want to put me in my place.”
“You like it.”
“That’s because when it comes to you, my place is face down on the mattress.”
Paxton smirked. “You know how hot and bothered I get watching you be all bossy. And you were bossy as shit at the table this afternoon, and suddenly all I can think about is how you need to be reminded who’s in charge.”
“You?” I snorted and gave him a shove. “Please, Mr. Cooper. You know you’re only in charge because I let you be.”
“Yeah, and it’s hot as fuck.”
“You know I love you and respect you, right, Warrick?”
“Yes,” I whispered.
“Good, because I’m about to fuck you in the most disrespectful way.”
“All right, all right,” he grumbled and slid his softening cock free.
I blushed furiously at the trickle that followed.
“Uh-uh,” Pax said and shifted his grip on my legs. I gasped as I felt a big finger push his cum back inside. “That belongs in there,” he added with a grin.
“You’re filthy,” I growled. “And so am I.”
He planted a quick kiss on my lips and smiled. God, I’d never get tired of seeing him smile. “We’re here for each other now and forever, Pax. We’re partners.”
“Partners in crime,” I said with a happy sigh. “And in everything else, too.”
Simeon cried out as I grabbed his chin, even though I barely used half my strength. “This isn’t about Nikita. It isn’t about your mafia, or anyone’s bravery or cowardice.” I released him and took a step back. “You terrorized me. Haunted my nightmares for years. Hunted me, tried to twist me into your puppet, and when you couldn’t do that, you let a monster replace me at your side. You ordered the death of the first man I ever loved, and you threatened to do the same to Paxton.”
It was done. Everyone who had tormented me or threatened the people I loved was gone. Pax and the girls were safe.
February 29, 2024
War and Pax were phenominal! There are some heavy themes in this book that are the forefront for the romance, but so well written. I would say this may have been slightly instalove, but more consensual then River and Theo. I am obsessed with this series and can't wait for the rest!
March 6, 2025
This story was wonderful. I love Pax and War. I am so glad he found someone to love all of him
August 31, 2025
3⭐️
I was really interested in the poly parents relationship I would really like a book about them
The relationship made literally no sense progression wise they went from meeting to wanting to fuck to I hate/love u in like 30 pages and they had very little chemistry.the progression of the relationship in the first book was also not the best but at least that kind of made sense with the characters and they’re pasts and they also had chemistry in this book there was none of that I didn’t care about them at all
It didn’t make sense that war wanted kids so much but believed that being near him was dangerous for people and kept everyone at arms length so they didn’t get hurt because of him so it doesn’t track with someone who would want kids it would make more sense for his character to fear having kids because he’d be scared they’d get hurt because of him
Wars character felt very different from the first book a lot less grumpy and a less like a dick, river also felt very different he was a lot more mean for just no reason like why was he being a dick to kids I get that he’s meant to have anti social personality disorder however that doesn’t mean he’s a dick for no reason like why was he beefing with a 9 year old and a baby he just met, it felt felt really unnecessary and out of character
I felt like the characters where quite one dimensional and didn’t have much complexity to them. They had complex backstories but the characters themselves didn’t have much complexity
I could see a lot of people liking the overall plot it was quite like an episode of criminal minds with a mafia plot mixed in, I personally wasn’t the biggest fan of the mafia plot I don’t think it was needed or added anything to the story if anything it hindered the story and made it more complex than it needed to be and made it less enjoyable
I liked that the dynamic between the brothers was shown more particularly war and Shepard. the scenes where those two were interacting were some of the best parts of the book to me
I had the same issue in this book as I did with the other in terms of the believability of the story and how they hadn’t been arrested yet when there was so many thing they did that easily could have gotten them arrested and they weren’t very careful about hiding what they where doing
We didn’t get to see much of how War’s OCD affected him which I was disappointed by, I was expecting it to be a more important element of his character. It more focused on his disordered eating and his negative view of himself which is affected by his OCD but not the only thing to it.
Overall the issues I had with the first book were even more prevalent in this book, the characters fell very flat and the overarching plot to me was interesting but was trying to hard to be complex the adding of a Mafia plot and made the story too much. The plot surrounding the disfigurement of those women was well written and I found it quite interesting but the Mafia plot just felt like any generic dark romance book that has been seen so many times and it wasn’t even a well done version of that
If reading this series I personally would skip this book or just read the end to know the general jist of what happened for going into the next book
I was really interested in the poly parents relationship I would really like a book about them
The relationship made literally no sense progression wise they went from meeting to wanting to fuck to I hate/love u in like 30 pages and they had very little chemistry.the progression of the relationship in the first book was also not the best but at least that kind of made sense with the characters and they’re pasts and they also had chemistry in this book there was none of that I didn’t care about them at all
It didn’t make sense that war wanted kids so much but believed that being near him was dangerous for people and kept everyone at arms length so they didn’t get hurt because of him so it doesn’t track with someone who would want kids it would make more sense for his character to fear having kids because he’d be scared they’d get hurt because of him
Wars character felt very different from the first book a lot less grumpy and a less like a dick, river also felt very different he was a lot more mean for just no reason like why was he being a dick to kids I get that he’s meant to have anti social personality disorder however that doesn’t mean he’s a dick for no reason like why was he beefing with a 9 year old and a baby he just met, it felt felt really unnecessary and out of character
I felt like the characters where quite one dimensional and didn’t have much complexity to them. They had complex backstories but the characters themselves didn’t have much complexity
I could see a lot of people liking the overall plot it was quite like an episode of criminal minds with a mafia plot mixed in, I personally wasn’t the biggest fan of the mafia plot I don’t think it was needed or added anything to the story if anything it hindered the story and made it more complex than it needed to be and made it less enjoyable
I liked that the dynamic between the brothers was shown more particularly war and Shepard. the scenes where those two were interacting were some of the best parts of the book to me
I had the same issue in this book as I did with the other in terms of the believability of the story and how they hadn’t been arrested yet when there was so many thing they did that easily could have gotten them arrested and they weren’t very careful about hiding what they where doing
We didn’t get to see much of how War’s OCD affected him which I was disappointed by, I was expecting it to be a more important element of his character. It more focused on his disordered eating and his negative view of himself which is affected by his OCD but not the only thing to it.
Overall the issues I had with the first book were even more prevalent in this book, the characters fell very flat and the overarching plot to me was interesting but was trying to hard to be complex the adding of a Mafia plot and made the story too much. The plot surrounding the disfigurement of those women was well written and I found it quite interesting but the Mafia plot just felt like any generic dark romance book that has been seen so many times and it wasn’t even a well done version of that
If reading this series I personally would skip this book or just read the end to know the general jist of what happened for going into the next book
May 28, 2024
It Keeps Getting Better (and Bloodier)!
I think I liked this book even better than the first! It kept the fun but dark tone from the first one but was maybe a bit kinkier and spicier! I loved getting to see War get everything he deserved in this book in the form of Pax, who is surprisingly scary at times but is also the sweetest and most caring partner. He and War complement each other perfectly in the bedroom and out.
And don’t get me started on the girls! They were so cute and sassy and definitely made the book for me. I especially liked getting to see everyone interact and check back in on the previous couple as well as the set ups for the future books.
As someone with severe anxiety and some compulsive behaviors this book felt a little too real at times when we got War’s POV but that relatability also made me love it.
This book does seem to have more torture scenes than the first one but again I didn’t find them to be too gory or overly detailed and in fact I would say these were even more satisfying. The antagonists in this book get a little more showtime so when they finally got their comeuppance it truly felt personal. That being said don’t forget to check out the content warnings if you have any triggers or are squeamish so you’re not surprised!
So far every book has made me excited for more and equally as disappointed that they’re not all out yet! I really can’t wait to read the next one especially with the set-up at the end!
**Once again I recommend signing up for the author’s newsletter to get the bonus epilogue!!
Overall Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 (5)
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (5)
Fluff Rating: 🧸🧸 (2)
⚠️Possible spoilers below———⚠️
Content/Trigger Warnings (provided by author):
Drugging and kidnapping, Torture of an antagonist, Homophobia, misogyny, and racism by antagonists, Main character with an eating disorder (anorexia) and obsessive-compulsive disorder, Blood and knife play, Implied cannibalism (secondary character), Improvised bondage (do not try this at home), Consensual verbal degradation and physical violence between main characters, References to suicide and loss of a spouse, Brief suicidal ideation , Child abandonment (past)
Kinks:
Blood play (including drinking), Bondage, Degradation, Painal , Spit/blood/cum as lube, Knife (scalpel) play, Biting/marking, D/s, BDSM
Tropes:
Touch him and die, Possessive boyfriends, Vengeance as a love language, Kids/Adoption
I think I liked this book even better than the first! It kept the fun but dark tone from the first one but was maybe a bit kinkier and spicier! I loved getting to see War get everything he deserved in this book in the form of Pax, who is surprisingly scary at times but is also the sweetest and most caring partner. He and War complement each other perfectly in the bedroom and out.
And don’t get me started on the girls! They were so cute and sassy and definitely made the book for me. I especially liked getting to see everyone interact and check back in on the previous couple as well as the set ups for the future books.
As someone with severe anxiety and some compulsive behaviors this book felt a little too real at times when we got War’s POV but that relatability also made me love it.
This book does seem to have more torture scenes than the first one but again I didn’t find them to be too gory or overly detailed and in fact I would say these were even more satisfying. The antagonists in this book get a little more showtime so when they finally got their comeuppance it truly felt personal. That being said don’t forget to check out the content warnings if you have any triggers or are squeamish so you’re not surprised!
So far every book has made me excited for more and equally as disappointed that they’re not all out yet! I really can’t wait to read the next one especially with the set-up at the end!
**Once again I recommend signing up for the author’s newsletter to get the bonus epilogue!!
Overall Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 (5)
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (5)
Fluff Rating: 🧸🧸 (2)
⚠️Possible spoilers below———⚠️
Content/Trigger Warnings (provided by author):
Drugging and kidnapping, Torture of an antagonist, Homophobia, misogyny, and racism by antagonists, Main character with an eating disorder (anorexia) and obsessive-compulsive disorder, Blood and knife play, Implied cannibalism (secondary character), Improvised bondage (do not try this at home), Consensual verbal degradation and physical violence between main characters, References to suicide and loss of a spouse, Brief suicidal ideation , Child abandonment (past)
Kinks:
Blood play (including drinking), Bondage, Degradation, Painal , Spit/blood/cum as lube, Knife (scalpel) play, Biting/marking, D/s, BDSM
Tropes:
Touch him and die, Possessive boyfriends, Vengeance as a love language, Kids/Adoption
February 17, 2024
I could not put this down. I finished it in a day, and it was soo good. I loved the interactions between War and Pax as they perfectly complemented each other. With Pax doing everything he can to be respectful of War and his needs when it comes to OCD and other needs 😏. But I also loved how War was when it came to wanting to protect Pax and his girls and not wanting to drag them deeper into his dark world. He just wanted them safe even if it meant they were not together. War's interactions with the girls were just so cute as well.
But even with all these sweet moments it equally had its dark moments and spicy moments, and I was all here for it. There was also a lot more exploration into the mafia side/connection to the family and the family unit itself and I enjoyed getting that more in-depth view as it made me even more curious as to how the other brothers' stories will go.
This book is about War struggling with who he is when it comes to living with his OCD nature and maintaining the perfect surgeon image while hiding what his family does and protecting his brothers from their more dangerous impulses. It's a lot and he is struggling and feels like he is spiraling out of control.
That is until he meets Pax a vigilante who unintendedly gets in the way during one of the jobs War and his family are on. They end up taking Pax and let him take part in the job as a way of mutually assured destruction. But in from their interactions together War can't forget the way he felt when he was around Pax and starts to crave him but tries to stay away as he doesn't think himself good enough for him. But even with these feelings he will do whatever it takes to keep Pax and his girls safe even if it means doing a job for his mafia side of the family that he has always avoided. But in doing this job they may start in fact start something that only drags him and Pax further into danger especially as they track down a dangerous unaliver. Will their relationship stay strong in the face of all this danger?
I received an arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
But even with all these sweet moments it equally had its dark moments and spicy moments, and I was all here for it. There was also a lot more exploration into the mafia side/connection to the family and the family unit itself and I enjoyed getting that more in-depth view as it made me even more curious as to how the other brothers' stories will go.
This book is about War struggling with who he is when it comes to living with his OCD nature and maintaining the perfect surgeon image while hiding what his family does and protecting his brothers from their more dangerous impulses. It's a lot and he is struggling and feels like he is spiraling out of control.
That is until he meets Pax a vigilante who unintendedly gets in the way during one of the jobs War and his family are on. They end up taking Pax and let him take part in the job as a way of mutually assured destruction. But in from their interactions together War can't forget the way he felt when he was around Pax and starts to crave him but tries to stay away as he doesn't think himself good enough for him. But even with these feelings he will do whatever it takes to keep Pax and his girls safe even if it means doing a job for his mafia side of the family that he has always avoided. But in doing this job they may start in fact start something that only drags him and Pax further into danger especially as they track down a dangerous unaliver. Will their relationship stay strong in the face of all this danger?
I received an arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 6, 2024
War and Pax were the perfect couple for all the wrong/right reasons
What I love about this series is that the couples are so wrong in theory and yet they work so, so well. All their jagged edges match up in a way that makes them simply perfect for each other. What's even better is that despite having those perfectly in sync jagged edges they still have to work to get their HEA. With all that going on, Eveland somehow manages to avoid the romance being super angsty. Granted, it's not all fluff and super low angst, but honestly I think I would mostly characterise it as low angst and a lot of that is because there is always at least one MC who refuses to give up and pushes to make sure that even when things seem to be going wrong, or outside forces are pulling them apart, they work to stay together. I loved both War and Pax for very different reasons. War is a total sweetheart. You'd think he'd be this incredibly confident guy who nothing could break and who wouldn't let anything get to him (I mean he is a vigilante surgeon, that usually has certain assumptions attached to it lol) but he's so soft at heart. He's full of vulnerabilities and insecurities and despite having grown a super hard outer shell, he's incredibly delicate on the inside. Pax was the kind of guy who knows what he wants and fights for it. But he was also so much softer than I expected with War, in his own way. He fights so hard to pull War back and to push for them to have their HEA. It's not that it's one sided, it's more that Pax knows that he has so much strength on his side and he give some of that to War too. Pax's kids were also adorable and made it so very understandable that he could fight for keeping the sweetness and softness he deserved in his life. The serial killer plot was tons of fun too and was definitely an intriguing road of twists and turns. I think for me the focus was on War and Pax, but realistically both plots were equally paced. I'm just a total softie and wanted to awww over War and Pax's twisted and beautiful relationship lol.
What I love about this series is that the couples are so wrong in theory and yet they work so, so well. All their jagged edges match up in a way that makes them simply perfect for each other. What's even better is that despite having those perfectly in sync jagged edges they still have to work to get their HEA. With all that going on, Eveland somehow manages to avoid the romance being super angsty. Granted, it's not all fluff and super low angst, but honestly I think I would mostly characterise it as low angst and a lot of that is because there is always at least one MC who refuses to give up and pushes to make sure that even when things seem to be going wrong, or outside forces are pulling them apart, they work to stay together. I loved both War and Pax for very different reasons. War is a total sweetheart. You'd think he'd be this incredibly confident guy who nothing could break and who wouldn't let anything get to him (I mean he is a vigilante surgeon, that usually has certain assumptions attached to it lol) but he's so soft at heart. He's full of vulnerabilities and insecurities and despite having grown a super hard outer shell, he's incredibly delicate on the inside. Pax was the kind of guy who knows what he wants and fights for it. But he was also so much softer than I expected with War, in his own way. He fights so hard to pull War back and to push for them to have their HEA. It's not that it's one sided, it's more that Pax knows that he has so much strength on his side and he give some of that to War too. Pax's kids were also adorable and made it so very understandable that he could fight for keeping the sweetness and softness he deserved in his life. The serial killer plot was tons of fun too and was definitely an intriguing road of twists and turns. I think for me the focus was on War and Pax, but realistically both plots were equally paced. I'm just a total softie and wanted to awww over War and Pax's twisted and beautiful relationship lol.
July 10, 2024
OCD rules his life, his habits, his rituals hinders his everyday activities. Snuffing out his chance to have the family he wants.
Warrick has always settled, settled for less, settled for boring, settled for disrespect as long as it gives him a chance at the life he’s always wanted. All he desires is a normal of life, a partner, love, kids, and the white picket fence. Warrick desires it all but people look at him like he’s missing something, some part that makes him ‘worthy’ of the life he so desperately wants.
Warrick has the weight of the world on his shoulders, the responsibility of being the oldest of the family, making sure everyone follows the rules, protecting everything he’s ever known, he’s only ever wanted to let go, to find that one person that accepts him for himself, habits and all.
Pax a single father and recent widower fights for justice after a cruel act took his wife’s life. A chance run in with a gorgeous surgeon has Pax’s head spinning, determined to have his man Pax pursues no matter what the circumstance. He wants his man and to protect his girls, finding Warrick was like finding a diamond in the rough with the weight of the world on Warrick shoulders all Pax wants to do is help him, help him breathe, help him let go, help him live for his own desires, his own wants in life. Pax knows he can give Warrick what he needs and want, Warrick has to let him in but Pax knows it won’t be easy but he is not a man easily deterred.
A fight for their love and family comes to an explosive battle. Will they survive… will Pax get the man of his dreams…. Will Warrick get the life he always wanted….
Warrick has always settled, settled for less, settled for boring, settled for disrespect as long as it gives him a chance at the life he’s always wanted. All he desires is a normal of life, a partner, love, kids, and the white picket fence. Warrick desires it all but people look at him like he’s missing something, some part that makes him ‘worthy’ of the life he so desperately wants.
Warrick has the weight of the world on his shoulders, the responsibility of being the oldest of the family, making sure everyone follows the rules, protecting everything he’s ever known, he’s only ever wanted to let go, to find that one person that accepts him for himself, habits and all.
Pax a single father and recent widower fights for justice after a cruel act took his wife’s life. A chance run in with a gorgeous surgeon has Pax’s head spinning, determined to have his man Pax pursues no matter what the circumstance. He wants his man and to protect his girls, finding Warrick was like finding a diamond in the rough with the weight of the world on Warrick shoulders all Pax wants to do is help him, help him breathe, help him let go, help him live for his own desires, his own wants in life. Pax knows he can give Warrick what he needs and want, Warrick has to let him in but Pax knows it won’t be easy but he is not a man easily deterred.
A fight for their love and family comes to an explosive battle. Will they survive… will Pax get the man of his dreams…. Will Warrick get the life he always wanted….
March 13, 2024
“To the scars we bear so that others may be free of them."
ugh this was so bloody fantastic!
War & Pax are COMPLETE opposites but they make it work, there is no other alternative. Not from that first glance at each other. It was a wrap.
War is such a complex man, he is held back by his compulsions due to his OCD but then there are the other things that stand out as well that make him, all that he is.
Pax is that everyday man, the family man. Blue collar just trying to make it and take care of his girls. When he meets the one who stood in his way to make things right, things take a different turn.
These two together are a filthy beautiful mess and War hates it but loves it all the same.
I was not wanting to put this book down at all once I started, I had to immerse myself into this world yet again and get lost in what I knew would be a book I would devour. And I did.
Although it was ROUGH and DIRTY it was still soo good.
Pax handles War the way he wants and it is deliciously good!
All my plus's were in this one
Praise
Degradation
Size Difference
Knife play
Blood
Single Dad
and there is a lot more but I'll leave you with that small list ;)
Now this series is DARK & GORY..there are triggers! Please please read the triggers, do not go in blind if you have them. This is not the book, hell not the series for going in blind if you have triggers. Protect yourself before hurting yourself.
If no triggers than by all means jump in and get acquainted with this family and EVERYTHING that comes from loving one of them.
ugh this was so bloody fantastic!
War & Pax are COMPLETE opposites but they make it work, there is no other alternative. Not from that first glance at each other. It was a wrap.
War is such a complex man, he is held back by his compulsions due to his OCD but then there are the other things that stand out as well that make him, all that he is.
Pax is that everyday man, the family man. Blue collar just trying to make it and take care of his girls. When he meets the one who stood in his way to make things right, things take a different turn.
These two together are a filthy beautiful mess and War hates it but loves it all the same.
I was not wanting to put this book down at all once I started, I had to immerse myself into this world yet again and get lost in what I knew would be a book I would devour. And I did.
Although it was ROUGH and DIRTY it was still soo good.
Pax handles War the way he wants and it is deliciously good!
All my plus's were in this one
Praise
Degradation
Size Difference
Knife play
Blood
Single Dad
and there is a lot more but I'll leave you with that small list ;)
Now this series is DARK & GORY..there are triggers! Please please read the triggers, do not go in blind if you have them. This is not the book, hell not the series for going in blind if you have triggers. Protect yourself before hurting yourself.
If no triggers than by all means jump in and get acquainted with this family and EVERYTHING that comes from loving one of them.
March 16, 2024
I thought the first book in the series was good, but this blew me away. It was DARK and EROTIC, and yes, both should be capitalized because that's how dark and erotic this book is!
We get War and company chasing a child molester who is also being followed by Paxton Cooper, a friend of the family of the child molester's last victim. Warrick and his brother Xavier capture the child molester and knock out Paxton with syringe of drugs. Warrick is a doctor so I guess he knows what he's doing. I'm not sure if this is considered a meet-cute. Does killing a child molester count?
Paxton is father of two little girls. His wife killed herself after being victimized by a criminal called the Ripper. He destroyed her face and she eventually lost her sanity and killed herself. Warrick, or War as he's called in most of the book, decided to go after the Ripper with his family of killer vigilantes before he knew about Paxton's wife.
He meets Paxton and his daughters again at a surgery clinic for kids. His younger daughter has a cleft lip. War volunteers there and examines the daughter. They discuss Paxton's wife and Paxton notices War's reaction. War tells him what he wants to do. Things go from there.
All sorts of things go from there. It's a HEA ending so things work out for Pax and War and the girls., but the journey is one of the twisted bloody beauty. The tone is set fairly early and it's dark and erotic and hot and loving and all sorts of emotions that are just amazing.
We get War and company chasing a child molester who is also being followed by Paxton Cooper, a friend of the family of the child molester's last victim. Warrick and his brother Xavier capture the child molester and knock out Paxton with syringe of drugs. Warrick is a doctor so I guess he knows what he's doing. I'm not sure if this is considered a meet-cute. Does killing a child molester count?
Paxton is father of two little girls. His wife killed herself after being victimized by a criminal called the Ripper. He destroyed her face and she eventually lost her sanity and killed herself. Warrick, or War as he's called in most of the book, decided to go after the Ripper with his family of killer vigilantes before he knew about Paxton's wife.
He meets Paxton and his daughters again at a surgery clinic for kids. His younger daughter has a cleft lip. War volunteers there and examines the daughter. They discuss Paxton's wife and Paxton notices War's reaction. War tells him what he wants to do. Things go from there.
All sorts of things go from there. It's a HEA ending so things work out for Pax and War and the girls., but the journey is one of the twisted bloody beauty. The tone is set fairly early and it's dark and erotic and hot and loving and all sorts of emotions that are just amazing.
July 11, 2024
This series should be read in order to truly understand the background makeup of this family. You might be able to get away with starting here, but I wouldn’t recommend it. This is the story of Warrick (aka War) who is the plastic surgeon “brother.” While on a job to take someone out, they run into Paxton (Pax) who is after the same thing.
War and his brothers end up allowing Pax in on finishing the job which leads to him meeting the rest of the family. When a further connection to another target is made, their bond and relationship grows.
This is a really interesting series. It’s pretty out there with a bunch of mafia-related, somewhat outcast family members (i.e. the Laskins) acting as mercenaries with the funeral home as their cover. War, the surgeon and another brother who is a psychiatrist with multiple personalities, are on the medical side, while the others all bring a little something else to the table. Each has their own demons and resulting psychoses.
I didn’t enjoy this story quite as much as the previous one, but the relationship worked and the overall story advanced at a good pace. I’m very interested in some of the other brothers’ stories. Xion (the exiled triplet – told you this family was interesting!) is up next, and that one looks like a doozy. Luckily, it isn’t much of a wait to get to it. I recommend you read these two to get you caught up with everything going on with this crazy family.
Review written for Love Bytes Reviews.
March 6, 2024
Overall, I thought this was a good read! Since I got an arc copy of this book (so like 2 wks before release) I feel like I might have read it with more of a critical eye than usual if It was strictly for fun. I liked the two MCs and they had the cutest push and pull at the beginning of their relationship (minus the --it walked the edge for me at least, almost felt like there should have been a TW for it, since it seemed out of character almost). I loved how accepting the two MCs were of each other and how sweet Pax was about Wars OCD, while War struggled through moments for Pax in return. I thought the build up to their relationship and the very cute domestic scenes (like when all of them are chilling while Pax braiding his daughters hair is highlighted) between them were wholesome as fuck :). Pax and Wars banter had me cackling sometimes lol this is one of my fav dialogue snippets/ interactions
*during sexy time*
Pax: "How much was this shirt?"
War: *wore it on purpose to get a reaction* "$800"
Pax: "you're telling me this shirt could pay half my rent? Fuck this shirt." *tears it off for the spice*
War thinking to himself: Is this a new kink??
Plot-wise and dialogue-wise, it got a little cliche around the climax and a little bit predictable, but not in an unbearable way. I was still there for the characters and chillin', along for the ride lol.
Happy reading my peeps!
*during sexy time*
Pax: "How much was this shirt?"
War: *wore it on purpose to get a reaction* "$800"
Pax: "you're telling me this shirt could pay half my rent? Fuck this shirt." *tears it off for the spice*
War thinking to himself: Is this a new kink??
Plot-wise and dialogue-wise, it got a little cliche around the climax and a little bit predictable, but not in an unbearable way. I was still there for the characters and chillin', along for the ride lol.
Happy reading my peeps!
March 30, 2024
Wow! L Eveland just keeps surprising me with the second book in their newest series about a family of vigilante/murderers/psychopaths. I really love the connection to the Russian mafia and all the ways that plays into the stories. I really enjoyed the first book, Body Count, but I almost think I enjoyed this one more. It was certainly unexpected. When we are first introduced to Warrick in the first book he didn't resonate with me. He seemed so clinical and emotionless - however diving into this book we see that that assumption was completely wrong! War is actually the emotional tether of the family. He feels things so much that he often can't cope with the onslaught. Having OCD to the degree that War does was a really interesting twist. The author does a great job at showcasing how having a mental disorder is actually defined by the individual and can't be lumped into one generic sum. Pax was a great compliment to War. I loved how he listened and never judged and asked how he could help War. Their chemistry was incendiary and definitely on the dark side of kink. But it worked for them.
I'm really looking forward to future books and learning more about the other brothers. This is definitely one series that you won't want to miss and I highly recommend it. Dark and deliciously addictive!
I'm really looking forward to future books and learning more about the other brothers. This is definitely one series that you won't want to miss and I highly recommend it. Dark and deliciously addictive!
April 21, 2025
I am loving this psychotic world of vigilante serial killers and LGBTQ+ people that this author is creating through these books.
War and Pax are a couple I did not see coming. Pax is a character I couldn't have imagined if I tried but he fits so well into the chaos that is the Laskin's it's hard to believe he wasn't there the whole time.
War is this sweet, strong. brilliant, chaotic man who lets his OCD rule his world while he is trying to carry the weight of his family on his shoulders yet craves a family of his very own.
Out of know where comes Pax an ex con who is dolling out vigilante justice on his own to help ease his guilt over his dead wife. With two sassy little girls and a job that barely pays the bills he takes on the burden of carrying out justice for those who can't. In doing so he runs into War and his dysfunctional killing family. That chance encounter has turned both their lives on its axis and they both find what they need in the other.
Pax is the grounding force that War needs to stave off his demons and War is the security and comfort that Pax needs.
Together with the Laskin family they bring the killer they are both hunting to his end. They also end the tyranical rein of Sameon the Immortal and put Warricks father into power in a coup within the Vory that I did not see coming.
I am seriously digging the different mental health issues this author is bringing to life in these books. As well as the queer characters they are writing are just too easy to fall for even if they are all a little psycho
War and Pax are a couple I did not see coming. Pax is a character I couldn't have imagined if I tried but he fits so well into the chaos that is the Laskin's it's hard to believe he wasn't there the whole time.
War is this sweet, strong. brilliant, chaotic man who lets his OCD rule his world while he is trying to carry the weight of his family on his shoulders yet craves a family of his very own.
Out of know where comes Pax an ex con who is dolling out vigilante justice on his own to help ease his guilt over his dead wife. With two sassy little girls and a job that barely pays the bills he takes on the burden of carrying out justice for those who can't. In doing so he runs into War and his dysfunctional killing family. That chance encounter has turned both their lives on its axis and they both find what they need in the other.
Pax is the grounding force that War needs to stave off his demons and War is the security and comfort that Pax needs.
Together with the Laskin family they bring the killer they are both hunting to his end. They also end the tyranical rein of Sameon the Immortal and put Warricks father into power in a coup within the Vory that I did not see coming.
I am seriously digging the different mental health issues this author is bringing to life in these books. As well as the queer characters they are writing are just too easy to fall for even if they are all a little psycho
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2024
Skin Deep
Wayward Sons
L. Eveland
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨
Before we get into it, please check the content warnings. There are some seriously triggers in this book!
🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨
The sophomore slump had its butt kicked with Skin Deep!!
I liked Body Count, Book 1 of Wayward Sons, but I LOVED Skin Deep! It was dark, twisted, sexy, steamy, sweet, and a great storyline beyond the romance.
War is such a complex character and just keeps evolving on every page. War and Pax both complemented each other, but the way Pax helped War were so amazing.
The spicy scenes between the two were so hot and super twisted, but I loved it.
The storyline of the Ripper, Simeon and Nikita was so good that it could have been a book all on its own. The twists and turns kept you guessing who was friend and who was foe right until the end.
My absolute favorite parts of this book were the scenes with the family. War’s brother and parents blending with Pax and his girls were just precious and funny. Charlie picking up River’s cursing was adorable.
Skin Deep is definitely a Top 5 of the year for me and I can not wait for Vicious Cycle, Book 3!
Wayward Sons
L. Eveland
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨
Before we get into it, please check the content warnings. There are some seriously triggers in this book!
🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨
The sophomore slump had its butt kicked with Skin Deep!!
I liked Body Count, Book 1 of Wayward Sons, but I LOVED Skin Deep! It was dark, twisted, sexy, steamy, sweet, and a great storyline beyond the romance.
War is such a complex character and just keeps evolving on every page. War and Pax both complemented each other, but the way Pax helped War were so amazing.
The spicy scenes between the two were so hot and super twisted, but I loved it.
The storyline of the Ripper, Simeon and Nikita was so good that it could have been a book all on its own. The twists and turns kept you guessing who was friend and who was foe right until the end.
My absolute favorite parts of this book were the scenes with the family. War’s brother and parents blending with Pax and his girls were just precious and funny. Charlie picking up River’s cursing was adorable.
Skin Deep is definitely a Top 5 of the year for me and I can not wait for Vicious Cycle, Book 3!
March 8, 2024
4.5⭐️
This was amazing, it takes everything I loved about the first book Body Count and ratchets up the tension, danger, and intensity. I loved getting a little bit of Nikita and Tatty’s backstory and a glimpse of how War came to live with Annie and Yuri, I couldn’t wait to learn more. War and Pax meet when Pax interrupts a job and becomes a complication for War and his family. Pax is just a great counterpart for War, despite the circumstances they have undeniable chemistry. Pax is fascinated with War, and I liked how War didn’t quite know what to make of Pax. Their hunt for The Ripper was a wild ride, not for the faint of heart but such a twisty and twisted good time. One of my favorite parts of their story was War doing his own brand of bonding with Pax’s two young daughters. I also enjoyed the unhealthy need these two have to protect each other, Pax and War are crazy compelling together and romantic in their own way. I’m loving learning more about this intriguing family Tatty, Nikita, Annie, and Yuri have created. Can’t wait for the next book!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
This was amazing, it takes everything I loved about the first book Body Count and ratchets up the tension, danger, and intensity. I loved getting a little bit of Nikita and Tatty’s backstory and a glimpse of how War came to live with Annie and Yuri, I couldn’t wait to learn more. War and Pax meet when Pax interrupts a job and becomes a complication for War and his family. Pax is just a great counterpart for War, despite the circumstances they have undeniable chemistry. Pax is fascinated with War, and I liked how War didn’t quite know what to make of Pax. Their hunt for The Ripper was a wild ride, not for the faint of heart but such a twisty and twisted good time. One of my favorite parts of their story was War doing his own brand of bonding with Pax’s two young daughters. I also enjoyed the unhealthy need these two have to protect each other, Pax and War are crazy compelling together and romantic in their own way. I’m loving learning more about this intriguing family Tatty, Nikita, Annie, and Yuri have created. Can’t wait for the next book!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
May 12, 2025
**********Contains Spoilers**********
I rated this book 4.5 stars, so I rounded it up to 5 stars. I’m new to L Eveland’s work and I’m looking forward to reading more. I really enjoyed this book and thought that it was a good addition to the Wayward Sons Series. This book/series has similar vibes to Onley James’s Necessary Evils Series but the Laskin brothers’ seem to be a tad more messed up, or maybe they just weren’t as highly trained to act “normal” like the Mulvaney’s were. I just love War and Pax and they just click. Their dynamic is f*cked up, not everyone will get it but it works for them.
They’re not hurting anyone apart from each other, so why not? Pax is a package deal since he has young daughters Charlie and Lettie and they instantly became part of the Laskin family. Lettie and River’s relationship made me smile. Shepherd already fascinated me but after meeting two of his alters during this book I’m even more so and can’t wait for his story but Xion is up first in Vicious Cycle which I’m looking forward to reading, as well as more books from L Eveland in the future. I’d definitely recommend this book, series and author to everyone.
I rated this book 4.5 stars, so I rounded it up to 5 stars. I’m new to L Eveland’s work and I’m looking forward to reading more. I really enjoyed this book and thought that it was a good addition to the Wayward Sons Series. This book/series has similar vibes to Onley James’s Necessary Evils Series but the Laskin brothers’ seem to be a tad more messed up, or maybe they just weren’t as highly trained to act “normal” like the Mulvaney’s were. I just love War and Pax and they just click. Their dynamic is f*cked up, not everyone will get it but it works for them.
They’re not hurting anyone apart from each other, so why not? Pax is a package deal since he has young daughters Charlie and Lettie and they instantly became part of the Laskin family. Lettie and River’s relationship made me smile. Shepherd already fascinated me but after meeting two of his alters during this book I’m even more so and can’t wait for his story but Xion is up first in Vicious Cycle which I’m looking forward to reading, as well as more books from L Eveland in the future. I’d definitely recommend this book, series and author to everyone.
February 19, 2024
Possibly my favorite thing about this series is how Eveland takes each of the expected tropes and promptly takes half a step to the side of them to create a unique take on all of them. One half of this "psychopath vigilante" romance features Warrick, who will eventually be the head of his family of psychopath vigilantes; however, while War has plenty of his own mental health issues, psychopathy is not one of them. In fact, his OCD shoves him toward the opposite of the spectrum, until many of his difficulties and anxieties come from caring too much. Pax, his perfect foil, embraces everything about both War and the violent life he leads while simultaneously existing as the family man War aspires to be. Together, these men go through a delicious push-and-pull of meshing their lives together into one perfect whole. I look forward to exploring more of the world Eveland has crafted here, especially since they continue to make it so distinct from other favorites in the subgenre.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
February 21, 2024
Sometimes, the way he looked at me made me want to slice him up and crawl inside him, be a part of him. I wanted to hold his beating heart in my hands and kiss it.
There's dark romance and then there's SUPER DARK romance. This is definitely the latter and honestly, I didn't know I enjoyed that until I started reading the Wayward Sons series. Blood, sex, violence, extreme neurodivergence and possessive love all go hand in hand throughout this book and series. This is book 2 and it does standalone, but you'll get a better feel for the (complex and messy) family dynamics if you've read book 1. War quickly replaced River as my favourite Laskin brother, he's so broken and yet so full of love, even if he shows it in a really violent way. It's hot, even in the scenes containing kinks I'm very not on board with, because it's just so well written and compelling. If you've any qualms please do read the trigger and content warnings but I won't list them here for fear of spoilers. I'm already bouncing in excitement for book 3.
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