What a blast!
Cillian is the fourth installment in The Boston Syndicate Series of interconnected standalones and can be read on its own, but for a better picture of this universe, I would suggest to start with book #1, Finn.
Let me start by saying that I had a blast with Cillian and Nova, from their inconventional meet cute that was somewhat bizarre and, specially, how entertained Cillian became by the whole shenanigan. It takes one to know one and, by giving chase, Cillian would seal his future and Nova's, because no matter how big the universe is, these two strangers happened to gravitate in the same exact orbit.
Cillian is the silent partner, the gray man, reserved, letal and efficient, part of the Monaghan clan not by blood, but fierce loyalty and respect, a brother from another mother that finds himself in NOLA to secure business info, but ends up finding something else. He was told to relax and live a little and so did he, more than he would've thought.
Nova has a plan, she just needs the big bucks to skip NOLA for something calmer with an ocean view. Living on the edge due to her occupational hazard, she had a feeling the gray eyed man in a suit at a bar might represent a high risk, but she went for the reward and the thrill to con a very attractive men. It couldn't always be hard work, right?
The obvious differences between our protagonists are greatly overcome by their similarities concerning their lawless jobs, unavailability to commit and the plans for the future that places them in completely opposite spheres and, for all they shouldn't have done, they went and did it anyway, because it felt uncharacteristically good and meant to be.
Praise to the author for bringing new characters and essential cameos to the plot, making a great twist the big twist of fate and placing Nova and Cillian in the same convoluted atmosphere, one already brewing since their second encounter back in NOLA.
The word of command is total anihilation to secure total protection, care and peace. I loved to see Nova understanding the past and finding a family she had been resolute to avoid and resent, one always on her side and her internal turmoil while grabbed to a dream she felt no longer her own. The one was in a city with harsh winters and gray skyes just like men itself. Would they be able to neet halfway?
They certainly would and it was beautiful to see and experience the reconnection of their minds, bodies and souls!
A terrific couple in a captivating tale of peril, mystery, love and kismet!