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One night, one bullet, two lives changed forever.
Cass
A legal technicality might be the reason I’m out of prison after serving only two years of what should have been multiple life sentences, but all I care about now is finding the man who put me behind bars in the first place. JJ Ferguson needs to see firsthand what his lies have turned me into.
Two years ago, JJ and I should have been talking about how we’d break it to his older brother that not only was JJ gay but he was also dating me, the guy who’d been his brother’s best friend since childhood.
Our lives had changed that night, just not in the way they should have. I saw JJ fall when the bullet tore through his brain, and I begged him to stay with me as his blood stained my shirt and ran down my arms. My own life ended the moment his did.
I’d been sitting in jail when my piece-of-crap public defense attorney had told me of JJ’s survival. I’d waited for days, then weeks for JJ to tell the cops the truth about that night, even if was still from his hospital bed. Dreams of being reunited with him and being at his side for every step of his recovery had made the nights easier, but waking up every morning and seeing the iron bars that stood between me and freedom had been a unique form of torture.
That was two years ago.
JJ hadn’t come for me. No one had. There’d been no alibi or admission that I hadn’t shot him and murdered three innocent people. The coward never showed, not for my farce of a trial, not for the guilty verdicts, not even for the reading of my sentence.
It doesn’t matter what got me out of prison. All that matters now is teaching JJ what he taught me so well…
The true meaning of suffering.
JJ
Cassius “Cass” Ashby is a free man.
Apparently, two years behind bars is the going rate for murdering three innocent people and attempting to take the life of an LAPD officer. I’m that officer and Cass, a guy who’d been more a part of my family than his own, is the one who put a bullet through my head and left me to die.
Everyone calls me a “medical miracle” because I survived the shooting. If they only knew the things I’m doing with my so-called second chance at life. I spend my days trying to prove to my older brother that I’m back to normal by working for his executive protection company as a bodyguard to the stars.
Nights, though, those are all mine, and I never waste them because they’re my only escape from my “God-given” second chance at life.
Now Cass is out and he’s coming for me. I can feel it in my bones.
I’m looking forward to it. I might have crushed hard on him as a teenager and maybe those feelings had intensified over the years every time the former Marine had come home to visit, but a bullet to the brain makes those feelings go away fast.
When Cass finally does come, he’ll be expecting a naive, complacent, terrified man who’ll beg for his life. There will be begging, but I’m not the one who’s going to be doing it. The second Cass and I finally do meet face to face, he’s going to learn that the tables have turned.
This time, I’m the one who will be doing the hunting and by the time I’m done with my prey, he’ll wish he was still safely cowering behind bars because all the wealth, power, and influence that comes with the Ashby name won’
Cass
A legal technicality might be the reason I’m out of prison after serving only two years of what should have been multiple life sentences, but all I care about now is finding the man who put me behind bars in the first place. JJ Ferguson needs to see firsthand what his lies have turned me into.
Two years ago, JJ and I should have been talking about how we’d break it to his older brother that not only was JJ gay but he was also dating me, the guy who’d been his brother’s best friend since childhood.
Our lives had changed that night, just not in the way they should have. I saw JJ fall when the bullet tore through his brain, and I begged him to stay with me as his blood stained my shirt and ran down my arms. My own life ended the moment his did.
I’d been sitting in jail when my piece-of-crap public defense attorney had told me of JJ’s survival. I’d waited for days, then weeks for JJ to tell the cops the truth about that night, even if was still from his hospital bed. Dreams of being reunited with him and being at his side for every step of his recovery had made the nights easier, but waking up every morning and seeing the iron bars that stood between me and freedom had been a unique form of torture.
That was two years ago.
JJ hadn’t come for me. No one had. There’d been no alibi or admission that I hadn’t shot him and murdered three innocent people. The coward never showed, not for my farce of a trial, not for the guilty verdicts, not even for the reading of my sentence.
It doesn’t matter what got me out of prison. All that matters now is teaching JJ what he taught me so well…
The true meaning of suffering.
JJ
Cassius “Cass” Ashby is a free man.
Apparently, two years behind bars is the going rate for murdering three innocent people and attempting to take the life of an LAPD officer. I’m that officer and Cass, a guy who’d been more a part of my family than his own, is the one who put a bullet through my head and left me to die.
Everyone calls me a “medical miracle” because I survived the shooting. If they only knew the things I’m doing with my so-called second chance at life. I spend my days trying to prove to my older brother that I’m back to normal by working for his executive protection company as a bodyguard to the stars.
Nights, though, those are all mine, and I never waste them because they’re my only escape from my “God-given” second chance at life.
Now Cass is out and he’s coming for me. I can feel it in my bones.
I’m looking forward to it. I might have crushed hard on him as a teenager and maybe those feelings had intensified over the years every time the former Marine had come home to visit, but a bullet to the brain makes those feelings go away fast.
When Cass finally does come, he’ll be expecting a naive, complacent, terrified man who’ll beg for his life. There will be begging, but I’m not the one who’s going to be doing it. The second Cass and I finally do meet face to face, he’s going to learn that the tables have turned.
This time, I’m the one who will be doing the hunting and by the time I’m done with my prey, he’ll wish he was still safely cowering behind bars because all the wealth, power, and influence that comes with the Ashby name won’
409 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 26, 2024
499 people are currently reading
269 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
October 28, 2024
Over-blown, over-long, underwhelming.
The plot was not just improbable but stupid.
The relationship was unconvincing. Like, "You tried to murder me, you bastard, so when I next see you 2 years later, I shall of course immediately dance the two tongue tango with you in the middle of a highway."
The writing was repetitive.
The...
You know what? This was a waste of time. I've deleted the other Sloane Kennedy titles I had TBR.
The plot was not just improbable but stupid.
The relationship was unconvincing. Like, "You tried to murder me, you bastard, so when I next see you 2 years later, I shall of course immediately dance the two tongue tango with you in the middle of a highway."
The writing was repetitive.
The...
You know what? This was a waste of time. I've deleted the other Sloane Kennedy titles I had TBR.
September 5, 2025
Chapter one was terrific. MC Cass just got out of prison and is ready to face down all the jerks who betrayed him.
Then Chapter two opens, and we meet MC 2 JJ the night after… beyond a bender. Drunken unsafe sex with multiple strangers to get over pain (physical and emotional, I think). Sore throat from throwing up all the c&m, and sore rear from having many many MANY faceless partners in one night.
All I’m rooting for is for JJ to PLEASE go see his doctor and therapist ASAP. Felt like reading trauma porn. Can we stop with the answer to pain being going out and being unsafe and f-ing anything that moves?
Don’t know if the bulk of the book is safe for me; that was just the first morning after description we get when JJ wakes up still wasted and sick, and I am outties. Going to find characters w self respect.
I have loved everything else I have read by this author but this was a total turnoff.
Then Chapter two opens, and we meet MC 2 JJ the night after… beyond a bender. Drunken unsafe sex with multiple strangers to get over pain (physical and emotional, I think). Sore throat from throwing up all the c&m, and sore rear from having many many MANY faceless partners in one night.
All I’m rooting for is for JJ to PLEASE go see his doctor and therapist ASAP. Felt like reading trauma porn. Can we stop with the answer to pain being going out and being unsafe and f-ing anything that moves?
Don’t know if the bulk of the book is safe for me; that was just the first morning after description we get when JJ wakes up still wasted and sick, and I am outties. Going to find characters w self respect.
I have loved everything else I have read by this author but this was a total turnoff.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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October 27, 2024DNF at 20%. I'm pretty sure Sloane doesn't like men very much....That's it, this author is not for me.
October 27, 2024
3.5 - rounding up since despite all the niggles I was invested into the story and finished the book in one sitting.
I liked both MCs and the intense relationship between them. The main villain took me by surprise - not the one I expected.
The book is the start of a new series, not connected to any of the previous books/series from this author, which was a big plus for me.
My main issue was the way JJ coped with the pain - it was taken to an unnecessary extreme with the way he allowed other men to use him. Sloan Kennedy likes to torture her MCs, but this one was absolutely pointless aside from adding to shame, guilt, and not being good enough thoughts.
I liked both MCs and the intense relationship between them. The main villain took me by surprise - not the one I expected.
The book is the start of a new series, not connected to any of the previous books/series from this author, which was a big plus for me.
My main issue was the way JJ coped with the pain - it was taken to an unnecessary extreme with the way he allowed other men to use him. Sloan Kennedy likes to torture her MCs, but this one was absolutely pointless aside from adding to shame, guilt, and not being good enough thoughts.
October 27, 2024
DNF 46%
This book is absolutely awful. It barely makes any sense. Done!
This book is absolutely awful. It barely makes any sense. Done!
October 28, 2024
I have read almost every book of this author and usualy loved them. This one.... mmmh not so much - it was all over the place and I could not get into the storyline. I skipped entire pages.
October 27, 2024
I enjoyed this enough to finish it, but not as much as I've loved previous releases by the author.
There were moments that were hard to follow along with, especially with keeping up with which character was currently having a mental traumatic moment. It felt a little jumbled at times for me, and although every question DID get answered in the end. . . They didn't really make much sense as to the WHY.
also, for me personally, I think a lot of the sex scenes were pointless and could have been replaced with the plot because it was a good plot but their connection felt very lust placed instead of much of anything real.
I will still be reading the rest of the series when each book releases, I just hope I enjoy them a little more because I love the authors previous books.
Hopefully, they have fewer pointless sex scenes and focus on that important plot.
There were moments that were hard to follow along with, especially with keeping up with which character was currently having a mental traumatic moment. It felt a little jumbled at times for me, and although every question DID get answered in the end. . . They didn't really make much sense as to the WHY.
also, for me personally, I think a lot of the sex scenes were pointless and could have been replaced with the plot because it was a good plot but their connection felt very lust placed instead of much of anything real.
I will still be reading the rest of the series when each book releases, I just hope I enjoy them a little more because I love the authors previous books.
Hopefully, they have fewer pointless sex scenes and focus on that important plot.
November 3, 2024
I love Sloane Kennedy, but this one... I don't know, something was off.
The feelings were there, but I couldn't catch them.
I'm so curious about this series, I can't wait to read about Sully and Michael, but that's the problem.
I wasn't interested in the main characters.
There was a void.
Also, I found it too repetitive. Very repetitive.
And it isn't a thing I expected from Sloane. It isn't her style.
I loved the mystery, I didn't expect the villain.
The feelings were there, but I couldn't catch them.
I'm so curious about this series, I can't wait to read about Sully and Michael, but that's the problem.
I wasn't interested in the main characters.
There was a void.
Also, I found it too repetitive. Very repetitive.
And it isn't a thing I expected from Sloane. It isn't her style.
I loved the mystery, I didn't expect the villain.
November 1, 2024
I think I just wanted ✨ more ✨ from this. It had a lot of potential and I’m 100% curious about Sully and his assistant. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed this book but it wasn’t the angst and comfort that I’m used to from this author. And the plot was a little far-fetched lmao I think I just wanted less insta-love and more “make me remember you” type things
December 22, 2024
The synopsis of this book pulled me in and made me curious, but the actual execution was pretty lacking. The reasons for things and choices the characters made didn’t make a ton of sense... it felt like a stretch for a lot of the mystery/crime part. The romance was all over the place, from their first interaction on… with the memory loss, confusion, so much back and forth, etc.
The writing was also kind of rough and hard to follow, it was SO wordy. I feel like the same thing was said in 4 different ways. And there would be a line of dialogue, and then 2 pages of inner thoughts that drifted off into random and repetitive places, and then the other character would respond to the previous dialogue, and I had to go back a few pages to be like wait, what were they talking about?? It was also driving me crazy that there was so much telling us about things that were happening off page, rather than showing us.
I was pretty close to DNF but I skimmed through the last 30% because by that point I wanted to know how the mystery part would end.
The writing was also kind of rough and hard to follow, it was SO wordy. I feel like the same thing was said in 4 different ways. And there would be a line of dialogue, and then 2 pages of inner thoughts that drifted off into random and repetitive places, and then the other character would respond to the previous dialogue, and I had to go back a few pages to be like wait, what were they talking about?? It was also driving me crazy that there was so much telling us about things that were happening off page, rather than showing us.
I was pretty close to DNF but I skimmed through the last 30% because by that point I wanted to know how the mystery part would end.
December 26, 2024
Just shockingly bad. I had to skim the last 50%. Honestly, the plot could have been interesting, but the writing was pretty much all internal monologue or exposition.
February 27, 2025
too convoluted and drama for no reason
I’ve read a number of books by Sloan Kennedy and for the most part I’ve enjoyed most of them but this didn’t do it for me. 100 pages in and I was definitely done.
It took months for me to get past chapter 1 of this book and that should have been the clue that maybe this book wasn’t for me but it’s happened before and I went on to like books i disliked in chapter 1, so I gave it the benefit of the doubt.... I should have just closed the book, removed the download and returned it to Kindle.
I am so confused by everything so far because it seems so far-fetched and convoluted. Three men, two best friends and a younger man, brother to one of the best friends and love interest to the other best friend. The younger man and three other people are shot while he’s doing a protection detail as a cop, the best friend/love interest is found at the scene and arrested. he gets carded off to jail because everyone thinks he shot all of these people killing three and almost killing the love interest, Apparently the best friend doesn’t believe this and he finds it suspicious so he devised a plan when his brother the younger man wakes up from his coma and can’t remember any of the incident, he tells him that the best friend did it and he lets the best friend get convicted and sent to prison for the murder of these people, though he believes that his brother or his best friend were the actual targets and the other three dead people were just collateral damage. He lets the best friend rot in jail for two years and he has his brother followed at a distance to keep him safe.
hmm, I thought maybe writing it out would make it make sense but nope, still sounds very convoluted and drama filled for absolutely no reason. The worst part of his plan, is that when he finds a lawyer who is able to get the best friend out of prison and tells the best friend his suspicions, he doesn’t want his brother to know. he wants him to “remember on his own”. Now in theory yes you want people to get their memories back on their own but in this situation he was the reason why these false thoughts were imprinted onto his brothers mind in the first place.
Why must authors make it so complicated? communication is a big thing keeping secrets and going chapters and chapters without the truth coming out is just frustrating. What makes it funny but not really funny is the first time they see each other they kiss. WTF? the younger man still believes this man shot and nearly killed him and killed three other people including a little girl and yet “his kissable lips” gets the better of him?
What’s even more laughable is the fact that the older brother, having nothing other than his own suspicions Doesn’t warn the younger brother that maybe he should be a little bit careful. He simply believes that if he has someone shadowing him from a distance it will make a difference which is stupid because it didn’t make a difference when he originally got shot. The brother has no freaking clue who the real target target was or who was behind the shooting.
You would think that the reasonable, logical thing to do once the best friend was out of prison was to have the three of them sit and he can relay his suspicions to the both of them all the while telling his brother the truth and then the three of them can formulate a plan to figure out who was behind the killing. That! would make it interesting and worth reading . Maybe that happens later in the book, but do I have the patience to waddle through the nonsense that is the first 200 pages before it gets to that point? nope! I do not.
I’ve read a number of books by Sloan Kennedy and for the most part I’ve enjoyed most of them but this didn’t do it for me. 100 pages in and I was definitely done.
It took months for me to get past chapter 1 of this book and that should have been the clue that maybe this book wasn’t for me but it’s happened before and I went on to like books i disliked in chapter 1, so I gave it the benefit of the doubt.... I should have just closed the book, removed the download and returned it to Kindle.
I am so confused by everything so far because it seems so far-fetched and convoluted. Three men, two best friends and a younger man, brother to one of the best friends and love interest to the other best friend. The younger man and three other people are shot while he’s doing a protection detail as a cop, the best friend/love interest is found at the scene and arrested. he gets carded off to jail because everyone thinks he shot all of these people killing three and almost killing the love interest, Apparently the best friend doesn’t believe this and he finds it suspicious so he devised a plan when his brother the younger man wakes up from his coma and can’t remember any of the incident, he tells him that the best friend did it and he lets the best friend get convicted and sent to prison for the murder of these people, though he believes that his brother or his best friend were the actual targets and the other three dead people were just collateral damage. He lets the best friend rot in jail for two years and he has his brother followed at a distance to keep him safe.
hmm, I thought maybe writing it out would make it make sense but nope, still sounds very convoluted and drama filled for absolutely no reason. The worst part of his plan, is that when he finds a lawyer who is able to get the best friend out of prison and tells the best friend his suspicions, he doesn’t want his brother to know. he wants him to “remember on his own”. Now in theory yes you want people to get their memories back on their own but in this situation he was the reason why these false thoughts were imprinted onto his brothers mind in the first place.
Why must authors make it so complicated? communication is a big thing keeping secrets and going chapters and chapters without the truth coming out is just frustrating. What makes it funny but not really funny is the first time they see each other they kiss. WTF? the younger man still believes this man shot and nearly killed him and killed three other people including a little girl and yet “his kissable lips” gets the better of him?
What’s even more laughable is the fact that the older brother, having nothing other than his own suspicions Doesn’t warn the younger brother that maybe he should be a little bit careful. He simply believes that if he has someone shadowing him from a distance it will make a difference which is stupid because it didn’t make a difference when he originally got shot. The brother has no freaking clue who the real target target was or who was behind the shooting.
You would think that the reasonable, logical thing to do once the best friend was out of prison was to have the three of them sit and he can relay his suspicions to the both of them all the while telling his brother the truth and then the three of them can formulate a plan to figure out who was behind the killing. That! would make it interesting and worth reading . Maybe that happens later in the book, but do I have the patience to waddle through the nonsense that is the first 200 pages before it gets to that point? nope! I do not.
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December 1, 2024Honestly what is going on lately. This is the 3rd author in the past month that I've always auto bought where their new book series were just, well bad. Not the plot or the overall premise of the book. Those are great, but the writing, the characters feel off, the pacing of the stories, things like that, like wtf?
I've read every book Sloane Kennedy has written since 2016 when I read the first Protector book like 2 weeks after it first came out. If this book had came then, sure I probably would have loved it. But after so many really good well written books by this author it's like they threw in the towel, used ai, had a ghost writer, just kinda phoned it in knowing their long term fans would instantly buy it.
IDK, between Avril Ashton's new book series & now this new book series... I've never been so disappointed with books as I have these past few weeks. I think I just need a break from reading, even if it's go to authors I've absolutely loved for 8+ years.
I've read every book Sloane Kennedy has written since 2016 when I read the first Protector book like 2 weeks after it first came out. If this book had came then, sure I probably would have loved it. But after so many really good well written books by this author it's like they threw in the towel, used ai, had a ghost writer, just kinda phoned it in knowing their long term fans would instantly buy it.
IDK, between Avril Ashton's new book series & now this new book series... I've never been so disappointed with books as I have these past few weeks. I think I just need a break from reading, even if it's go to authors I've absolutely loved for 8+ years.
April 1, 2025
This is an author I turn to when I'm in the mood for some heavy melodrama. I've read almost everything she's published, and for the most part—knowing exactly what to expect—I've enjoyed it.
But this book? A total miss. I've never given any of her stories just one star before. Ever heard the saying "his muscles have muscles"? Now, imagine its implausibilities having their own implausibilities.
Plus, it's unnecessarily long and downright boring.
I hope the next one will be better.
But this book? A total miss. I've never given any of her stories just one star before. Ever heard the saying "his muscles have muscles"? Now, imagine its implausibilities having their own implausibilities.
Plus, it's unnecessarily long and downright boring.
I hope the next one will be better.
November 2, 2024
Ohhh new series! Excited for this!
Loved both characters. I love a bit of angst and these two had it in spades. Such a sad story which broke them apart and ultimately destroyed their lives.
Once they meet back up again it becomes even harder. Both are kind of on a self destruct path.
Cass by him feeling alone as no one was there for him in prison and once he gets out his old best friend is the only one that shows up. He feels worthless and just wants to isolate himself.
JJ is on an even worse destructive path. He lost a big part of his life and had to start again after the shooting. He now wants to feel nothing at all. He loses himself in toxic encounters, Its safer and hurts less than real life. After thinking for years one of the few people he trusted had hurt him hes shut down.
When they meet up again both of their feelings come bubbling out. A whole slew of anger, pain and hurt is thrown at each other but under all that is the connection they once had.
I liked the story line and my heart broke for both of them. I liked the push and pull and also the unexplainable deep seated emotions they had. Neither knew exactly why but it was there non the less. It kept me engaged and my interest is piqued in the other characters.
My few downsides are i think they maybe needed a bit more of a connection before the incident. I couldn't wrap my head round the short time they were together. I know they had a "family" connection but Cass only saw him as his best friends little bro before he got back from a tour and once back saw him in different light. They only had a few days together romantically before it all went to hell.
Also it was extremely slow burn. Virtually the whole book until there was any actual substance. I understand with JJs problems it was needed to go slow but i think it went on too long.
Other than this i did enjoy it and i can't wait to see how the rest of the series plays out.
Loved both characters. I love a bit of angst and these two had it in spades. Such a sad story which broke them apart and ultimately destroyed their lives.
Once they meet back up again it becomes even harder. Both are kind of on a self destruct path.
Cass by him feeling alone as no one was there for him in prison and once he gets out his old best friend is the only one that shows up. He feels worthless and just wants to isolate himself.
JJ is on an even worse destructive path. He lost a big part of his life and had to start again after the shooting. He now wants to feel nothing at all. He loses himself in toxic encounters, Its safer and hurts less than real life. After thinking for years one of the few people he trusted had hurt him hes shut down.
When they meet up again both of their feelings come bubbling out. A whole slew of anger, pain and hurt is thrown at each other but under all that is the connection they once had.
I liked the story line and my heart broke for both of them. I liked the push and pull and also the unexplainable deep seated emotions they had. Neither knew exactly why but it was there non the less. It kept me engaged and my interest is piqued in the other characters.
My few downsides are i think they maybe needed a bit more of a connection before the incident. I couldn't wrap my head round the short time they were together. I know they had a "family" connection but Cass only saw him as his best friends little bro before he got back from a tour and once back saw him in different light. They only had a few days together romantically before it all went to hell.
Also it was extremely slow burn. Virtually the whole book until there was any actual substance. I understand with JJs problems it was needed to go slow but i think it went on too long.
Other than this i did enjoy it and i can't wait to see how the rest of the series plays out.
October 29, 2024
So Good❤️
Sloane Kennedy can do no wrong in my opinion. She is the queen of MM books, an incredible writer who can engage the reader from the very first page.
What a ride! The author could never be accused of writing sweet love stories. This book was a beautifully crafted, achingly brutal love between Cass and JJ. Cass from an extremely wealthy old money cold family and JJ, who lost his mom when he was very young and was brought up by his lovely brother Sully, who became best friends with Cass, and his father who took Cass into his family and treated him like a son.
JJ grew up with a crush on Cass, and on Cass’ return from his last tour of duty as a Marine he noticed JJ as the gorgeous cop he was and not the young boy he had watched grow up.
This book was packed with angst. I cried for Cass and the unbelievably traumatic event he found he had been set up for and then OMG did I cry for JJ and the life changing event that he went through. Through lies and deceit these two innocent men who had found love, found the only way to cope with what had been done to them was to hate each other, it was the only way for them to get through a day. The dynamic between Cass and JJ is riveting and as they spend more time together and embark on finding the people responsible they begin to open up and share their deepest, darkest secrets, their mistakes and their loss. They cry for the people they were and the suffering they have endured and it is clear that they still have very deep feelings for each other and promise to always be there to help the other through their darkness.
Heartfelt, very steamy and the secondary characters were strong, some likeable and some hateful with a twist at the end.
Strongly recommend you read this brilliant book.
Sloane Kennedy can do no wrong in my opinion. She is the queen of MM books, an incredible writer who can engage the reader from the very first page.
What a ride! The author could never be accused of writing sweet love stories. This book was a beautifully crafted, achingly brutal love between Cass and JJ. Cass from an extremely wealthy old money cold family and JJ, who lost his mom when he was very young and was brought up by his lovely brother Sully, who became best friends with Cass, and his father who took Cass into his family and treated him like a son.
JJ grew up with a crush on Cass, and on Cass’ return from his last tour of duty as a Marine he noticed JJ as the gorgeous cop he was and not the young boy he had watched grow up.
This book was packed with angst. I cried for Cass and the unbelievably traumatic event he found he had been set up for and then OMG did I cry for JJ and the life changing event that he went through. Through lies and deceit these two innocent men who had found love, found the only way to cope with what had been done to them was to hate each other, it was the only way for them to get through a day. The dynamic between Cass and JJ is riveting and as they spend more time together and embark on finding the people responsible they begin to open up and share their deepest, darkest secrets, their mistakes and their loss. They cry for the people they were and the suffering they have endured and it is clear that they still have very deep feelings for each other and promise to always be there to help the other through their darkness.
Heartfelt, very steamy and the secondary characters were strong, some likeable and some hateful with a twist at the end.
Strongly recommend you read this brilliant book.
October 29, 2024
I loved this story so much! I wasn't sure that Case and JJ would ever be all right because JJ was convinced that Cass was a murderer and had shot him in the head though he didn't remember the shooting itself but relied on what he read and his brother Sully told him. He was enraged that Cass had been released after only serving two years for murder and the confrontation on the road between JJ and Cass was intense and amusing at the same time because Cass grabbed JJ and kissed him while ignoring the gun he was holding. I was curious as to why Sully had mortgaged his house to get a good lawyer to get Cass out but it turned out he knew Cass was innocent. And he was protecting JJ so he had not told him that Cass was innocent because he was protecting JJ. The trip to the cabin in the woods was an intense interlude and it was so sad to see how much pain that JJ suffered and that Cass was so badly damaged from his imprisonment. Cass visited his grandmother, who had raised Cass herself, and seemed to be suffering from dementia. The butler, Renly, was acting oddly and the whole visit was odd.
A later visit that Cass and JJ made revealed that JJ realized that Cass's grandmother was faking her dementia and that she was disgusted with their relationship.
The visit to the father's office was wild and I was unsure what was happening and then shocked to find out who the real villain turned out to be though there were clues that I missed. Loved the epilogue and looking forward to reading about Sully and Michael who turned out to have more skills than anyone realized.
A later visit that Cass and JJ made revealed that JJ realized that Cass's grandmother was faking her dementia and that she was disgusted with their relationship.
The visit to the father's office was wild and I was unsure what was happening and then shocked to find out who the real villain turned out to be though there were clues that I missed. Loved the epilogue and looking forward to reading about Sully and Michael who turned out to have more skills than anyone realized.
November 3, 2024
This is an exciting, high-angst rollercoaster ride to a great new series. Cass and JJ had known each other for years. As adults, they were on the precipice of starting a relationship, already promising a loving future, when JJ was shot in the head and Cass was blamed for his assault and the death of three others. Now, two years later, Cass is released from prison on a technicality. Innocent, he wants to know why his rich family abandoned him in his hour of need and why JJ never came to clear his name when he recovered from surgery.
JJ is furious that Cass was let out of prison so easily. The problem is that JJ has spent months learning how to walk, talk, and eat again. He is still in frequent, searing pain and confused. He blames Cass, but is Cass really guilty? He trusts Cass, doesn't he? He wished he could remember.
As the two men spend time together, PTSD and trauma almost rip them apart. Still, love stands a chance. Parts of this book are difficult to read, especially as JJ seeks out many nameless encounters to cope prior to reconnecting with Cass. The author handles this sexual history respectfully and with safety between the MCs in mind. There are many mind-blowingly hot passionate encounters between the MCs, unexpected twists in the mystery of who actually shot JJ and killed other innocents, and a true forever love. The book has all the look and feel of The Protectors books, but with a new cast of characters. I plan to continue to read this series.
JJ is furious that Cass was let out of prison so easily. The problem is that JJ has spent months learning how to walk, talk, and eat again. He is still in frequent, searing pain and confused. He blames Cass, but is Cass really guilty? He trusts Cass, doesn't he? He wished he could remember.
As the two men spend time together, PTSD and trauma almost rip them apart. Still, love stands a chance. Parts of this book are difficult to read, especially as JJ seeks out many nameless encounters to cope prior to reconnecting with Cass. The author handles this sexual history respectfully and with safety between the MCs in mind. There are many mind-blowingly hot passionate encounters between the MCs, unexpected twists in the mystery of who actually shot JJ and killed other innocents, and a true forever love. The book has all the look and feel of The Protectors books, but with a new cast of characters. I plan to continue to read this series.
October 28, 2024
**********Contains Spoilers**********
I’ve been a fan of Sloane Kennedy for years, and have read and thoroughly enjoyed nearly all of her books. I thought that this was a good start to the Targes Executive Protection Series. Cass and JJ’s story was heartbreakingly beautiful, as well as an emotional roller coaster. I loved how even after everything that they both went through, and thought the other was responsible for their love never died. I wanted to reach through the pages and hug both of them multiple times while reading their story.
I loved seeing them slowly learn who they are now, compared to who they were before the events that changed both their lives two years ago. I’m glad that Cass found JJ, Sully (Cass’s best friend) and their father as they showed him the true meaning of family and unconditional love. Cass and JJ were each other’s rocks, even if things weren’t great for themselves they were strong for the other. I thought their chemistry was off the charts, as well as hot as hell. I’m looking forward to reading more from this series as it continues, as well as more books from Sloane Kennedy in the future. I’d definitely recommend this book, series and author to others.
I’ve been a fan of Sloane Kennedy for years, and have read and thoroughly enjoyed nearly all of her books. I thought that this was a good start to the Targes Executive Protection Series. Cass and JJ’s story was heartbreakingly beautiful, as well as an emotional roller coaster. I loved how even after everything that they both went through, and thought the other was responsible for their love never died. I wanted to reach through the pages and hug both of them multiple times while reading their story.
I loved seeing them slowly learn who they are now, compared to who they were before the events that changed both their lives two years ago. I’m glad that Cass found JJ, Sully (Cass’s best friend) and their father as they showed him the true meaning of family and unconditional love. Cass and JJ were each other’s rocks, even if things weren’t great for themselves they were strong for the other. I thought their chemistry was off the charts, as well as hot as hell. I’m looking forward to reading more from this series as it continues, as well as more books from Sloane Kennedy in the future. I’d definitely recommend this book, series and author to others.
November 2, 2024
Proof, written by Sloane Kennedy, is the first book in the Targes Executive Protection series.
*MM relationship
*Amnesia
*Best friend’s brother
Cas and JJ first met in their early to mid teens and had an instant friendship that included JJ’s older brother. Once they are older, JJ and Cas develop more than a friendship and are starting to spend time together when a horrible tragedy rips them apart. JJ ends up shot and Cas ends up in prison.
Now, Cas has been released on a technicality and is working for JJ’s brother who is requesting that Cas follow JJ to find out how he is doing and what he is up too. What Cas finds out about JJ is truly heartbreaking, self destruction, amnesia, and guilt do not mix well together.
Cas and JJ must work together to find out what truly happened that fateful night before one, or both of them, ends up hurt again.
I am a huge fan of this author, lover her Protector series!! This book was hard to read due to the harsh reality of how JJ was living his life at the beginning of the book. Glad she has a new series coming out and looking forward reading the other books.
Format: BookFunnel ebook
Genre: Contemporary fiction, Romance
Overall score:⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Characters: Cas (MMC) & JJ (MMC)
*MM relationship
*Amnesia
*Best friend’s brother
Cas and JJ first met in their early to mid teens and had an instant friendship that included JJ’s older brother. Once they are older, JJ and Cas develop more than a friendship and are starting to spend time together when a horrible tragedy rips them apart. JJ ends up shot and Cas ends up in prison.
Now, Cas has been released on a technicality and is working for JJ’s brother who is requesting that Cas follow JJ to find out how he is doing and what he is up too. What Cas finds out about JJ is truly heartbreaking, self destruction, amnesia, and guilt do not mix well together.
Cas and JJ must work together to find out what truly happened that fateful night before one, or both of them, ends up hurt again.
I am a huge fan of this author, lover her Protector series!! This book was hard to read due to the harsh reality of how JJ was living his life at the beginning of the book. Glad she has a new series coming out and looking forward reading the other books.
Format: BookFunnel ebook
Genre: Contemporary fiction, Romance
Overall score:⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Characters: Cas (MMC) & JJ (MMC)
December 17, 2024
Proof... that a collection of words can evoke the strongest emotions
I just finished Proof, literally 5 seconds ago, so I'm still trying to gather my thoughts. Bear with me.
I'm no stranger to Sloane Kennedy's writing, and yet, every single time I read something new of hers, I'm left in awe.
Kennedy is a master at weaving words together, creating characters that have such personalities, that are so well fleshed out that they feel real, and creating worlds that make you wish you could be a part of them.
Proof was no exception. I wanted to hold Cass. I wanted to cry with JJ. I wanted to know them personally and offer them both every single piece of my broken heart in an effort to help them heal.
I loved Cass and JJ's story. It was raw. Explosive. So heart-breakingly beautiful, I had to pause quite a few times because I couldn't see through my tears.
While this is a work of fiction, Kennedy's ability to create made Cass and JJ's story feel like a retelling of true events rather than a fictional romance and I find myself actually sad that these characters don't exist and that their romance isn't real.
I cried. I laughed. I squealed. I 😲😲😲.
I can not recommend this book or this author enough.
10 ⭐️ for me.
Now, now I'm off for an immediate re-read.
I just finished Proof, literally 5 seconds ago, so I'm still trying to gather my thoughts. Bear with me.
I'm no stranger to Sloane Kennedy's writing, and yet, every single time I read something new of hers, I'm left in awe.
Kennedy is a master at weaving words together, creating characters that have such personalities, that are so well fleshed out that they feel real, and creating worlds that make you wish you could be a part of them.
Proof was no exception. I wanted to hold Cass. I wanted to cry with JJ. I wanted to know them personally and offer them both every single piece of my broken heart in an effort to help them heal.
I loved Cass and JJ's story. It was raw. Explosive. So heart-breakingly beautiful, I had to pause quite a few times because I couldn't see through my tears.
While this is a work of fiction, Kennedy's ability to create made Cass and JJ's story feel like a retelling of true events rather than a fictional romance and I find myself actually sad that these characters don't exist and that their romance isn't real.
I cried. I laughed. I squealed. I 😲😲😲.
I can not recommend this book or this author enough.
10 ⭐️ for me.
Now, now I'm off for an immediate re-read.
November 4, 2024
Yes, it’s hurt/comfort
But I think I have my limits. The author mentioned this books wasn’t as well received as she’d hoped, and once I hit chapter 2 I get why some people (myself included) would choose to DNF. I get this is all adult material and all, but man I cringed in a brother ewww way so hard at the graphic description of JJ’s self-destructive behavior. I know, Kennedy’s style is very much that, the extreme trauma and all but dang, not even 40 pages in? Her books are on the more emotionally draining side for me, NGL I have skipped the last 3 in the Protectors series because I just can’t, I feel like I have to prepare to read her books and honestly that takes the fun out of reading. Sadly, this book was simply not for me and I did in fact DNF at chapter 3. I wasn’t connecting to either MC and I already knew I was not going to like JJ. Was hoping maybe the audio would help but I’m not a fan of being screamed at by the narrator she chose. Oh well, seems like I’ve reached the break up point with this author, such a shame.
But I think I have my limits. The author mentioned this books wasn’t as well received as she’d hoped, and once I hit chapter 2 I get why some people (myself included) would choose to DNF. I get this is all adult material and all, but man I cringed in a brother ewww way so hard at the graphic description of JJ’s self-destructive behavior. I know, Kennedy’s style is very much that, the extreme trauma and all but dang, not even 40 pages in? Her books are on the more emotionally draining side for me, NGL I have skipped the last 3 in the Protectors series because I just can’t, I feel like I have to prepare to read her books and honestly that takes the fun out of reading. Sadly, this book was simply not for me and I did in fact DNF at chapter 3. I wasn’t connecting to either MC and I already knew I was not going to like JJ. Was hoping maybe the audio would help but I’m not a fan of being screamed at by the narrator she chose. Oh well, seems like I’ve reached the break up point with this author, such a shame.
January 22, 2025
Way too long
Boy is this author wordy. What one might say in a paragraph, the author uses a dozen. An example, when Cass said “lay down” to JJ, the author wrote 15 paragraphs of JJ’s self dialog before JJ laid down. Almost 4 pages worth. And the sheer redundancy became monotonous. Plus the first 3/4 of the book was the hot and cold of the character JJ. He would push Cass away and then reader was subjected to one or two chapters of him being mad about Cass leaving. UGH. How the author wrote the JJ character became a problem for me. He was whiny, immature and self centered. The author used his trauma to attempt to elicit sympathy from the reader, but she went overboard with JJ behavior, so she lost me. I ended up not liking the character. The real story developed in the last four chapters of the book. A reader could read chapters one and two and then skip to the last 4 chapters of the book and call it good. Or better yet, skip this book entirely.
Boy is this author wordy. What one might say in a paragraph, the author uses a dozen. An example, when Cass said “lay down” to JJ, the author wrote 15 paragraphs of JJ’s self dialog before JJ laid down. Almost 4 pages worth. And the sheer redundancy became monotonous. Plus the first 3/4 of the book was the hot and cold of the character JJ. He would push Cass away and then reader was subjected to one or two chapters of him being mad about Cass leaving. UGH. How the author wrote the JJ character became a problem for me. He was whiny, immature and self centered. The author used his trauma to attempt to elicit sympathy from the reader, but she went overboard with JJ behavior, so she lost me. I ended up not liking the character. The real story developed in the last four chapters of the book. A reader could read chapters one and two and then skip to the last 4 chapters of the book and call it good. Or better yet, skip this book entirely.
March 15, 2025
Cass, released from prison on a technicality after serving two years for crimes he claims he didn’t commit, is determined to confront JJ, the man whose lies he believes destroyed his life. JJ, the LAPD officer Cass allegedly shot, survived the attack and now uses his second chance at life to prove his strength and independence. As Cass seeks vengeance and JJ prepares for their inevitable confrontation, both men are driven by unresolved emotions, betrayal, and the dark history that binds them. Their reunion promises a dangerous clash where the tables have turned, and neither man intends to back down.
This was a story full of emotions and feelings as the two men tried to sort out their thoughts while also trying to work out who and why the shooting of JJ happened which resulted in Cass being jailed. Lots of twists before the truth came out. Central to the story was Cass and JJ's relationship. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MM story with mature content.
This was a story full of emotions and feelings as the two men tried to sort out their thoughts while also trying to work out who and why the shooting of JJ happened which resulted in Cass being jailed. Lots of twists before the truth came out. Central to the story was Cass and JJ's relationship. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MM story with mature content.
October 27, 2024
What a fantastic start to a new series!! My goodness, this book broke my heart many times over… Poor Cass and his f’ed up family and what he went through, I cried for him and with him, he needed all the hugs. JJ, well he’s something else, I wasn’t sure I liked him at first but when I read more of the story I got why he was the way he was. So sad… I’m glad Cass confronted JJ and had a talk to open up on some things he couldn’t understand, even though they kept fighting, they finally got together and eventually start fresh. They were so meant for each other. I cried so much reading this book, I swooned at their terms of endearment for each other and was a little surprised with who the culprit was. I kinda of thought it was that person but wanted to be wrong but I wasn’t and still I was shocked… GAH… The book was so good! A Must Recommended Read!
November 18, 2024
👨🏻🤝👨🏼👮♂️Proof👮♂️👨🏻🤝👨🏼
“𝑱𝑱… 𝒎𝒚 𝑱𝑱.” 𝑴𝒚. 𝑴𝒊𝒏𝒆. 𝑺𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒂 𝒔𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒐 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒇#𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓.
I won't go over the blurb as you can read in the description. 🧐🤔
𝑻𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒔 𝑬𝒙𝒆𝒄𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔
1. Proof - Cash & JJ
* MM * High Angst
* Bro best friend * Spice
* Amnesia * Audio
* Enemies to lovers
I absolutely love an MM series in any format as long as it has story & character building. This story was well thought out & executed 😍 I absolutely loved this story & can't wait for the next. 😍
Thank you, Sloane Kennedy 💐
Narrator Michael Dean brilliant performance Thank you🎧
Story 📚📚📚📚📚
Characters ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶🌶🌶.
Narration 👄 👄 👄👄👄
#Proof #TargesExecutiveProtectionSeries #SloaneKennedy #Narrator #MichaelDean #HighAngst #MM #Amnesia #Cop #Adult #GreatStart #Audiobooks
“𝑱𝑱… 𝒎𝒚 𝑱𝑱.” 𝑴𝒚. 𝑴𝒊𝒏𝒆. 𝑺𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒂 𝒔𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒐 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒇#𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓.
I won't go over the blurb as you can read in the description. 🧐🤔
𝑻𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒔 𝑬𝒙𝒆𝒄𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔
1. Proof - Cash & JJ
* MM * High Angst
* Bro best friend * Spice
* Amnesia * Audio
* Enemies to lovers
I absolutely love an MM series in any format as long as it has story & character building. This story was well thought out & executed 😍 I absolutely loved this story & can't wait for the next. 😍
Thank you, Sloane Kennedy 💐
Narrator Michael Dean brilliant performance Thank you🎧
Story 📚📚📚📚📚
Characters ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶🌶🌶.
Narration 👄 👄 👄👄👄
#Proof #TargesExecutiveProtectionSeries #SloaneKennedy #Narrator #MichaelDean #HighAngst #MM #Amnesia #Cop #Adult #GreatStart #Audiobooks
January 7, 2025
I was so interested in reading this story that I pre-ordered it. When I got it and started reading, it was deliciously intense. I was so excited that I actually thought it was going to get a 5 star rating from me. But then I hit toward the middle of the book, and suddenly it seemed like an entirely different story. I got mired down in inner dialogue, repetitive thoughts, a little general confusion on what was happening or why, and sex scenes that just felt off or gratuitous or I don't know what. I did read through and got answers to the important questions, but I kinda wish the pace/plot was a little more even throughout. It would have definitely earned that 5 stars that I so wanted to give it in the beginning. I will look, with fingers crossed, for the next book to see what happens (I expect) with Michael and Sully.
October 28, 2024
4.5 stars
I was so excited to read this beginning of a new series from one of my favourite authors.
In usual Sloane Kennedy style, she didn't take long get get me hooked these guys by breaking my heart a little.
Action packed crime mystery stars ex prisoner Cass and his best friends little brother JJ.
So much pain and so many lies as Jj's missing memories and his perception of the past keep them hurting each other over and over.
"JJ wasn't kissing me because he knew deep down we'd be okay.
He was kissing me because he knew we wouldn't. "
This is an emotional, second chance, who done it. It has twists and turns, deception and secrets, family, true love and building trust.
I look forward to more of this series.
I was so excited to read this beginning of a new series from one of my favourite authors.
In usual Sloane Kennedy style, she didn't take long get get me hooked these guys by breaking my heart a little.
Action packed crime mystery stars ex prisoner Cass and his best friends little brother JJ.
So much pain and so many lies as Jj's missing memories and his perception of the past keep them hurting each other over and over.
"JJ wasn't kissing me because he knew deep down we'd be okay.
He was kissing me because he knew we wouldn't. "
This is an emotional, second chance, who done it. It has twists and turns, deception and secrets, family, true love and building trust.
I look forward to more of this series.
October 27, 2024
If you're expecting a continuation of the Protectors, this is not it. Sloane has branched out with the beginning of something new and, man, is it awesome. Proof is about things lost, truths told, and love found again. Cass is accused and sentenced for doing something he absolutely did not do, murder. JJ was caught in the crossfire and so was their blossoming love. After release, Cass is out for revenge but gains so much more, hard truths and the love of his life. Family found is better than real family. Real family will use and disappoint where found family loves and nutures. This is an awesome start to what hopefully will become a series. Five giant stars
November 4, 2024
Wow, never before have I not finished a Sloane Kennedy book... but there you have it.
That is not to say that I won't read the next one because I might love all the ones to come :P
This one though, I could not get into the storyline but most of all... I hated JJ.
And once I start hating a character, it is over.
I did not like his personality and his behavior really grossed me the fuck out. I had to stop reading because I was getting irritated and stressed out over that fucknut.
So... too bad but I have high hopes for future books. I mean I have read almost all of Sloane's books and this is the first character I really hate so...
That is not to say that I won't read the next one because I might love all the ones to come :P
This one though, I could not get into the storyline but most of all... I hated JJ.
And once I start hating a character, it is over.
I did not like his personality and his behavior really grossed me the fuck out. I had to stop reading because I was getting irritated and stressed out over that fucknut.
So... too bad but I have high hopes for future books. I mean I have read almost all of Sloane's books and this is the first character I really hate so...
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