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Prodigal
One man intent on reclaiming his birthright. Another denied his own. The secrets between them should keep them apart, not bring them closer.
The first time someone tried to kill Gideon Winters, his mother took the bullet meant for him. He was thirteen. The second time they came for him, his father faked Gideon’s death and sent him into hiding. It’s been fifteen years and he’s finally out of the shadows, ready to claim his rightful seat on The Council, the secret group of seven with the ability to make or break corporations and countries.
The son of a powerful man who refuses to acknowledge him, André Tesfaye leads a quiet life of monotony that’s upended when he gets trapped in a random robbery. Whispered warnings abound about the man who saves him, but he’s too busy getting lost in Gideon’s ice-blue eyes to listen.
André is the weapon Gideon plans to use to exact revenge on the people who took so much from him. Wanting him, loving him, puts everything at risk, and tests Gideon’s loyalties and focus… Which is a shame, because a battle is on the horizon.
And Gideon has acquired a weakness.
Prodigal is the first book in The Council, a brand new series by bestselling m/m author Avril Ashton. It features forced proximity, opposites attract, interracial romance, and Av’s signature heat and angst.
The first time someone tried to kill Gideon Winters, his mother took the bullet meant for him. He was thirteen. The second time they came for him, his father faked Gideon’s death and sent him into hiding. It’s been fifteen years and he’s finally out of the shadows, ready to claim his rightful seat on The Council, the secret group of seven with the ability to make or break corporations and countries.
The son of a powerful man who refuses to acknowledge him, André Tesfaye leads a quiet life of monotony that’s upended when he gets trapped in a random robbery. Whispered warnings abound about the man who saves him, but he’s too busy getting lost in Gideon’s ice-blue eyes to listen.
André is the weapon Gideon plans to use to exact revenge on the people who took so much from him. Wanting him, loving him, puts everything at risk, and tests Gideon’s loyalties and focus… Which is a shame, because a battle is on the horizon.
And Gideon has acquired a weakness.
Prodigal is the first book in The Council, a brand new series by bestselling m/m author Avril Ashton. It features forced proximity, opposites attract, interracial romance, and Av’s signature heat and angst.
327 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 23, 2024
64 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
About the author
Avril Ashton
78 books1,681 followersA Caribbean transplant, Avril now lives in Stone Mountain, GA., with a tolerant Spousal Equivalent. Together they raise an eccentric daughter who loves reading and school (not so much school anymore). Avril’s earliest memories of reading revolve around discussing plot points of Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys with an equally book-minded mother
Always in love with the written word, Avril finally decided to do the writing in August of ’09 and never looked back. Spicy love scenes, delicious heroes, and wicked women burn up the pages of Avril’s stories, but there’ll always be a happy ending; Av remains a believer of love in all its forms.
Always in love with the written word, Avril finally decided to do the writing in August of ’09 and never looked back. Spicy love scenes, delicious heroes, and wicked women burn up the pages of Avril’s stories, but there’ll always be a happy ending; Av remains a believer of love in all its forms.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
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April 20, 2025DNF @ 53%. I'm going to leave this unrated for now in case I decide to come back to it; odds aren't looking good though. I could not get into this couple at all. Lawd knows I dragged it out long enough, trying. Gideon is not impressive as a gangster, and just seems like an a-hole and Andre is...not the brightest. More importantly, there is NO build up to this relationship at all. Out of nowhere Gideon is declaring that he wants to be with Andre against all odds and, in my mind, I'm like didn't you all meet last week? The whole thing felt very unserious. I literally could not summon an ounce of care for these characters. Highly disappointed. I didn't read far enough to know who Book 2 will be about, but I'll give it a whirl. Hopefully it's better than this one. Might have to read some of this author's previous books to recover.
November 11, 2024
DNF'd at 65%. Fun premise, but the relationship was so rushed. There was no buildup. It was almost instalove except the instalove happened after a couple days of disliking each other. It gave me whiplash. And it's tonally confused in general.
October 24, 2024
Hmm book 1 of a new series.
Gideon - has a team of professionals, former marines and mercenaries, is scarred inside and out, untouchable and is the “son of the most powerful man the criminal underworld had ever seen.” He is revenge driven.
Wow what an introduction! Gideon is ready to take back control and reign over The Council.
“The Council, the underworld body that controlled all the power in the U.S. ”
“The Council consisted of seven members to ensure there would always be a tiebreaker. A seat never ever sat empty. Membership was inherited and members remained on it until they died.”
Heath Lyndhurst. Omg so I forgot the name of the love interest so I thought it was this guy. It was SOOO not this guy 🤣🤣
The prodigal returns and the council is in disbelief.
“Gideon has the deciding vote and control of the purse.”
I must say, these first two chapters are well written. This is going to be an action packed romance - not a lot of fluff here. Oh the love interest - it’s Andre.
Andre -big brother, feelings of rejection and abandonment , Father issues,
Gideon is now “head of the billion-dollar Winters media conglomerate.” He’s also back from the dead it seems.
Ahh finally our two main characters meet, I was getting impatient. Andre wants nothing to do with Gideon and Gideon wants to use Andre to his advantage , an unwitting pawn in Gideons chess game with The Council.
Someone wants Andre and his sister dead. Gideon manipulates the situation so that Andre and Juliette stay at his house, under Gideons protection. Juliette definitely makes herself at home 🤣
Gideon feels antagonised by Andre. Andre distrusts Gideon . Both are attracted to each other.
The Council politics continues with murders, death plots, and other nefarious dealings.
Gideon finds himself outside Andres bedroom door. Sexy times commence and then are postponed .But now Andre is second guessing being involved sexually with Gideon due to his past and who Gideon is. The attraction between them is strong, and Gideon strikes me as the type of man who gets what he wants.
Gideon has a plan , it’s a plan that’s been years in the making. Andre tempts him to deviate from it.
Gideon trusts Andre with high clearance level information.
“How did his father come to be here, in Gideon Winters’s secret hospital, clearly fighting for his life?”
They have only known each other such a short time but the feelings are strong. Trust, distrust, attraction, vulnerability.
“You wanted me to open up to you as if you don’t already have one foot out the door.”
Andre and his sister leave Gideon’s place, although unknowingly with protection from some of Gideon’s men.
Gideon finds out there is a credible threat to
Andres life and BAM !Action!
“Are you mine, André?”
“Yes!” he screamed. “I’m yours. Fuck. I’m yours, Gideon.”
Andre learns about the council and the council learn about his existence. A meeting is called. Andre is to be sworn in as a proxy member.
“those people didn’t want him in their little murderous, controlling-ass club.”
After the meeting, they declare their love for each other.
Andre is sworn in as proxy . Gideon remains cold , ruthless and powerful towards the council .
“Playing chess while everyone else played checkers. ”
There’s a burning question throughout this whole book that is behind all of Gideon’s scheming and plans. Who killed his mother?
Ahh I liked how that was done. Who killed Gideon’s mother? Andres relationship of resentment but deep down yearning and wanting to be loved by his biological father. Both mens childhood destroyed by the loss of a parent. Two themes throughout the book to end up being entwined at the end. Oh the angst and heartbreak.
“Is that a fucking proposal? After you killed five men for me?”
Gideon - has a team of professionals, former marines and mercenaries, is scarred inside and out, untouchable and is the “son of the most powerful man the criminal underworld had ever seen.” He is revenge driven.
Wow what an introduction! Gideon is ready to take back control and reign over The Council.
“The Council, the underworld body that controlled all the power in the U.S. ”
“The Council consisted of seven members to ensure there would always be a tiebreaker. A seat never ever sat empty. Membership was inherited and members remained on it until they died.”
Heath Lyndhurst. Omg so I forgot the name of the love interest so I thought it was this guy. It was SOOO not this guy 🤣🤣
The prodigal returns and the council is in disbelief.
“Gideon has the deciding vote and control of the purse.”
I must say, these first two chapters are well written. This is going to be an action packed romance - not a lot of fluff here. Oh the love interest - it’s Andre.
Andre -big brother, feelings of rejection and abandonment , Father issues,
Gideon is now “head of the billion-dollar Winters media conglomerate.” He’s also back from the dead it seems.
Ahh finally our two main characters meet, I was getting impatient. Andre wants nothing to do with Gideon and Gideon wants to use Andre to his advantage , an unwitting pawn in Gideons chess game with The Council.
Someone wants Andre and his sister dead. Gideon manipulates the situation so that Andre and Juliette stay at his house, under Gideons protection. Juliette definitely makes herself at home 🤣
Gideon feels antagonised by Andre. Andre distrusts Gideon . Both are attracted to each other.
The Council politics continues with murders, death plots, and other nefarious dealings.
Gideon finds himself outside Andres bedroom door. Sexy times commence and then are postponed .But now Andre is second guessing being involved sexually with Gideon due to his past and who Gideon is. The attraction between them is strong, and Gideon strikes me as the type of man who gets what he wants.
Gideon has a plan , it’s a plan that’s been years in the making. Andre tempts him to deviate from it.
Gideon trusts Andre with high clearance level information.
“How did his father come to be here, in Gideon Winters’s secret hospital, clearly fighting for his life?”
They have only known each other such a short time but the feelings are strong. Trust, distrust, attraction, vulnerability.
“You wanted me to open up to you as if you don’t already have one foot out the door.”
Andre and his sister leave Gideon’s place, although unknowingly with protection from some of Gideon’s men.
Gideon finds out there is a credible threat to
Andres life and BAM !Action!
“Are you mine, André?”
“Yes!” he screamed. “I’m yours. Fuck. I’m yours, Gideon.”
Andre learns about the council and the council learn about his existence. A meeting is called. Andre is to be sworn in as a proxy member.
“those people didn’t want him in their little murderous, controlling-ass club.”
After the meeting, they declare their love for each other.
Andre is sworn in as proxy . Gideon remains cold , ruthless and powerful towards the council .
“Playing chess while everyone else played checkers. ”
There’s a burning question throughout this whole book that is behind all of Gideon’s scheming and plans. Who killed his mother?
Ahh I liked how that was done. Who killed Gideon’s mother? Andres relationship of resentment but deep down yearning and wanting to be loved by his biological father. Both mens childhood destroyed by the loss of a parent. Two themes throughout the book to end up being entwined at the end. Oh the angst and heartbreak.
“Is that a fucking proposal? After you killed five men for me?”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2024
oh Gideon
I’ve yet to read a book with the Mc named Gideon that I didn’t like. This one was perfect. I loved him. From the beginning how do you not love him. And Andrè was perfect for him. Two men with Daddy issues literally finding love within each other. The writing was great the smexy was hawt, and I love the side characters. I’m not so sure about the next book pairing but we will see
For future me:
Dual pov
Switch
No smexy before relationship
No cheating or sharing
Yay to diverse men!
I’ve yet to read a book with the Mc named Gideon that I didn’t like. This one was perfect. I loved him. From the beginning how do you not love him. And Andrè was perfect for him. Two men with Daddy issues literally finding love within each other. The writing was great the smexy was hawt, and I love the side characters. I’m not so sure about the next book pairing but we will see
For future me:
Dual pov
Switch
No smexy before relationship
No cheating or sharing
Yay to diverse men!
January 1, 2026
Prodigal is the first book in The Council, a brand new series by bestselling m/m author Avril Ashton. It features forced proximity, opposites attract, interracial romance, and Av’s signature heat and angst.
Prodigal is the first book of The Council, a series by that features my go-to trope du jour: billionaire secret societies.
Unlike Park Avenue Kings, where the secret society is unified, Prodigal chronicles the upheaval of The Council’s status quo when the son of a recently deceased council member, Gideon Winters, secured his seat through a series of machinations and assassinations.
Gideon has been groomed since childhood and was biding his time until the right moment to strike. To gain leverage on one council member, he convinced the man’s secret son, Andre, along with his adopted sister Juliet, to stay in his penthouse.
Andre has a chip on his shoulder the size of his absentee father, whom he never met. He was forced to stay with the famous billionaire Gideon Winters when the man saved him and Jules from bad guys. Jules adored Gideon right away. Andre doesn’t trust the man but has nowhere to go.
The premise grabbed me right away and the concept is very intriguing. Sadly, the execution didn’t live up to the promise. The plot lacked depth and was all over the place, yet it was also compelling enough to keep me hooked. It aimed to depict Gideon as a morally grey character, which he is, but the execution was clumsy. It also turned out the wrongs Gideon was seeking to avenge were the schemes of a dead character, which felt rather anti-climactic because it took away a villain comeuppance scene.
Prodigal isn’t the strongest series opener but it still has its merits. I’m still interested to see where Gideon and Andre would take The Council, so I’m looking forward to Book 2.
Prodigal is the first book of The Council, a series by that features my go-to trope du jour: billionaire secret societies.
Unlike Park Avenue Kings, where the secret society is unified, Prodigal chronicles the upheaval of The Council’s status quo when the son of a recently deceased council member, Gideon Winters, secured his seat through a series of machinations and assassinations.
Gideon has been groomed since childhood and was biding his time until the right moment to strike. To gain leverage on one council member, he convinced the man’s secret son, Andre, along with his adopted sister Juliet, to stay in his penthouse.
Andre has a chip on his shoulder the size of his absentee father, whom he never met. He was forced to stay with the famous billionaire Gideon Winters when the man saved him and Jules from bad guys. Jules adored Gideon right away. Andre doesn’t trust the man but has nowhere to go.
The premise grabbed me right away and the concept is very intriguing. Sadly, the execution didn’t live up to the promise. The plot lacked depth and was all over the place, yet it was also compelling enough to keep me hooked. It aimed to depict Gideon as a morally grey character, which he is, but the execution was clumsy. It also turned out the wrongs Gideon was seeking to avenge were the schemes of a dead character, which felt rather anti-climactic because it took away a villain comeuppance scene.
Prodigal isn’t the strongest series opener but it still has its merits. I’m still interested to see where Gideon and Andre would take The Council, so I’m looking forward to Book 2.
June 17, 2025
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.75 stars
If you have read Avril Ashton’s books in the past, you should have an idea of what you will get here. With secret organizations, gun violence, power struggles, and possessive men, this hits exactly like Ashton’s brand. Besides taking care of his sister, André is a little aimless in life. He always wanted a relationship with his father and, since his mother died, he feels a bit lost. When his world collides with Gideon’s and he first sees Gideon’s life, André wants to despise the man, but he’s also attracted to Gideon. Gideon wants André from the start. He knows that André isn’t safe and wants to protect him, but when André won’t listen, more trouble follows.
Many of Ashton’s worlds are interconnected and, although this is the first book in a series, I did feel this world may have been introduced previously. Gideon and André fall hard and fast—you definitely get insta love here. Their scenes are hot and they are so into each other they can go all night, wake up, and do it all over again. The romance is paired with the larger story of Gideon getting his revenge and then André having a reckoning in his life he wasn’t expecting.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
3.75 stars
If you have read Avril Ashton’s books in the past, you should have an idea of what you will get here. With secret organizations, gun violence, power struggles, and possessive men, this hits exactly like Ashton’s brand. Besides taking care of his sister, André is a little aimless in life. He always wanted a relationship with his father and, since his mother died, he feels a bit lost. When his world collides with Gideon’s and he first sees Gideon’s life, André wants to despise the man, but he’s also attracted to Gideon. Gideon wants André from the start. He knows that André isn’t safe and wants to protect him, but when André won’t listen, more trouble follows.
Many of Ashton’s worlds are interconnected and, although this is the first book in a series, I did feel this world may have been introduced previously. Gideon and André fall hard and fast—you definitely get insta love here. Their scenes are hot and they are so into each other they can go all night, wake up, and do it all over again. The romance is paired with the larger story of Gideon getting his revenge and then André having a reckoning in his life he wasn’t expecting.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
October 30, 2024
I'm so sorry. Like I feel so bad for this, but wtf? I have been reading Avril Ashton's book since mid 2013. My first book was the first of the Brooklyn Sinners & I have read pretty much every single book this author has put out since then.
But I just can't with this one. Again I'm so sorry, but this book was so amateurish and way rushed. There's a cliff hanger. Sure not necessarily with the relationship, tho that again was rushed and completely unfulfilling, but the plot itself. Which I'm not a newbie, I know sometimes it can take a few books or a whole series to wrap up all the different plots and whatnot, but like they normally indicate that, it's more implied thru actions and whatnot during the story that okay THIS thing is going to be an ongoing thing that's going to take a few books to work out. We didn't get that until the book ended and was like oh okay guess we'll find out in the next book.
I put this at 3 stars, but the more I'm writing I'm tempted to even go down to 2, I won't because again I love this author, but damn. Did she have a ghost writer? Did she let someone else publish a book under her name? Did she have something dropped on her head? Something major is different in the writing style. Unless she turned it way down to cast a bigger net in audience or appease Amazon, idk but this isn't it.
I mean I'm still going to read all the other books in the series. The story, plot, & characters themselves are great and like I said I love this author and read everything. I'm just going to keep my expectations way down. If this was a new author or a book she wrote 10+ years ago, I wouldn't be so harsh. But again she's written dozens of amazing, well plot, well writen books, Idk why she written this one differently.
But I just can't with this one. Again I'm so sorry, but this book was so amateurish and way rushed. There's a cliff hanger. Sure not necessarily with the relationship, tho that again was rushed and completely unfulfilling, but the plot itself. Which I'm not a newbie, I know sometimes it can take a few books or a whole series to wrap up all the different plots and whatnot, but like they normally indicate that, it's more implied thru actions and whatnot during the story that okay THIS thing is going to be an ongoing thing that's going to take a few books to work out. We didn't get that until the book ended and was like oh okay guess we'll find out in the next book.
I put this at 3 stars, but the more I'm writing I'm tempted to even go down to 2, I won't because again I love this author, but damn. Did she have a ghost writer? Did she let someone else publish a book under her name? Did she have something dropped on her head? Something major is different in the writing style. Unless she turned it way down to cast a bigger net in audience or appease Amazon, idk but this isn't it.
I mean I'm still going to read all the other books in the series. The story, plot, & characters themselves are great and like I said I love this author and read everything. I'm just going to keep my expectations way down. If this was a new author or a book she wrote 10+ years ago, I wouldn't be so harsh. But again she's written dozens of amazing, well plot, well writen books, Idk why she written this one differently.
November 30, 2024
DNF 47%
Todo mundo tem seus dias bons e ruins. E, aparentemente, esse livro foi feito em um dia ruim da Avril.
Antes de tudo, devo dizer que amo as obras da Avril e por causa disso tenho o costume de apenas começar a ler, sem ler sinopse ou críticas sobre o livro, mas pelo visto esse foi meu erro.
O livro começou bem, gostei muito do Gideon. Ele tinha tudo que um MC tem nos livros da Avril: focado, sem pudores e determinado, mas quando André foi introduzido na narrativa, peguei-me perguntando se o livro era realmente da Avril…André é fraco (por falta de outra palavra melhor), é sem sal, chato e chorão.
Pessoalmente, não entendo o porquê das autoras construírem uma narrativa com um Mc forte e outro Mc fraco…é possível ser vulnerável e ao mesmo tempo forte, sem choramingos.
Para acabar de acertar (os gringos não vão conseguir traduzir essa expressão nunca hahahahah), a autora cria uma personagem adolescente para agir como buffer
História fraca + Mc chato + buffer com adolescente = ta pronto o livrinho “Prodigal”
Será que Avril foi pressionada para entregar uma obra meia boca por causa do contrato com a editora?! Nem parece que é a mesma autora de “Run this town” e “Call the Coroner”….
Todo mundo tem seus dias bons e ruins. E, aparentemente, esse livro foi feito em um dia ruim da Avril.
Antes de tudo, devo dizer que amo as obras da Avril e por causa disso tenho o costume de apenas começar a ler, sem ler sinopse ou críticas sobre o livro, mas pelo visto esse foi meu erro.
O livro começou bem, gostei muito do Gideon. Ele tinha tudo que um MC tem nos livros da Avril: focado, sem pudores e determinado, mas quando André foi introduzido na narrativa, peguei-me perguntando se o livro era realmente da Avril…André é fraco (por falta de outra palavra melhor), é sem sal, chato e chorão.
Pessoalmente, não entendo o porquê das autoras construírem uma narrativa com um Mc forte e outro Mc fraco…é possível ser vulnerável e ao mesmo tempo forte, sem choramingos.
Para acabar de acertar (os gringos não vão conseguir traduzir essa expressão nunca hahahahah), a autora cria uma personagem adolescente para agir como buffer
História fraca + Mc chato + buffer com adolescente = ta pronto o livrinho “Prodigal”
Será que Avril foi pressionada para entregar uma obra meia boca por causa do contrato com a editora?! Nem parece que é a mesma autora de “Run this town” e “Call the Coroner”….
February 11, 2025
3 Stars
"Prodigal" by Avril Ashton has unfortunately continued the trend of recent disappointments in her books for me. The story centers on the connection between Gideon and Andre, but their relationship felt rushed, characterized by instant attraction and instant love.
Gideon is particularly problematic. His actions, which include killing innocent people alongside guilty ones, made it difficult for me to view him as anything but an unlikable character. Andre's quick acceptance of Gideon's actions, despite being a normal person outside of Gideon's world, felt unconvincing. The author seemed to go to great lengths to portray Andre's easy acceptance of Gideon's behavior, but it lacked depth and believability.
Told in dual POV, 3rd person, it’s the first installment in "The Council" series and can be read as a standalone novel. Overall, this book did not meet my expectations and left me wanting more about character development and believable connection, hope you enjoy it more than me!
"Prodigal" by Avril Ashton has unfortunately continued the trend of recent disappointments in her books for me. The story centers on the connection between Gideon and Andre, but their relationship felt rushed, characterized by instant attraction and instant love.
Gideon is particularly problematic. His actions, which include killing innocent people alongside guilty ones, made it difficult for me to view him as anything but an unlikable character. Andre's quick acceptance of Gideon's actions, despite being a normal person outside of Gideon's world, felt unconvincing. The author seemed to go to great lengths to portray Andre's easy acceptance of Gideon's behavior, but it lacked depth and believability.
Told in dual POV, 3rd person, it’s the first installment in "The Council" series and can be read as a standalone novel. Overall, this book did not meet my expectations and left me wanting more about character development and believable connection, hope you enjoy it more than me!
April 3, 2025
In general this was fine. Gideon comes back from the "dead" after his father dies to take control of some mysterious organization that runs the world, determined to find out who ordered the hit on him that killed his mother. He plans to use another member's hidden son as a tool to find out, only ends up bring home Andre and his wheel-chair bound adopted sister. There is insta-attraction but Andre is obsessed with being independent and despite people trying to murder him and his sister several times, fights against Gideon's protection. He also seems incredibly naive although once he finds out how the world works (according them) he jumps in feet first but is still desperate for daddy's love. Eh. I found the sister who was supposedly 15 acted more like 9 and Gideon because very mushy after meeting Andre. I don't know. It was okay but nothing something I would likely follow up on. Just not my jam. This book is i/r.
May 28, 2025
DNF.
Gideon is such an asshole. And not the likeable kind, either. He was annoying, arrogant, and mean. I also couldn't believe he was a gangster ... it felt over the top? And ridiculous? I don't know, but I did not like him or how he treated people (especially Andre).
Their "relationship" was also not okay. I love a good enemies-to-lovers! They are the best tropes. This was not. I got annoyed with Gideon right from the start and he never got better. Andre was ... too okay with how things were? He said he was mad and annoyed. That he hated Gideon ... but his actions didn't show that. And they got together way too fast.
Also ... for the audible version, I wasn't a fan of the narration of Michael Casale. He was okay, but Gideon is supposed to have a deep voice, and he sounded liked a teen to me. Andre as well wasn't what I wanted.
I'm sorry. I really liked the idea of this, but the execution wasn't good.
Gideon is such an asshole. And not the likeable kind, either. He was annoying, arrogant, and mean. I also couldn't believe he was a gangster ... it felt over the top? And ridiculous? I don't know, but I did not like him or how he treated people (especially Andre).
Their "relationship" was also not okay. I love a good enemies-to-lovers! They are the best tropes. This was not. I got annoyed with Gideon right from the start and he never got better. Andre was ... too okay with how things were? He said he was mad and annoyed. That he hated Gideon ... but his actions didn't show that. And they got together way too fast.
Also ... for the audible version, I wasn't a fan of the narration of Michael Casale. He was okay, but Gideon is supposed to have a deep voice, and he sounded liked a teen to me. Andre as well wasn't what I wanted.
I'm sorry. I really liked the idea of this, but the execution wasn't good.
March 10, 2025
I like this a lot. Love Gideon, so much. That man is BEYOND whipped. Love andré too, his development and all. But I feel like I was searching for something that gave me the feels like Daniel and stavros in call the coroner and I didn’t quite get that emotion in this one but I suppose that’s a little unfair because I’m extremely biased about those two. 3.5 ⭐️’s!
Also it was way toooo fast, like I LOVE fast paced books but I just felt like this was missing something. I’m actually super excited for Samir and Ennis’s story because how is that even gunna work but we’ll see!
Also it was way toooo fast, like I LOVE fast paced books but I just felt like this was missing something. I’m actually super excited for Samir and Ennis’s story because how is that even gunna work but we’ll see!
October 24, 2024
Great Read
This book was so good, I had to stay up late to finish it. I never thought Avril would ever have a character that I liked better than Pablo but Gideon was up there too.
Both Gideon and Andre had a pretty bad intwined childhoods but that still didn’t stop them from falling in love. This book had action, suspense and spice. Seriously wonderful and it will definitely go into my read again box.
This book was so good, I had to stay up late to finish it. I never thought Avril would ever have a character that I liked better than Pablo but Gideon was up there too.
Both Gideon and Andre had a pretty bad intwined childhoods but that still didn’t stop them from falling in love. This book had action, suspense and spice. Seriously wonderful and it will definitely go into my read again box.
June 5, 2025
Every character in this story are trite, flat, cliché and so dang boring. I got to around 80% of the audiobook, which is an accomplishment on its own.
The one star this gets is because I found the couple confrontations André had with his ex and his father satisfying. The otherwise bland André didn't let these guys off the hook, which is a rarity in romance where forgiving past wrongs, no matter the severity, is by far the upheld virtue.
The one star this gets is because I found the couple confrontations André had with his ex and his father satisfying. The otherwise bland André didn't let these guys off the hook, which is a rarity in romance where forgiving past wrongs, no matter the severity, is by far the upheld virtue.
October 27, 2024
4.5🌟
Gideon & Andre 😩
The way these two had each other’s back was sweet and please the touch him and 💀 and the violence, I ate it up, the way Gideon didn’t even try to fight against his feelings for Andre( swoon) I love Jules too..
The way I knew it will be Samir & Enris book next and seeing it was so worth my time. Can’t wait for them.
Gideon & Andre 😩
The way these two had each other’s back was sweet and please the touch him and 💀 and the violence, I ate it up, the way Gideon didn’t even try to fight against his feelings for Andre( swoon) I love Jules too..
The way I knew it will be Samir & Enris book next and seeing it was so worth my time. Can’t wait for them.
November 14, 2024
4.5 stars
It has been a minute since I’ve read a book by Ms. Ashton. I’m glad I came back on this one. Gideon and Andre was fire, the push and pull was enjoyable. Looking forward to the next book in the series. Samir and Ennis, wow!!! What will Gideon and Andre say about that development???
It has been a minute since I’ve read a book by Ms. Ashton. I’m glad I came back on this one. Gideon and Andre was fire, the push and pull was enjoyable. Looking forward to the next book in the series. Samir and Ennis, wow!!! What will Gideon and Andre say about that development???
June 26, 2025
Eh, I like the vengeance plot, but the M-M romance felt awkward and unnecessary, especially how they even fell in love. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciated the rich boy-traumatized child pairing, but it felt like it was trying too hard to be edgy yet romantic.
The writing felt unrefined and amateurish. I also found that Julie acted like a 10-year-old instead of 15.
The writing felt unrefined and amateurish. I also found that Julie acted like a 10-year-old instead of 15.
October 29, 2024
Wasnt her best work
They just were together, no reason to be together, they spoke a handful of times and were together.
I love Avrils writing, this felt rushed not really thought out.
They just were together, no reason to be together, they spoke a handful of times and were together.
I love Avrils writing, this felt rushed not really thought out.
November 9, 2024
Never Misses
Avril Ashton never misses! Her storytelling so good I’m so immensed in the book by the next thing I know it’s finished. This new series didn’t disappoint loved Gideon and Andre story the love was incredible. Any wait for the next instalment.
Avril Ashton never misses! Her storytelling so good I’m so immensed in the book by the next thing I know it’s finished. This new series didn’t disappoint loved Gideon and Andre story the love was incredible. Any wait for the next instalment.
December 18, 2024
A first for me
This is my first book by this author. It is fantastic. The Council has sooooo many dark Harry secrets. What will happen when a person thought dead comes to get revenge and reveal those secrets left buried.
This is my first book by this author. It is fantastic. The Council has sooooo many dark Harry secrets. What will happen when a person thought dead comes to get revenge and reveal those secrets left buried.
November 13, 2024
Okay so this one was different for me in the sense where I couldn’t stop reading, but at the same time I wasn’t fully captivated. If that makes sense. The plot was pretty good.
Like, it could have given me everything I’ve dreamed about:
1. Mafia/Crime
2. M/M interracial (one where it isn’t the typical twink and bbc)
3. High-angst where the HEA was hard fought making it all the better
Instead it gave me 2-ish of those.
Gideon is on a mission to reclaim his birthright and he’s ruthless. André …André hmm. What to say about André 🤔 well he has serious daddy issues. He wasn’t a bad character, he was just overly naive in my opinion.
Then when Gideon and André meet Gideon goes into this insta-obsessed mode. Which was sexy as hell. Would have been nice if Gideon had a all grabs André by the throat “Sir! What part of MINE don’t you understand moment.
It was one step from giving me that sweet sweet high angst but never got there. The spice was medium heat. Then again I like my spice ghost pepper style. Like, make me smoke a cig after reading it. I mean I’m happy for Gideon and André. They could have given me more though.
It’s hard to find a m/m interracial stories that aren’t the boring standard thing. So thank you Avril for recognizing the Black bottoms exist 😂 (even though this story they were vers).
Overall it’s a good story, love the plot, the flow was decent, spice wasn’t bad. Definitely worth a read.
Like, it could have given me everything I’ve dreamed about:
1. Mafia/Crime
2. M/M interracial (one where it isn’t the typical twink and bbc)
3. High-angst where the HEA was hard fought making it all the better
Instead it gave me 2-ish of those.
Gideon is on a mission to reclaim his birthright and he’s ruthless. André …André hmm. What to say about André 🤔 well he has serious daddy issues. He wasn’t a bad character, he was just overly naive in my opinion.
Then when Gideon and André meet Gideon goes into this insta-obsessed mode. Which was sexy as hell. Would have been nice if Gideon had a all grabs André by the throat “Sir! What part of MINE don’t you understand moment.
It was one step from giving me that sweet sweet high angst but never got there. The spice was medium heat. Then again I like my spice ghost pepper style. Like, make me smoke a cig after reading it. I mean I’m happy for Gideon and André. They could have given me more though.
It’s hard to find a m/m interracial stories that aren’t the boring standard thing. So thank you Avril for recognizing the Black bottoms exist 😂 (even though this story they were vers).
Overall it’s a good story, love the plot, the flow was decent, spice wasn’t bad. Definitely worth a read.
October 31, 2024
3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was good, but I just couldn’t give it more than 3 stars. I didn’t like how some things happened, but it didn’t detract enough for me to stop reading.
This book was good, but I just couldn’t give it more than 3 stars. I didn’t like how some things happened, but it didn’t detract enough for me to stop reading.
December 27, 2024
What a book!!! i cant wait for the next.
April 27, 2025
This book has crack in it and Avril has me in a chokehold 😭😭
Read
June 7, 2025DNF @ 40%
Read
July 2, 2025Dnf at 63%. Just couldn’t. Don’t know if I’ll come back
August 23, 2025
An intense, layered M/M romance full of secrets, second chances, and slow-burning tension that simmers just beneath the surface.
Gideon Winters has been presumed dead for fifteen years, but he’s never stopped watching, never stopped waiting. Once a boy on the run from a brutal past, he’s now a calculated man with one mission: reclaim the position that was stolen from him and dismantle the corrupt system he once called home—The Council. When a routine retrieval turns into a rescue, he finds himself entangled with André Tesfaye, a quiet, grounded man who’s as much a mystery to Gideon as he is a balm to his soul.
Their connection is instant but not easy—haunted by trust issues, betrayal, and the violence that follows Gideon like a shadow. Yet in the stillness between storms, a bond begins to form. There’s something beautifully fragile in how André pushes back against Gideon’s walls without trying to fix him. He sees the broken parts but doesn’t flinch.
Gideon Winters has been presumed dead for fifteen years, but he’s never stopped watching, never stopped waiting. Once a boy on the run from a brutal past, he’s now a calculated man with one mission: reclaim the position that was stolen from him and dismantle the corrupt system he once called home—The Council. When a routine retrieval turns into a rescue, he finds himself entangled with André Tesfaye, a quiet, grounded man who’s as much a mystery to Gideon as he is a balm to his soul.
Their connection is instant but not easy—haunted by trust issues, betrayal, and the violence that follows Gideon like a shadow. Yet in the stillness between storms, a bond begins to form. There’s something beautifully fragile in how André pushes back against Gideon’s walls without trying to fix him. He sees the broken parts but doesn’t flinch.
January 26, 2025
Unlike most reviewers, I enjoyed this book. Yes, it did seem rushed but my only issues were that sometimes Andre got on my nerves with his stupidity and I don't like the way that Ennis was vilified for doing something that we all know without a doubt Aldo would've also done to protect Gideon. Was he a coldhearted bustard? Yes, he was! But did he also love his son and do everything within his power to keep him alive? Absolutely!! I know Gideon suffered dearly, but his hypocrisy in acknowledging that his father was also blood thirsty and did evil things but then condemning Ennis bc it affected him personally was bs in my eyes.
I'm also a little weirded out by the coupling for book two bc...well, though I know that it's not, it still feels a bit incesty bc of the circumstances and though I do prefer IR books I'll still give it a shot.
I'm also a little weirded out by the coupling for book two bc...well, though I know that it's not, it still feels a bit incesty bc of the circumstances and though I do prefer IR books I'll still give it a shot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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