Yeah, that’s me. The Boy Scout. The tech nerd. The dependable one. But what people forget is that I’m the master at keeping secrets. And this time, I’m keeping one of my own. A secret so big that it can burn my world to the ground.
Can I keep it from touching those closest to me? Can I keep it from touching her? The fiery red head whose phone call I never should have received. She needed my help and like the good Boy Scout I am, I rushed to help her. Now she’s under my skin and falling for her was never a part of my plan. Pushing her away is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. But it’s for her own good. Can I keep the flames away? Or is she just the gasoline?
Jessica
It wasn’t him who was supposed to answer. The call was intended for someone else. But I needed help, and he was there for me. He helped clean up my mess and kept my secret too. But this isn’t the only secret I have. I have another one. One so big that can burn my world to the ground.
Matthias Shields is the kindest and most gentle man I’ve ever known. Falling for him was so easy. But now he’s MIA and I won’t stop until I find him. Even if I have to enter a world where I never wanted to be. Once I am there, will I be able to keep him from finding out the truth? Or will we burn together? Matt
Oh man, this had my emotions all over the place! Matt and Jessica’s story starts with high adrenaline and just sucks you right in. I love their story of how they technically meet, get closer, and then later how much each will go through to keep the other safe. This is pretty action packed, the group goes through a lot, especially when two of their own disappear and the worst is presumed. I cried ugly tears at that point!
This was so good. The whole Ends World series is good— if you haven’t read any of it yet then you really should!
I absolutely love this series, even when it breaks my heart. I love all the characters and the jokes they share. I loved the book, but it also left me heartbroken, but I'm hoping that the story isn't over. I don't ever want this series to end. I will definitely be reading the entire series again. #FAAFO
MercyAnn is one of those authors whom I would read anything she writes. She is that good! This book was beyond words, however. BEYOND WORDS! The emotional rollercoaster this took me on surpassed almost everything else I have ever read and was perfect for me.
I picked this book up to read during a moment that I needed to be taken out of my emotions and live with them in another world. Thank you MercyAnn for doing this for me. I laughed, I cried, I yelled out loud. I could not put this down! I sat in backs of rooms where I really shouldn’t have been reading and read in secret, it was THAT GOOD!
This book is a standalone in the Ends World Series. I truly believe people who haven’t read any of the previous books before would truly enjoy it, however, reading the previous books before this one then reading this one will blow you apart!
Please check the TWs for all of MercyAnn’s books. They are real. The story of Matt and Jessica will twist you up and wrench your heart. I loved seeing the previous characters but I am a little mad about Darius and Antoinette, not gonna lie MercyAnn, but the depth that added to the story . . . well, I can’t argue with you there.
Read this. Read this series. If you are a dark reader and don’t like it, DM me. I can’t imagine anyone touching these and not gobbling them up!
I’ve been trying to figure out how to word my review that would even begin to do this book justice. I’m so overrun with ALL the emotions at once that I don’t know where to start. MercyAnn had me invested in this fictional word since day one with Ends of Being. Throughout this series I have grown to love each and every character, so much so, that this book all but gutted me. I went from laughing to crying to literally screaming in frustration towards the end. I’ve always loved Matt and I feel Jessica was the perfect addition to the FAFO family. She fits Matt in every way possible and truly is his answer. Matt always came across to me as being a more submissive partner, so it wasn’t a real shock to learn he enjoyed being Jessica’s Good Boy. I was pleasantly surprised to learn he was a switch though, and that Jessica even had a sub like state of mind given how dominant she is in general. Their chemistry is off the charts and it made for both an exciting and equally spicy experience.
However I have to address the elephant in the room and say.. WTF MercyAnn! Why did you have to go and literally tear our hearts out of our chests with that cruel fate for Toni and Dare?! 😭 The amount of tears that came from me for the next 9 chapters or so after We All Fall Down is ridiculous. I was literally just about to give up there on any hope until there was once again hope to be had in the form of a letter. Truthfully though alls that did was provide me with less certainty and left me with so many more questions. If I’d never seen a cliffhanger of EPIC proportions before I have now. 🫣 I love how much room you left to play around and keep all of us readers on our toes. Such as the promise of another inspiring Trope pair up between who I hope to be Kaian and Cami, but also the unknown fates of Dare and Toni.. and let’s not forget Dare’s final request to Carolina “name that baby after me.”. Ugh it’s all too much and at the same time not enough!! 🖤 Ugh….
MercyAnn Summers you once again FA&FO and alls I gotta say is home run ma’am! Throughout this entire series you’ve managed to take already amazing characters and continue building them up one page at a time. You never lost touch with their authenticity, and you even managed to repeat certain sayings and events that I found to be truly enduring. Anyone can see just how much you genuinely put in to all that you do, as it shows in your ability to not only write but deliver constant solid and true works of art. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the family in the future, and all fingers crossed that you bring back both of my favorite characters like a big ol’ SURPRISE!! Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to read this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I’m going to put this out here right now, MercyAnn is 100% one of my favourite authors! Everything she writes is an autobuy for me!
This book was an emotional rollercoaster and I loved it and ate it up. I loved both Matt and Jessica (I’m having an inner argument with myself, do I like Matt more than Dare…. I don’t know‼).
Matt and Jessica’s relationship was just wonderful and captivating. I loved watching their relationship evolve and they really did love each other.
Jessica’s growth throughout this book is amazing. She is just totally a badass and I loved her.
It was wonderful seeing the FAAFO crew again, especially Dare 😍. The whole team pulled together for Matt and it’s just amazing. I have grown so attached to all of these characters over the 5 books, they are standalones but interconnected.
‘Chóke me harder’ has got to be my favourite line other than FAAFO, oh wait no… ‘and I call Tony Anderson’ - ok fine, that one is from ‘Declan’ but it’s still 🔥👌🏻
✨Mafia ✨Forced Proximity ✨Found Family ✨He Falls First ✨Strangers to Lovers ✨Morally Grey MMC
Mercy will forever be an auto buy author for me. I love her writing style, I love her FAAFO attitude, and I love the characters that her crazy mind thinks up 🤣
I’ve been waiting for Matt’s book and once again I was not disappointed! I laughed, I cried, I laughed some more and then I was sobbing like an absolute baby… all the feels are in this book! I can’t wait to see where Mercy takes us next!
This book can be read as a stand-alone but is book 5 of the Ends World Series!
Wow the story of Jessica & Matt is a roller coaster of emotions they meet after Jess killed someone and he helps clean it up and takes care of her Then they start seeing each other then one day Matt texted Jess and then he blocked her number and disappeared from her life She knows something wrong so goes looking for him then then the book really takes off with its twists and turns Fantastic read would recommend it
***ARC REVIEW*** Name: The Devil We Know Author: MercyAnn Summers Rate: 5 🌟
~I have no words.... Since the beginning I was HOOKED! The amount of action... was just choke holding! Then the OMG twist about Matt! Just shocking! The chemistry between Matt & Jessica was just perfect... Oh, also Matt was not the only one with a twist! Jessica had one too! Yeah, this book here had me on the edge of my seat! The plot, the twist and turns, and the spice... Was just great. MercyAnn you did a great job with this book. Now for sure my heart dropped when I read Declan's Song. But really, I need to know how, why, when!!! Don't want to spoil it for others but I hope we get a spin-off soon... Wink Wink!!!
Tropes: Mafia, He Falls First, Witty Banter, Found Family, Forced Proximity, Morally Grey, Vigilante Fuckery, Stranger to Lovers.
10/10 do recommend for people who like to get messed up emotionally.
This is the first book I ever read by this author. I started this book not reading the others in the series; meaning I wasn’t as attached to some of the characters like others might be, and I was A CRYING MESS! A WRECK!!!
Talk about a book that will mess you up emotionally!!!
I wanted to give this book 3 stars because of what you did and how it made me feel but then I realized that meant you did a phenomenal job ensnaring me in the story, so that makes it 5 stars.
I CANNOT believe you did what you did and that this ended the way it did!!! You’re a monster! Also, I need more. I need answers! I will read more of this world/characters/series 100% even after having my heart ripped out of my chest and stomped on.
And she has done it again…. What a ride 🤪. To say this didn’t pull on my heart strings and leave me in a f**king mess is an understatement. The action, suspense, the details, and the jaw dropping moments… oh and even the spice 🥵🥵🥵🌶️🌶️🌶️was perfect! There better be another book that follows or there will be some FOAFO happening as you cannot leave a reader like that!!!😡 but anyway… I can absolutely say this book was great! Loved all the jokes, banter and the fact it not only had kick a$$ men in this book but awesome kick a$$ women with honorable missions… if you haven’t read the series ( previous 4 other books) i would do that first. You can read this as a standalone but so much better knowing it all as they intertwine together. Highly recommend this book 5/5
First and foremost if you haven’t read the other books in this series you definitely need to so you get the back story on all the characters and the storyline. Otherwise I don’t think it’ll make sense whatsoever.
The book was AMAZING. It literally kept me on my toes and kept me guessing throughout the whole thing. Matt and Jessica’s story was beautiful.
I will say I’m a bit pissed at that ending and I was not a fan lol. I didn’t expect it or see it coming and I just wasn’t thrilled about it. But the overall story and writing was amazing!
"We remain here, suspended in this place where grief and hope collide."
I'm still reeling after finishing, like body covered in chills type of reeling, holy my god!!
I thought Declan's book was my favorite but the way this shattered me, brought the whole crew together in what felt like full circle moments, I cannot freaking recommend this one enough!
BUT go back and start at the beginning, you have to in order to get the full impact of the moments in Matt's story!
This book was an emotional rollercoaster and I think I am not ok…
I always asked Mercy Ann if there will be a book about Matt and now that we got it, I am happy, but also sad due to the amount of situations that ended badly.
I loved the story, the action and how they found a way to each other.
Damm, it's over. !! Jessica and Matt what a ride y'all seriously. The perfect end to this series I absolutely loved every aspect of this one. Kept me on the hook from the get go. Of course the whole crew comes in as well .#faafo forever!
“The Devil We Know” was incredible—so cleverly done, and I love clever! That quick-paced back-and-forth dialogue from all the characters was so well done. And when I say all the characters, you'll see them again if you’ve read the previous books. “The Devil We Know” is a multi-POV but primarily focuses on Matt and Jessica. Though the story is said to be standalone, I highly recommend reading the entire series to understand the significance of everyone's relationship with each other and how it ties into the rest of the plot. In addition, it’s full of action, which I love. Fans of steamy mafia romance will love MercyAnn Summers’ writing. The author balances well-timed humor and angst with deeply touching scenes and more than enough steam to fog up my glasses. I enjoyed the story. Though a few things were left open, I hope this was done intentionally for more to come. I must add that I usually don’t read an author’s Acknowledgement page, but I did this time, making “The Devil We Know” more special.
well you know how the saying goes “fuck around and find out”, well let me tell you I FOUND OUT. this book was freaking phenomenal and tied together the Ends World beautifully. from the characters, to the plot, to the spice, i seriously never wanted it to end. the way that Jessica fit right in with them all was lovely and especially the way she fit with Matt. they truly are meant for each other and she really is 𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝓈𝓌𝑒𝓇. and don’t even get my started on their chemistry! they both knew what each other needed and gave in and it had me SWEATING!
and i’m sorry but MercyAnn Summers how DARE you?!(see what i did there lol) i know you did not leave us with unknown knowledge of Toni and Dare! i mean the agony i am in over this! (don’t worry i’ll send you my therapy bill)
If you want to read a good series that's going to make you feel something, go back to book one and start on Ends of Being. Do it! Do it now.
As for this book... Buckle. Up. This one is going to really get you in the feels in so many unexpected ways. We've got the same characters we've loved through this series, all making their appearances and being their unhinged, hilarious selves.
This one gives you the answers you need while still teasing more. It ties this series up nicely while still providing plenty of room for Mercy to decide to dive back in and do something else with it if she ever wanted to.
I've loved this series, and it will be tough to let these characters go, but at the same time, I can't wait to see what we get from Mercy next.
Just wow 🤩 Although I loved the story between Matt and Jess! The spice was just beautiful 🌶️!! This book took me to all levels of emotions 💔💙💖 The cliff hanger with Toni 😢 I just need an answer!! I couldn’t recommend this book enough! This has been an amazing series to read and I am not ready for this to be the end!
MercyAnn keep being the amazing author you are!! I’m on tender books for the next book 📖
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This book was such a captivating read and pulled me in from the very start! The emotions were high and the storyline was on point. Such a great story great writing style and the characters stole a piece of me.
Thank you to the author and @hambright_pr for this arc
"I got you, Jess!" Well, this book was a wave of emotions from the start! I honestly feel like there could be another book with me wreathing on so many questions. This book was so good and I am dying to know what else happened! Great finish to the series! Looking forward to more by this author!
Diving back into this world is such a thrill and the action starts instantly. Matt has been keeping some BIG secrets and when those dropped so did my jaw. Jessica is the perfect addition to the series and even has some pretty juicy secrets of her own. She’ll do whatever it takes to get her man, even if it means getting her hands dirty. As always, lots of jokes, suspense and did I mention action? And that ending? I couldn’t stop reading because I just had to know what happened.
I have been waiting for Matt’s book since he was first introduced in the series! We had to know there was much more to this ‘boy scout’ and well, damn didn’t we confirm that in this book. Action-Suspense-TRAUMA-Laughs-Spice; be prepared for it alllllll in this. Matt & Jessica’s story begins with a night of horror that quickly morphs into an unshakable bond. Secrets are prominent in this story, Matt keeps many but his family of slightly unhinged bad@$$s won’t let him slip away with them. THE TRAUMA. If you’ve read anything from MercyAnn you know her stories aren’t for the faint of heart, I can admit this one brought tears & more tears. “ ‘𝙂𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙛 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙚 𝙜𝙤 𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙙-𝙞𝙣-𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙙, 𝙏𝙤𝙣𝙮. 𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙚𝙩 𝙞𝙩 𝙧𝙞𝙥 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙣.’ ” Of course there was plenty of the inappropriately timed humor from our favorites to keep you from falling over the edge. Jessica is Matt’s perfect match, they just fit. And can’t forget to mention the fun lil surprise that our man is a switch - “ ‘𝘾𝙝𝙤𝙠𝙚 𝙢𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙧.’ ” is my favorite quote from this entire book 🫠 . . Spoiler . . . . MERCYANN SUMMERS HOW DARE YOU RIP MY HEART OUT LIKE THAT!! Darius & Antoinette are endgame, my absolute favorite couple - life isn’t worth living without them. I know we’ve got some serious sh!t coming in the next book with the cliff you left us hanging from 👀
Yes this was the story I was waiting for! The emotion was unforgettable. This book stats out fast pace wasting no time drawing you in as the reader, wanting to see what would happen next. Awaiting on the edge of your seat for each and every page. I can't even begin to describe how MercyAnn not only had me hooked but left me crying tears throughout the book. Screaming with anger and frustration, and even with all that leaving me unable to put the book down. The emotions were real, the action was jam packed, and the spice was hot. Absolutely devoured this read!
Dang this book. I don’t t even know where to begin. Jessica called Declan because something happened and she needed help. Well Declan left his phone behind and his friend Matt answered it. She told him where she was and he went over and helped her. This was the start of their story. He took care of that night and they spent months together. One day he texted her and told her to forget about him with no explanation. She blocked her and then burned his phone to make sure no one could contact him. She kept trying to reach him with no luck. Months later her best friend walked into her office and saw that she was looking at her phone. She took the phone from her and saw what she was looking at. She took a picture and sent it to someone. Turns out it was Matt’s friends that she was also friends with. They didn’t know that he ghosted Jessica. They all met up and made a plan to see if they could find Matt. They ended up finding him but not without challenges. Definitely a great series. Mercy writes amazing books.
Matt’s book is here and it feels like the end of an era!!! This is the series finale (while the books are standalone I highly recommend read the other 4 books first.) I have fallen head over heels for the FAAFO crew!
If you love your characters unhinged, morally grey, full of secrets and (sometimes wildly inappropriate) jokes - and also having your heart ripped to shreds - this is the book for you!
You are going to feel every single emotion reading this book - you are going to laugh so hard you cry…and then you are going to just plain ugly cry. I can’t tell you anything specific about the plot (no spoilers) except this:
Three words: FAAFO Group Chat Also: Breadcrumbs
But I can tell you this story will take you to the highest highs and the lowest lows (with so many jokes - don’t forget about the jokes!!) with overall themes of healing and love and acceptance.
There is a therapist’s note at the beginning, and she makes a comment about this being an epic love story and I couldn’t have agreed more.
What I loved most is that this Epic love story is not only between the MMC/FMC but this wild group of people who became family (ok some of them are blood related but it’s complicated) - the kind of family who are loyal and will show up for you without question. The kind of family who will tell wildly inappropriate hilarious jokes while loving you in ways you could never imagine.
✨Tropes: 🥀Romantic Suspense 🖤Mafia/Organized Crime ❤️🔥He Falls First ❤️Found family 🩶Morally Grey Everyone 💍Marriage of Convenience 🔥Strangers to Lovers 💔Trauma Redemption 🔪Vigilante F*ckery 🤣Witty Banter
This is the last of the end worlds novels, again this can be read as a stand alone however I really feel in order to feel the full experience and impact these characters have on each other please start with book 1. You can still understand what is going on and enjoy this without doing that.
Okay where to begin Matt/Mathias has always been the straightest edge of the group. He's been off doing his own thing and now they need his help and he's sucked right back in. From the start Matt and Jess's story reels you in, the banter jokes and spice are all perfectly balanced as usual with Mercy's books.
There is a part midway though that had me ugly crying on my lunch at work. I was not prepared. Do not read this in a place you don't wanna ugly cry.
In the end the whole thing was perfect for me yes there's a lot of in answered questions but I love that she left the door open to come back to these characters we've grown to love and maybe get to see again.
If you're looking for a series to pull you in and give you all the feels with a healthy dose of spice this one is by far my favorite ❤️
Chance brings Matt and Jessica together, and their connection is immediate. However to prevent his enemies from finding out she exists, he will do anything and everything to protect her, even if his disappearance hurts her. Jessica and his found family won't be deterred though, resulting in the airing of both of their deepest secrets.
Well. In the words of Duffy, "I'm begging you for mercy", MercyAnn 😩
First of all, you just had to makes it hurt so good didn't you. 🥺 I'm very mad with you about Dare and Toni's cliffhanger...can we get a novella with answers pleaseeeeeeeeee
This story was an emotional rollercoaster and a gut wrenching ride with so many twists it kept me on the edge of my seat with some jaw dropping secrets. Make sure you read the first 4 books to really feel the emotional gut punch.
However, kinda on the bright side, Jess and Matt are endgame and seeing her grow as the book progresses is wonderful 🥹
I guess read this if you love: Mafia Vigilantes Morally gray MMC He falls first Snarky banter Found Family Grief/loss Forced Proximity Strangers to Lovers Having your heart ripped out of your chest after becoming emotionally invested in side characters