What do you think?
Rate this book
End Scene
A Hollywood dream turns into a nightmare.
***
In the early 1990s, Jonah Carter almost made it big. With a breakout role in a well-regarded film, he had never been closer to achieving his dreams. But behind the scenes, dark forces devised a plan of their own, costing the briefly shining star both his dreams and freedom.
Years later, Jonah is still bound to the City of Angels, living in solitude with the echoes of a long-forgotten dream. His peaceful life comes crashing down with the reappearance of his detective ex-boyfriend. Hayden is investigating the disappearance of a young actor, and the bloody signs all lead back to Jonah’s mysterious past.
As his buried secrets come roaring back, Jonah must join forces with the man he thought he’d lost forever. But how can they defeat the ones who live in the shadows?
***
End Scene is an intense read and meant for a mature audience. Please read the Author's Note for more information.
***
In the early 1990s, Jonah Carter almost made it big. With a breakout role in a well-regarded film, he had never been closer to achieving his dreams. But behind the scenes, dark forces devised a plan of their own, costing the briefly shining star both his dreams and freedom.
Years later, Jonah is still bound to the City of Angels, living in solitude with the echoes of a long-forgotten dream. His peaceful life comes crashing down with the reappearance of his detective ex-boyfriend. Hayden is investigating the disappearance of a young actor, and the bloody signs all lead back to Jonah’s mysterious past.
As his buried secrets come roaring back, Jonah must join forces with the man he thought he’d lost forever. But how can they defeat the ones who live in the shadows?
***
End Scene is an intense read and meant for a mature audience. Please read the Author's Note for more information.
386 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 22, 2024
64 people are currently reading
456 people want to read
About the author
A.V. Shener
9 books111 followersA.V. likes to take a ride into the dark side of writing, but always makes sure to find his way back. If he can make his readers both captivated and uncomfortable, he knows he did his job.
Find me on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/av_shener_w...
And on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
And this is my website:
https://avshener.wixsite.com/avshener
Find me on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/av_shener_w...
And on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
And this is my website:
https://avshener.wixsite.com/avshener
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
November 17, 2024
2.5 stars ...
Interesting premise
(the blurb pulled me in, of course) ...
weak execution, unfortunately.
Plodding and dull writing. 🥱
Highly doubtful that I'll read
anything else from this author.
Interesting premise
(the blurb pulled me in, of course) ...
weak execution, unfortunately.
Plodding and dull writing. 🥱
Highly doubtful that I'll read
anything else from this author.
October 22, 2024
MM Dark Romance
Psychological Thriller
Secret Society
Emotional Drama
Second Chance
🌶️🌶️🌶️
You know those reviews where people say they got sucked into the book right from the beginning? Ok this is one of those reviews. At page 16 I was like, wait what?! Immediately had my attention. Check those TWs because this is a very intense read. It’s very much a dark romance/psychological thriller that absolutely holds nothing back and it was fantastic. Loved every word of it.
The story is told from Jonah’s POV, in dual timelines. 1992 when Jonah is a young and hopeful actor hoping to get his big break, and 2006 when he’s trying to find peace and coast through life uneventfully. Unfortunately for Jonah, his ex, Hayden, is a cop working a missing person case that brings him back into Jonah’s life and opens a door into the past that Jonah desperately wants sealed shut.
My favorite kind of dark romances are the ones that are able to get that just right mix of dark and light. The relationship between Jonah and Hayden was pretty sweet and had some cute and funny banter that was able to keep this from becoming too dark. Balance. It absolutely works well in this story.
Psychological Thriller
Secret Society
Emotional Drama
Second Chance
🌶️🌶️🌶️
You know those reviews where people say they got sucked into the book right from the beginning? Ok this is one of those reviews. At page 16 I was like, wait what?! Immediately had my attention. Check those TWs because this is a very intense read. It’s very much a dark romance/psychological thriller that absolutely holds nothing back and it was fantastic. Loved every word of it.
The story is told from Jonah’s POV, in dual timelines. 1992 when Jonah is a young and hopeful actor hoping to get his big break, and 2006 when he’s trying to find peace and coast through life uneventfully. Unfortunately for Jonah, his ex, Hayden, is a cop working a missing person case that brings him back into Jonah’s life and opens a door into the past that Jonah desperately wants sealed shut.
My favorite kind of dark romances are the ones that are able to get that just right mix of dark and light. The relationship between Jonah and Hayden was pretty sweet and had some cute and funny banter that was able to keep this from becoming too dark. Balance. It absolutely works well in this story.
September 27, 2024
Where do I even start with this? The edge of the seat reading that had me finishing it in just over a day? The emotional rollercoaster that I did not want to stop through t it all? The truly jaw-dropping moments when revelations that I did not see coming were thrown my way? Or how about the flawless characterisation of these men? Because that’s what it was, absolutely flawless.
Now, I’ve read everything A.V. Shener has written to date and one of the many (many!) things I will constantly praise him for is his ability to create real characters and real situations. Yes, these situations can sometimes push you to your limit but they’ll still keep you there, alongside as you and the MC go through it all together. But these situations are so easily believable and that’s what I love. These aren’t insanely unrealistic things written down on paper, these are the stuff of nightmares that do happen in the real world… we’re just protected from them. The fact that his MCs are also so close to being real people that could quite easily fit in to your lives somewhere brings the terror and horror of the situations out even more perfectly. And that my dear people, is a god-damn gift!! No one writes like him, no one creates a piece of fiction that could easily be fact like him, it really is as simple as that.
Back to the book 😊 and Jonah. Now I had a soft spot for him from the very start. Struggling actor that realised his dreams are not about to take off the way he thought they would is a tale you hear often from Hollywood. What you don’t hear about (thank God) is what he goes through once his freedom is stolen away from him and his ‘survival’ instincts kick in. I know I said this earlier but it really is a rollercoaster of a ride with him. The gut-wrenchingly horrors that he goes through, the heart-warming moments that filter in every now and then and the agonising decisions he’s forced to make and live with is something that still chills my blood.
In short, this is a phenomenal read. Yes, I’m emotionally drained after this but in the best way possible and it has absolutely everything I could ever want in a book. This is a psychological thriller that is packed full of dread, suspense and fear of the unknown…. And it’s dark. Very dark.
It’s a dark addictive and twisted page turner that bring the right level of uncomfortable but you CANNOT look away from. There’s no predictability in this, you literally have no idea what will happen next and, if you think you do then please believe me when I tell you that you’ll be wrong! You will never have second guessed or doubted the intentions of a character as much as you do in this!
Now, I’ve read everything A.V. Shener has written to date and one of the many (many!) things I will constantly praise him for is his ability to create real characters and real situations. Yes, these situations can sometimes push you to your limit but they’ll still keep you there, alongside as you and the MC go through it all together. But these situations are so easily believable and that’s what I love. These aren’t insanely unrealistic things written down on paper, these are the stuff of nightmares that do happen in the real world… we’re just protected from them. The fact that his MCs are also so close to being real people that could quite easily fit in to your lives somewhere brings the terror and horror of the situations out even more perfectly. And that my dear people, is a god-damn gift!! No one writes like him, no one creates a piece of fiction that could easily be fact like him, it really is as simple as that.
Back to the book 😊 and Jonah. Now I had a soft spot for him from the very start. Struggling actor that realised his dreams are not about to take off the way he thought they would is a tale you hear often from Hollywood. What you don’t hear about (thank God) is what he goes through once his freedom is stolen away from him and his ‘survival’ instincts kick in. I know I said this earlier but it really is a rollercoaster of a ride with him. The gut-wrenchingly horrors that he goes through, the heart-warming moments that filter in every now and then and the agonising decisions he’s forced to make and live with is something that still chills my blood.
In short, this is a phenomenal read. Yes, I’m emotionally drained after this but in the best way possible and it has absolutely everything I could ever want in a book. This is a psychological thriller that is packed full of dread, suspense and fear of the unknown…. And it’s dark. Very dark.
It’s a dark addictive and twisted page turner that bring the right level of uncomfortable but you CANNOT look away from. There’s no predictability in this, you literally have no idea what will happen next and, if you think you do then please believe me when I tell you that you’ll be wrong! You will never have second guessed or doubted the intentions of a character as much as you do in this!
December 17, 2024
This was the first book I have read by this author. For such extreme situations, he writes very realistic characters. I found the plot to be very intriguing yet the ending felt very rushed.
I will definitely check out further works by this new to me author.
I will definitely check out further works by this new to me author.
October 12, 2024
Rating: 4.25
Emotions: 4.5
MCs: 4
Spice: 2
Diving into a new book by A.V. Shener is always unsettling, as I can't help but wonder what kind of hell I'll end up in. End Scene was a different kind of hell from anything I'd read by this author before, but it's a hell nonetheless.
The emphasis in End Scene was more on Jonah and Hayden's investigation to find a missing young man. This disappearance is intrinsically linked to horrors from Jonah's past that continue to haunt his present. I was fascinated to see Jonah's story unfold little by little, always leaving me wanting to know more. The threat hovering over the two MCs was stealthy, mysterious and kept me on my toes until the very end. Horrific things happened throughout the story, but always told with subtlety. There's extreme violence that's partially shown or suggested without showing us all the gruesome details.
A.V. Shener expertly navigates between two timelines throughout the book. He did justice to both Jonah's present and his past, which was essential to understanding the whole story. He made them both equally interesting, and I was just as excited to read both of them.
As the story progressed and the tension became more intense, I couldn't wait to see how Jonah and Hayden would get out of this impossible situation. Since my anticipation was so high, I felt a little underwhelmed by the ending and felt it was a little rushed. I was expecting something more elaborate, considering how complex the plot was. But that doesn't take anything away from the insane journey we have to go through to get there.
I'd definitely recommend End Scene to anyone who likes their MM romance with a good dose of thriller and horror. Thank goodness we have A.V. Shener to give us this kind of books!
Emotions: 4.5
MCs: 4
Spice: 2
Diving into a new book by A.V. Shener is always unsettling, as I can't help but wonder what kind of hell I'll end up in. End Scene was a different kind of hell from anything I'd read by this author before, but it's a hell nonetheless.
The emphasis in End Scene was more on Jonah and Hayden's investigation to find a missing young man. This disappearance is intrinsically linked to horrors from Jonah's past that continue to haunt his present. I was fascinated to see Jonah's story unfold little by little, always leaving me wanting to know more. The threat hovering over the two MCs was stealthy, mysterious and kept me on my toes until the very end. Horrific things happened throughout the story, but always told with subtlety. There's extreme violence that's partially shown or suggested without showing us all the gruesome details.
A.V. Shener expertly navigates between two timelines throughout the book. He did justice to both Jonah's present and his past, which was essential to understanding the whole story. He made them both equally interesting, and I was just as excited to read both of them.
As the story progressed and the tension became more intense, I couldn't wait to see how Jonah and Hayden would get out of this impossible situation. Since my anticipation was so high, I felt a little underwhelmed by the ending and felt it was a little rushed. I was expecting something more elaborate, considering how complex the plot was. But that doesn't take anything away from the insane journey we have to go through to get there.
I'd definitely recommend End Scene to anyone who likes their MM romance with a good dose of thriller and horror. Thank goodness we have A.V. Shener to give us this kind of books!
February 22, 2025
This was very strange. I don’t even know what to think.
October 22, 2024
End Scene by A.V. Shener is coming oct. 22.
~ ranting: 4 ☆
~ spice: 1 🌶
arc review
This book was captivating! It follows Jonah Carter, an up-and-coming actor searching for his big break in a prestigious film. However, fate has other ideas, and he finds himself entangled in a secret society full with dark secrets and broken promises. Years later, Jonah teams up with his ex-boyfriend, Hayden, to investigate a missing person's case, but things quickly take a dangerous turn.
The only thing lacking was the development of their relationship after they reunited... Jonah was involved with other people, so it felt a bit odd for Hayden to suddenly reappear.
This story focuses mainly on the plot, so if you like detective mystery, second chance, secret society, high ansgt, and dark elements this book if definitely for you ( check tws. )!
~ ranting: 4 ☆
~ spice: 1 🌶
arc review
This book was captivating! It follows Jonah Carter, an up-and-coming actor searching for his big break in a prestigious film. However, fate has other ideas, and he finds himself entangled in a secret society full with dark secrets and broken promises. Years later, Jonah teams up with his ex-boyfriend, Hayden, to investigate a missing person's case, but things quickly take a dangerous turn.
The only thing lacking was the development of their relationship after they reunited... Jonah was involved with other people, so it felt a bit odd for Hayden to suddenly reappear.
This story focuses mainly on the plot, so if you like detective mystery, second chance, secret society, high ansgt, and dark elements this book if definitely for you ( check tws. )!
October 23, 2024
End Scene is a suspenseful, moody, twisty mystery, taking you down a disturbing path with unexpected turns throughout. It is a dark thriller featuring a sick & twisted secret society, and a dash of MM romance and spice mixed in. When I say dark, I mean DARK. And unsettling. Definitely check TW/CW before reading if you feel you need to.
With that said, I could not put this book down. It was so good and kept me guessing and theorizing the entire way through. There were many completely unexpected, shocking twists that threw me for a loop and had me scream-thinking WTAF and speed-reading to find out what came next.
The dual timeline was executed beautifully and flowed naturally. It never felt jarring or disorienting, and it helped the storyline flow as it slowly uncovered bits and pieces of Jonah’s past while the mystery and investigation unfolded in present day.
My heart broke page after page for Jonah (and others) with all that he went through and continues to go through, and the choices he had to make. I immediately liked Hayden. Their love and care for each other, even as exes, was evident right away.
I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it. It was an exciting, albeit disturbing, change of pace and I am excited to read more from author A.V. Shener.
A huge thank you to A.V. Shener for the ARC opportunity!
With that said, I could not put this book down. It was so good and kept me guessing and theorizing the entire way through. There were many completely unexpected, shocking twists that threw me for a loop and had me scream-thinking WTAF and speed-reading to find out what came next.
The dual timeline was executed beautifully and flowed naturally. It never felt jarring or disorienting, and it helped the storyline flow as it slowly uncovered bits and pieces of Jonah’s past while the mystery and investigation unfolded in present day.
My heart broke page after page for Jonah (and others) with all that he went through and continues to go through, and the choices he had to make. I immediately liked Hayden. Their love and care for each other, even as exes, was evident right away.
I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it. It was an exciting, albeit disturbing, change of pace and I am excited to read more from author A.V. Shener.
A huge thank you to A.V. Shener for the ARC opportunity!
October 10, 2024
Omg. I got an ARC through a Facebook group and I am so glad I did! This was such an amazing book! The characters were so perfect, it was dark, it was sexy and I really liked the dual timeline. The way the author wove the story through the past and present was just perfect. One of the best books I've read in a few months for sure!
November 12, 2024
I absolutely enjoyed End Scene by EV Schrebner. The story has excellent characterization that seems like it's based upon real people in the author's life. The plot was gripping and a page turner! So far, I've loved all of their stories!
October 22, 2024
A.V. Shener has put James Patterson to shame with this amazing novel.
Shadows don’t only come out in the dark. They exist even in the light.
When Jonah Carter watches his dream of making it as an actor fall through his fingers, he finds himself fighting for his freedom after being taken by the mysterious group The Society.
Fourteen years later Jonah is still trying to figure out how to trust others when his ex and an LAPD detective Hayden Scott’s investigation into a missing person not only drags Jonah back into the mess that is the society but also into the arms of the man he wanted a future with but couldn’t see.
When Hayden finds out what Jonah had to do to survive will their love stay burned forever or will it rise through the ashes and find new life.
This book has so many layers I could go on for days. It really shows how cruel people I’ll use trust and promises to hook someone to get to their own gains.
The best part is there is no character in this book that doesn’t play a role in Jonah’s past, present or future that is useless.
I love the many layers Jonah shows throughout the book and we quickly watch as each layer is pulled back and he has to learn to live with each one that makes him whole.
This book shows we aren’t puzzle pieces and non of us fit into a perfect puzzle that’s called life. We all have our own journeys and self discoveries and no one person can be truly good or truly bad.
In the end though it’s finding ourselves and those who will love us no matter who we are that means all the difference in this messed up world.
Shadows don’t only come out in the dark. They exist even in the light.
When Jonah Carter watches his dream of making it as an actor fall through his fingers, he finds himself fighting for his freedom after being taken by the mysterious group The Society.
Fourteen years later Jonah is still trying to figure out how to trust others when his ex and an LAPD detective Hayden Scott’s investigation into a missing person not only drags Jonah back into the mess that is the society but also into the arms of the man he wanted a future with but couldn’t see.
When Hayden finds out what Jonah had to do to survive will their love stay burned forever or will it rise through the ashes and find new life.
This book has so many layers I could go on for days. It really shows how cruel people I’ll use trust and promises to hook someone to get to their own gains.
The best part is there is no character in this book that doesn’t play a role in Jonah’s past, present or future that is useless.
I love the many layers Jonah shows throughout the book and we quickly watch as each layer is pulled back and he has to learn to live with each one that makes him whole.
This book shows we aren’t puzzle pieces and non of us fit into a perfect puzzle that’s called life. We all have our own journeys and self discoveries and no one person can be truly good or truly bad.
In the end though it’s finding ourselves and those who will love us no matter who we are that means all the difference in this messed up world.
February 8, 2025
This was so messed up for all that happened. It’s like this book was meant to show how f-up some humans can get if they have free rein. The problem is that despite all that, depth was lacking, in characters, it all was very shallow, them with themselves and in the relationship between both of them. Besides having one of the most awful things i read happening to MC’s ( and i read many trauma based books) the plot was lacking , like all potential unreached, and the characters were not handled with care, and trauma healing and recognition they deserved on the wake of what they been through. Shame.
There were some good moments between Jonah and Hayden, i will give him that.
There were some good moments between Jonah and Hayden, i will give him that.
October 24, 2024
***ARC*** ‘End Scene’ by @av_shener_writer
When I say, I could not put this down, I meant it, I was reading till the sun came up. I have never read anything like this, this book was an experience. End Scene was thrilling, dark and disturbing with unexpected twists and had me at the edge of my seat the entire time.
Jonah, our MMC, comes to Hollywood with stars in his eyes, and big hopeful dreams. He thinks he has a plan, and hopes to land his next big role by doing everything right. Very soon, things go horribly wrong and Jonah becomes trapped in a terrifying and sickening world, and he finds that it is impossible to get out. During his journey, Jonah builds relationships with people along the way, some good, many bad and certain that you cannot put a label on (very grey). This isn’t only a romance with a hard won HEA, this is a story of survival, deception, broken dreams and all the hurt and pain that comes with it. It is a phenomenal book, the story is told in dual timelines and this is perfectly executed. Not once did I feel lost during the story, it unfolded and flowed seamlessly.
@av_shener_writer Thank you for this fantastic ARC, it was a ride. Many times during the book, it felt like I was a side character in a Tarantino movie, staring in awe as I watched the characters play their part in this fascinating story.
When I say, I could not put this down, I meant it, I was reading till the sun came up. I have never read anything like this, this book was an experience. End Scene was thrilling, dark and disturbing with unexpected twists and had me at the edge of my seat the entire time.
Jonah, our MMC, comes to Hollywood with stars in his eyes, and big hopeful dreams. He thinks he has a plan, and hopes to land his next big role by doing everything right. Very soon, things go horribly wrong and Jonah becomes trapped in a terrifying and sickening world, and he finds that it is impossible to get out. During his journey, Jonah builds relationships with people along the way, some good, many bad and certain that you cannot put a label on (very grey). This isn’t only a romance with a hard won HEA, this is a story of survival, deception, broken dreams and all the hurt and pain that comes with it. It is a phenomenal book, the story is told in dual timelines and this is perfectly executed. Not once did I feel lost during the story, it unfolded and flowed seamlessly.
@av_shener_writer Thank you for this fantastic ARC, it was a ride. Many times during the book, it felt like I was a side character in a Tarantino movie, staring in awe as I watched the characters play their part in this fascinating story.
dnf
November 3, 2024Dnf @ 46%
I thought it was best to DNF this for the sake of my own mental well-being. I don’t know exactly how to explain it, or if it will make any sense, but this book made me feel claustrophobic.
I thought it was best to DNF this for the sake of my own mental well-being. I don’t know exactly how to explain it, or if it will make any sense, but this book made me feel claustrophobic.
October 11, 2024
This was such a great book, as always with this author I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. I loved Jonah and hated what he went through and am glad he and Hayden got their happy ending, even though they probablyhad a lot to process after. There were others characters that I hated, and ones that I hated but also felt bad for.
November 26, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
This was the first book I’ve read by this author and I’m looking forward to reading more. This was a very well written dark thriller. Definitely check TW’s before just diving in. I went in blind, only based on the synopsis, but I’ve have very few triggers, so if you’re not like me, check those first.
My heart hurt for Jonah and all he went through. But I felt a kindred spirit in Nathan. Whether his refusal to accept his situation was a mistake or not, I loved that he fought until the end.
The only reason I didn’t rate this a 5 was because it wrapped up pretty fast at the end. It all felt rushed. Otherwise, it was a great story!
This was the first book I’ve read by this author and I’m looking forward to reading more. This was a very well written dark thriller. Definitely check TW’s before just diving in. I went in blind, only based on the synopsis, but I’ve have very few triggers, so if you’re not like me, check those first.
My heart hurt for Jonah and all he went through. But I felt a kindred spirit in Nathan. Whether his refusal to accept his situation was a mistake or not, I loved that he fought until the end.
The only reason I didn’t rate this a 5 was because it wrapped up pretty fast at the end. It all felt rushed. Otherwise, it was a great story!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2025
“One way out, and one way only.”
Jonah Carter, a former actor turned sculptor and jewelry maker, is haunted by a past he can’t escape. When his friend Nick, a young aspiring actor, goes missing, Jonah’s past collides with his present.
But surprise, the detective on the case turns out to be Hayden, his ex-lover, and despite their fractured history, their chemistry immediately crackles off the page. Soon, they are drawn into a chilling web of power, secrets, and deceit, and their love only grows stronger as they go through hell and back together.
To me, the word “strong” is like the backbone of this story. For one, Jonah has to be strong not just physically, but emotionally, and you just can’t help but root for him as he faces down the people who make his life a living hell. But on an even deeper layer, this story examines what true strength actually means; what sacrifices will you make to survive and eventually thrive?
The twists in this novel are truly jaw-dropping. Just when I thought I’d figured things out, Shener threw another brutal twist my way that left me reeling in the best way possible; this is one of those books that constantly keeps you on the edge of your seat and makes you yell “Excuse me, WHAT just happened” time and time again.
With characters you’ll root for, intense chemistry, and a dark, thrilling plot, this book will keep you turning the pages way too late into the night (no regrets though). It’s not just a story of survival, but a gripping exploration of love, loyalty, and the lengths we’ll go to for freedom and redemption.
So if you, like me, are a sucker for dark stories with riveting suspense, emotional drama, and twists and turns that hit you like a brick in the gut, I can’t recommend End Scene highly enough.
Check the TW.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an e-Arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
Jonah Carter, a former actor turned sculptor and jewelry maker, is haunted by a past he can’t escape. When his friend Nick, a young aspiring actor, goes missing, Jonah’s past collides with his present.
But surprise, the detective on the case turns out to be Hayden, his ex-lover, and despite their fractured history, their chemistry immediately crackles off the page. Soon, they are drawn into a chilling web of power, secrets, and deceit, and their love only grows stronger as they go through hell and back together.
To me, the word “strong” is like the backbone of this story. For one, Jonah has to be strong not just physically, but emotionally, and you just can’t help but root for him as he faces down the people who make his life a living hell. But on an even deeper layer, this story examines what true strength actually means; what sacrifices will you make to survive and eventually thrive?
The twists in this novel are truly jaw-dropping. Just when I thought I’d figured things out, Shener threw another brutal twist my way that left me reeling in the best way possible; this is one of those books that constantly keeps you on the edge of your seat and makes you yell “Excuse me, WHAT just happened” time and time again.
With characters you’ll root for, intense chemistry, and a dark, thrilling plot, this book will keep you turning the pages way too late into the night (no regrets though). It’s not just a story of survival, but a gripping exploration of love, loyalty, and the lengths we’ll go to for freedom and redemption.
So if you, like me, are a sucker for dark stories with riveting suspense, emotional drama, and twists and turns that hit you like a brick in the gut, I can’t recommend End Scene highly enough.
Check the TW.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an e-Arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
November 16, 2024
While I thought the plot was interesting it wasn’t executed thoroughly enough. That mixed with the not so great writing and dialogue made for a very unimpressive story.
I like the cover though 🤷🏻♀️
I like the cover though 🤷🏻♀️
November 11, 2024
End Scene absolutely blew me away. I don’t think I could have put it down even if I wanted to.
I’ve read and loved A.V Shener’s work in the past, and while I always try to go into a new book with an open mind regardless of already knowing the authors previous work or not, I wasn’t prepared for how intense and heartbreaking End Scene was actually going to be.
I truly loved every aspect of this poignant story. Having it told in a dual point-of-view made it so atmospheric and it felt real and raw in a way most thrillers don’t these days. I was right there with Jonah through every high, every low, and I desperately wanted to see him succeed in his battle with his (very real and very human) demons. The story was dark, it was intriguing, it was twisty and it was certainly turny. Just when I thought things were going a certain way, both me and Jonah would get sucker punched in the gut (metaphorically for me, literally for him).
When I say it was dark though, I mean it. I love a well written brutally dark story, but please heed the trigger warnings with this one. I feel like I can stomach a lot when it comes to on-page violence and gore, but if you can’t then this may not be the book for you because it will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading.
It takes a particular kind of author to write something so dark with so much care and that’s why I find A.V Shener’s work so interesting - because it’s not written like most non-con/dub-con stories are. They’re not trauma-porn-turned-romances. He delves deep into the emotions of his characters and I really appreciate that. I don’t just want everything to be fixed by the love interest or a steamy scene, I actually want to read about how the characters process and accept situations/emotions/trauma - and Shener gives it to me every time.
Anyway, now that I’ve waxed poetic about the author, back to the book:
Jonah’s story made me so incredibly sad. He was just a fresh-faced, sweet young man, in 1992, who trusted the wrong person and had his dreams destroyed. I can’t imagine the struggle of a closeted gay man trying to make it big in Hollywood in a time when people pretended the world was changing, but still shunned you behind the scenes.
By the time it gets to 2006, you can understand why he’s become the man he has - even if we’re only seeing dribs and drabs of his past to begin with. You watch his shine slowly fade in one POV, and his self-confidence and self-worth be slowly built back up by Hayden and his friends in his current POV.
Hayden was an interesting character. He toes the line between safe and reckless so well he makes it look like an art. He was willing to go above and beyond for Jonah, even if it meant putting his career and his own life at risk to do it, though none of his actions feel forced or inauthentic. He’s not a 2D love interest for the sake of a love interest - he’s well rounded and an integral part of both Jonah’s life and the story.
The way Jonah and Hayden interacted was almost bittersweet, for me as a reader. On one hand they had such light, easy banter that made you feel so relaxed in their presence, but on the other hand they were quite literally going through hell together.
And the really scary thing about their story is how accurate it probably is. I absolutely guarantee you there are “societies” almost exactly like this one in every corner of the world - especially in Hollywood and the film/music industry. We’re seeing real life proof of this in the news at the moment.
And so I was (dare I say?) so relieved by how neatly the ending was wrapped up. Without any spoilers, Jonah had been through enough. I don’t think I could have stomached any other ending for him or for Hayden. My heart physically aches for them.
All this to say, I was absolutely enraptured by End Scene. If you love dark (romantic?) thrillers, and you have no triggers, this is without a doubt the book for you. Five solid stars. I can’t wait to see what Shener comes up with next. He has my undivided attention.
*This review has been taken down twice now, so third time’s the charm I hope. Fingers crossed*
I’ve read and loved A.V Shener’s work in the past, and while I always try to go into a new book with an open mind regardless of already knowing the authors previous work or not, I wasn’t prepared for how intense and heartbreaking End Scene was actually going to be.
I truly loved every aspect of this poignant story. Having it told in a dual point-of-view made it so atmospheric and it felt real and raw in a way most thrillers don’t these days. I was right there with Jonah through every high, every low, and I desperately wanted to see him succeed in his battle with his (very real and very human) demons. The story was dark, it was intriguing, it was twisty and it was certainly turny. Just when I thought things were going a certain way, both me and Jonah would get sucker punched in the gut (metaphorically for me, literally for him).
When I say it was dark though, I mean it. I love a well written brutally dark story, but please heed the trigger warnings with this one. I feel like I can stomach a lot when it comes to on-page violence and gore, but if you can’t then this may not be the book for you because it will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading.
It takes a particular kind of author to write something so dark with so much care and that’s why I find A.V Shener’s work so interesting - because it’s not written like most non-con/dub-con stories are. They’re not trauma-porn-turned-romances. He delves deep into the emotions of his characters and I really appreciate that. I don’t just want everything to be fixed by the love interest or a steamy scene, I actually want to read about how the characters process and accept situations/emotions/trauma - and Shener gives it to me every time.
Anyway, now that I’ve waxed poetic about the author, back to the book:
Jonah’s story made me so incredibly sad. He was just a fresh-faced, sweet young man, in 1992, who trusted the wrong person and had his dreams destroyed. I can’t imagine the struggle of a closeted gay man trying to make it big in Hollywood in a time when people pretended the world was changing, but still shunned you behind the scenes.
By the time it gets to 2006, you can understand why he’s become the man he has - even if we’re only seeing dribs and drabs of his past to begin with. You watch his shine slowly fade in one POV, and his self-confidence and self-worth be slowly built back up by Hayden and his friends in his current POV.
Hayden was an interesting character. He toes the line between safe and reckless so well he makes it look like an art. He was willing to go above and beyond for Jonah, even if it meant putting his career and his own life at risk to do it, though none of his actions feel forced or inauthentic. He’s not a 2D love interest for the sake of a love interest - he’s well rounded and an integral part of both Jonah’s life and the story.
The way Jonah and Hayden interacted was almost bittersweet, for me as a reader. On one hand they had such light, easy banter that made you feel so relaxed in their presence, but on the other hand they were quite literally going through hell together.
And the really scary thing about their story is how accurate it probably is. I absolutely guarantee you there are “societies” almost exactly like this one in every corner of the world - especially in Hollywood and the film/music industry. We’re seeing real life proof of this in the news at the moment.
And so I was (dare I say?) so relieved by how neatly the ending was wrapped up. Without any spoilers, Jonah had been through enough. I don’t think I could have stomached any other ending for him or for Hayden. My heart physically aches for them.
All this to say, I was absolutely enraptured by End Scene. If you love dark (romantic?) thrillers, and you have no triggers, this is without a doubt the book for you. Five solid stars. I can’t wait to see what Shener comes up with next. He has my undivided attention.
*This review has been taken down twice now, so third time’s the charm I hope. Fingers crossed*
May 10, 2025
This story was different, in a very good way! It's been a long time since I've read a thriller, and I enjoyed it. Then combined with a MM romance - hard to top! I like it when it's a bit dark, and here it got really really dark 😳. But we get the right mix of suspense, emotion, love and 🌶️🔥! I am glad that I have already been able to immerse myself in various worlds of A.V. Shener! The stories are incredibly good and I'm already looking forward to each new one!
Diese Geschichte war anders, in einer sehr guten Art und Weise! Es ist lange her, dass ich einen Thriller gelesen habe, und ich habe es genossen. Dann noch in Kombination mit einer MM-Romance - schwer zu topen! Ich mag es wenn es etwas dunkel zu und her geht, und hier wird es wirklich Düster 😳. Aber wir bekommen die richtige Mischung aus Spannung, Emotionen Liebe und 🌶️🔥! Ich schätze mich Glücklich, dass ich schon in verschiedene Welten von A.V. Shener eintauchen durfte! Die Geschichten sind unglaublich gut, und ich freue mich jetzt schon auf jede weitere!
Diese Geschichte war anders, in einer sehr guten Art und Weise! Es ist lange her, dass ich einen Thriller gelesen habe, und ich habe es genossen. Dann noch in Kombination mit einer MM-Romance - schwer zu topen! Ich mag es wenn es etwas dunkel zu und her geht, und hier wird es wirklich Düster 😳. Aber wir bekommen die richtige Mischung aus Spannung, Emotionen Liebe und 🌶️🔥! Ich schätze mich Glücklich, dass ich schon in verschiedene Welten von A.V. Shener eintauchen durfte! Die Geschichten sind unglaublich gut, und ich freue mich jetzt schon auf jede weitere!
January 21, 2025
I'm gonna give this 4 stars because the thriller part at least kept me interested. I did enjoy this, I just wish a few things had been different. I think more emphasis needed to be placed on the relationship...you barely knew the characters together when the big thing happened, so I had a hard time fully caring about it. It could have just as easily been a best friend or something. I also wish there had been more emotions shown/discussed. I'm not sure how to explain what I mean. The characters just needed more depth in general I think. Eliot and his brother were the most interesting characters in my opinion, and I wish more had been done with them. And the ending was kind of absurd...meaning a lot absurd lol.
They didn't detail the torture too often, but when it was talked about...wow.
Overall, I'm glad I read this and it was definitely entertaining!!
They didn't detail the torture too often, but when it was talked about...wow.
Overall, I'm glad I read this and it was definitely entertaining!!
February 14, 2025
If you haven’t..read it!
“Why am I trying to become what I don’t want to be… when all I want is out there, waiting for me the minute I say I know who I am?”
OH. MY. GAWD! I know, I know..I’m late to the party with this one. But yaaallllll!! 👀 WTF kind of wild ride did I just go on?! 🤯 I do :not: envy Jonah but my gawd, do I respect him. 🥹🫶🏻
He is such a fucking badass with the driest sense of humor & I absolutely love him. Every time he & Hayden interacted, I was in tears. 😂😂
This book kept me on the edge of my seat.😰 If I wasn’t crying from laughter, I was crying at the strength & resilience of Jonah. 😮💨 And then Hayden, too. ❤️🩹
I think I loved the Jenny & Tammy just as much as our (antihero) protagonist. But Ben made me cry 💔
“Why am I trying to become what I don’t want to be… when all I want is out there, waiting for me the minute I say I know who I am?”
OH. MY. GAWD! I know, I know..I’m late to the party with this one. But yaaallllll!! 👀 WTF kind of wild ride did I just go on?! 🤯 I do :not: envy Jonah but my gawd, do I respect him. 🥹🫶🏻
He is such a fucking badass with the driest sense of humor & I absolutely love him. Every time he & Hayden interacted, I was in tears. 😂😂
This book kept me on the edge of my seat.😰 If I wasn’t crying from laughter, I was crying at the strength & resilience of Jonah. 😮💨 And then Hayden, too. ❤️🩹
I think I loved the Jenny & Tammy just as much as our (antihero) protagonist. But Ben made me cry 💔
October 22, 2024
End Scene is a dark MM thriller with a side of spice. Jonah thought he'd escaped the shadows of his past. He resigned himself to a future shaped by the darkness of his trauma. But when someone he cares for comes back into his life, the demons he thought he'd escaped awaken, and his past suddenly becomes his present.
Jonah is lucky to have gotten away from the nightmare he was living in. Most don't survive, and they certainly don't get a second chance. But when the stakes rise, affecting someone he loves, he plunges back into the dark to protect him.
The characters in the story are all very detailed and realistic. They add a complexity to the story that kept me drawn in. But Jonah was the star. Seeing him tear away the numbness he once shielded himself with and become a determined, ruthless hero was incredible.
I tore through this book. Absolutely recommend!
Jonah is lucky to have gotten away from the nightmare he was living in. Most don't survive, and they certainly don't get a second chance. But when the stakes rise, affecting someone he loves, he plunges back into the dark to protect him.
The characters in the story are all very detailed and realistic. They add a complexity to the story that kept me drawn in. But Jonah was the star. Seeing him tear away the numbness he once shielded himself with and become a determined, ruthless hero was incredible.
I tore through this book. Absolutely recommend!
November 2, 2024
4.5🌟
The way this author knows how to hold me down and get me hooked with a book is amazing. The suspense, mystery, betrayal, thriller, manipulation. Every chapter I was holding my breathe and loosing my mind and it was worth it.. We have the romance too, it wasn’t much but I loved that the little we got from Hayden and Jonah was so cute and sweet.. they would do anything for each other.
I loved this book so much and am glad my heart survived this .. would have loved to give this a 5🌟 but as usual, I wanted the villains to hurt so much and they didn’t hurt to my satisfaction 😭
The way this author knows how to hold me down and get me hooked with a book is amazing. The suspense, mystery, betrayal, thriller, manipulation. Every chapter I was holding my breathe and loosing my mind and it was worth it.. We have the romance too, it wasn’t much but I loved that the little we got from Hayden and Jonah was so cute and sweet.. they would do anything for each other.
I loved this book so much and am glad my heart survived this .. would have loved to give this a 5🌟 but as usual, I wanted the villains to hurt so much and they didn’t hurt to my satisfaction 😭
October 25, 2024
Okay so I wasn’t quite sure what I was expecting.. I saw a post recommending it and figured why not. Overall I really enjoyed it. It kept me perfectly on edge on needing to know what is going to happen next.
December 25, 2024
So I pretty much read this in a day, I could not put it down. I needed to know everything, but also felt like it missed a lot and the ending was rushed.
I’m so confused about my feelings towards this book.
Read TW as it’s gets a bit dark.
I’m so confused about my feelings towards this book.
Read TW as it’s gets a bit dark.
January 3, 2025
LOVED this.
I haven’t read anything like this before. It was dark and twisted and I didn’t see what happens coming!!
Also I have never wanted to throat punch characters so hard in my life omg!!
I loved Jonah and his story was so emotional. I am glad he got his HEA in a way at the end!! 🙂
I haven’t read anything like this before. It was dark and twisted and I didn’t see what happens coming!!
Also I have never wanted to throat punch characters so hard in my life omg!!
I loved Jonah and his story was so emotional. I am glad he got his HEA in a way at the end!! 🙂
April 8, 2025
Dark and twisted but brilliant, I haven't read anything quite like it. I enjoyed it immensely and even though it was heavy topics it was done in a way that makes you want to keep reading instead of turning away
October 19, 2024
This book got me hooked really fast. It is thrilling, and the writing is excelent. The MC is a strong character who deserves all the love.
March 26, 2025
Not the AI cover
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews